Henry Winter is one of the country’s most prolific and experienced sports journalists, who captures the heart and soul of football.

He’s the Chief Football Writer for The Times newspaper and has also written several books on the subject. 

In this final episode of Lobster Brain’s first series, Lisa and Danny hear from Henry about what it’s like to have a ringside seat at the game he loves so much. Henry shares the lessons he’s learnt from meeting other “top lobsters”, and about what it takes to deal with pressure and achieve excellence.

They also discover how Henry approaches his editorial decision making, and how he copes on three to four hours of sleep a night. 

Sadhguru has been named one of India's 50 most influential people and needs little introduction. His work has touched the lives of two billion people through transformational programs.

An author, poet, visionary, internationally renowned speaker and bestselling author, Sadhguru has been an influential voice at major global forums including the United Nations World Headquarters and the World Economic Forum, addressing issues as diverse as socioeconomic development, leadership and spirituality.

Growing up in a small Indian village Sadhguru had an enlightening experience that changed the course of his life. He realised that bliss is within and decided to share this human possibility with all.

Lisa and Danny discover what it means to be joyful and how turning your attention inwards is his simple yet profound message.

“I kept that tunnel vision and focused on the hurdles”

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is one of Great Britain's most successful athletes. She’s an Olympic champion and and three-times world champion heptathlete. She’s very clearly a Top Lobster! 

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Jess to get to that point though.  In this wide-ranging conversation, Danny Donachie and Lisa Morton discover what it took for her to earn those gold medals.  They hear about the bullying Jess had to encounter as a child, because of her size.  They also discuss the intense training and injury that Jess had had to come back from.  You also get to hear what it’s like to try and concentrate on your next race when there are 80 thousand people cheering you on.  

“I've always put myself out of my comfort zone”

Jordan Hames is a successful entrepreneur and influencer who works with brands like Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gucci and many more. 

Lisa and Danny discover that whilst Jordan has incredible ambition, drive and determination - he also practises gratitude and values balance in his life.  

Jordan explains that he thinks in terms of decades, rather than simply getting to the next pay check; how he always wants to grow and progress - and how he appears to have nailed a work life balance by the age of 28. 

“We're explorers. We’re on quest.”

Do successful people have the same things in common? Can you learn confidence and have self belief? And what’s the relationship between success and happiness? 

Danny Donachie and Lisa Morton share some of the key lessons they’ve learnt from speaking to highly successful people. 

You’ll discover that top lobsters feel just as nervous as everyone else.  Danny and Lisa share their own experiences and also share some tips on how to go with the flow. 

Featuring:

Tim Howard, former goalkeeper for Manchester United, Everton and the US National Team.  He’s currently a pundit for NBC Sport 

Rodney Marsh, former footballer and pundit who played for Fulham, Queens Park Rangers. He was the record signing in the Premier League, when he signed for Manchester City, 

Former world champion boxer Tony Bellew, 

Mo Gawdat, entrepreneur, author and former chief business officer for Google X 

Ana Ivanovic, former world number one champion tennis player, now businesswoman 

Willie Donachie, footballer who played for Manchester City, Burnley, Oldham Athletic, and the Scottish National team. He's been a coach and a manager for many years

Biet Simkin, musician, spiritual guide and bestselling author. 

and Dr Lisa Miller, Colombia professor, clinical psychologist and a best selling author.

What does it take to forgive? 

Willie Donachie is a footballer who had a distinguished career playing for Manchester City; Burnley, Oldham Athletic, Portland Timbers and the Scottish national team.  He’s been a coach and a manager for many years. He also happens to be - Danny’s dad!

Willie reflects on his roots, upbringing and relationship with his own father, Danny's grandfather, which was extremely turbulent. Willie was helped in his own journey through meditation and found that he was able to forgive his Dad. Lisa and Danny discover what it took for him to get to that point and also, how important a secure upbringing from 0 - 5 really is. 

Willie has been able to transform a tough childhood to reach the top whilst also balancing family life and spiritual practice.  You’ll discover how this has informed his work and the way he coaches others, with compassion and belief.

“Get the simple things right, day in day out”

What does it take to work at the highest level in sport, for years? 

Phil Nevile has been a footballer at Manchester United and then Captain of Everton.  He’s been Head Coach for the Lionesses and he’s currently Head Coach at Inter Miami.   You could say he’s part of a modern-day sporting dynasty, with brother Gary, sister Tracey and his late father Neville, all working in professional sport.  

In Phil’s word, he went from being a “soldier” at Manchester United to “the general” at Everton, he had to adapt quickly to being made captain so early, so, what are the lessons that he’s learned about leadership, through sport? 

Lisa and Danny discover that Phil’s approach to leadership is all about making great memories and ensuring that his team feels valued.  They also hear how Phil’s daughter has been a huge source of inspiration for him, during difficult times. 

Biet Simkin is a musician, spiritual guide and bestselling author. 

Thousands of people attend her meditation events and she works with some of the most leading lights in Hollywood.  

Biet came to this success via trauma, loss and addiction. Her mother died when she was very young.  Her Dad, who was a shaman, taught her to meditate, but as Biet says, she “didn’t deal with reality well’. By the age of 18 she was struggling with alcoholism whilst also touring around in limos, having been signed to Sony records. 

Lisa and Danny discover how the spirituality that her Dad taught her, enabled Biet to come back from rock bottom.   Biet also explains how spirituality can be embraced in the material world and offers a practical meditation that can help you in your day to day life.  

The lead in your own Shakespearean play

These are the words that Rodney Marsh lives his life by. Rodney was a top lobster of the football world in the 60’s and 70’s, one of the most charismatic players of the time.  Since retiring, he’s been a football pundit and appeared on numerous celebrity TV shows.  Rodney’s autobiography Priceless, amongst other things, outlined the abusive relationship between him and his dad.  

Lisa and Danny learn about the at times painful ways Rodney’s life has shaped him and why a Shakespearean quote has influenced his actions so strongly. Rodney is unapologetically bold and can be perceived to have a hard edge, although Danny and Lisa do find a softer, more thoughtful side under this top lobster’s shell. 

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Connect with Danny

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Via Roland Dransfield

Tim defined resiliency and consistency during his time as a premier league goalkeeper, he’s the perfect example of how you can overcome pressure and show up despite the circumstances.

Tim is a former US national, Manchester United, and Everton Goalkeeper.  He’s currently a pundit for MBC sport. 

Danny and Lisa learn how Tim has dealt with his Tourette's syndrome throughout his life, not letting it define him on or off the pitch and take away the lesson of having self-confidence and true self-belief; rewiring your brain to believe you CAN achieve.

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Danny Donachie is a Tavistock trained Performance Coach and Founder of Embodyism. He has worked with World Cup winners, World Champion boxers, Grand Slam winners and many leading entrepreneurs. His unique approach unites East and West, facilitating both collective and individual change. 

Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.