Episodes
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In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, we’re joined by rugby legend Bryan Habana. From his unforgettable debut with South Africa to winning the 2007 World Cup, Bryan opens up about the highs and lows of his storied career. We dive into the pressures of being a superstar, the mental battles behind the scenes, and what life looks like after rugby. This is an inspiring and candid conversation with one of the game’s greats!
Debut Magic: Bryan scores on his first touch against England, launching his iconic careerWorld Cup Glory: The emotional highs of winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup with South AfricaPressure of Being a Superstar: Bryan shares the mental struggle of living up to expectations after early successLow Points: From a crushing 49-0 loss in 2006 to being booed in 2010, Bryan opens up about facing adversityLeadership Evolution: From wing to team leader, how Bryan embraced responsibility as his career progressedLife After Rugby: Navigating the tough transition from sport to business, and finding new purposePositive Mindset: The power of choosing positivity and focusing on growth, both on and off the field
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Ever wondered what it's really like to revive a football club from the brink?
In this episode, we’re joined by Charlie Methven, football executive and co-owner of Charlton Athletic. Charlie shares his journey from the chaos at Sunderland to building stability, offering a rare insight into the cultural challenges, leadership struggles, and what it truly takes to turn a club around.
Show Notes:
Cultural clashes and the challenge of reviving SunderlandHard truths and relentless ambition needed to stabilize a struggling clubNow at Charlton, Charlie brings the same determination to a new environmentHonest insights and hard-earned lessons on the realities of football managementA raw look at the fight against mediocrity in the world of footballCatch the full story and see what it takes to bring a club back to life.
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, we sit down with Shaun Edwards, the legendary defence coach of the French national rugby team and a former playing great who has shaped the careers of countless athletes, including our very own Dan Biggar.
Shaun emphasises clarity and simplicity in coaching, advocating concise communication
We dive deep into Shaun’s coaching philosophy, the cultural nuances of rugby and the secrets behind building a winning mentality.
Show notes:
Coaching StyleCultural Differences
Shaun notes the strong work ethic and commitment of French players, challenging stereotypes about their approach to the gamePlayer Insights
Dan B shares his perspective on Shaun as a coach, highlighting his commitment to improving players and fostering a strong team cultureEmphasis on importance of personal connections and understanding players' motivationsTeam Dynamics
The importance of conflict and differing opinions in creating a successful team environmentLegacy and Influence
Shaun reflects on his impact as a coach and the importance of being approachable and relatable to playersDan B acknowledges Shaun’s ability to make defence engaging, fostering a culture of pride in defensive performancePlayer Development
Desire for Improvement: Shaun values players who show a willingness to improve and engage with the coaching process. He appreciates when players have opinions and ask questions, indicating their investment in the gameIndividualised Feedback: He focuses on giving targeted, actionable feedback to players, allowing them to see specific areas for improvement and reinforcing what they do wellCoaching and Legacy
Impact Beyond Defense: Shaun expresses his desire to be seen as a coach who cares deeply about his players’ overall development, not just their defensive skills. He aims to be remembered for creating a positive environment where players feel valued and understoodLearning from Experience: Both Shaun and Dan B reflect on the importance of learning from past experiences and failures, shaping their approach to coaching and playingPersonal Insights
Self-Doubt and Humility: Shaun acknowledges that even successful coaches experience self-doubt and emphasises the need for humility in leadership rolesPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, Tour de France winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Geraint Thomas joins Dan Ross and Dan Biggar for an in-depth conversation about the grueling demands of professional cycling, the mental toughness required to succeed, and the simple pleasures that keep him grounded. From training at altitude to navigating the pressures of racing, Geraint shares candid insights into his career, balancing family life, and his thoughts on what’s next beyond the bike. Tune in for an honest and inspiring chat with one of cycling’s greats.
Love for Suffering: pushing his physical and mental limits, likening cycling pain to a form of addictive sufferingTeam Dynamics & Leadership: changing role from team leader to mentorMental Edge Over Physical: fine margins in elite cyclingEmbracing Simplicity: the challenges that the structured, monastic lifestyle of cycling imposes on personal relationshipsTour de France Victory & Emotional Release: emotional break down after crossing the finish linePost-Career Fears and Plans: the daunting prospect of transitioning to a new phase in lifeThe Value of Team Leadership: how working with Dave Brailsford shaped his approach to cyclingHumility and Drive: Geraint shares his humble beginnings and how his mentality was driven by proving doubters wrong
Show Notes:Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This week, the two Dans welcome their Rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson to the pod. You will be hard pressed to find a more eloquent, thoughtful and deep thinking sportsman than Jonny.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Dan B's and Jonny's French grammar tips
- Reputation from youngster to oldie
- Jonny's bizarre sense of humour
- Jonny's 3 personality archetypes: warrior, saviour & martyr
- Finding balance in life and sport: Jonny discusses how the constant search for balance — between effort and relaxation, discipline and freedom — has shaped his life and career
- Embracing vulnerability and humiliation as powerful tools for growth, both on and off the rugby field
- Reframing success: rather than being defined by his 2003 World Cup success, Jonny emphasises focusing on the present and future, seeing past glories as one part of an ongoing journey
- Jonny shares his thoughts on pressure, highlighting that it’s often a mental construct we can choose to engage with or let go ofPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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Welcome to Series 3 of A Load of BS - very much on Sport now! I am thrilled to be sat alongside Welsh Rugby Union and British Lions star Dan Biggar as my new co-host.
In this opening episode, as Dan and Dan get to know each other, we explore the mental aspects of top end sports performance, including handling pressure, technical soundness, and the evolution of Dan's mindset throughout his career. Dan shares insights into handling pressure during crucial moments, such as World Cup kicks and Lions matches. Dan Biggar this is. Dan Ross kicks balls only in parks if the knees allow.
We cover thoughts on leadership strategies within teams, understanding different personalities, and adapting to various cultural contexts in rugby clubs across Dan’s career for Ospreys, Northampton to Toulon.
And Dan reflects on the impact of coaches like Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards on his career, emphasizing their ability to understand individual players’ needs and motivations.
Dan shares the story of the beginning of his career - his mother’s influence and the impact Jonny Wilkinson (a future pod guest!) had on him during the 2003 World Cup and beyond.
And a cracking anecdote about drinking Gin & Tonics with Usain Bolt watching Man Utd together. Even Bolt and Biggar needed booze to manage the torpor of watching football at Old Trafford!Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This is the story of a decade long campaign to make contact sport safe.
In this episode, we welcome award winning author and journalist Sam Peters alongside Rugby Union World Cup winner Lewis Moody.Sam has just won The Sports Writing Award at the Charles Tyrwhitt Book Awards for Concussed: Sport's Uncomfortable Truth, not only a fine piece of writing, but moreover a recognition for an ongoing campaign Sam has been fighting for over a decade.
Lewis won pretty well everything in Rugby Union, domestic and European titles with Leicester Tigers, British Lions caps, and most notably the World Cup with England in 2003. He himself suffered multiple serious concussions in his career; and this is the subject of today.
Sam’s 10+ year campaign to save rugbyLewis’s own terrible concussion historyThe tragic stories of those who’ve sufferedMental health + concussionResistance and conflicts of interest from the insideGrassroots and the future of rugby
Show notes:Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This week, we are joined by ex All Black Rugby Union legend Sean Fitzpatrick. Sean was part of the team which won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, and then captained the team subsequently. He is now Chairman at Laureus World Sports Academy.
Sean is an all round lovely guy! It was a huge pleasure talking to him.
Sean’s rugby background and storyHis on and off the field styleImposter syndromeImpact of winning the World CupAmateur vs professional eraGreat influences
Show notesPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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Two old friends reunite for an unique conversation as we kick off a new mini-series for BS on Sport today exploring partnerships and what makes them great.
Today is a pretty damn good opener as yin and yang partnerships go. We have a huge treat as we are talking to 2 icons of British sport, certainly of the cricket world; Mike Brearley and Lord Botham of Ravensworth, otherwise known as Ian Botham.
The pair have never been interviewed like this together, so this is an unique listen.
Show notes
The captain-player relationshipCompetitiveness, confidence, and calmness in high performanceExperiences of fame and pressures on cricket familiesContrasts with today’s modern sports psychology emphasisReflections on their careers vs. the modern era of T20 cricket & central contractsLasting camaraderie and mutual respect between players of their eraTransitioning away from cricket into new fields in later lifePlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This week, we are joined by Caspar Berry. Caspar started out in acting aged 16 actor in BBC show Byker Grove with “Ant and Dec”. At Cambridge he had commercial success directing award-winning short films and TV commercials, then went on to write two feature films which were produced by Film Four and Columbia Tri Star before he had graduated.
Aged 26, he decided to take a risk and move to Las Vegas with his life savings in his pocket, and for next few years, became a professional poker player.
Caspar later returned to the UK to set up 21st Century Media which he later sold to Bob Geldof's Ten Alps plc. He now gives talks and mentors around the world on all his disparate experiences.
Show Notes:
How Caspar’s early life decisions, driven by comfort with risk, led to diverse experiencesPoker as a metaphor for decision-making processes in life and businessThe complexity of assigning probabilities to actions and the challenges posed by unpredictabilityDifferences in risk-taking between individual and team sportsThe concept of 'negative metrics': sometimes the pursuit of certain performance metrics (e.g. home runs in baseball) might lead to higher failure rates (strikeouts)Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This week, we are joined by esteemed sports psychologist Andrea Furst. With a career that spans continents and disciplines, Andrea is an extremely well respected, established figure in the realm of sports psychology, known for her work with elite athletes across a wide spectrum of sports—from golf and sailing to tennis, hockey, rugby, cricket and beyond. Indeed, among other, she is currently the sports psychologist at current county cricket champions Surrey.
She is also the founder of Mental Notes, where she leads a team of sport psychologists dedicated to elevating elite performance. Her extensive experience here includes supporting multiple Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games teams.
How psychological principles are applied to enhance athlete performance and mental well-beingTechniques and strategies used by Andrea to help athletes manage downtime and focus during competitionsAdapting sports psychology practices to different cultural contexts and individual athlete needsThe importance of addressing mental health as an integral part of sports psychologyImpacts of her psychological interventions: maximising walking time in golf
Show notesPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This week, we are joined by former England international cricketer Nick Compton. Nick is the grandson of the great Dennis, but a very fine 1st class cricketer in his own right playing for Middlesex, Somerset and 16 tests for England scoring 2 centuries in that time.
Nick wrote his memoir 'Legacy' just last year and it is a moving, poignant, searingly honest, at times harrowing story of someone who was supremely talented at his craft, but for whom it became too all consuming and challenged Nick's mental health to the edge of his survival. Nick's psychological journey is the subject of this conversation.Show notes:
Nick's journey of self-discoveryThe mental marathon of performanceThe realities of life as a professional athlete, beyond the glamour and accoladesThe legacy and weight of familyThe complexities of team dynamics and personal sacrificeHanging out with Virat Kohli’s girlfriendA Load of BS Events
Liam and I are hosting our inaugural business of sport and entertainment event on June 17th early evening in London.
We will be joined for discussion and drinks by Lord Ian Botham, Sir Andrew Strauss and Mo Bobat at the fabulous Patrick Mavros atelier on the Fulham Road.
If you’d like to join us…
We have a handful of seats available to podcast listeners. If you’d like to come, please email [email protected] with subject line: ‘A Load of BS Events RSVP’
Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto -
This week, we are joined by Ben Stookesberry, legendary white water expedition kayaker whose death defying exploits on some of the most extreme rapids in the world are nothing short of awe inspiring.
“In the last 4 years alone I’ve made dozens of first descents on six continents from the tropics to the Arctic with long time kayaking partners Chris Korbulic and Pedro Oliva,” says Ben. “In total I have over 130 first descents and counting.”
Facing fear and adversity: what it feels like close to drowningPreparation and mental strength to tackle extreme kayakingThe impact of tragedy: losing a friend to a crocodile attackThe thrill of exploring untouched environmentsA philosophy on risk and mortalityBen’s commitment to personal growth
SEE BEN IN ACTION!
Show notes:Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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This week, we are joined by former professional footballer, now broadcaster and author Pat Nevin. Pat had a long and successful career on the pitch, but his hinterland is arguably richer.
The pure joy of playing footballPlaying without nervesPat's perspective on embracing individuality and challenging normsHow to eliminate cheatingPersonal growth, reflection and writingThe great managers who understood psychology best
He was a darting winger for Chelsea, Everton, Tranmere Rovers and Scotland, but also chairman of the Professional Footballers Association, player/CEO at Motherwell, an ardent anti-racism campaigner as well as lover of music and the arts. He has a deep understanding and appreciation for the psychology of sport, as you'll find out by listening!
Show notes:Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto -
This week, we are joined by Mo Bobat, until recently Performance Director at the English Cricket Board, now fulfilling the same role with IPL team the Royal Challengers Bangalore. We discuss how elite athletes and teams harness mental strength and innovative strategies to achieve greatness. From the art of managing maverick talents to the science behind creating cohesive, high-performing teams, Mo shares his insights, experiences, and the cutting-edge techniques that make him a sought-after expert in the sports industry.
The psychology behind elite performanceCultivating a high-performance mindsetManaging talents and team dynamicsStrategies for mental strength and resilienceThe impact of leadership on team performanceMo 's own sporting journey
Show notes:Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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In this first in a new series, we talk to former England international, Kent and Middlesex cricketer Ed Smith. Ed is also a prolific writer and broadcaster, past England national selector and now founder of the Institute of Sports Humanities which teaches a unique degree in sports leadership.
What sport and cricket mean to EdWhat the study of history has taught Ed about sportThe problem with team talksEmotionally intelligent coachesTeam selection and risk takingHow to make good decisionsSport as art
We talk about:Hosted by Daniel Ross and Liam Botham
Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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Dr Grace Lordan is an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science. She is also Founding Director there of The Inclusion Initiative which focuses on bringing together teaching, research and practice to build more inclusive work environments.
She has also written a book which I personally took huge value from, 'Think Big: Take Small Steps and Build the Career You Want', which uses behavioural science to give really practical advice about, amongst other, how to ask for pay rises, get promoted and change careers.
Show notes
About Grace’s book ‘Think Big: Take Small Steps and Build the Career You Want’When is it a good time to ask for a pay rise?And how to get your narrative rightWho is Me+, your future self?How dating experiences are different for girls and boysHow to escape the evils of your phoneThe Inclusion Initiative at LSE: improving company leadership and cultureIs the pipeline problem a myth or reality?Covid’s mass resignation; and its great regretFighting for greater workplace gender equalityPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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I welcome this week the behavioural scientist Patrick Fagan, described by comedian David Mitchell as a "Mother Superior in nipple tassels".
He's also a former Cambridge Analytica man, if your minds can take you back to that scandal and time in history. Patrick is the author of Hooked whose by-line is 'Why cute sells and other marketing magic we just can't resist.
And by the way, he is soon to publish a new book Free Your Mind: The New World of Manipulation and How to Resist It in collaboration with Laura Dodsworth.
You’ll pick up some old references in this conversation to our former PM (which one you may reasonably ask?!) Boris Johnson here as this episode was recorded before he toppled. That aside, all the chat is super relevant.
Show notes
Magic and creativityPioneering work as lead psychologist at Cambridge AnalyticaWhat factors influence political preference?Status quo bias and fear of changePatrick’s book: the 10 psychological principles for crafting effective communications in 3 categoriesGrab attentionGet people to think about your messageInfluence behaviourWhy do we get dressed?Unintended consequencesWhy we need to take care with nudgesPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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We're back and firing with the final part in my mini-series with the wonderful Dave Blakely, Executive VP at venture builder Mach49, talking innovation, design and creativity in organisations. In this episode, we talk about risk taking, storytelling, how we live in partnership with AI and the invention of Scrabble. And plenty more.
Do corporations take enough risk?What do we mean by acceptable failure?How Alfred Butts invented ScrabbleTS Elliot’s answer to the problem with processWhy Dave admires Mark Zuckerberg and Elon MuskThe wonders of good storytelling as told by Dave TrottAI and creativity: impacts on how we work, live and playHow we live in partnership with AIOur constant state of distraction
Show notesPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
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Today is the second in my A Load of BS on Best Behaviour with Dave Blakely, Executive VP at venture builder and super growth builder Mach49, who I continue to be delighted to collaborate with on this mini-series of conversations on innovation, design and creativity in organisations; answering questions on how we move leaders and teams to change their behaviour, to lose their conservatism and scepticism and experiment wisely.
Today Dave and I talk about discipline. We argue that leaders should have the right to beat up their employees when things go wrong. No, we don't do that really. But we do consider the value of letting a little chaos into the firm to let great ideas germinate safely.
Show notes
Discipline: a punishment for disobedience or letting some chaos in?The BS of imposing discipline on CEOsWhy Google is brilliantWho Dave has stolen from and made it his ownWhy generalists connect the dots better and are masters at lateral innovationApplying SV in Paris, Bangkok and NairobiPlaying mind games with clientsGoogle Save and turning round violent extremists in Nazi US hate groupsErrors of conservatism, scepticism and pessimismPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!
Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto - Show more
