Sport and Life

Mark Weir is not far off 60, but you’d never guess it! A UFC pioneer and Gloucestershire legend , 'The Wizard' recorded a 10-second KO win in the inaugural UFC in London in 2002 - he still trains, eats and sleeps like a Champion and is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. 

In this conversation we discuss a coming-of-age year for his charge Christian Leroy Duncan who recorded three victories in the UFC to move to a 13-2 record and showed potential to be a championship contender. 

Mark reflects on the incredible growth of the UFC and the money and prestige that’s now up for grabs for fighters like Christian. 

We also talk about his continued work training aspiring pros and everyday people at Range Martial Arts Academy in Gloucester. https://www.facebook.com/RangeMartialArtsAcademy/?locale=en_GB

Mark tells me why MMA is the sport to choose for self-defence.

We also discuss Mark’s secrets to longevity and health - the importance of movement and his adherence to a daily fast. 

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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.

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 SupaStrikers Tuxs is helping kids as young as two learn the ropes of the beautiful game.

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

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 met Claire Richardson recently at a networking event and was seriously impressed with her passion and vision - and overwhelming conviction that we can enjoy a healthy second half of life. 

I’m in my forties and I’m often saddened by the limiting beliefs of many of my peers. “I’m too old to exercise.” Or “it’s time to maintain what I’ve got.” To be honest, I first noticed comments like this in my twenties. As Claire underscores with hard science - we can get fitter and stronger as we age. 

Claire has set up GHS Clinics - https://ghsclinics.health/services/ - in Cheltenham to help clients maximise their health-span (how long they live in good physical and mental health) so it’s closer to their lifespan (total years lived). 

In this pod we talk about GHS’ Second Prime plan and the importance of taking some time to create a plan for ageing well. 

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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.

Powerful conversation with ex Antiguan and Barbudan international Craig Heskey on his role steering young players through the highs and lows of trying to make it as professional players at Liverpool Football Club.

Craig over the past six or seven years - at Leyton Orient and Millwall previously - has been a pioneer in this new, and, I think, vital role.

Craig and others' work is big from the clubs' perspective: by giving nurturing and mentoring care you increase the club's chances of maximising the talent in the ranks. But also from the players ' perspective, I love the fact that one of Craig's big drivers is keeping the players' joy for the game (whether they make it pro or not).

We also discuss Craig’s cousin, Ex England star Emile Heskey and his role as an inspirational figure to Craig. 

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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 to watch horse racing lots of times - most often here in the town I live in at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse. And I know a fair bit about training - from a degree in sports science to qualifying as a personal trainer. But I don’t know too much about the training of horses. Turns out they’re not all that different to humans. 

It was illuminating then to chat with Max Kendrick - an ex jockey who know helps training horses at Fergal O’Brien’s picturesque yard near Cheltenham. 

Max is doing pioneering work with horse heart rate monitors, that also track metics like the speed of the horse and distance covered. This gives insight that will help trainers coax horses to peak performance, but also from an animal welfare perspective make sure the horses aren’t overtrained. 

Pretty cool to hear Max talk about how the data is often backing up old school trainers’ ‘feel’ for how the horses are.

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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 the podcast.

I’ve recently begun hosting a podcast called The Blindside for Gloucester Rugby. Rhys was a fascinating guest on that show, so it was a treat to get him on Sport and Life for a thorough conversation on health and fitness from a physio’s perspective.

Ground covered

1) Rhys’ sporting background, being deemed too small to be an elite goalkeeper.

2) Training in physiotherapy 

3) Working at Sheffield United Football Club

4) The counselling role of the physio and the importance of creating a good ‘vibe’ in the treatment room. 

5) General tips for injury prevention including your pelvis position.

6) The spectre of brain injury in rugby and football and how Gloucester Rugby have combined with The University of Oxford in landmark new research to understand and minimise player concussion. 

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 the podcast.

Hope you like this one. Let me know your thoughts.

Go well and keep moving, 

Teddy

Russell Milton has had a near 30-year relationship with ( couple of short spells away) Cheltenham Town as player, coach, head of recruitment and caretaker manager. I was loosely familiar with that. But loved hearing about ‘Milts’ beginnings as a Kent boy who didn't start playing organised football until the age of 10. He played for Arsenal and, when released by the Gunners, spent a chunk of time playing in Hong Kong and Japan. 

An effervescent character! Russ is also a qualified PE teacher and he says having that qualification allowed him to have a go at being a pro with Cheltenham when the club went full-time in the 90s. Hope you enjoy this one.

Go well and keep moving, 

Teddy

This is a little bit different. I qualified as a personal trainer a few years back, but alongside my sports broadcasting career have developed a slightly different training service for clients in Cheltenham: The Triple Tonic is based on three health pillars: movement, fresh air and conversation. 

My sister-in-law Kerry Halloran in this conversation has kindly offered to (gently) quiz about the evidence behind each pillar, how I fastened onto this approach and what the science says.

We also discuss the nuance of each workout and how I incorporate balls, rackets, agility ladders and more while getting clients fitter and stronger in the great outdoors.

If you’re in Cheltenham and want to get out there with me, or live elsewhere and want some remote fitness coaching there is more info here: https://drapermedia.co.uk/the-triple-tonic

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 the podcast.

Go well and keep moving, Teddy

Sporting a black eye today after a football injury, but very much feeling good after chatting to author Wayne Barton about two of my favourite topics: football history and Manchester United. 

I’ve just finished reading Wayne’s book Football Taught by Matt Busby’ and great to elucidate his findings on the quintessential style of United. It’s hard to define - Wayne found it to be from and related to Hungarian football, Total Football but yet slightly different. Wayne does a great job here in articulating a way of playing that had practical elements, but also an ethereal freedom to it.

As fan, there is a sense of flair and do and dash that feels a prerequisite of a United team - but perhaps different to other ‘entertaining’ clubs, there is a firm commitment to winning. To win in style seems the ultimate goal. 

To elucidate 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 the podcast. 

Let me know what you think of this one. Go well and keep moving,

Teddy

Hi Team, 

Slightly different podcast. Thought it might be useful to give you the details of three books I’ve been reading and a podcast I’ve found to entertaining and helpful.

Let me know if indeed you do find this useful:

Books:

1. Football Taught by Matt Busby https://reachsportshop.com/book/football-taught-by-matt-busby/

2. Nigel Benn autobiography: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/nigel-benn-book-nigel-benn-9781857826074?sku=GOR001703117

3. How to Winter: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/how-to-winter-book-kari-leibowitz-9781035006977?sku=NGR9781035006977

Podcast: Solved with Mark Manson: 

Let me know your thoughts.

Go well and keep moving,

Teddy