I think for those of us who played a lot of football growing up, there is always a part of us that wonders... could I have made it if I’d tried harder, had more lucky breaks, backed myself more? 

Jordan Thomas is evidence that even in age when pro club’s academies cast scouting nets far and wide across the country, it’s possible for a talented kid to be overlooked - but then to make it pro anyway. 

Jordan signed his first full-time pro contract last year, at Cheltenham at the age of 23. 

We discuss Jordan’s journey through non league and the upcoming coaching camps he’s putting on with Elite Soccer Stars in North Leigh, Oxfordshire: 

https://www.elitesoccerstars.com

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Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-street

Info on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - 

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk

For 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

What are your thoughts on one of the age old debates in my industry: are athletes born or made? Is it nature or nurture?

Usually, we conclude it’s a bit of both. But I certainly get the sense that Jack Clement may have been genetically predisposed to playing pro rugby. He didn’t even play the game until the age of 14 and within a couple of years was representing England in his age group.

This is also a brilliant story of serendipity - he only wound up discovering his aptitude for rugby after winning a cricket scholarship to the very prestigious Cheltenham College.

Jack is still only in his mid 20s, but a sharp cookie. We talk about the importance of a positive proactive mindset when recovering from injury in rugby - injuries are a part of life in this most rugged of sports - and the psychology of still wanting the ball when results aren’t great and confidence is low.

Jack is also aware of the shortness of a rugby career and is sagely studying for a second career in finance.

I hope you enjoy this one. Go well and keep moving. By the way, the £300 voucher is still available for Herring Shoes - check out the 2nd of January message from me for how to win it.

Go well and keep moving,

Teddy

It’s struck me that people are bombarded by a lot of nuance and detail about physical training and fitness. 

And it’s true you can go deep into the weeds if you’re looking to maximise performance and conditioning. Not to mention appearance.

But that’s irrelevant to someone who isn’t currently moving. The path to getting stronger is brilliantly simple: start lifting something. And beginning with your own body seems a solid and tech-free first step. 

Ross Mitchell and I have stayed in touch since he was a tutor on my Personal Training course and I always value his radical candour and ability to break the complicated and often emotionally complex into simple action. 

Here he runs through the literal exercises you can do to start building strength - for a stronger body today and when you’re old. 

If you’re looking to get stronger, I’d recommend following Ross (after listening to him here, of course). 

Let me know if this is useful. Remember something is always better than nothing when it comes to fitness. Go well and keep moving friends,

I believe everyone wants to be fit and healthy. But I also know that in this modern world that encourages sitting around and eating non nourishing food, it can be hard to know how to get going. 

So I found this conversation with my bro Max brilliant in breaking down simple steps to feeling healthier and happier. 

Areas covered include: Nutrition, Movement (big focus on walking), Daylight, Mindset and Social Connection. 

Let me know if this is useful. And let me know if you have tips for getting going you'd like me to share.

If you’d like some help, I’d love to share the Triple Tonic experience with you - in person if you’re in the Cheltenham area or remotely if you’re located elsewhere. 

Regardless: remember the three pillars of fresh air, movement and conversation are pretty good failsafes to protect your health. 

Info: https://drapermedia.co.uk/the-triple-tonic

Wishing you a brilliant year ahead! Go well and keep moving.

Teddy

Happy New Year Message from me, Teddy and a chance to win a £300 voucher for Herring Shoes (handmade in Britain).

Please email answers to the question posed in this episode to [email protected],uk (or [email protected])

Thank you for listening to the podcast!

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Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-street

Info on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.uk

For 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

I’ve been a sports journalist for more than 20 years. But until the past few weeks I had no clue about croquet!

England star James Death certainly helped me get a grasp of the basics and I hope you’ll find this educational too. I had a tryout on the courts with James recently and great to pick his brains again here. Fantastic to discover the Croquet England office - where James works - is located in my hometown of Cheltenham.

It’s quite a complex sport - but as it nails the Triple Tonic pillars of health: fresh air, movement and conversation. I can see it would be a fantastic hobby.

Let me know your thoughts. If you’re in Cheltenham and want to take a look: https://cheltenhamcroquet.org

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Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-street

Info on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.uk

For 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

Merry Christmas! I hope you and your’s have had a good holiday season!

I believe this will be a warming, nostalgic conversation to entertain you in this downtime.

Martin Middleton, a racing car fanatic has lived a remarkable life working on race cars as a mechanic and a remarkable spell as companion/translator to Formula One Legend Juan Manuel Fangio. 

I hope you enjoy this one. 

Go well and keep moving in 2026! If you need any help with getting more active drop me a note - [email protected]

Best wishes,

Teddy

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Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-street

Info on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.uk

For 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

JP joins the show once more to update on Cheltenham Football Club's rejuvenated season, look ahead to a big FA Cup showdown with Leicester plus reflects on his soft spot for Cameroon with AFCON upon us.

A compelling conversation with Jack Bannister - a Cruiserweight boxer from Gloucester who won the Southern Area title in November 2025.

Jack talks about falling in love with the sport, his frustration at trying to find opponents and his ambitions for the future.

Jack's sparred some big names and talks about the challenge of going into another fighter's camp.

Also discuss his day job as an electrician and why representing his home city means so much to him.

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Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-street

Info on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.uk

For 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

I hope you enjoy this uplifting conversation with Ash Loveridge as much as I did. Ash is a seasoned sports journalist who is approaching the 5th year of running the independent website https://stroudtimes.com

In this episode we talk about how former Premier League footballer and Wales international Robbie Savage has helped lift Forest Green Rovers on and off the pitch.

We also talk about the continued growth of Stroud Times and people's hunger for local news and sports coverage in an age where traditional outlets are under the pump.