In this episode, we follow our guest’s journey from dancing at age five in his parents’ studio to his first major break on The X Factor at 18, an opportunity that turned one week of work into seven and launched his professional career. He opens up about the turning point of shifting from performer to choreographer, the pressure to stay relevant, and the mental challenges that come with quiet seasons in the industry.

We also highlight career milestones including working with Brian Friedman, choreographing for Kelly Rowland, dancing for P!nk and Sabrina Carpenter, contributing to Netflix projects, and building his own dance company of 100+ dancers. Now a 34-year-old dad, he’s ready to talk about it all.

Today we’re joined by performance psychologist Dr. Paul Mansell, whose passion for understanding the mental side of sport began at just 11 years old—during his own district football trials, where the pressure of performance first sparked his curiosity in sports psychology.

In this episode, we dive into Dr. Mansell’s research, publications, and upcoming projects, exploring how mindset, resilience, and focus shape athletic success. Plus, you’ll pick up a few practical tips you can start applying to your own life—whether you’re an athlete or simply aiming to perform at your best.

Today we're joined by dual-sport standout Josh Faulds, whose athletic journey began on the rugby pitch before he found his stride in track and field. From County Rugby and the Leicester Tigers Academy to national 400m hurdles finals, Josh balanced both sports at a high level—until one took the lead. Since making his England debut in 2017, he’s become a mainstay in the UK hurdles scene, climbing steadily through the ranks. This season, he’s hit new heights with a British indoor silver, a European relay bronze, and a breakout performance at the World Relays in China. Now just 0.09 seconds shy of the World Championships qualifying mark, he’s eyeing his biggest season yet.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with footballer and content creator Beatrice Rogers — one of the youngest athletes we've had on the podcast. Beatrice shares her incredible journey from playing football with the boys at school to making history as the first girl selected for her school's team.

Now sponsored by Under Armour and with a growing platform online, Beatrice opens up about her path through the FA Advanced Coaching Centre and playing for clubs like Stevenage, Cambridge United, and London Seaward.

Tune in for an honest conversation about breaking down barriers, balancing sport and social media, and what it takes to chase big dreams at a young age.

Chanice began her powerlifting journey in 2021 and has quickly become a force in the sport. After overcoming a back injury in 2022 that took her out for 8 weeks, she returned stronger than ever—hitting massive personal bests and showing incredible resilience. For Chanice, powerlifting has been more than just physical—it’s been a path of mental growth and healing. In 2025, she proudly made her debut representing Team England.

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Sports Diary Podcast!
We’re kicking things off with an incredible guest — Liam O’Neill, whose 35-year journey in football spans playing, coaching, and mentoring the next generation.

From a career-threatening injury the day after facing Manchester United, to coaching some of today’s top talent like Lionesses stars Ella Toone and Millie Turner, Liam shares the highs, lows, and everything in between. With a UEFA A coaching license under his belt, he opens up about the mental health side of the game, his coaching philosophy, and the lessons he’s learned on and off the pitch.

This episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and real stories from the world of football.
Let’s dive in.

In the final episode of season 1, we are joined by the talented Kelis Barton from Rugby Borough Women's FC. Kelis born and raised in Seattle, Washington, talks to us about her footballing journey in the states and making that move across to the UK. How she coped mentally and physically with not only 1 but 2 ACL injuries, her work she currently does with the NWSL and how important mental health is for athletes.

Episode 7 welcomes the inspirational Martine Barons who discovered her sporting talent in powerlifting at the incredible age of 63, and within only 8 months she had qualified for the British, European and World Championships where she went on to win all 3! Martine talks to us about how she discovered her talent in powerlifting, how important it is to see representation for women of all ages in sport, and what she’s got her sights set on next. 

We take a closer look at what it really looks like to be a competitive cheerleader. Laura talks about the physical and mental demands of the sport, how cheerleading isn't just about pom-poms and cheering for a team but a high-intensity, competitive sport that requires strength, precision, and hours of hard work. From gravity-defying stunts to perfectly synchronised routines, cheerleaders push the limits of what’s possible with their bodies and their teams.

We also tackle a deeply important and often overlooked issue in the world of sports — eating disorders.

Laura opens up about her personal journey with an eating disorder — from the struggles faced, the road to recovery, and the impact it’s had on cheering and personal life.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that, behind every athlete, there’s a human story. We hope that by sharing Laura's experience, we can shed light on the challenges of eating disorders in sports and encourage those in need to seek help.

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

We are joined by professional footballer Angelina Nixon who currently plays for Rugby Borough Women's. From Cambridge United to England U14 camp, Ange talks about those pressures and taking a break from football to now being more passionate than ever with her sights set on the Women's Championship. We hear about how faith and God play a significant role in Ange's life, her comeback from injury and how everything is a learning opportunity to become better.