The Game Changers

"Women’s sport has come so far, but there’s still a long way to go in terms of investment and opportunity." In this fascinating episode of The Game Changers , host Sue Anstiss sits down with Dame Tracey Crouch, an influential figure in both sports and politics.  Tracey shares her personal journey from growing up as a passionate sports enthusiast to serving as the UK's Minister for S...

Hello and welcome back to The Game Changers, the podcast where you'll hear from trailblazing women in sport who are challenging the status quo for women and girls everywhere. What can we learn from their stories as we explore equality in sport and beyond. This is the 19th series of The Game Changers and what an incredible range of guests we have. Talented, inspiring women who are changing the...

“Anyone can get abused. Smart people, really intelligent people, old people, young people, beautiful people, average looking people. It doesn't matter who you are, you're not like exempt because of any characteristics that you have.” Mhairi Maclennan, Kyniska Advocacy  Today’s episode of The Game Changers podcast could be the most important ever.  Over the past five years it’s been a pri...

Our guest today is Mel Bound the founder of This Woman Runs (formerly This Mum Runs), the world's largest digital and in-person running community for women.  Mel is driven by her vision to inspire women everywhere to enjoy the life-changing benefits of being active and in this inspiring episode shares her journey from a chronically asthmatic child to a successful entrepreneur. We explore how...

Our guest today is Laura Youngson, the co-founder of Ida Sports , the world’s leading female sports footwear brand that recently received $2M in investment funding. Laura is a huge advocate for gender equality and in 2017, led a group of women to the top of Kilimanjaro to play a record-breaking football match with Equal Playing Field.  The trip highlighted a common problem facing female players al...

Lucy Horsell is a woman on a mission to empower female athletes at all levels as the co-founder of PeBe Sports Bras , a company that is transforming the sports bra market.  This episode tracks Lucy’s journey from losing her way in formal education at school to becoming a successful entrepreneur. With a passion for education, science and product, Lucy's journey to merge these worlds into one i...

Our guest today is Danielle Sellwood , a former sportswear designer, trend forecaster and women’s sport publisher who now shares diverse stories of sport and adventure through powerful documentaries made by her company Find It Film. In 2008 Danielle co-founded Sportsister, a trail-blazing sports website and magazine for women, and from 2012 she directed visual campaigns at Women's Sport Trust...

Our guest today is Yvette Curtis, founder of Wave Wahines, a female surfing club dedicated to empowering women and girls in the sport. We discuss Yvette's journey from her childhood in Bristol to her current work in North Devon, the importance of fun and non-competitive environments in sports, and the challenges of promoting diversity and inclusion in surfing.  Yvette shares her experiences o...

Kelly Newton is the founder of NIXI Body - absorbent & discreet underwear for periods and little bladder leaks. Nixi body has a focused mission – to keep women moving through menstruation, motherhood and menopause.  Kelly is doing so much to open up the taboo conversation around female incontinence and is an expert on stress and urge incontinence in women – a topic which is incredibly relevant...

Baz Moffat is having an extraordinary impact in the world of women’s health. A former GB Rower, Baz co-founded The Well HQ, an organisation that educates and empowers women to understand their bodies and use that knowledge to thrive in sport, health and life.  Baz was in the GB Rowing team from 2005-2008 – medalling at the World Championships in 2007. With degrees in Sports Science and Health Rela...

In this, the 18th series of The Game Changers I’m talking to founders and entrepreneurs. These are the women who have set up organisations that help change the landscape for all women and girls across sport.  There’s so much we can learn from their journeys as they openly share the challenges and joys in establishing new brands, finding investment and building businesses. With new episodes launchi...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Director of Sport, British Paralympic Association Penny Briscoe, which was first released on June 27, 2023. Our guest in this episode has been instrumental in the success of the British Paralympic team, helping them to achieve record-breaking medal hauls at 10 Paralympic Summer and Winter Games. Penn...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Jodie Ounsley, who will be presenting at the games, which was first released on May 30, 2023. Today’s guest is Jodie Ounsley – a professional rugby player and Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport, who will also be a Gladiator in the new series that returns to the BBC later this year. Jodie is a powerf...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, which was first released on October 23, 2023. Our guest in this episode is Ellie Simmonds, one of the world’s most celebrated Paralympians. A five-time Paralympic Champion and 14-time World Champion, Ellie shot to fame when she won her first Paralympic medals aged just 13,...

This episode was previously released on October 29,  2019. Paratriathlon World Champion and Paralympic Silver medallist, Lauren also enthralled us all as a semi-finalist on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing. Ever wondered what it really takes to become a world champion? We're sitting down with Lauren Steadman, para-triathlon champ and Olympic silver medalist, to hear her story. From keen youn...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Paralympian Sophie Carrigill, which was first released on July 26, 2022. Sophie Carrigill is a British wheelchair basketball player who represented and co-captained Great Britain at the World and European Championships and at the Paralympic games. She’s won world and European silver medals and reache...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Paralympian Claire Taggart, which was first released on February 13, 2024. Discover the intriguing world of Boccia with world champion and Paralympian Claire Taggart on this episode of Game Changers. Claire shares her journey from skepticism to passion for this highly inclusive Paralympic sport, offe...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Paralympian Hannah Cockcroft, which was first released on November 1, 2022. Hannah Cockcroft is one of Britain’s most successful para-athletes who burst onto the world stage in 2010, breaking 9 wheelchair sprinting world records. She went on to win two golds at the London Paralympic games, with three...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, which was first released on September 15, 2020. Dame Sarah Storey is  the most successful British female Paralympian of all time with 38 World titles, 14 Paralympic Golds and 76 world records. Sarah was just 14 when she made her Paralympic debut at Barcelona 92, winning...

In this final episode of series 17, Sue Anstiss talks to Stef Reid, a remarkable para-athlete who has spent her life breaking boundaries. Stef is a track and field Paralympian - a World Champion, four-time Paralympian, triple Paralympic medallist and five-time world record holder.  Having retired from the track in 2022 Stef now works as a keynote speaker, broadcaster and executive coach, also turn...

When it comes to building culture and leading an organisation there are few individuals doing it better than Tara Dillon, the CEO at CIMSPA (The Chartered Institute for Sport and Physical Activity). Voted as one of the top 5 CEOs in the Times best companies initiative Tara remains passionate about the potential for the sport and physical activity sector to be a vital support arm for the NHS. Tara...

Can you be a professional climber and still be scared of heights? How much is success down to problem solving versus physical strength? And what can we do to ensure this fantastic activity is inclusive for all? These are just some of the questions I put to Molly Thompson-Smith, a shining light in British climbing who was ranked number 1 in the world at just 16. Molly will be representing Team GB a...

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is the diving sensation who won Gold at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships last year and will be one to watch at the Paris Olympics where she’s competing in both the individual and synchronised 10 metre events. Andrea openly shares her journey in sport and her passion to address stereotypes around aesthetics and body image. We explore the impact of intense...

My guest on The Game Changers today is cricketing legend Charlotte Edwards who shares her extraordinary journey from making her England debut at just 16 to becoming one of the sport's most influential figures as a player and coach.  Breaking countless records throughout her 20-year playing career, Charlotte was appointed England Captain in 2006 and led the team to win the Women's Cricket...

What drives one of Britain's top rally drivers to push the limits on and off the track? In today's episode of The Game Changers we hear from Catie Munnings one of Britain’s most successful racing talents, a rally driver, Red Bull sponsored athlete and TV presenter who now competes in Extreme E - a radical, all electric off-road racing series in the most remote corners of the planet impac...