The Conveners Podcast

In this episode of The Conveners, Andy King sits down with Dr. Hannah to explore her inspiring journey from hospital medicine and geriatric care into the evolving world of lifestyle medicine and entrepreneurship. Drawing on years of experience working with older adults and individuals living with chronic conditions, Hannah reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to question whether traditiona...

Andy King chats with Tanya from eGym on the Conveners podcast, covering everything from her accidental start in fitness to where the industry is heading. Tanya didn’t plan a career in fitness, she got into it after having her son, starting part-time at a local leisure centre and working her way through roles in membership, reception and swim school. The turning point came when an older member told...

Forget chasing empty numbers. In this episode, Rhys reveals how genuine connection and relentless curiosity create real social change, from pioneering COVID health programs to leading Plymouth’s ambitious wellness agenda. We break down how grassroots sports and marathon grit translate into system-wide leadership, and why authentic relationships will always outperform top-down mandates. You'll...

Most leisure trusts focus on facilities, but BPL puts people and purpose first. CEO Michael Hirst explains how a fun, community-driven culture, despite market challenges, is reshaping the industry. BPL’s focus on staff well-being, social value, and strong community partnerships drives innovative programs where employees and customers thrive. From tailored incentives to storytelling-led impact meas...

David Joerring, founder of HealthKey. Health, joins host Andy King to explore how smarter health data, better habits, and accessible tools can transform long‑term wellbeing. A practical, energising conversation for anyone looking to take ownership of their health journey. Please note: this episode was recorded remotely, so audio quality may vary slightly.

Most personal trainers dismiss the potential of AI, but what if it could revolutionize your career? James shares a ground breaking prototype for AI-driven coaching that reveals dangerous overtraining trends and offers a clear blueprint for harnessing technology to scale your success. In this episode, you'll discover how AI can be both a threat and an opportunity in personal training, from diagnosi...

In this inspiring episode of Andy King’s Conveners Podcast, Andy sits down with Matt Parker, fitness leader and CEO of Brio, to unpack Matt’s remarkable journey into the fitness space. From humble beginnings to becoming a driving force behind one of the industry’s most innovative brands, Matt shares the pivotal moments, personal challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped his path. Tune in for an a...

Most fitness pros focus on pushing harder. but Dave Wright, MyZone founder. reveals why effort, effort alone, is the secret to sustained results and engagement. His journey from Australian sports kid to tech innovator disrupting gyms worldwide will challenge everything you think about motivation, retention, and personalized training.

Discover how shifting from traditional instruction to lifestyle coaching is transforming the future of health and fitness. Guy reveals the powerful role of community, data, and empathy in driving real behavior change, bivocal results that go far beyond just increasing gym visits. In this episode, Guy shares his inspiring journey from a city career in banking and IT to founding GG Fit and leading i...

In this engaging podcast episode, Andy King and Craig Campbell delve into the intricacies of the fitness and leisure industry, sharing insights from their extensive careers. Craig recounts his journey from working at McDonald's to becoming a pivotal figure in fitness management, highlighting the importance of systems and processes. The conversation touches on Craig's innovative approach to...

Join Andy King and David from Cornerstone as they delve into the transformative journey of Cornerstone Connect, a tool designed to integrate disparate systems in the leisure sector. Discover how this innovation is reshaping customer experiences, enhancing data integration, and supporting public health initiatives. With insights into future developments and the role of AI, this episode highlights t...

Join Andy King and guest Craig Jones from High Five Group. They delve into the dynamic world of sports and physical activity, exploring the booming interest among children and young people. From the challenges of integrating young people into fitness environments to the evolving role of family activities, this episode offers insights into the future of active wellbeing. Discover how community enga...

Join Glenda and Andy as they dive into the world of fitness and well-being, exploring Glenda's journey from fitness club operator to resilience coach. Discover how her passion for holistic health and resilience has shaped her career and influenced the industry. This engaging conversation covers the importance of well-being, the evolution of fitness, and the power of resilience in both personal and...

Join Andy King as he sits down with Emma Bernstein to explore the dynamic world of sports and community impact. Emma shares her journey from a sporty upbringing to a pivotal role at Sport England, where she leads initiatives like the Moving Communities platform. Discover how data-driven insights are shaping the future of public leisure facilities and the importance of social value in sports invest...

Join Andy King as he welcomes Lucy Palfreyman to the Convenience Podcast. Dive into Lucy's inspiring journey from competitive swimming to her impactful role at Sport England. Discover how her passion for sport and systemic thinking is driving change in communities, and learn about her personal challenges and triumphs, including training for the London Marathon. This episode is a testament to findi...

Join Andy King and David Stalker as they delve into the dynamic world of fitness and wellness. In this episode, they discuss the relaunch of the Future Leaders program, the importance of mentorship, and the evolving role of UK Active in promoting health and fitness. David shares insights from his career, emphasizing the need for collaboration across sectors to drive positive change. Tune in for an...

Join Andy King as he sits down with Graeme Hine on the Conveners podcast. In this engaging episode, Graeme shares his unique journey into the world of active wellbeing, overcoming personal challenges, and building a thriving network that bridges sectors. Discover how Graeme's passion for people and his innovative approach to networking have made a significant impact in the industry. From perso...

Join Andy King and Ian Mullane as they explore the transformative power of AI in the fitness and leisure industry. Ian shares his journey from finance to founding Vander Sports Group and Banda Boxing Club, highlighting how AI enhances business operations. Discover the development of the Keep Me business, which uses AI to predict membership churn and improve sales processes. This episode delves int...

Duncan Kerr's journey is a testament to the power of passion and resilience. Starting as a squash player for Scotland, Duncan transitioned into leadership roles, shaping the future of sports and health integration. Today, as the Chief Executive of Wave Active and Hillbrow Health, Duncan is pioneering innovative health and wellness solutions, blending clinical and non-clinical services to enhan...

In this episode, Aidan Gallacher shares his inspiring journey from a sports enthusiast to the founder of Actify, a social enterprise dedicated to improving health and well-being through physical activity. Discover how Aidan's experiences at Stirling University and his work in sports management led to the creation of a platform that consolidates resources for practitioners and organizations. Le...

This episode takes an inspiring detour into leadership with Mark Tweedie. Mark introduces The Performance Blueprint. A fresh approach to leadership that blends science and the art of people skills to create environments where individuals and organizations thrive. We explore what high performance really means, how culture trumps strategy, and why breaking down barriers is key to unlocking potential...

Join Andy King and John Oxley as they dive into the transformative power of physical activity and its impact on community well-being. From the Life Leisure Stroke GM Active State of Life Social Value Report to the challenges and triumphs of scaling health initiatives, this episode explores the intersection of social value and business success. Discover how strategic investments and a strong sense...

Excited to share my conversation with Belinda Steward, a leader in the leisure and hospitality sectors! We explored the intersection of hospitality and physical activity, and how Belinda's journey from restaurants to leisure centers is reshaping customer experiences. Discover how her strategic vision is driving change, from enhancing customer service to leveraging technology for better health...

Join us in this engaging episode of the Conveners podcast as we sit down with Kirsty Cumming, Chief Executive of Community Leisure UK. Kirsty shares her unplanned yet impactful career journey from translation to leading a national organization. We delve into the evolving landscape of public leisure, the challenges and opportunities within the trust model, and the innovative Active Kindness Project...

Join us as we dive into the world of fitness innovation with Cheryl, a trailblazer in integrating wellness into gym memberships. Discover how her collaboration with Health Hero is transforming the industry, offering groundbreaking services like private GP access and more. Tune in to learn about Cheryl's journey, her passion for business, and her vision for the future of fitness.