Happiness Is with Bruce Aitchison

I love Gordy Reid. You love Gordy Reid. Everybody (well, most people) love Gordy Reid. He's a man on mission. He wants to make the world a better place. I want to help.  Have a listen and get ready for nonsense! But also, can you help? I always love chatting to the BIG dafty, I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/happiness-is-wi...

I was delighted to speak to Chris Laidlaw for the Happiness is... Podcast. He's played, coached and this year embarked on a HUGE charity challenge to raise funds and awareness for 3 causes close to his ❤. I know his folks, his brothers, his uncle, his cousin and his wife, all good people and all hugely proud of Chris. I loved coaching him when he played and look forward to watching his progress as...

Simon Amor broke my heart a few times. Arriving in Hong Kong in 2001, England went on a great run of 7s victories and as proud Scotsman, it was tough. But he was class, what a player! He has coached at a high level for years in different, challenging environments and I love his enthusiasm for the game and most all, for people. He now finds himself in my second home and I was delighted he gave up s...

50 NOT OUT It took some convincing, but I'm glad my mate Sean kept on at me. I've loved podcasting and don't want it to stop. I was pleased Sean joined me to reflect on what has gone before and look ahead to what might happen I future. We've shared this experience, built a strong relationship together and developed new relationships with others, making memories as we go. I loved chatting to my mat...

I've admired Damian McGrath for a long time. He is responsive on social media, has had a wide range of experiences in the game & was one if the first interviews I did on www.happinessiseggshaped.org. He's also a former PE teacher! I was delighted when he agreed to have a chat on the pod, I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped Support this show http://supporter.acast.com...

Edinburgh Rugby have a new home, right next door to their old one. They've downsized, but it is a much better fit. Fashionably, they've gone for the low maintenance AstroTurf. But like moving house, they are very excited and have welcomed visitors to join them in their house warming. Last Saturday, Scarlets came calling and I was there. It was one of my best days at Murrayfield, well, my best day...

I've watched Hamilton Burr's journey from afar. I went to NZ to play when I was a kid and loved Waikato, I love the NPC and often wish I could be back there in Hamilton. It was great to catch up with Hammy about his rugby journey and hopes for the future. I loved chatting to him, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/happiness-is-with-bruc...

This man needs very little introduction.  Lion. Legend. Absolutely love being able to call him my friend. I loved the chat, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Bentos Shaped Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/happiness-is-with-bruce-aitchison . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I went to school and played rugby with Davie Gray many moons ago. Since then he has gone to play for Scotland all around the world on the 7s circuit, move to NZ and has worked with the Hurricanes to help make players fitter, stronger and ready to perform. As he launches his new venture, FLOWSTATE, it seemed the perfect time to catch up for a blether. I loved it. I hope you enjoy listening.  H...

I have admired Kieron Achara from afar for years. I met him once when he visited the basketball team in my school, he is an impressive human. He is a presence when he enters the gym, he is a Role Model and should be listened to with his views in the game, sport, the future and attitudes. I watched him play his last home game for Glasgow Rocks, he remembered me and gave time to my daughters, g...

The last episode in the Samurai Rugby Pod Series is out on Monday with 🥇Golden Boy🥇 Tim Walsh! Walsh played for Samurai, coached for Samurai, won a 🥇 medal at the Rio Olympics as coach of the Australian Womens 7s Team and then coached the AU 7s Mens Team in Tokyo.  I absolutely loved speaking to him, he's a class act, a cool, laid back Aussie with a very positive outlook and sharp mind. I...

I have watched and loved 7s for a long time, growing up near Melrose in the Borders and then living in HK for 4 years fuelled the fire. Ben Gollings is BOX OFFICE! He won for England, made the HK Magnificent 7 and is a fantastic ambassador for the game. The Samurai Pod Series has allowed me to meet some of the biggest hitters in the 7s Universe. Best of all, they've all been good people. Ben Golli...

Next in the Samurai Series is the wonderful Rachael Burford. I have got to know Burf very recently and love how passionate she is about the game, raising the profile of girls/womens Rugby & being a part of the #SamuraiFamily. Finding time in her ridiculously busy schedule to have chat was challenging, but well worth the wait... I loved talking to her, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is E...

My mate Tony Walker has been at Exeter Chiefs for years. I've no idea what he does, but he is on the touchline for games and seems to know the players.  A lot has happened since we played together and I was delighted he found time in his very busy schedule to have a chat to me. I loved it. I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/h...

I have loved doing the Happiness is... Podcast and although it took some persuading, I couldnt imagine how it has reached people.  Normally, I'm in the room to see and feel the reaction when I speak and ask the questions, so the pod was an unknown venture.  After speaking to the MAGNIFICENT David Smith MBE, I felt flat. It was an amazing experience but the comedown was huge. I was tired....

Carlin Isles is spectacular, 100% Box Office. Speaking to him a few hours before he flew to Japan for the Olympics was a pleasure, it was short and sharp, but fun and laughter packed. I loved speaking to him, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped as part of the "Celebrating 25 Years of Samurai Rugby" series Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/happiness-is-with-bruce-aitchiso...

Mike Friday is the Samurai RFC Chairman, Head Coach of the USA 7s squad and ambassador for the game of Rugby 7s. 'Geezer' is a story-teller and it was a huge honour to speak to him before he flew to Japan for the Olympics to talk all things Samurai and 7s. I loved listening, I hope you do too. Happiness is Egg Shaped  #SamuraiFamily as part of the "Celebrating 25 Years of Samurai Rugby" serie...

Samurai Rugby is known all over this Egg Shaped planet. The man at the heart of this amazing organisation is Terry Sands. Terry had been good to me, and hundreds (maybe thousands?) of players, coaches and rugby folk. The part Samurai has played in the development of people is often overlooked.  I loved talking to Sandsy, I hope you enjoy listening to the 1st in this Samurai Series.  Happ...

I first knew of Nick Heath through the magic of social media and loved his positive approach to life. He hosted a quiz to raise funds and awareness for Doddie Weir's Foundation during the first lock down in 2020 and I thought he was brilliant. I was delighted Nick agreed to be a guest on the pod, especially now he is a Saturday night TV star! I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did. Happiness...

When Catherine Spencer wrote her autobiography I was really keen to get a copy.  I loved her story of giving everything to be the best she could be and the challenges she experienced along the way. I loved talking to my birthday buddy, I hope you enjoy listening.  Happiness is Egg Shaped Buy Catherine's brilliant book "Mud, Maul, Mascara: When fighting for a dream can make you and break...

In 2015, I watched a documentary on TV of a guy I'd never heard of.  Very few tv shows have had such an impact on me. This guy, David Smith, had faced unbelievable challenges throughout his life, and he had many more to come. He was my hero. I was inspired.  I've followed his story since, had contact through messages but never met. I was delighted David agreed to be a guest on the pod. H...

Jim Telfer is my Everest.   His passion for Rugby and his knowledge of the game is hard to rival. He has achieved so much and means so much to so many. I asked my mum to ask him if he would be on the pod. She went to visit and was there for ages, she likes to talk... I was delighted that he agreed. I could have been there for days. Very few ever get the chance to give for Everest, I did. I ho...

Tim Visser is a bundle of energy, the craziest Dutchman I know. Try scorer wherever he went and popular with his team mates. No wonder, he's kind, generous with his time and always worth some nonsense. With Harlequins making the Premiership Final, it seemed like the perfect excuse to have a chat. I loved talking to him, I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped Support this show http://s...

When Sean and I started talking about doing a podcast, the original list of potential guests was topped with this man, a history maker, a role model and a bloody good human. Someone I was desperate to speak to! I was delighted Ben Ryan agreed to give me some of his precious time. I loved talking to him and I hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped  #veilomani Buy Ben's brilliant boo...

I've known Richie Gray for a long time, I've played with him and been coached by him, listened to him and admired him for a long time. He is creative, funny, humble and a positive person to be around. I loved speaking to him and hope you enjoy listening. Happiness is Egg Shaped Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/happiness-is-with-bruce-aitchison . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...