The LGBT Sport Podcast

If you take a look at Pharrell Shaymar’s social media feeds, you’ll see that combat sports are a huge part of his life.

As a professional boxing and kickboxing coach, you’ll get tutorials on everything from throwing the perfect left hook to the importance of counter-punching.

But what makes Pharrell’s story all the more remarkable is that he only really started practicing combat sports as a way to deal with the depression he was experiencing during his transition – and now, as ‘The Trans Technician’, he’s opening about his journey in the hope it’ll inspire other LGBTQ+ people to get into combat sports, and be their authentic selves.

So, this is a cracking conversation with someone who has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we’re delighted to have Pharrell on the podcast.

We talk about his journey when it comes to sport, his gender identity, opening up about his story, what combat sports brings to him, and so much more.

It’s all part of this conversation, and we’re really grateful Pharrell took the time to join us for it.

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It’s hard to find anyone more knowledgeable – or passionate – about the ins and outs of life at the Etihad than David Mooney.

The broadcaster’s Blue Moon Podcast has been running since 2009, and is one of the most definitive voices on all things Manchester City - and it’s fair to say he’s had plenty to talk about over the time he’s been doing those shows!

So, it was high time to get him onto our podcast to talk about his story as a broadcaster, and get some top tales from away from the mic as well.

Honestly, it’s hard to know how to sum this one up – part nostalgia-fest, part podcast-geekdom, and partly an authentic and honest look at coming out – other than to say it's just a treat to listen to.

Even if you don’t follow City, you will love this conversation – and we’re so grateful David took the time to join us for this.

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It’s been a few weeks since Lloyd Wilson decided to share his story with the world.

Alongside colleague Craig Napier, Lloyd came out as gay – and it’s fair to say life has been a bit of a whirlwind for the Scottish referee since then.

Lloyd has already reffed his first few games back since sharing his story - so it really was the perfect time to get him onto the podcast to have a bit of a chat.

And honestly, this is a really special episode that touches on so much.

We discuss how Lloyd became comfortable with who he was, and the role his other half played in that; why football was the place he felt most comfortable being his authentic self; how he actually shared his story with the world – yeah, this one is special.

Plus we talk about the pressure of refereeing, why he does it – plus a little bit of motocross and dog chat thrown in for good measure as well!

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It’s shaping up to be a busy sporting summer for any number of reasons, including the second year of The Hundred competition.

One of the players who’ll be hoping to take centre-stage in that is England’s Georgia Elwiss, who is representing Birmingham Phoenix in the tournament.

From winning the World Cup with England in 2017 to lifting the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint Trophy with Southern Vipers, Georgia is someone who has done it all in the sport - and someone we’ve wanted to have on the podcast for a long time.

So when we managed to book in this conversation, we knew it was going to be a cracker – and it doesn’t disappoint!

We talk about how last year’s Hundred panned out; her love of cricket and where it came from; playing for England; why she’s willing to talk more about her sexuality now; her most memorable moments in the game – and so, so much more besides.

We know you’ll love this conversation – and we’re massively grateful to Georgia for making the time to chat with us for a cracking episode of the pod.

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Imagine if your job involves performing in front of a crowd of thousands, eliciting boos and cheers based on your athleticism inside a ring?

And then imagine that you weren’t able to do any of that because of the pandemic.

That’s exactly what British wrestler Brad Slayer – and dozens of others of UK stars – found themselves facing, so you can understand why they’re so delighted to be stepping back into the ring, in front of an audience, for a very special Pride show.

It’s happening in Norwich in just a couple of weeks – and because we love wrestling on this show, we were obviously more than happy to get him onto the podcast for his second appearance on the show to tell us all about it.

We talk about that pandemic era of wrestling, LGBTQ+ representation in the industry, Brad’s own journey, putting together a Pride card and so much more – and if you love wrestling, this one is a cracking chat.

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He’s a comedian, actor, writer and presenter – and at the start of May, Stephen Fry added another accolade to his CV when he was named as the next President of Marylebone Cricket Club.

He described himself as ‘humbled’ and ‘honoured’ by the appointment – and to be honest, we're feeling the same emotions about having Stephen on the podcast today!

But as you'd suspect, this episode doesn't disappoint.

We chat about where his love of cricket came from; his most memorable moments as a fan; the honour of being named MCC president and his goals for his tenure in the post; being a gay man in cricket; opening the game up to everyone; and so, so much more.

It’s a cracking conversation that we think you’ll love - because honestly, how could it be anything else?! - and we’re massively grateful to Stephen for making the time to join us for it.

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It’s a big day for the world of cricket – and one that requires a special podcast to go with it.

Later tonight, Surrey take on Kent at The Oval in a T20 Blast match that’s been specifically designated as a game in support of the club’s official LGBTQ+ supporters group Proud Surrey.

And over at Lords, Middlesex face Somerset in their T20 game, where LGBTQ+ team Graces will be applauding the teams out in a guard of honour, with Pride and inclusivity messaging on screens around the ground as well.

And really, that was all the excuse we needed to put together a special podcast, all about being LGBTQ+ in cricket and the significance of inclusion in the sport.

So, up first, we’re taking you on a trip to Taunton – where I went earlier this week during England’s Test Match with South Africa to speak with World Cup winner and England international Georgia Elwiss, Hen Cowen from the ECB, and Somerset CEO Gordon Hollins from Somerset County Cricket Club about the importance of inclusivity in the game.

And then, we’re catching up on Zoom with Sam Schofield from Proud Surrey to talk about the significance of their game with Kent.

So, a whopper of an episode with a whole load of great guests – talking all about cricket!

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In the small Welsh village of Resolven where Dan Jervis grew up, it was rugby that ruled the roost.

But from the moment that Dan’s grandparents took him to the local pool, it was clear that swimming was the sport for him.

Dan dreamed of being an Olympian – and last year, he made that happen at the Games in Tokyo, when he finished 5th in the 1500 metres freestyle final in his debut Olympics.

Throw in a pair of Commonwealth medals in Glasgow and the Gold Coast respectively, and you can see why Dan is feeling so upbeat heading into next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

But before then, Dan wanted to open up publicly for the first time about the fact he’s gay – so when he dropped us a message, asking to come on the pod for a chat, we were delighted to have him on.

As always, this isn’t Dan’s ‘coming out’ story – as his friends and his family have known for a little while now.

But it is the first time Dan has shared his story with the wider world – and in doing so, he hopes to be the role-model that he perhaps didn’t see growing up.

And so, that’s what this conversation is all about – Dan’s journey in the pool, training in a pandemic, that first Olympics experience, understanding his own sexuality, his faith, and why now is the right time to share his story.

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If you know anything about women’s rugby, you’ll know who Ali Donnelly is.

A player, a coach, a journalist, a campaigner and the founder of the legendary Scrum Queens website, she’s dedicated more hours than most of us have in the day to promoting the women’s game.

And with a book coming out shortly, now was the perfect time to get Ali onto the podcast to talk about her remarkable sporting story.

We talk about everything, from how she got into the game to the efforts she’s gone to in order to get the sport the platform it deserves – as well as the process of writing a book, finding her wife through the game, and screaming herself hoarse at the Premiership Final.

It’s a cracking chat with a great guest, and we think you’ll really like it.

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It’s been more than three years since we last had Anthony Bowens on the podcast.

And it’s fair to say that a lot has changed in the time since then.

The professional wrestler signed with All Elite Wrestling, where he’s been competing against some of his idols on national television and, alongside partner Max Caster, has become part of one of the most popular tag-teams in the company as one half of The Acclaimed.

So, it was high time to get Anthony back onto the show for a chat about the whirlwind that his life has been in the time since we last sat down together.

We talk performing in a pandemic to no crowds, finding a dynamic that works as a tag-team, stepping into the ring with the person who inspired Anthony to get into wrestling, his prominence as an LGBTQ+ performer in wrestling, his goals when he returns from injury and lots, lots more.

If you love wrestling, it’s a cracking episode that we think you’ll love – and we’re massively grateful for Anthony making the time.

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