The Sam Oldham Podcast

In November 2022 Courtney Tulloch became the first British man to win a World championship medal on the rings. He has consistently been the strongest gymnast in Great Britain for over a decade now and hopes to represent TeamGB  at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next year. The decision to to move gymnastics clubs in 2021 surprised many gymnastics fans but lead to his most successful year in the sport...

In the summer of 2016 Nile Wilson made history at the Rio Olympic Games becoming the first British man to win an individual apparatus medal on the High Bar. He built an incredibly successful YouTube channel which brought him fame, financial success but more importantly inspired a whole generation of kids to take up the sport of gymnastics. He's written a book, opened multiple gymnastics clubs...

In this episode of The Sam Oldham Podcast we decided to answer some of the questions that had been sent in to me through social media. Thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast in the past five months and continues to listen to my stories each week. I had some great questions to answer and hopefully you're able find some value in my responses. We have recorded our first guest and I&...

In 1999 at the age of six I sat in my front room and watched Manchester United score two late goals to win the champions league final and complete a historic treble. From that moment on I was completely captivated by the beautiful game of football. As a kid I juggled competing for Great Britain in gymnastics and a four year contract at Notts County football club. Throughout my career the question...

In January 2023 after returning home from travelling, I decided it was time to start building my own career. Since retiring from gymnastics, I've struggled at times to find my place in the world. The lack of structure, the loss of a mentor, the drastic decrease in the amount of time I spend exercising. All alongside the resurfacing of some things I struggled with when I was child have all imp...

In the summer of 2021 I prepared for my final gymnastics competition and retirement. I had three main goals: The first was to embrace the experience both the good and the bad, the second was to win the British High Bar title and third was to successfully compete on all six apparatus. I came within two weeks of achieving all three of these goals before my body finally caught up with me. I think eve...

In January 2023 my grandad George Arthur Oldham passed away after a three year battle with cancer. He was an incredible man and lived a wonderful life. I have been frightened of death ever since I was a kid and I've been incredibly lucky to have not experienced much of it in my life so far. I knew it was coming and it's followed me around like a shadow for many years. My grandad taught m...

In November 2020 we went into a second lockdown in the UK. The summer was long gone and this time around, I was outside doing my gymnastics training in the rain, gradually losing motivation. I had lightbulb moment and for the first time I realised that my career was coming to an end. I didn't have any sponsors, there was a lack of a support network around me and with no education to fall back...

In 2006 British Gymnastics appointed a new figure to lead the Men's artistic gymnastics program. Over the course of the next seven years, that team climbed from 23rd all the way to the third best team in the world. I was lucky enough to be a big part of that story and during that period I experienced, observed and was able to learn all about leadership. I've been fascinated with what mak...

In February 2023 I celebrated my 30th birthday with my friends and family. It's a big milestone and in the twelve months leading up it, I was asked time and time again how I felt about turning thirty. My answer was always very similar. I was really excited for the next chapter and I was looking forward to what was to come. I've made some calamitous mistakes in my life so far but hopefull...

I was joined by three time Commonwealth Games medalist and the Junior European all around champion Frank Baines to watch the 2023 European Gymnastics Championships apparatus finals. We spoke about Franks career, experiences and reminisced about some of the great times we shared throughout our  gymnastics journeys. It was incredible to see the results of the both the GB men and women competing out...

In September 2021 I tore my right rotator cuff whilst competing on the pommel horse in my final gymnastics competition. During the course of my career than spanned over two decades, I tied almost every recovery strategy in the book. Some of them worked, some of didn't and to be completely honest, some of them were absolutely bonkers. When I work with young athletes now I try to explain how th...

In the summer of 2020 during the global Covid 19 Pandemic, Netflix released the documentary athlete A. That unbelievably sad story, told by a group of extremely brave young women sent shockwaves around the world and right through the sport of gymnastics. Throughout my twenty one year career participating in the sport of gymnastics. I trained, competed and observed many of the different cultures th...

In 2006 at the age of 13 I logged in to YouTube for the very first time on my family computer. Over night I now had access to an ever growing library of gymnastics content. What started out initially as just a love for the sport, very quickly became an opportunity for me to gain an advantage on my competitors. In recent years these small advantages have become known as marginal gains and this is m...

In the year 200 at the age of seven I walked into a gymnastics club for the very first time. From that day onwards my life completely changed. I often get asked wether if given the chance , I'd go back and do things differently. The positive impact gymnastics has had on my life by far outweighs the negative experiences I've faced throughout the years. And this is my story. 

In 2002 at the age of 9 years old my dad secured me my first sponsorship deal. Incredibly the number one barber shop in Keyworth supported me and my family for over 19 years. There're so many obstacles along the road to success and carving a career path in a sport like gymnastics, required a great deal of help from some very special people. And this is my story. 

In the summer of 2019 at the age of 26. I was referred to a mental health clinic after being diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I spent 12 weeks in therapy and over the past four years, I've been on a journey of self discovery. I still struggle with my mental health sometimes but more than anything, I've learnt a lot more about who I am and have a deeper understanding of myself. And...

In 2010 at the age of 17 I became the junior European all around champion. I was incredibly competitive as a young athlete and winning meant the absolute world to me. At times throughout my career I lost that killer instinct but luckily I was able to find it again towards the end of my gymnastics journey. I've always been fascinated with what it takes become a champion and this is my story. 

In 2019 at the age of 26 I suffered the final serious of injury of my career, whilst training on the same trampoline I'd practices on for two decades. I fractured both of my ankles and after years of making the same mistakes, I finally decided to try and break that cycle. Ever since I was young kid I'd always taken risks and was famous for being accident prone within my family. I broke,...

In September 2022 at the ages of 29 and 25 me and my girlfriend Connie embarked on an adventure travelling north through South America. We visited ten countries in 110 days and truly experienced a once in a lifetime journey. The memories we share will stay with us forever and the trip had a huge impact on the way in which I plan to navigate the next chapter in my life. Life on the road can be a ch...

In September 2021 after a twenty one year career in the sport of gymnastics. I competed in my very last  competition and retired as the British High bar champion. My identity had been completed intertwined with my dream of winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games. This is the story of how I struggled with facing the final chapter of my gymnastics journey and some of the lessons I learned along th...

In 2016 at the age of 23. After reconstructive ankle ligament surgery following a career threatening injury, whilst competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I made an incredible comeback and following a first and third place all around finish at the Rio Olympic Games trials. My life came crashing down when I found out I’d not been selected to represent Great Britain at my second Olympi...

In 2012 at the age of nineteen. I competed at the Olympic Games alongside my four team mates, winning Great Britains first Olympic men’s gymnastics team medal in one hundred years. This is my story.