Episodes
-
In the final episode of The Athlete Sitdown, host Jordan Rushworth reflects on the incredible journey the podcast has taken. Jordan revisits some of the most memorable moments, guests, and powerful stories shared throughout the series. From insightful conversations with world-class athletes to the lessons learned about perseverance, grit, and the mindset of champions, Jordan shares his biggest takeaways and the impact the podcast has had on the sports community.
But as one chapter closes, another begins. Jordan reveals that The Athlete Sitdown is coming to an end—but it’s not goodbye. In exciting news, he announces the launch of Sport Endorse’s new podcast, Journeys, a fresh, dynamic series that promises to dive even deeper into the lives and careers of sports professionals. He teases why Journeys will be bigger and better, offering more in-depth stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and untold journeys of athletes from around the world.
Tune in for one last sitdown with Jordan as he closes this chapter and sets the stage for an exciting new adventure.
-
In this inspiring episode of the podcast, Sport Endorse sits down with Chris Bright, a Welsh international futsal player and the founder of the Diabetes Football Community (TDFC). Chris shares his incredible journey in the world of football, detailing how he started in the sport and the unique challenges he faced as a player living with type 1 diabetes.
Chris opens up about his transition from football to futsal, eventually representing Wales internationally in futsal, and sheds light on the lack of support and awareness for athletes with hidden disabilities and chronic health conditions. This inspired him to create TDFC, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals living with type 1 diabetes in the sports community.
Chris explains how TDFC brings together athletes with diabetes through futsal, organizing international competitions and providing resources for men’s and women’s teams. The organization’s mission goes beyond sport, as it challenges misconceptions and stigma around athletes with diabetes, advocating for inclusivity, education, and the growth of futsal in the UK.
Join host Jordan Rushworth as he delves into Chris Bright’s story, exploring the intersection of sport, health, and advocacy. Chris’ journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, the potential to create change, and the need for inclusivity in sports for athletes living with chronic conditions.
Check out https://www.sportendorse.com/ for more details on how to partner with Chris. -
Missing episodes?
-
In this inspiring episode of the podcast, Sport Endorse sits down with Yona Knight Wisdom, a three-time Olympic diver and the first Jamaican male diver to compete at the Olympics. Yona takes us through his remarkable journey in the diving world, starting from his early days when a diving club visited his school and sparked his interest in the sport.
Yona shares how his background in gymnastics provided a strong foundation for his diving career and how he joined a talent identification program that set him on the path to Olympic success. He candidly discusses the challenges he faced, particularly due to his size, and how he turned these challenges into unique advantages.
Representing Jamaica on the global stage brought Yona extraordinary experiences and opportunities, driven by his internal motivation and personal satisfaction. He opens up about his preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, his personal goals, and his vision for the future of diving in Jamaica. Yona also touches on his plans to coach and develop the sport locally, aiming to create opportunities for the next generation of Jamaican divers.
Throughout the conversation, Yona emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan, patience, persistence, and maintaining a positive mindset. He also shares insights into his role models, his favorite movie, and a fun party trick.
Join host Jordan Rushworth as he explores Yona Knight Wisdom's incredible journey, highlighting his dedication to the sport, his commitment to inspiring young athletes, and his goal of leaving a lasting legacy in the world of diving. Yona’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.
-
In this episode of The Athlete Sitdown, host Jordan Rushworth chats with Dontavious Hill, a promising high jumper making waves in the track and field world. Dontavious opens up about his journey from discovering high jump in high school to competing at the collegiate level and representing Team USA. He shares the challenges of balancing academics with elite sports, competing in Costa Rica, his determination to never give up, and his aspirations of joining a major championship team and winning an international medal.
Beyond the track, Dontavious discusses his passion for coaching, content creation, and advocating for mental health. He also reflects on the inspiring decision by two Olympic high jumpers to share a gold medal and reveals his favorite movie and sport to watch.
Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of high jump’s rising stars as he shares his story, his dreams, and his dedication to making a difference on and off the field.
www.sportendorse.com -
In this enlightening episode of the podcast, Sport Endorse sits down with Neil Eckersley, an Olympic judo medalist who has successfully transitioned into the world of contemporary abstract art. Neil's journey from the judo mat to the art studio is a compelling narrative of overcoming personal challenges and finding new avenues for expression and success.
Neil opens up about his early struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, and how judo provided a much-needed outlet and focus during his formative years. He delves into the rigorous training and discipline required to achieve his 7th Dan black belt and the honor of representing Great Britain at the Olympics. Neil reflects on the importance of savoring each moment of his athletic career and the invaluable lessons learned from competing at the highest levels.
After retiring from competitive judo, Neil transitioned into coaching, emphasizing the significance of gaining real-world experience and managerial skills. He shares his philosophy that performance and personal growth outweigh the mere collection of medals, and he finds immense joy in the success of his students.
Neil's passion for art has also played a crucial role in his life, helping him navigate personal challenges and grief. He discusses his involvement with the Art of the Olympians platform, which showcases the creative talents of former athletes. Neil offers insights into how his artistic pursuits have provided a therapeutic outlet and a new sense of purpose.
Join host Jordan Rushworth as he delves into Neil Eckersley's multifaceted journey, exploring his transition from Olympic judoka to a respected coach and accomplished artist. Neil's story is a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of new passions beyond the world of sports.
https://www.sportendorse.com/en-uk
-
Eimear Considine, an Irish rugby union player, shares her journey from Gaelic football to rugby and her experiences representing Ireland in both sevens and fifteens. She discusses the challenges of balancing her rugby career with her teaching job and motherhood. Eimear emphasizes the importance of resilience, goal-setting, and having a strong support network. She also talks about her involvement in the Tackle Your Feelings campaign, which promotes mental well-being in sports. Eimear encourages young girls to get involved in rugby and aim high in their aspirations. Her why is to inspire girls to achieve things they never thought possible.
Join host Jordan Rushworth as he uncovers the inspiring story of Eimear Considine, a true testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams. Eimear's journey is a powerful reminder that with determination, resilience, and a clear vision, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve remarkable success in both your personal and professional life.
https://www.sportendorse.com/en-uk
-
In this captivating episode of the podcast, Sport Endorse sits down with Lauryn Davey, a remarkable Welsh heptathlete who is also on the path to becoming a doctor. Balancing the intense demands of medical studies with the rigorous training required for heptathlon, Lauryn embodies dedication, resilience, and passion in every aspect of her life.
Lauryn's journey is one of unwavering determination and exceptional multitasking. From an early age, she showed a keen interest in sports and medicine, dreaming of excelling in athletics while pursuing a career dedicated to helping others. Despite the immense challenges posed by her dual pursuits, Lauryn has excelled, proving that with hard work and the right mindset, one can achieve greatness in multiple fields.
In this enlightening conversation, Lauryn shares her experiences of competing at the highest levels in heptathlon, a sport that demands versatility, strength, and endurance across seven different track and field events. She delves into the intricacies of her training regimen, the mental fortitude required to balance her academic and athletic responsibilities, and the support system that has been crucial to her success.
Moreover, Lauryn discusses her medical aspirations, highlighting her passion for making a difference in people's lives through healthcare. She offers insights into how her athletic background has instilled a unique perspective and discipline that she applies to her medical studies and future career as a doctor.
Join host Jordan Rushworth as he uncovers the inspiring story of Lauryn Davey, a true testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams. Lauryn's journey is a powerful reminder that with determination, resilience, and a clear vision, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve remarkable success in both your personal and professional life.
https://www.sportendorse.com/en-uk
-
Sport Endorse sits down with Sophie McKinna to hear how she became the GB's number 1 shot putter, made it to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, was the first British woman in 36 years to reach the final at the 2019 World Athletics Championships and achieved all of this while being a custody detention officer.
Sophie fought through injury to make sure she competed in the Tokyo Olympics. Now, after her surgery, she is back to her best, looking to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics in July.
Join us as host, Jordan Rushworth, gets to really know Sophie and shows how she came to be at the top of her sport.
-
In this exciting debut of the podcast, Sport Endorse sits down with Vanessa Ruck a.k.a The Girl on a Bike to hear how she turned a life changing incident into a daredevil lifestyle and has inspired so many today.
After a lethal road accident 10 years ago, Vanessa, who had always maintained an extremely active lifestyle, thought her adrenaline chasing days were over. However, following numerous painful surgeries and years of committed rehabilitation, Vanessa has undergone an inspirational transformation. Now, she’s fitter than ever and fearlessly engaging in daredevil activities that would leave many of us sick with dread.
Crossing the Sahara, conquering the Belize rainforest and off-roading in Iceland are some of the many destinations in which Vanessa has found herself attached to her bike. When not competing, Vanessa is also determined to motivate others through her achievements and show that regardless of life’s obstacles, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Her #BecauseICan movement is focused on primary school kids and teaches them that despite the constant setbacks of Covid-19, if one has the right tools to make the most of life and explore beyond their comfort zone, they can.
In this honest and touching conversation, host Jordan Rushworth gets to really know The Girl on a Bike and shows what an amazing inspiration Vanessa Ruck is to us all.
https://www.sportendorse.com/en-uk
-
Ever considered launching a pro-baseball team, trying to build rapidly while maximizing the positive impact of the team and its stadium for the community and sponsors?
In this episode of 'The Sitdown with Sport Endorse', our guest is Kevin Brown, Director of Business Development and Sponsorship for Staten Island Entertainment, a dynamic firm that is bringing Pro baseball, concerts, and community entertainment to Staten Island in New York.
We talk about what it is like to be part of a rapidly growing young company with strong values, how the pro-baseball team 'The FerryHawks' came to be, ways in which the company can collaborate with partners and sponsors, top sporting moments, and why Japanese player Yoshi Tsutsugo has joined the FerryHawks.
Show Notes:
00:30 About Kevin
01:21 What sports Kevin played
02:35 Kevin's day-2-day with SIE
05:09 Background to Staten Island Entertainment and the FerryHawks
07:23 Signing Yoshi Tsutsugo
09:36 Some characters on the team
11:37 SIE's biggest success to-date?
14:09 Baseball, importance to the community and to sponsors
18:19 Importance of technology in the next 12-24 months?
21:26 Working well with sponsors and the community
25:32 Being honest with sponsors
27:20 How can business learn from sport?
31:22 Mitigating risk around sponsorships
33:35 How alignment of values is crucial
36:34 Ideal new sponsor for next season?
38:33 Role of content in sponsorship
42:44 Measuring ROI on a sponsor
46:09 Top 3 moments in sport to-date
50:59 Toughest challenge
52:00 Biggest Joker/ Nerves of steel
END -
Jack Kenney-Herbert, is Director of Sponsorship for Sid Lee, a multidisciplinary global creative agency of brand builders. Part of the Kyu group, which is under Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Sid Lee works with a selection of the world's leading sports rights holders and sports talent and have delivered exceptional campaigns.
Jack talks to us about his 10+ years of working in and around sport, about great campaigns, including an extraordinarily successful and continuing multi-year partnership between the Brand 'Sure' and Premier League Football Clubs in the UK. He also shares what he thinks is essential for successful sports sponsorships, his aspirations for 2023, and the fact that the CEO of Sid Lee in London is a true sports fan.
Show Notes:
01:12 What sport Jack does himself
02:18 Jack's role in Sid Lee
04:41 Oppo + Champions League partnership
05:15 Lidl + UEFA
06:06 Bringing the brand Sure into Football in the UK
08:11 The next 12-24 months in terms of collaborating with sport
- 08:36 why an individual deal with athlete can be beneficial
- 09:13 benefits of partnering with a sports team/ property
10:50 Mitigating risk in campaigns and need for flexibility
12:00 The role of tech and AI in future collaborations
14:49 'Authentic' content is now a must have
16:20 Mitigating risk in collaborations
18:25 Investing in producing proper content leads to much better outcomes/ ROI
19:39 Is there an optimum length for a collaboration/ partnership?
21:01 What industries collaborate well with sport?
22:01 Does sport transcend culture and assist in targeted messaging?
23:11 How to measure ROI?
24:54 Top 3 moments in relation to sport for Jack so far?
27:03 Biggest challenge so far in career?
28:26 Best joker encountered so far?
29:38 Person with 'Nerves of Steel'?
30:46 Biggest sports fan Jack knows
31:32 Sporting hero?
32:02 Best sports event attended so far?
32:48 Favourite way to relax?
33:09 Best thing to happen this week?
33:35 Hopes for the remainder of 2023?
END -
What's the secret to being an excellent athlete? Could you succeed in being that good in four different sports along your journey as an elite athlete?
In this episode of 'The Sitdown with Sport Endorse', our guest is Megan Henry, a USA athlete that has excelled at four sports, and is now helping athletes herself.
We cover a lot of ground, from life threatening blood clots, the disappointment of missing out on Team USA for an Olympics after being a leading contender ranked 8th in the world, meditation, mindset, food, and much more.
Show Notes:
01:38 How Megan got involved in sport
04:31 D1 collegiate athletic career
05:06 Joining the military
07:13 What Skeleton is all about
13:21 Competing for Team USA
17:31 Important to reach out if needed
19:27 Impact of not making an Olympics
23:29 Getting into Olympic Weightlifting
25:01 Dropping weight in a short time period
29:24 Discovering life-threatening blood clots
33:11 The road to recovery
38:42 What Megan does for 'fun'!
40:36 Who would Megan like to play her in a movie
40:52 Sporting heroes
43:50 Brands that Megan uses regularly
45:28 Cheat meal choice
47:10 Athlete types and locations that Megan would work with
END -
For the first episode in a series where we explore the collaboration between brands and sport and what best practice looks like, we were delighted to have Lorna Danaher, Sponsorship Manager for Energia, as our guest.
Energia is one of longest providers of green energy across the island of Ireland, and has over 250,000 customers, and as a brand, it has a strong history of aligning with sport. Lorna's experience around sponsorship for both Energia, and companies she worked with before, mark her out as an authority on sponsorship, working with sport, and how to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
Show Notes:
01:17 Lorna's involvement in sports
02:09 How to stay motivated
03:16 What makes Energia special
04:10 Current partnerships
05:58 Grassroots approach
08:02 Stacey Flood and Hugo Keenan as brand ambassadors
10:09 Most satisfactory collaboration to-date
17:25 Yes/No on social media
19:24 TikTok Six Nations a good thing
21:00 The team in Energia that make the sponsorship’s succeed
24:15 Mitigating risk in sponsorship
27:17 Can sport work for different industries
29:33 Does sport transcend cultures
31:10 Challenges or innovation in sport
32:49 Measuring ROI on sponsorship
35:51 Best sporting moments to-date
38:24 Tough moments
40:10 Funniest sports person
42:43 Nerves of steel sports person
43:26 Biggest sports fan in the office
44:40 Sporting hero, best sports event ever, favourite way to relax, best things to happen so far this week
47:14 Hopes for the rest of 2023 -
It was great to talk with Muhmmad Azmi, Founder of GYMZYG, a new UK based brand that aims to give people improved confidence by ensuring that the gym gear they wear fits properly. We discuss why Muhammad founded GYMZYG, what the aims for the brand are, why sports people make sense to help promote the range, and how AI is helping the brand to differentiate itself in what is a crowded market.
Show Notes:
01:17 Muhammad's involvement in sports
03:37 Why GYMZYG was founded
05:17 Delivering value to customers
07:37 Brand values
10:35 What's behind the name GYMZYG
13:07 Core products at the moment and plans for product range
17:18 Importance of technology to the business
19:38 Biggest challenge to-date
21:23 Best success so far
24:12 Staying motivated
26:34 Managing currency exposures
28:25 Purpose and aims for the brand
31:29 Sporting hero
33:14 Favourite way to relax
33:39 Favourite music
35:01 Favourite meal
37:29 Languages spoken
38:57 Complexity around sizing
42:23 Open to discussion with athletes -
It was a pleasure to talk with Mike Flowers, a talented American basketball player who attended Western Michigan University, played for the South Alabama Jaguars, and also Washington State. A D1 Scholarship athlete, Mike was named the Sun Belt Conference's Newcomer of the Year in men's basketball in 2020-21 and currently plays for the VfL Kirchheim Knights in Germany as a combo guard. Hear how he has adjusted to Europe, his advice for collegiate players, and more about his story.
-
In our latest podcast, you will hear a great story about one of our rights holders in professional motorcycle sports - OMG Racing.
Declan Bourke, our co-founder, talks with Si McNally, Head of Communications at OMG Racing.
You'll learn how OMG Racing went from being new kids on the block in 2018 to championship winners in 2022.
You’ll also hear Si’s views on rider mindset, what makes the sport so engaging with over 9.4million viewers of the championship in 2022, and what’s in store for the 2023 season.
Learn how your business could benefit from partnering with a champion team with a fan base that reaches from the UK to Asia - contact us at [email protected] now
Enjoy the listen! -
Cross country runner and England international athlete Alex George talks to Sport Endorse Co-founder, Declan Bourke. Alex attended the University of Arkansas in America, where he was an NCAA All-American, SEC Champion, and Runner of the Year in 2016. He was also the European junior 5000m champion in 2015 and recently finished Milano Cross Challenge as champion in the 5K XC. Listen to Alex's experience as a full scholarship student athlete in America, his passion for books, his interest outside of sports and the kind of sponsors he thinks make sense.
-
In this episode of The Sitdown With Sport Endorse podcast, we feature the story of an Irish female athlete with a bright future in competitive football. In addition to playing college football in America, Hayley is now a professional football player for London City Lionesses. Hayley is available for partnerships and collaborations on the sport endorse platform for sponsors to unlock the potential of sports ambassador marketing.In spite of the record ticket sales and live global audience during this year's Women's Euro 22, the sponsorship dollars that go to women's sports and female athletes are still a small fraction of those allocated to men's sports and athletes. With this episode, we hope to contribute to changing this by getting more brands to listen in.
Show Notes :
2:00 Childhood motivation to get involved in sports
3:20 First itch to play professional football
4:50 Competitive rivalry among siblings acted as the driving force to be a professional athlete
6:00 Decision to moving to America to play college football is one I recommend to other teenage girls
8:00 America has many successful role models in female football to learn from
9:15 Influence of Head Coach Lisa fallon to join London City Lionesses
11:00 Embrace the opportunity to move to new places and learn from the different sporting in ideologies
13:00 Mentality it takes to return to playing after a serious injury
15:00 Understood a gap in the market to launch a side business with her sister
17:00 Lack of female participation in sport at a young age is something to remedy
19:00 Euro 22 witnessed a transformational landscape encouraging women's football
21:00 Personal aspirations on sponsorship & resonance with like minded partners
24:00 Open to promotional opportunities in person, social media, podcasts & events
26:00 Experience of being on TV series on a BBC show on football
26:45 In order for women’s football to catch up to men’s, the media can help promote the women’s game across social media, notice boards, radio stations, and buses.
Links:
Hayley Nolan’s Instagram
Sport Endorse Website
Sport Endorse Instagram
Sport Endorse LinkedIn
About Sport Endorse:
A revolutionary sports sponsorship platform that facilitates end-to-end sport endorsement opportunities by connecting elite athletes with brands.
About Manav Bhatia :Learn more about Manav, your host and the Marketing Manager at Sport Endorse, by clicking here.
-
Tune in to this episode, where we speak with professional footballer Georgie Kelly, the centre-forward from Rotherham United and leading Irish goal scorer in 2021. Georgie discusses some of the motivations, inspirations, and achievements as a professional football player and talks about some of the challenges of being a professional athlete while studying in University. He shares his thoughts on environmental sustainability and the role athletes and clubs can play in protecting our planet.
Social Links-
IG: @georgie_kelly_
IG: @sport_endorse
Show notes:
1:33 Inspiration for becoming professional footballer
3:00 Favourite players and clubs growing up
3:33 Motivations for becoming a professional athlete
5:25 Playing professional football in the UK
7:05 Highlights of being a professional athlete
8:00 Achieving sports and career goals
8:35 New teams, trades, and locker room dynamics
11:09 English Football League championship
12:01 Athlete superstitions and pregame rituals
12:53 Advise on balancing education and professional athletics
15:16 Value of renewable energy and environmental finance
19:05 Improving environmental sustainability practices for athletes and clubs
23:05 Raising consciousness about environmentally safe practices and individual habits
25:11 Role of sponsors in sports
26:25 Environmentally friendly brands and sponsors
33:00 Bridging the gap between athletes and sponsors through Sport Endorse
-
Joel is an Olympic medalist who has excelled at elite level in Athletics and Bobsleigh, representing Great Britain on the world stage in both sports.
Joel won Olympic bronzein the 4-man Bobsleigh event at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. He also claims a place in the history books when he clocked 9.96 seconds in the 100m at an English championships in Bedford
On this episode, Joel opens about his friendly, family-man side and on how he enjoys motivating the next generation to achieve the pinnacle in sport
Listen to the whole conversation with Manav Bhatia available on your favourite streaming platform now!
Instagram
@joelfearon6 - Show more
