What does it take to keep pushing when you’ve already achieved more than you ever imagined?

Martin Corry MBE is a former England captain, British & Irish Lion and Leicester Tigers legend who reached the highest levels of professional rugby before making the transition into the corporate world.

In this episode of the Best In Class Podcast, Martin shares his journey from being a self-described “fairly average” 16-year-old to playing for England, captaining his country, representing the British & Irish Lions and reaching a Rugby World Cup Final. He talks about the mindset that drove him throughout his career and the idea of always having another “castle on the hill” to aim for.

The conversation explores leadership, ambition, authenticity, resilience, failure and the challenge of starting again. Martin also discusses his transition from elite sport into business, the reality of imposter syndrome, learning to be comfortable being himself and why the lessons from elite sport don't always transfer directly into a new environment.

In this episode:

◼ The mindset behind reaching the highest levels of sport

◼ Always having another “castle on the hill” to aim for

◼ Learning leadership through experience

◼ The importance of authenticity in leadership

◼ Transitioning from elite sport into business

◼ Dealing with imposter syndrome and starting again

◼ Why sporting success doesn't automatically transfer into business

◼ Learning from failure and difficult experiences

◼ The relentless pursuit of improvement

◼ Knowing when to stop and recognise how far you've come

Martin also discusses why the question “What’s next?” has driven so much of his career, and the importance of occasionally stepping back to recognise what you have already achieved.

Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts exploring the habits, experiences and thinking behind exceptional performance.

#Leadership #HighPerformance #Rugby #Business #Resilience #ExecutiveLeadership #BestInClass

How do you turn adversity into opportunity?

Heledd Kendrick is the founder and CEO of Recruit for Spouses, a multi-award-winning social enterprise supporting military spouses, partners and families into employment.

In this episode of the Best In Class Podcast, Heledd shares the personal experience that led her to build a business around a problem she couldn't ignore and how 15 years later, that original idea has evolved into a much wider mission supporting military families, veterans and their careers.

The conversation explores resilience, adaptability, leadership, entrepreneurship and the importance of recognising the skills and talent that people can bring to an organisation.

Heledd also shares why military spouses can bring extraordinary resilience and adaptability into the workplace, how changing circumstances can create opportunities, and why sometimes the biggest businesses are built by simply recognising a problem and deciding to do something about it.

In this episode:

◼ Turning a personal problem into a business opportunity

◼ The hidden talent within the military spouse community

◼ Resilience, adaptability and leadership

◼ Building a business around a purpose

◼ Challenging outdated perceptions of talent

◼ Why military families need better employment support

◼ The importance of storytelling and sharing people's experiences

◼ Learning from failure and adversity

◼ How purpose can drive long-term impact

◼ Building an organisation that creates meaningful change

Heledd also discusses the power of storytelling and how sharing people's experiences can change perceptions.

Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts exploring the habits, experiences and thinking behind exceptional performance.

#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #Business #MilitaryFamilies #HighPerformance #BestInClass

Former Special Forces operator and entrepreneur Tom Fehley joins Leon Lloyd and Martin Hall for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, decision-making, communication and what it really takes to build high-performing teams.

Drawing on 20 years in the military, working in government during the Covid crisis and his experience in business and entrepreneurship, Tom shares the principles that have remained consistent across some of the most demanding environments he's worked in.

From creating a clear sense of purpose to building trust, maintaining high standards and giving people the information they need to make better decisions, Tom explains why the principles of high performance can be applied far beyond the military.

He also reflects on the transition from military life into business, the importance of learning from failure, making decisions with incomplete information and why high performers need to learn when to step back and give themselves permission to recover.

The conversation also explores communication and presentation skills, including Tom's own experience on the BEST SPEAK programme and why being able to communicate clearly is such a critical leadership skill.

In this episode:

◼ What makes a truly high-performing team

◼ Why purpose is the foundation of high performance

◼ Building trust and accountability

◼ Why information needs to move quickly through an organisation

◼ Making decisions with incomplete information

◼ How military principles translate into business

◼ The importance of continuous learning

◼ Why high standards can drive — and sometimes hinder — performance

◼ Learning to celebrate other people's success

◼ The leadership lessons Tom took from Special Forces

◼ Why communication is a critical leadership skill

◼ Tom's experience on the BEST SPEAK programme

📚 Book Recommendation:

The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

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#Leadership #HighPerformers #Teamwork #ExecutiveLeadership #DecisionMaking #Communication #BestInClass

How do great presenters captivate any audience?

Presentation coach and founder of Performing Perfectly, Lucy Key, shares the communication techniques, mindset and performance strategies that help leaders speak with confidence, connect with audiences and deliver presentations that people remember.

This isn't just a conversation about public speaking. It's about executive presence, confidence, storytelling and understanding the psychology behind effective communication.

Lucy explains why confidence isn't something you're born with, how to overcome presentation nerves, what separates memorable speakers from forgettable ones, and the practical techniques anyone can use to become a more impactful communicator.

Whether you're presenting in the boardroom, pitching clients or speaking on stage, this episode is packed with practical lessons to help you communicate with confidence and influence.

In this episode:

◼ How to build executive presence

◼ The psychology of confident communication

◼ Why audiences remember some speakers and forget others

◼ Techniques to overcome presentation nerves

◼ How to engage an audience from the very first minute

◼ The role of storytelling in effective communication

◼ Practical presentation techniques you can apply immediately

◼ How great communicators create lasting impact

📚 Book Recommendations:

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts sharing the habits behind exceptional performance.

#ExecutivePresence #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #CommunicationSkills #PresentationSkills #SpeakExec #BestInClassPodcast

How do the Red Arrows build one of the world's most elite teams?

Former RAF fighter pilot and Executive Officer of the Red Arrows, Dan Lowes, shares the leadership principles, culture and accountability systems that allow elite teams to perform under relentless pressure.

This isn't just a conversation about aviation. It's about trust, leadership, character, communication and creating environments where people consistently perform at their best.

Dan explains why the Red Arrows recruit for character over talent, how they create psychological safety without lowering standards, and why world-class teams recover from mistakes faster than everyone else.

Whether you're leading a business, coaching a team or looking to improve your own performance, this episode is packed with practical lessons from one of the most respected high-performance organisations in the world.

In this episode:

◼ Why elite teams choose character over talent

◼ The Red Arrows' unique selection process

◼ Building trust under pressure

◼ How to create accountability without blame

◼ The debrief system that drives continuous improvement

◼ Why world-class performers recover quickly from mistakes

◼ The "Half Error" technique for improving performance

◼ Leadership lessons every business can apply

📚 Book Recommendations:

• Legacy by James Kerr

• Leading by Sir Alex Ferguson

• Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts sharing the habits behind exceptional performance.

#leadership #redarrows #teamwork #executiveleadership #communication #podcast #bestinclass

What separates great leaders from everyone else when pressure is at its highest?

In this episode of BEST IN CLASS, Leon Lloyd and Martin Hall sit down with Marie De Meyer - advocate, mediator and keynote speaker, to explore the leadership skills that matter most when emotions run high.

Having spent decades resolving conflict in high-pressure environments, Marie shares why self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the ability to respond rather than react are the foundations of exceptional leadership.

But this conversation goes far beyond conflict resolution.

It's about confidence, resilience, authenticity, and rebuilding yourself when life doesn't go to plan. Marie explains why confidence isn't something you're born with, but something you develop through action, discipline and self-awareness.

The result is a powerful discussion about leadership, communication and personal growth that challenges the way we think about influence and success.

This episode explores:

◼ Why self-awareness is a leadership superpower

◼ Staying calm under pressure

◼ Responding rather than reacting

◼ Building confidence through action

◼ Emotional intelligence in leadership

◼ Conflict resolution and difficult conversations

◼ Authenticity and personal growth

If you've ever questioned yourself, struggled with confidence, or wanted to become a more influential leader, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply immediately.

📚 Book Recommendation:

• The Four Agreements

Connect with BEST:

Website: https://bespokeelitespeakertraining.com/

LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining

Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining

Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training

#Leadership #LeadershipPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #ConflictResolution #ExecutiveLeadership #Confidence #SelfAwareness #Communication #LeadershipDevelopment #BESTInClass

From launching a business on his honeymoon to completing a management buyout during COVID, Luke Nihill has built his career around taking calculated risks. As Co-Founder and Managing Director of Qurated, Luke has spent the last decade helping organisations identify and develop senior leadership talent while building a business designed around long-term relationships, culture, and strategic impact. In this episode, Luke shares the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, ownership, and growth. He discusses: ◼ Why he chose entrepreneurship over the traditional career path ◼ Building Qurated from the ground up ◼ The challenges of completing a management buyout during COVID ◼ Why culture matters more than skills alone ◼ The importance of accountability in high-performing teams ◼ Lessons from coaching, leadership and continuous learning ◼ What founders get wrong about growth ◼ Why taking risks has shaped both his business and personal life This conversation is not just about recruitment or executive search. It's about building something meaningful, making difficult decisions, and having the confidence to back yourself when the outcome is uncertain. For founders, business leaders, entrepreneurs and anyone looking to create lasting impact, Luke's story offers practical lessons on leadership, resilience and growth. 🎙️ Luke's Podcast: Action Impact Growth 📚 Book Recommendations: • Good to Great - Jim Collins • Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss Connect with BEST: Website: https://bespokeelitespeakertraining.com/ LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, high performance, and elite sport.

What if culture isn't created by strategy, values statements, or company away days?

What if it's created by the conversations leaders have every day?

In this episode of BEST in Class, Leon and Martin sit down with Stuart Henry, leadership advisor, former CEO, and founder of A Better Version, to explore what leadership looks like when trust, support, and emotional intelligence are placed at the centre of performance.

Drawing on more than four decades of business experience, Stuart reflects on the evolution of leadership, why command-and-control management is becoming obsolete, and how culture is shaped by the behaviours leaders model every day.

But this conversation goes beyond leadership frameworks.

It's about helping people become a better version of themselves, creating environments where individuals can thrive, and understanding the responsibility leaders have to influence far more than results.

This episode explores:

◼ Why culture is built through everyday interactions

◼ The shift from command-and-control to servant leadership

◼ How emotional intelligence influences performance

◼ Building trust inside teams and organisations

◼ Helping people become a better version of themselves

If you're interested in leadership, culture, communication, or creating high-performing teams, this conversation will challenge how you think about influence and the role leaders play in shaping the people around them.

📚 Book Recommendations:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni

Good to Great - Jim Collins

Connect with Stuart:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stuarthenry15

Connect with BEST:

Website: http://www.bespokeelitespeakertrainin...

LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining

Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining

Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, high performance, and elite sport.

#Leadership #LeadershipPodcast #companyculture #LeadershipDevelopment #Communication #TeamCulture #WorkplaceCulture #HighPerformance #BusinessPodcast

What happens when you remove all distraction, noise, and certainty, and are left alone with your own thoughts?

In this episode of BEST IN CLASS, Leon and Martin sit down with Annasley Park, former professional cyclist, adventurer, and one of the few women in history to row the Atlantic Ocean solo.

But this conversation goes far beyond endurance.

It explores identity, resilience, solitude, leadership, and the uncomfortable process of discovering who you really are when everything familiar disappears.

From growing up with dyslexia and competing in elite sport, to burnout, silent meditation, and surviving a capsize just ten hours into a 3,000-mile ocean row, Annasley shares the mindset behind choosing challenge over comfort.

This is a conversation about:

◼ Learning to pause in a world addicted to momentum

◼ Separating identity from achievement

◼ Reflecting in the moment, not just after the event

◼ Why adversity can become a training ground for leadership

◼ What solitude reveals about who we truly are

If you’ve ever questioned your limits, your direction, or what you’re capable of when stripped back to the essentials, this episode will challenge the way you think about resilience and performance.

Connect with Annasley:

Website: http://www.annasleypark.com

Website: https://oceansurvivoar.com

Instagram: / annasleypark

LinkedIn: / annasley-park

Connect with BEST:

Website: http://www.bespokeelitespeakertrainin...

LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining

Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining

Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training

Leadership under pressure looks very different behind the scenes.

In this first episode of BEST in Class, former Premiership captain and head coach Geordan Murphy shares what leadership really feels like inside elite sport - from captaincy and difficult conversations to handling scrutiny, authority, and responsibility under pressure.

This is not a conversation about trophies.

It’s about communication, trust, accountability, and what happens when outcomes matter.

Geordan discusses:

• The reality of leadership under scrutiny

• Transitioning from teammate to head coach

• Why restraint often carries more power than motivation

• How trust is built through difficult conversations

• The difference between presence and volume

• The moment leadership stopped being about being liked

For leaders, executives, coaches, and high performers - this episode explores what communication looks like when the stakes are real.

📚 Book recommendation:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni

Connect with Geordan Murphy:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/geordanmurphy

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/geordan-murphy-11859b49

Connect with BEST:

Website: http://www.bespokeelitespeakertraining.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bespokeelitespeakertraining

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bespokeelitespeakertraining

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bespoke.elite.speaker.training

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

02:15 From Player to Leader

08:40 Captaincy & Responsibility

15:30 Taking Over as Head Coach

24:10 Authority & Communication Under Pressure

34:00 Trust, Selection & Difficult Conversations

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45:00 Leadership Lessons Beyond Rugby

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