The Birmingham 2026 Podcast

From the streets of Staffordshire to the start line of the World Championships. Seamus Derbyshire is one of the most compelling and important voices in British athletics right now, and this conversation explains exactly why. In this episode, Lloyd sits down with the 400m hurdler, European U20 silver medallist and World Championship representative to explore a career that almost didn't make it...

She believed she would jump two metres every year from the age of sixteen. Over a decade later, in Zurich last August, she did it, becoming the first British woman in history to clear that barrier. In this episode, Lloyd sits down with Morgan Lake. World junior double champion, three-time Olympian, ten-time consecutive British outdoor champion, and British record holder, to explore one of the most...

From the streets of Wolverhampton to the Olympic final in Paris. Matthew Hudson-Smith is the greatest 400m runner Europe has ever produced, and one of the most courageous voices in the sport. In this powerful episode, Lloyd sits down with the European record holder and four-time European champion to explore a career defined not just by extraordinary speed, but by an extraordinary will to keep goin...

From the NHS wards to the Olympic start line. Phil Sesemann is the embodiment of clinical consistency and the ultimate proof that the long game always pays off. In this insightful episode, Lloyd sits down with the 2:07 marathoner from his home in Yorkshire to deconstruct a career built on intelligence, longevity, and a refusal to skip the steps. Phil opens up about the years of quiet grind at Leed...

From the technical chess game of the heptathlon to becoming a leader in the boardroom. Kelly Sotherton is a true Birmingham icon and one of the most respected truth-tellers in British athletics history. In this insightful episode, Lloyd sits down with the triple Olympic medalist and Birchfield Harriers legend to explore a career built on honesty, longevity, and tactical brilliance. Kelly opens up...

From the brutal grit of the Decathlon to becoming the ultimate 'Last Man Standing' of British sport. Dean Macey is the embodiment of raw resilience and the warrior spirit. In this high-energy episode, Lloyd sits down with the multi-event legend to deconstruct a career defined by incredible breakthroughs and legendary resurrections. Dean opens up about the dark places an athlete must go to...

From the rhythmic precision of the 400m hurdles to becoming the only woman in history to hold the Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth titles simultaneously. Sally Gunnell  is the ultimate blueprint for peak performance and the enduring face of British athletics excellence. In this episode, Lloyd sits down with the track legend to explore a career built on mental mastery and unparalleled con...

From the tactical chess game of the 1500m to becoming one of the most influential voices in modern British sport. Hannah England is the ultimate example of how intelligence and grit combine to create a world-class legacy. In this episode, Lloyd sits down with the world 1500m silver medalist and Birmingham favourite to explore a career built on strategy and community. Hannah opens up about the spli...

From a 15-year-old in awe of the Alexander Stadium to the "King of Europe" with a World Record that stood for over a decade. Colin JACKSON is the definitive blueprint for technical perfection in British Athletics. In this masterclass of an episode, Lloyd Kempson sits down with the hurdles legend to deconstruct what happens when excellence stops being a goal and starts becoming a habit. Colin revea...

Before she was an Olympic Champion and the President of UK Athletics, Dame Denise Lewis was a young girl at Alexander Stadium, fueled by the community of Birchfield Harriers. In this deeply insightful episode, Lloyd Kempson sits down with the Heptathlon legend to deconstruct the mindset required to master seven events and the resilience needed to lead a sport. From the "Astrid" reset tha...

From bag carriers for legends at London 2012 to standing on the Olympic podium together in Paris. Lina & Laviai Nielsen are the ultimate 'power duo' of British Athletics. In this high-energy episode, Lloyd Kempson sits down with the world-class sprinting twins to dive deep into a journey that is nothing short of a movie script. They reveal what it’s really like to be identical twins co...