When I grow up I want to be. The career podcast

Inside the role that keeps England Women’s rugby running

This week, I sit down with Harriet Martin, the Women’s Operations Manager at England Rugby, to give a unique insight in to one of the most vital yet often unseen roles in elite sport.

We talk about:

• How she removes “off-field noise” so players and coaches can perform at their best.

• The hidden logistics behind training camps, away games, and international tours.

• Why success in sport isn’t just about talent — but about the team behind the team.

• Her career journey, lessons learned, and the surprising parallels between her role and mine in personal development.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to keep an elite sports team running smoothly, or how transferable skills power careers behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

You can connect with your host Lynsey Hyslop here https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynsey-hyslop/

From building multi-million pound hypercars to restoring classics on TV, Hannah Gordon's career is anything but conventional.

In this episode, she shares how her childhood love of cars led her to become a mechanic, her unexpected turn into the fire service after football, and how she built a portfolio career across mechanics, TV and beyond.

We talk about how she navigated leaving the fire brigade, the loneliness of starting a business, and what it’s really like to build some of the world’s fastest, most bespoke cars.

This one’s for anyone who loves variety, challenges, and following your passions and interests —even when the path isn’t linear and you're not 100% sure where it will lead.

You can connect with your host Lynsey Hyslop here Lynsey Hyslop | LinkedIn

You can follow Hannah on Instagram Hannah Gordon (@_femalemechanic) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode, Lynsey sit's down with Jess Wiggins, who spent over a decade pursuing her dream career in law. From trainee to Deputy Head of a law firm, Jess had it all—on paper. But at just 33, the pressure of long hours, a demanding job, and raising two young children took its toll, leaving her burned out and questioning everything.

A chance offer of coaching from a friend gave Jess clarity

Now, Jess helps purpose-led businesses, working with clients ranging from international cosmetics companies to law firms, fashion designers, and football training academy managers.

 Jess shares how coaching not only helped her discover a new path but also ignited a passion that transformed her career. She discusses the importance of stepping back, re-evaluating, and reinventing yourself, and how

Whether you're considering a career change or exploring ways to align your work with purpose, Jess's story is an inspiring example of resilience, reflection, and reinvention.

This episode contains inspiration and actionable advice on navigating life’s pivotal moments.

You can connect with your host Lynsey Hyslop here

In this episode, Lynsey chats with Jade Robertson, founder and creative director of the fashion brand Little Lies. From her first job front of house at a theatre to having her designs worn by stars like Taylor Swift, Jade’s career story is a fascinating reminder that you don’t need a set path to make an impact.

Their conversation covers the importance of embracing new opportunities, sticking to your core values, and the power of knowing your “why” as well as many other interesting areas.

Jade shares how she discovered that the right environment can transform your experience of any job and how that’s helped shape her brand’s journey. It’s a conversation packed with insights for anyone looking to carve out their own unique path and she also testifies that even those who may be deemed as successful, don't always know what they are doing!

You can connect with your host Lynsey Hyslop here

You can find Jade's fashion brand Little Lies here

If you're curious about career change or you just want to read insights from inspiring women, then download my free resource here

In this inspiring episode, Lynsey sits down with Ellen, who once dreamed of becoming a vet but found herself taking an entirely different path.

Living in rural North Wales, Ellen used her ingenuity to transform her small piece of land into a flourishing business. She grows flowers, breeds pedigree ducks, and even uses wool from her sheep to help her flowers thrive.

Ellen opens up about her struggles in school following a diagnosis of autism and how stepping away from education left her feeling lost and without a clear plan for the future.

A self-confessed introvert, Ellen shares her experience of battling imposter syndrome while navigating the world of farming and flower growing. But through sheer resilience and passion, she’s found her place, even achieving a major milestone by being featured in Farmers Guardian—a publication she once admired from afar.

She’s an incredibly inspiring young woman, and anyone facing challenges, especially in education, will take away a lot from her journey.

You can find out more about your host here

And you can read the article Ellen refers to in the Farmers Guardian here

5 career change insights

This week I sit down with Elizabeth, a recently appointed Partner at her firm and an experienced Clinical Negligence Solicitor. Elizabeth takes us through her journey from an initial interest in becoming a Vet to thriving in the world of Law.

Whether you're exploring career changes or curious about the intricacies of clinical negligence law, this conversation is packed with insights from someone who's truly mastered her craft.....all whilst not having a defined career plan.

This episode is a fantastic story of resilience, dedication, and career discovery.

You can find out more about your host Lynsey Hyslop here

For more information on Elizabeth, you can connect with her here

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jo Larkin, a consultant in

Jo shares insights on injury management, rehabilitation, and optimising performance for athletes ranging from children to seniors. Her role involves a mix of treating injuries and offering preventative care. She emphasises

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the diverse pathways in sports medicine and how Jo’s passion, determination, and willingness to step outside of conventional roles have shaped her impressive career.

Tune in to hear more about Jo’s journey, her career

You can find out more about your host Lynsey Hyslop here

You can find out more about Dr Jo Larkin and Fortius Clinic

If you’re curious about a career change or you just want to

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2, and we're kicking things off with a truly inspiring guest!

Join your host, Lynsey Hyslop, as she dives into the incredible career journey of Amanda Bronkhorst, CEO and Founder of Just One Tree.

Amanda spent 20 years as a freelance producer in TV commercial production before founding a global reforestation non-profit that has now planted over 4 million trees worldwide. Recognised by the United Nations as part of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Amanda shares how she’s on a mission to change the world—one tree at a time—and it all began with a simple cup of tea.

You can connect with your host on LinkedIn here

You can find out more about Just One Tree day and the education and resources available to schools here

In this weeks episode Lynsey is joined by Emma Kernan-Staines, an award-winning Executive Assistant renowned for her exceptional support of leaders in the world of sports.

With a career trajectory that defies convention, Emma has carved out a unique niche as the power behind the throne, providing invaluable support and guidance to top sport executives.

If you've ever wondered how to step into the pivotal role of a personal or executive assistant within the dynamic field of sports leadership, join us to hear Emma's journey. From her humble beginnings starting work in the banking sector to navigating retail training programs and PR, Emma shares invaluable insights into her diverse career path.

Emma openly shares her experiences and lessons learned along the way, offering invaluable advice for aspiring professionals seeking to carve their own path in the world of PA.

This episode is filled with inspiration and practical wisdom, with some great behind the scenes info too.

You can connect with your host here

You can find out more about Emma here