Headstrong

Fresh off the South African win at the Rugby World Cup I sat down with Shane O'Leary. Shane played against the Saffas in his first ever World Cup match for the Canadian Rugby team. Shane gave honest and genuine insight into the RWC 2019 and the approach of a tier 2 nation hungry for success.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 7 is with my great school friend James McRae. James and I have known each other for over ten years, and whilst we both enjoy different careers, we both know the struggle in getting to the top of one's profession. James is signed for the Exeter Chiefs and plays a lot of his rugby for the Cornish Pirates.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With only a few days to go before the Rugby World Cup Final, I sat down with an experienced man in an England and Gloucester Number 8 jersey. I spoke to Ben about his experiences at a World Cup, as well as how important it has been to having a business to run on the side of his rugby career.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staying in Gloucester, I spoke to Matt about his transition from Bath to his current club last season. It was fundamental for Matt to have his close family and friends around him not only then, but throughout his career to support him, making him the best possible rugby player and person he can be.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England call-up? Check. Player of the Month? Check. Young Player of the Year? Check. Ollie Thorley was the youngest to have played for Gloucester RC when he made his debut. Whilst only 23, Ollie has already seen tremendous success, but he has no limit to the goals he sets.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, I made a special trip up to Edinburgh to visit the Scottish legend Doddie Weir in his own home. Whilst Doddie is known to many for his rugby career, gaining over 60 caps for the Scottish National Team, most will know him for his drive and motivation to raise awareness about Motor Neurone Disease. Doddie was diagnosed with MND nearly 3 years ago, but Doddie hasn't let this stop him being positive and an inspiration to many. Doddie and his foundation have raised over £5 million and it is still rising every day.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was lucky enough to chat to World Cup Winner in 2003 Will Greenwood about his experiences at the tournament as well as his transition from player to Sky Sports Analyst.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Cuthbert has 47 caps for the Welsh National Rugby Union Team, as well as multiple appearances for the Cardiff Blues, Exeter Chiefs and the Welsh Sevens side. But in Alex's rugby career, he has endured social media abuse, injuries, team changes and his exclusion from the National Side which led to him feeling isolated and fragile. He is ready to bounce back though for the 2019 season in a better state of mind than ever.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Damian Hopley is Group CEO and Founder of the Rugby Players Association. In this bonus episode we discuss how the RPA was founded and what important work Restart Rugby, the official charity of the RPA, are doing with players both past and present in all fields, but particularly mental health.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to my second series of Headstrong. My first episode is with Ed Jackson. Ed is an amazing individual. Ed played professional rugby for a number of clubs in the Premiership & the Championship, when in April 2017 his life changed forever. Despite fracturing his spine and at stages in his recovery not being able to move anything but flick his fingers, he is now a Restart Rugby Trustee and defying the odds by climbing mountains. This is a truly inspiring podcast episode and not one to be missed.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/headstrongpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.