Sport and Life

Is there a sport that offers such hope and opportunity to the underdog as football? Not judging by the World Cup so far - where powerhouse nations Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain all failed to win on the opening weekend. Is there also a life lesson in there - don’t over-respect or be daunted by people with prestigious CVs. Get your tactics rights - who knows what can happen!

The World Cup is here! Talking tournaments & players past & present. England bent - as we’re English and - but cover loads of subjects. Also talk about going into a World Cup as parents - 28 years after we were both dragged into World Cup mania at Italia 90. Let us know your memories and predictions for Russia 2018.

Chatting to my mate, former boxer, promoter, current pundit & motivational speaker Spencer Fearon. Talking boxing & Life - how they reflect & inform each other

Great to have Tyson Fury boxing again - a skilful and characterful addition to the current heavyweight scene. Here though run through people extremely dissatisfied with the ‘contest’ v Sefer Seferi. Perhaps - following depression and dark days of addiction - this was a psychological feat, just getting into the ring. Maybe that was the point. And Fury prevailed. What do you think? Get in touch -@ed...

Talkkng about the power of football nostalgia with Sky Sports Presenter Adam Leventhal on his second career commissioning books that trade on football nostalgia. Is there a sweet spot for nostalgia - a time and age we romanticise in our minds? Adam's nostalgic club books are called 'Tales From'.

It’s the time when we’re all overwhelmed by football nostalgia - World Cup time. Few thoughts on the phenomenon and how pegged the emotion is to summertime. Will that affect our enjoyment of Qatar, watching from a shivering 🇬🇧?

Interview with West Ham and England u17 footballer Aji Alese. Insight into the psychological challenges young players 'trying to make it' face. And the importance of self belief in a world where external opinions vary. Also, the discipline required by a young player versus 'regular' teenagers.

Few thoughts about how a national debate over a footballer’s right to sport a certain tattoo evokes memories of 1950s USA and court cases about freedom of (symbolic) speech. When can we limit that freedom - do we need need detailed criteria. Also, few thoughts on fans’ furious attachment to their opinions and ‘being right.’

Real Madrid win a 4th CL in 5 seasons displaying once again an uncanny ability to relax and deliver in the big moments. To be in the Zone. To filter out the noise. In contrast, Liverpool’s keeper made mistakes he’d never make outside of ‘the occasion’. Few thoughts here - have a listen and let me know your thoughts.

Thoughts on Adonis Stevenson v Badou Jack. And, in particular, 40 yearold Stevenson’s ability to counter the effects of age to rally to a positive result. Also reflects the trend of boxers biggest paydays coming when their bodies are ebbing - mid to late 30s. Love to know your thoughts.

Sky Sports New Presenter Tom White is a passionate Sunderland fan. He’s had to read news of the team’s relegation out live on Air for the past two seasons. So is being a football fan good for our emotional health? How do we manage it? He says we can’t! @tomwhitemedia

Recorded some thoughts on #Bellew-Haye2, the undercard and the vibe at the o2. Night of nostalgia, the inevitability of ageing and the promise of coming stars. Very much like the emotions in life!

Talking Sport & Life with former world champion boxer Darren Barker. Talk about how the Sport helped him in life and the importance of being present in life & the ring. Please share!

Going thru your tweets/predictions on Haye v Bellew 2 - the heavyweight boxing rematch. Focus on the role of Father Time. My prediction here too for those who’ve asked!

Sky Sports fellow presenter @TonyWrighton on Sport, Life & Energy. Check out his podcast @Zestology too! RTs appreciated!

My wife’s known me for 15 years ( well - knew for 25 all in). During that time I’ve built a career in live radio & tv. But she says she’s never seen me as nervous as last night preparing to play football with Paul Scholes & other ex pros. Played & loved it. Put me in mind of Eleanor Roosevelt fabled advice to do something every day that that scares us. How do we achieve that though? My thoughts he...

Had some great tweets about managing the emotional fallout when our football teams fail. Can we develop a mindset to keep on an even keel? Stay invested while dropping the mood swings?

Recorded a few thoughts on how the timing of free-thinking, imaginative Arsène Wenger’s arrival at Arsenal in the autumn of 96 was incredible timing. He married with a group of disciplines, dogged and defensively attuned winners who needed liberating. How vital is timing in Sport & Life?

Big fan of self-awareness as a key platform for achievement in sport and life. But @matthewsyed identifies resilience as paramount. Run through some thoughtful tweets here.

Had some thoughtful tweets this week - @eddraper81 - on potential matchups in heavyweight boxing involving Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder & Anthony Joshua. Connect those to concept of self-awareness and maximising strengths and minimises weaknesses here. #boxing

Gary Johnson, Cheltenham Town manager. Talk about his life in football and what we can learn from sport. Let me know your thoughts - @eddraper81 on twitter

Jurgen Klopp’s teams have beaten Pep Guardiola’s teams more than any other manager’s. So, despite Pep’s stunning success over the big sample (league) should he tweak his style and tactics next season when he faces Klopp’s Liverpool? Are football ‘principles’ really analogous to principles of how we live life? Thoughts here...

An incredibly successful football player and coach. But I found Ray Wilkins inspirational for how he was a person. His warmth, humility, grace and enthusiasm for life. Recorded some thoughts.

Some people in some countries don’t have the choice of doing what they enjoy. But when you have the choice, what if you chose something you don’t love? If it’s a sport like Boxing, surely a big risk? Thoughts on brave David Price’s defeat.

Why I enjoyed the fight and incredibly, inexplicably, it went similar to how I thought it might. Kudos to Joshua for skill demonstration to back up the physical and Joseph Parker for his bravery and cleverness. Few thoughts. Like to know your’s.