https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

David Heffernan plays hooker for Connacht & Ireland

We chat about;

Growth in Connacht

What is it like in Ireland camp

Andy Farrell‘s advice for the players

Studying while playing

Tips on hooker throwing

Mindfulness

Dealing with pressure and performance

Moving from 6 to Hooker, and struggling

What he’s working on his game now

Dreaming of playing football for Mayo

Being self critical

Plans for retirement

Nerves and not enjoying some big games

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Shawn Clarke has practiced with NFL & MLB teams, but is now playing in Major League Rugby. 

We chat about;

Playing D1 college football

Being a reckless dreamer

Going all in

Believing in yourself

Trusting the process

Talking to NFL teams impact Covid had on his prospects

Getting a Rugby contract through Twitter having never touched a rugby ball

How Usa are planning to compete at world cups

Turning down LA guiltiness

Training schedule in Dallas jackals

Major league baseball tryouts

Getting a second chance

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Naya was a high school all American sprinter who started playing rugby in college and is now the all time leading try scorer for the USA Women’s sevens team.

We chat about;

• Working with a sports psychologist 
• Sprinting in high school
• What rugby can learn from track & field 
• What she wants to bring from the black community & track community into rugby.
• Quitting sports after high school.
• Why she turned down USA 7s at first to go a different direction
• Being out of her depth at the national level
• Waking up at 4am to train & working a full time job. 
• Starting her brand.
• Plans to move into the corporate side of rugby.
• Biggest factor in her becoming the player she is.
• Having a love hate relationship with her coach

Naya’s website is http://nayatapper.com/

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Jamie went to 4 World Cups, won a Top 14 and played professionally for 15 years. He shares stories from his career and we also chat about,

• Competitive skiing (junior Canadian international)
• Why he started playing rugby 
• Playing with Capilano rugby club
• Cutting his teeth in New Zealand club rugby.
• How his move to Scarletts happened
• What it was like walking into the scarlets dressing room with Stephen Jones, Simon Easterby, and Scott Quinnelll, and how he felt about it.
• Playing 40/50 games a year, and how it impacted him.
• Why Scarlets released him after 1 year.
• Showing up drunk to training.
• Being captain in France
• Why he think Clermont lost a finals.
• Being coached by Joe Schmidt 
• Concussion, seeing neurologists 
• Our thoughts on dealing with concussion 
• Starting out as a coach
• Why he thinks Canada have fallen down the world rankings
• Pro D2 budgets vs Rugby Canada
• How he thinks Canada get back up the rankings

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamie went to 4 World Cups, won a Top 14 and played professionally for 15 years. He shares stories from his career and we also chat about,

• Competitive skiing (junior Canadian international)
• Why he started playing rugby 
• Playing with Capilano rugby club
• Cutting his teeth in New Zealand club rugby.
• How his move to Scarletts happened
• What it was like walking into the scarlets dressing room with Stephen Jones, Simon Easterby, and Scott Quinnelll, and how he felt about it.
• Playing 40/50 games a year, and how it impacted him.
• Why Scarlets released him after 1 year.
• Showing up drunk to training.
• Being captain in France
• Why he think Clermont lost a finals.
• Being coached by Joe Schmidt 
• Concussion, seeing neurologists 
• Our thoughts on dealing with concussion 
• Starting out as a coach
• Why he thinks Canada have fallen down the world rankings
• Pro D2 budgets vs Rugby Canada
• How he thinks Canada get back up the rankings

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Joe Van Niekerk was one of the best players in the world. But had a lot of inner challenges throughout his career. We talk through the spiritual journey he went on to find answers, and there’s some incredible insights for young players from a man who’s seen and done it all.

We also chat about;

• Why he left Toulon to live in Costa Rica
• The hit his ego took towards the end of his career and the journey he went on to find answers.
• Doing inner work
• How he chose to respond when he was dropped.
• Dealing with adversity 
• How to be a leader when its not going your way
• Trauma’s that he had in his life, how he didnt understand how much it affected him and the way he behaved
• Escapism, heavy drinking and being close to losing everything at 27.
• Advice for younger players today.
• Spirituality & The Ego - what’s right for rugby players
• If you can be a high level player without being tied up in your Ego
• How to realize your potential
• Why achievement often doesn’t live up to your expectations 
• How to deal with negative thoughts 
• The instinctual flow state on the field
• Why we suffer
• The importance of having space to be vulnerable
• What can help players be the best version of themselves

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Aaron Takel is a coach, coach educator and former national team analyst.

We chat about;

• Analysing Coaches - Behaviour, Language & Performance 
• How long it takes to code an international game
• How to structure your training, for your specific level.
• How to challenge players, to optimize growth.
• Preparing your team for different scenarios 
• Masters in Sports Performance Coaching 
• What makes an effective coach
• The power that coaches have.
• Concussion
• What makes prematch meetings effective
• How coaches can influence game
• Problems in Welsh Rugby 
• Eddie Jones and England
• South Africa in the 6 Nations
• Being an analyst for Rugby Canada

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Guy Armitage speaks openly about his mental health struggles during a career which has seen him play for years in the premiership and now Super League

We also chat about;

• Switching to rugby league
• Going on trial at different clubs (Hull FC & London Broncos).
• Bizarre story of getting his chance with Broncos.
• Looking for contracts, and getting breaks. 
• Difficulties during covid 
• Finding his why
• Going contract to contract looking for a job.
• Times he thought about quitting pro rugby
• Losing self worth
• Not enjoying being a rugby 
• Times he was struggling mentally, and shut himself off from his friends.
• Seeing a councillor 
• Learning to open up about his mental health struggles
• How you can be your best self 
• What he’s doing now to help others with their mental health

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Steve Crosbie signed for Leinster, Munster & Connacht during his career and then decided to turn down pro contacts to go a different direction in life.

• The story behind Fad Saoil 
• Sea swimming & saunas 
• Why he turned down MLR & left pro rugby
• Getting to a place mentally where he can look back fondly on his career
• When he played his best rugby
• Being close to obsessive at times
• The relationship he had with Mike Ruddock
• How, & why, he struggled stepping into professional rugby
• Why timing can be important
• Why he lost the coaches trust in Leinster
• Failing a medical 
• Why he started hating rugby while under contract at Leinster
• Moving to New Zealand to play provincial rugby
• Signing for Axel at Munster the week before he passed away
• Getting his break with Connacht
• Working with Enda McNulty
• Turning down contracts to leave pro rugby in his mid-twenties

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Order a Copy of my new book The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player today!

Nate Ebner is a former USA u20 rugby player who decided to switch to American Football, and won 3 SuperBowls with Tom Brady, Bill Bellichick and the New England Patriots.

We chat about his journey and,

• Recovering from surgery 
• Playing through pain in the NFL
• Difference between NFL & rugby trainings
• Being seen as the rugby guy by everyone in the NFL
• Why he left rugby to try his hand at football. 
• Playing rugby Junior World Cup gave him the confidence to break into the NFL.
• Playing at Ohio State in front of 100,000 people.
• Walking away from the NFL to try to get into Rio 2016
• Being present, being where your feet are
• Trusting the Process
• Getting out of your head
• How he achieved the impossible of getting into the NFL, (and the formula for how he thinks anyone can achieve their dreams in sport)
• Willpower
• How Bill Belichick works, and how he sustains success
• The type of player that thrives in the Patriots
• What he feels young players could do better

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Link to Support the Pod

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

Email - [email protected]

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

Please share the podcast with some friends,

please subscribe/follow the podcast wherever you’re listening, & 

Please leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, letting me know what you like about the pod. Thank you 

Really appreciate you clicking in, cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.