This episode is with professional footballer, and former Watford FC & Jamaica Captain, Adrian Mariappa.

Adrian, or Mapps as best better known, has had a 15 year professional career spending 10 of those years in the best footballing league in the world, the English premier league. He’s made over 400 appearances for club, most of them for His boyhood club Watford and 50 appearances Internationally for Jamaica. Name any footballer of notoriety and Mapps has played against them and likely held his own. Cristiano Ronaldo, yes. Messi, yes. Suarez, Hazard, Henry, yes. He’s reached two FA cup finals narrowly missing out on winning both and as a natural born leader was the captain of his club and country.

But it’s not all been smooth sailing. At 15 he was told he would be released by Watford. We hear all about how he turned to basketball and athletics at this time to improve his jump height and speed. We hear about the many times he’s been at clubs, including Crystal Palace, where he’s had a change in manager who has dropped him, so time and time again he’s had to fight to get his place back. At one time being the 7th choice centre back.

This conversation was incredibly eye opening and highlights the importance of perseverance and persistence as we strive to achieve our goals. I hope you enjoy!