Sport and Life

Pro boxing is a tough business starting out. You have to punch opponents, avoid being punched and you have to sell tickets - often while working a day job.

I found this a fascinating insight into this world - Louis Bacon currently has a record of 2-0 and is still working three days a week as. landscape gardener. 

I hope Louis has a bright, healthy and successful future in the ring ahead. But significantly boxing has already helped him in life - he turned to the sport after getting punched in the face on his first day at high school. 

I love speaking to people who are passionate, particularly those who are passionate about sport. Steve Kitchen is one of the most passionate people I’ve met when it comes to sport - especially sport in Gloucestershire. 

Steve is sports editor at the BBC’s local radio station and loves his job and the local teams - he’s been covering them for 30 years, but he was a fan way before that. 

We discuss football - Cheltenham Town football club, Forest Green Rovers and Gloucester City - Gloucester Rugby Club, horse racing at Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and women’s sport and para athletes. 

Steve is poignantly touched by para sport as his sport-playing youth was abruptly changed when he was run over by a car, leaving him with life-changing injuries. While that may have stopped Steve playing the sports he loves, his enthusiasm for the local sports scene is unrivalled. Beat journalist like Steve are the lifeblood of sporting communities and long may he continue to document the exploits of local athletes for the fans.

Andy Tucker is a football legend where I live in Cheltenham - an ex player for Cheltenham Town FC and Gloucester City, he created soccer schools that are famous in the this part of the world. And through his national franchise supa strikers Tuxs is helping kids as young as two learn the ropes of the beautiful game across the UK.

Great to talk football and business with this passionate man.

If you’re looking to coach kids in that 2-7 age bracket and need a little help, Tuxs has an entire system in place and can help you get started: https://www.supastrikers.co.uk

*****

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I’ve known Alex Payne for well over a decade. We worked together covering rugby at Sky Sports and have both presented Sky Sports News. But this a man who wears many hats and seems to do very well whichever one he’s sporting that moment. 

Alex still does ad hoc rugby presenting on TV - most recently The Lions tour of Australia for Sky - but is arguably better known for hosting the hugely successful podcast - The Good, The Bad and The Rugby: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LJJ9KUF4aAjcSPimyKfp3?si=29cc3e61ecff432d

Alex and his pod buddies, England legends Mike Tindall and James Haskell, have created a gin - the proceeds of which help grassroots rugby and research into injury prevention and care: https://blackeyegin.co.uk

Even that’s not enough to sate his appetite for work though! Alex has also helped build a tech business that pairs social media influencers with brands: https://www.theinfluenceroom.com. 

But Alex in his very candid way admits he doesn't really use social media because it distracts him from his many jobs. He doesn't have the apps on his phone. 

I loved this conversation, in large part due to Alex’s openness and willingness to chat about the complexities and contradictions of the world that's in front of us. I do find it very interesting that most of the successful people I know don’t spend time scrolling on social media. I think kicking that vice will be big for me. How about you?

One thing’s for sure - as I too navigate the early steps of a similar path away from full-time broadcasting - Alex’s example is an inspiring one. I’m just not sure how he keeps all the balls in the air. 

Let me know what you think of this conversation.

Go well and keep moving, Teddy

Old School Soccer Story 13

James is a good pal and a fitness professional who I hold in the highest esteem when it comes to training and health information. But that’s nothing compared to what he knows about Queens Park Rangers in the 1990s! 

Based in the Cotswolds now James was a West London lad who remembers all the swashbuckling players who lifted The Rs to a 5th placed finish in 92/93. 

Follow James: aka_thefitnesspro 

His new kids football camps: https://www.elitesoccerstars.com

A very uplifting and practical conversation with the effervescent Shane Duff. Shane’s pro football career was prematurely ended through a freak injury, but he’s rebuilt himself as a successful property developer in Cheltenham. ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/🔸shane-duff-🔸-5ab59139/ )

Shane skilfully articulates why an abundance mindset isn’t reckless or fanciful and why optimism is generally more effective in achieving success than pessimism.

We also discuss the importance of facing the fear of failure (and trying in the face of it) and surrounding ourselves with encouraging people - even if that is in the form of books or podcasts.

We also chat about Steve Cotterill’s return as Cheltenham manager and Shane’s memories of ‘Cotts’ from his teenage days at the club.

I found this conversation with Ben, an Osteopath at Origin Health Clinic - https://originhealthgroup.com - a fascinating thought-provoker.

Ben talks about his dramatic night earlier this year when he unexpectedly came close to his lights going out and how he approaches life with that palpable sense of mortality. With a baby at home we also discuss how the experience has affected his outlook on work and spending time with his wife and daughter. 

Ben is also coming back from stomach surgery and is targeting a triathlon to galvanise his return to fitness. We talk about that dance between challenging ourselves physically and looking after our body so it continues to serve us into old age. 

We also discuss Ben’s multi-discipline outlook and how he and his brother, Dan work with other practitioners at Origin, including physiotherapists and private GPs, to make sure their patients get the most effective care.

Jon Palmer has followed Cheltenham Town FC for decades, man and boy, personally and professionally. So great to get his take on the big story in my hometown - the return of Steve Cotterill 23 years on from his historic first stint at the club.

Cotterill lead Cheltenham into the football league as a young manager and JP explains why he believes a successful second era could be upon us. 

JP continues to illustrate the power and importance of local beat journalists in sport. 

I’ve always enjoyed interviewing Chris during his rise as a respected but, in retrospect, underrated boxer who upset big names to become world champion. Spectacular nights followed in his hometown of Bournemouth. 

Then came defeat in 2024 to Gilberto Ramirez. But Chris’ hunger for the sport remains ravenous. He’s very candid though about the sense of internal conflict he feels being away from his two little boys. He’s very real in articulating something I’ve experienced and I think a lot of us can identify with - the pull to provide coupled with the pain of not being able to be physically present with our kids because of our jobs. 

He also speaks here powerfully and glowingly about a former high-school teacher who left a lasting impression on him and others - Mr Clayton. I’m sure a lot of us can resonate with the idea of a hugely influential teacher. Mr Sockelov and Mr Dudah (I can’t remember the spellings, sorry as both were from Eastern European families) left a lasting mark on me and I think it’s important for teachers to here stories like Chris’.

Teachers - you are vital!

Thought s on this? Fatherhood? Influential teachers? 

Really candid conversation with Charlie here about the challenges, uncertainties and pressures of one and two-year contracts when you’re a dad. We also talk about the physical challenges of having twins whilst playing for Cheltenham Town FC too - trying to train and play after a few hours sleep.

Ultimately, fans want their teams to win, but I do think we underestimate how difficult pro sport can be - particularly when you’re not financially set from your playing days. Charlie, 32, talks openly here about the future and what his next career could be. As someone who was lucky enough to do a fun job, but now I have to ‘go again’ I can certainly empathise with how daunting (and exciting) that can be.