The LGBT Sport Podcast

It's a title that dates back to 1905 -- and is one of the most prestigious belts in the world of professional wrestling.

But remarkably, it took more than 100 years for an openly gay man to challenge for NWA World Heavyweight Championship. That happened last month, when Norfolk grappler Brad Slayer wrestled for the belt in front of a hometown crowd at Carrow Road.

So what's it like to be a gay man in this unique form of sports entertainment? Brad's been speaking to us about how he got into the business; why it's such an inclusive place for LGBTQ+ wrestlers and fans; the difference having an understanding partner can make; and who his dream opponent would be.

We always love having wrestlers on the podcast - and it was great to chat all things grappling with Brad.

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We've never interviewed a couple on the podcast before - so for our first time doing that, we decided to aim big.

We mean, really big.

Fiona Pocock is a Premiership winner and England rugby star, and Susannah Townsend is a hockey player who was part of the legendary Team GB side that won gold at the Olympics in Rio in 2016. Elite athletes on the field, they're incredible guests off it - talking passionately about the highs and lows that come with carving out a career at the highest levels of world sport.

Also on the agenda - whether they consider themselves to be LGBTQ+ role models; spreading their message to a new generation; and who is REALLY the most competitive of the two of them.

We loved having them on the podcast - and honestly, this is one of our favourite episodes yet.

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This time last year, English football fans were on a high after Gareth Southgate's side's unexpected run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia.

It was the national team's best performance since Italia '90, but off the pitch, something else was taking place. An group of fans called 3 Lions Pride began displaying an England flag in the colours of the rainbow at games, to help highlight the support the team was getting from LGBTQ+ fans.

But in a country with a poor record on LGBTQ rights where 'gay propoganda' is banned, just unveiling that banner was a brave move in itself.

Di Cunningham was one of the group's co-founders - as well as the person behind Proud Canaries AND the current chair of Pride in Football. She's an absolutely brilliant guest - articulate, funny and passionate about making the beautiful game open to absolutely everyone.

Plus, she told us what Delia's cooking was really like!

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If you've ever flicked through the back-pages of Britain's newspapers, you've probably read Alex Kay-Jelski's work.

After a stint as the Sports Editor at the Daily Mail, he moved to The Times to do the same job - and now, he's got an exciting new venture on the horizon.

So what's it like to be the person in charge of some of Britain's biggest sporting newsrooms - and how did he end up taking a trip to a warzone with a Dutch footballing legend?!

We've wanted to have Alex on the show for a while - and he didn't disappoint when it came to giving us a real insight into life on Fleet Street, and his experiences at two top newspapers. And as a fellow Spurs fan, he's welcome back any time he wants!

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Richard Morris has a CV that sounds like it's straight from the pages of an Ian Fleming novel.

He has a doctorate in history from the University of Cambridge; he's represented Britain on the international stage as a fencer; and now, Richard Morris makes his living as a racing driver for Spire Sports Cars.

He's also the co-founder of Racing Pride - a new organisation that's working to promote inclusion in the motorsport world.

He's been speaking to us for our 50th episode - about how he got into driving; what it feels like to get it just right while racing; and becoming the role model he feels he needed when he was growing up.

In fact, he's the closest thing we've had on the show to a real-life James Bond - and we really think you're going to like him.

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For Kellie Maloney, boxing seemed to be in the blood.

In fact, it was a passion that took her from an amateur club as a schoolchild to managing Lennox Lewis and a whole stable of other world champions - but away from the ring, Kellie was struggling with her true self.

You see, she was born as Frank - and on this episode of the podcast, we talk about the journey that has taken Kellie to where she is now. It's not always an easy listen, as Kellie speaks frankly about how long it took her to accept herself - and for others to accept her as well.

But we promise, we think it's one you'll want to stick with - and that you'll remember for a long time.

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On paper, the odds were stacked against John Dickinson-Lilley becoming an elite para-athlete.

From a non-sporty family and told he needed to lose a significant amount of weight to make it to the very top, John put in the hard work to become the UK's leading blind skier, winning British and European titles along the way.

But as the only gay person on the circuit, life as an elite athlete was often lonely - and it's something John talks about eloquently and openly in this powerful episode.

Also on the agenda - how taking a chance got him into sport; how he coped with retirement; and whether he sees himself as a role model.

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He's an England Touch international who makes his living commentating on rugby matches around the world.

And when Nick Heath isn't doing the commentating himself, he's learning about it from the very best as the host of the brilliant 'Cue Commentator' podcast that sees him interview some of the most familiar names to ever sit behind a microphone.

He's just got back from Dublin where he was working at the Union Cup - which is Europe's largest inclusive rugby tournament - and made time in his busy schedule to talk to us about all aspects of his work.

On the agenda: backing himself to make it in the commentary game; what makes a *great* commentator: and who is on his bucket-list of folk to chat to for the upcoming series of 'Cue Commentator'.

So, if you want to hear two fellas geek out about what it takes to really make it behind the mic in the world of sport, this is the episode for you!

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How would you fancy running out for a team called the Pride-o-saurus Rexes?

That was *almost* the name that Edmund Connolly gave to the world's first inclusive lacrosse team - but ultimately, he decided to go for the Rainbow Rexes instead.

The team had humble beginnings - with players learning the names of team-mates on their way to their first tournament - but has grown significantly, and offer a home to folks in the lacrosse world who fancy playing for a team that really values inclusivity.

He's a great chap - even if he does manage to *nearly* offend non-Welsh rugby fans within the first 10 seconds of the podcast! - and we really loved having someone so eloquent and engaging on the show.

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Lindsay Peat is the sort of amazing athlete who hasn't just excelled in one sport - but in a whole bucketload of them.

She represented Ireland as a youngster in football; she did the same in basketball as a full international; then played three All-Ireland Finals as a Gaelic football star.

Then, she decided to take up rugby - debuting against England in only her eighth game, and taking part in a World Cup and three Women's Six Nations since then. She's also an ambassador for this year's Union Cup in Dublin - as Europe's largest inclusive rugby tournament heads to the Emerald Isle.

We're delighted to have such an eloquent, articulate guest on the pod - and her last answer in particular is one of the most poignant we've had since we started. We love her, and we think you will as well.

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@unioncuprugby/ https://unioncupdublin.ie

#TryWithPride

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