Sport and Life

David Brear played 11 sports to county level and basketball to a high level. David is also a Norwich City FC season ticket holder. Here we talk about how sport has inspired his approach to being CEO of 11FS, a company going from strength to strength in the Fintech world. Lengthy chat on Michael Jordan as an exemplar in sport and business and styles of leadership in football, including Pep Guardiol...

Thoughts on a powerful and compelling night of boxing at the O2 arena. Made my commentary debut as Josh Taylor beat Regis Prograis in the main event to win the World Boxing Super Series Super Lightweight title & several other baubles.

Lucy Shepherd at 27 is a highly experienced adventurer, specialising in Arctic and mountainous conditions. She also leads expeditions to the Artic, which are open to members of the public. Next up she’s revisiting the Amazon jungle in Guyana on an unprecedented trek - last time she had a close encounter with a jaguar. @lucysheps is the handle to follow Lucy on social media.

Martin St Quinton has had a prolific and hugely successful business career, buying and selling more than 70 companies. Now, while still active in business, he is Chairman of Gloucester Rugby and The Cheltenham Racecourse. Cracking chat about sport, business and life.

Danny talks through his distinguished career that included spells at West Brom, Cardiff City, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers & the Wales national team. Great chat about football and life!

Miles heads up the hugely successful Cheltenham business, SLG, which works with brands like Superdry & Zoella.  SLG was also headline sponsor for the inaugural Cheltenham Wellbeing Festival. A desire to keep staff well and happy, spurred Miles to create SLG's incredible new multimillon-pound office in the heart of Cheltenham - complete with tropical plants and bleachers!  Cracking co...

John Hudson- originally an RAF pilot - trains members of the UK 🇬🇧 military to survive in extreme situations. He’s written a book on how those survival principles can be adapted to help people function & perform better in their day to day. The book’s called ‘How to Survive: Lessons For Everyday Life From the Extreme World. Also talk about the importance of getting outdoors and chat surfing 🏄‍♂️ &...

Two Irish footballing friends, Sean & Kevin - now either side of a Gloucestershire football ⚽️ rivalry - talk about their recent inspirational trip to coach the game in Sierra Leone. Jen David orchestrated the trip and has long since helped communities in the country, having originally worked as a nurse there. Jen’s a trustee of Kambia District Foundation.

Sport, health and fitness chat with hugely experienced trainer James Golden. From working with elite footballers ⚽️ to high flying corporate clients fascinating to hear how James help people improve performance and feel better. James is a resident trainer at Daylesford Organic Farm in the Cotswolds - where we recorded a co conversation. We’ll do a longer, more specific chat on training soon!

Cheltenham Town striker Luke Varney talks about his long & exciting career in football ⚽️ - he’s played non league, league two, league one, Championship & Premier League. Cool chat about life lessons & experiences of playing at historic clubs like Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday & more.

I hosted five events at the inaugural Cheltenham Wellbeing Festival - here are a few takeaways from the experts I spoke to on health, fitness, architecture, parenthood & loneliness.

Chris Coley has been involved with and supported Cheltenham Town ⚽️ FC, Gloucestershire Cricket 🏏 Club, The Cheltenham Horse Racing 🏇 Festival & organised clay pigeon shooting events. This alongside careers in teaching & then building his own very successful hospitality business around sport. Now in his 70s, he still owns horses & is heavily involved in sport.

Chat with trainer Fergal O’Brien about his lifelong dedication to horses 🐎 & what how the sport has taught him life lessons. Fergal is on Twitter & is always keen to have people up to his yard in Gloucestershire (20 minutes outside of Cheltenham) to watch the horses in action.

Very fortunate to be ringside to see Vasili Lomachenko beat Luke Campbell in a boxing 🥊 match of high class and compelling exchanges. Reflections here on watching true mastery at work.

I’m hosting a series of fitness & health talks at the Cheltenham Wellbeing Festival. Run through them here.

Paul Cooper plays Martin Mucklowe in the BBC comedy This Country. But he’s also been a football ⚽️ fan & youth coach for decades - and organises ‘peace games’ to bring divided groups of people together.

Will Boyle is a 23 yo player for Cheltenham Town - formerly Huddersfield Town, Kilmarnock FC & Kiddderminster Harriers. Fascinating chat with Will about the psychological resilience needed to ‘make it’ & using/dealing with feedback.

Fun and inspirational chat with West Country boxer Joe Hughes. Joe won a European title despite effectively being one handed due to Erb’s Palsy ( paralysis of his right arm). Cracking tale about belief & focus. Let me know what you think.

Lot of talented young kids & teenagers get lost to football after ‘missing the cut’ for a variety of sporting & life reasons. Nick & others from the Bridge Football Academy are trying to create a second chance for youngsters in Gloucestershire ( and South West of England, generally). Working with clubs like Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers, Yeovil Town, Bristol Rovers and more. Cool chat too a...

After a great 👍 weekend of boxing in London, disappointed by the vitriol and judgement of Dave Allen. Think it’s unhealthy on all sides - especially when directed towards a man who’s shown bravery in abundance, in & out of the ring. Analysis over condemnation perhaps healthier. Love to know what you think - I’m on Twitter, Insta & LinkedIn etc.

Great to talking boxing 🥊- and it’s role in his general life - with Olympic medalist, British Champ and uni graduate - Mr Joshua Buatsi.

Further thoughts on what being a football ⚽️ fan adds - or takes away from our lives. Talking to my bro about the changing experience of being a Man U supporter since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Former Cheltenham Town footballer, turned coach and entrepreneur, Andy Tucker's story is an impressive tale of transformation. Andy started his coaching company in the the afternoons after training sessions and now Andy Tucker Soccer Camps provide football coaching to more than 50 schools in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Really enjoyed this chat about the life of lower league/non league foot...

Four years into pro boxing 🥊 career, Adam Harper from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire won the English Super Welterweight title in September 2018. The big time beckoned. But an adverse brain scan in January brought an abrupt end to his fighting career. He’s now training as a boxing referee and transitioning into a new career. Also talk about the mentors and discipline boxing has given Adam - he’s ne...

Michael Duff’s story is a corker - the only man ( we think) to play in all of the top eight football ⚽️ leagues in England. A journey that began with Carterton Town and reached the dizzying heights of the Premier League with Burnley. He’s now manager of the club where his career really kicked off as a player - Cheltenham Town. Talks about what he’s learnt from the managers he played for - particu...