Homelessness is up 14% this last year alone, with more than 300,000 homeless people according to latest figures. But, can we really end homelessness? This charity boss believes so, and says it's a political choice not to. P3 is a charity than improves the lives and communities of tens of thousands of people a year, by delivering services to support people facing social exclusion. Recently awarded an OBE, CEO Mark Simms joins us to talk about his career dedicated to helping people going through tough times. Mark's family was made homeless when he was a teenager, and we talk about how this has impacted his life and work. A surprisingly light conversation for such a topic, this is the last episode of series 2. Subscribe and we'll be back with more incredible interviews after a short break.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP9oow_b0GE

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast... Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Iufel... Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at:   / startinglinepod   for just £5 a month Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com About The Starting Line Podcast The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity. Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells. About me, Rich Leigh Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children. Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers. Follow The Starting Line on social media: Instagram:   / startinglineshow   Twitter:   / startinglinesho   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow Facebook:   / startinglineshow   LinkedIn:   / startinglineshow  

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == This week's guest is a true pioneer of mixed martial arts. Mark 'the Wizard' Weir etched his name into the history books with the fastest ever knockout on his UFC debut, the first time the promotion came to the UK in 2002. That night, UFC boss Dana white told Mark: ‘Years from now you remember this, you remember what you've done today. You just don't know what you've done yet'. Born and raised in Gloucester, England in 1967, Mark was a double taekwondo world champion by just 20 years old, becoming the youngest fighter to ever win a World Championship. Also an undefeated kickboxer, Mark was once ranked the number 1 mixed martial artist in the UK. Alongside running his gym Range Martial Arts Academy, Mark is the coach of UFC middleweight rising star Christian Leroy Duncan (you can listen to his interview from series one). Christian will be fighting on the main card of UFC 304 in Manchester this coming Saturday. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108 Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com *About The Starting Line Podcast* The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity. Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells. *About me, Rich Leigh* Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children. Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers. *Follow The Starting Line on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow *Timestamps:*

-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --

*Please note, we talk about depression and the big S word for a short period of time. Also, Wynne does say the C word once - so probably avoid watching/listening with kids.*

Wynne Evans was an opera star for 18 years before he was cast in 2009 in the GoCompare ads, one of the most famous ads in the UK, ever.

Wynne became one of the most hated men in the UK as a result of being cast as Gio Compario.

In this episode, we talk about Wynne's opera career. We talk about his two classical music chart topping albums. We talk about his Celebrity MasterChef win - but we don't just talk about the things he's achieved.

We talk about who he is and why he is who he is, the struggles that he's come through and the joy and the happiness that those things have brought him.

This conversation is raw. Wynne is honest, open, hilarious, humble, and has a few heartbreaking things to say, too.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108

Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.

Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

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

-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --

Ellie Simmonds was awarded an MBE at the age of 13 - and still holds the record for being the youngest ever recipient.

She now has an OBE, five Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals and 10 European Championship golds under her belt.

In this interview with swimming star, author, TV presenter and just all-round lovely human being Ellie we discuss everything from her career, dwarfism and drugs, the importance of role models both in society and on the screen, her upbringing, adoption, drive, travel, what she’s been up to since retiring, favourite TV shows and more.

Follow Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliesimmonds

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bszsyL4WHE0

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

About The Starting Line Podcast

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

In series one Leigh spoke to three OBEs, one MBE, world champions, world record holders, Olympic medal winners, and multi-millionaires, alongside people giving back and supporting communities in unique and incredible ways.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

About me, Rich Leigh

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.

Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

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

Undefeated professional boxer Nina Hughes, born in Essex, UK, became bantamweight world champion at the age of 39 - having come back into the sport and only gone pro after having two children.

Nina spoke about everything from Ebanie Bridges and Shannon Courtenay ducking her, US Boxing's decision to allow trans women to box biological women - calling it 'dangerous', pointing to deaths in boxing and asking why women would take the risk, female boxers and OnlyFans, the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight, how much female boxers are paid, her upbringing, her time with Team GB, how she found boxing and more.

Nina defends her title again this weekend, Sunday 12th May, against Cherneka Johnson at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and, all being well, believes she can become undisputed world champion within three fights.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

About The Starting Line Podcast

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

About me, Rich Leigh

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.

Watch or listen every Monday.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

LinkedIn

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

The second series of interview podcast The Starting Line kicks off with an exclusive conversation with star of screen, stage and film, two-time Olivier Award winner Brian Cox.

Recorded in his north London home around new year, Cox spoke about everything from religion, politics, cannabis, the actor he’d most like to act alongside, whether he'll reprise his role as William Stryker in Deadpool 3 and much, much more.

The Succession star opined about Trump, Israel and Gaza, the state of British politics, how the Bible is the ‘worst’ book ever written and his thoughts about billionaires, having played one of the best known billionaires in TV history, among many other topics.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

About The Starting Line Podcast

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

About me, Rich Leigh

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.

Watch or listen every Monday.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

LinkedIn

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

The Starting Line Podcast is BACK.

The first episode of series 2 is being released next Monday - Monday 29th April - and this time, you can choose to watch on YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

You won't want to miss it - it's an exclusive conversation with star of stage, screen and film, Brian Cox, recorded in his London home. Brian was open, honest and wonderfully opinionated.

Watch the Series 2 video trailer and subscribe to the show on YouTube here: youtube.com/watch?v=ZXE_Ptj3MzM

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

***Parental advisory and all that***

In short - if you don't like bad language, or jokes some might consider vulgar, this is not the Christmas special for you.

As I say in the intro, there are plenty of other podcasts out there. You know, including many chart-topping podcasts listened to by millions of people about real-life terrible things like serial killers, making tonnes of money for the people behind those podcasts, for you to listen to instead. And also, while I'm at it, if you haven't listened to Tim Minchin's 'Pope Song', it makes this point wonderfully. Again, terrible, naughty language absolutely not to be played in front of young ears, but wonderful nonetheless.

Onto the episode!

Kunt and the Gang is a chart-topping British comedy songwriter and performer, a best-selling author and the man behind Shannon Matthews: The Musical (and the upcoming Shannon Matthews: The Musical: The Movie).

With ten studio albums under his belt, and four top twenty singles, Kunt has enjoyed both mainstream and indie success.

He has achieved five UK top five indie hits, with 2 number ones.

He's taking a break from releasing songs around Christmas for 2023, and backing a mystery band, The Krackpots, for this year's Christmas number 1, with their 'love letter' to Christmas hits of years gone by, Proper Christmas. And The Krackpots are definitely, definitely nothing to do with him, OK?

Enjoy!

Follow Kunt on Instagram here and Twitter here.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

In this final episode of series one, we take you behind-the-scenes of the second half of interviews in this chart-topping first series, with some of the most successful people in the country, from world record breakers to multi-millionaire OBEs.

Join me, Rich Leigh, and, once again, please welcome friend of the show, listener and one of my best friends - of 25+ years! - (Ashley) Stokes.

After exactly 14 weeks since we released episode one - 98 days to be precise - it's goodbye to this first series, and hello to planning for series two!

Subscribe if you haven't already, and you'll be the first to know when the next series begins again, as it'll automatically download and notify you.

Don't be a stranger. Email hello@startinglinepod.com with guest suggestions, what you'd like from the next series or anything else you might want to say, or alternatively, say hi to us on social media.

Follow The Starting Line Podcast on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startinglineshow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startinglineshow

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

In this second bonus episode, we take you behind-the-scenes of the podcast, answering listener questions and a few posed by returning special guest, listener and one of my best friends of 25+ years, (Ashley) Stokes.

We speak about why ‘now’ for me to start this show, and how a certain Comedy Dave gave me a kind and gentle nudge, despite concerns that nobody needed another podcast from a straight white man in his thirties.

We speak about emotional interviews, and how my intention is absolutely not to find the person in the world with the ‘worst’ starting line.

I’m asked about my own definition of success - a question I’ve asked all guests.

We get into what, on reflection, I’d have done differently in this first series. We speak about:

• the relentlessness of self-promotion
• the process of getting guests in front of the mic
• dealing with rejection from potential guests
• having A-listers pulled at the last second
• dream guests and more

We’re back with our final episode of series one next week, covering the second half of our guests.

Thank you as ever.

If you’ve got any questions, you’ve got until the end of TODAY to ask them, before we record our final, final episode of this series. 

Email hello@startinglinepod.com, or message us on social media.

Follow The Starting Line Podcast on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startinglineshow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startinglineshow

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

In this bonus episode, we take you behind-the-scenes of the first half of interviews in this first series, with some of the most successful people in the country, from Olympic gold medallists to multi-millionaire OBEs.

From revealing the name of the now-famous undercover cop Levi Roots claims set him up and landed him in prison, to sharing the story of how a beloved TV star accidentally stood us up, we want to bring you closer to the fun and madness of how we built a chart-topping podcast in just a few short months.

Join me, Rich Leigh, and welcome one of my best friends and special guest (Ashley) Stokes, who’s supported me for as long as I’ve talked about creating this show. He’s listened to every episode, and having known me for 25+ years, brings a thoughtful balance and asks questions you might well have had while listening.

We’re back with a Q&A episode mid-week, and will have a second bonus behind the scenes episode for you next week, covering the second half of our series one guests.

If you’ve got any questions, you’ve got just a few days to ask them, before we record our final, final episode of this series. 

Email hello@startinglinepod.com, or message us on social media.

Follow The Starting Line Podcast on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startinglineshow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startinglineshow

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

"You are NEVER too old to change your life" - and this final guest interview of the first series could just be the episode that changes yours.

Those are the words of today's guest - the world record breaking Susie Chan, named “the number 1 runner to follow on Instagram” by Runners World and the Evening Standard.

Peloton instructor Susie is an endurance runner, but she's unlike any other athlete I've ever met.

She is a wonderful, joyful, exuberant personality to finish the series on, and proof that no matter what your starting line is or was, you can absolutely take control and change the direction of your life, at any age.

Single mum Susie was in her mid-thirties. By her own admission, she was lost. Smoking, drinking, and without direction.

Her brother convinced her to run a half marathon with him. And she got hooked.

From there, her second race was a marathon. And from there? She found herself competing in the Marathon des Sables - a six-day, 250km endurance race in the searing heat of the Sahara Desert.

She's since run the Marathon des Sables more times than any other UK female. She's broken the world record for the most miles run on a treadmill in 12 hours, and among other incredible achievements, she's forged a new career path for herself that she would never have dreamed possible.

Follow Susie on Instagram here and Twitter here.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==

This week's guest is comedian, poet, performer and one half of BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince.

We talked about everything from his love of books, comedy and science through to his time on tour with Ricky Gervais, working with Professor Brian Cox, his upbringing, family and neurodivergence.

A fun, sprawling conversation, just hours before Robin spoke at Cheltenham Science Festival.

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing wasn't great.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

This week's episode is with Charlie Mullins OBE, the founder of Pimlico Plumbing and the self-styled ‘most famous plumber in the world’.

Charlie was born in 1952 in north London to a working class family. In his own words, they were very poor, and he remembers going to school with holes in his clothes. He began working from the age of 8 or 9, and that work ethic stuck. He started his company when he was still in his twenties, and sold it two years ago for £147m.

He was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to business, and has been an advisor to a handful of prime ministers and governments.

We talk about a lot of topics, including his upbringing, what kind of father and husband he thinks he was, his recent ban from Twitter - having, in his words, stepped over the line when speaking about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and how that is likely to impact his own Mayoral ambitions, how he thinks he wouldn’t have said those things was he in better health at the time, the new business he’s creating that will rival Pimlico Plumbing - and how he doesn’t care that they’re upset about his new venture, and much, much more.

Charlie says some things, both in this conversation and outside of it, which I don’t necessarily agree with. 

I think it’s important to be able to sit across a table and have conversations with people we might not always agree with, in good faith.

I think all too often, in 2023, we are seemingly, collectively, almost foaming at the mouth in our want for people to be punished and cancelled. I think that’s a dangerous game to play, and a sure way to ensure that the question isn’t if something we’ve done or said comes back to bite us on the backside, but when. I’m sure there’s a phrase about throwing stones and glass houses that applies, and I would sooner have a conversation than maintain this polarisation. At the best, opinions shift. At the worst, opinions don’t change and each of you are only more staunch in your belief, which is no bad thing.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

Olympic silver medallist Dan Norton, born in Gloucester, is the the all-time record try scorer in the World Rugby Sevens Series, crossing the tryline 358 times for England over the course of 92 tournaments, totalling an enormous 1804 points in total (including 7 conversions - a 100% kicking record, he tells me!).

Norton bowed out of the game as the fourth highest points scorer of all time, going down in history as a legend and one of the greatest sevens players ever, also playing for Team GB at two Olympic games.

Shortly after we spoke, Dan announced his retirement from sevens after a 13-year career, and broke the news of a move into coaching, with China’s rugby sevens squad.

Dan's was the first episode recorded - back in spring 2022 - when I decided to embark on starting this podcast. It took more than a year before I'd be in the position to begin releasing The Starting Line, as a result of a difficult business year for PR and marketing, and I'm incredibly grateful to Dan for being the first person to agree to speaking.

This episode is unique in that it's two conversations, 18 months apart. You'll first hear from Dan, having achieved everything possible in the game of sevens, as he prepares for retiring as a player, and then now, in October 2023, as he looks back at the enormous impact of retiring from professional sport, and why his Chinese coaching opportunity was cut short.

Follow Dan on Instagram @Dan_Norton4, and on Twitter, also @Dan_Norton4.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

Ultra-endurance athlete Sean Conway, born in Zimbabwe, has been the subject of documentaries aired on Discovery and Amazon Prime. He is the author of six books and a highly sought-after motivational speaker.

Multiple world record holder Sean has:

Cycled the length of Britain. Sailed the length of Britain. He’s swam the length of Britain. He’s cycled across Europe. He’s run the length of Britain. He’s cycled from London to the Alps. He completed a 4,200 mile long Ironman.

Another time, he cycled around the world.

And, in perhaps his biggest and most recent challenge yet - and I’ve not even listed half of them - Sean broke the world record for the most consecutive Ironman triathlons in a row. He did an Ironman every single day for 105 days.

I contextualise this in the interview with some actual figures, but that means Sean swam 2.4 miles. And then, after that swim, he cycled 112 miles. And then, after that cycle, he ran a marathon.

He did that every day, for 105 days. 

I visited Sean in the beautiful rural North Wales - by myself and without my usual production support! - where he lives with his wife Caroline and their two young children. We chatted about life, his accomplishments, his drive - and believe me, there aren’t many people with the single mindedness Sean has.

Follow him on Instagram @seanconwayadventure and on Twitter @Conway_Sean. More about his successes, dreams and hiccups at seanconway.com.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

- Content warning: suicide -

For the first time this series, we're going to put a content warning. In this episode, we talk about suicide, grief and loss, and if that's not for you, that's entirely understandable.

----------

Suicide is the biggest cause of death of people under the age of 35. 4x the number of people die by suicide than in road accidents every year.

In this episode, we speak to Mike McCarthy, the co-founder of the Baton Of Hope UK, the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK's ever seen.

----------

Mike lost his son Ross to suicide.

Ross had left a farewell letter to Mike to campaign for better mental health support. He was 2 weeks into a 6 month waiting list for mental health support.

After meeting with Steve Phillip, who also had lost his son Jordan to suicide, the pair came up with the idea of an Olympic-style relay tour that could create a national conversation.

The ‘Baton of Hope’ started from Glasgow on the 25 June 2023, before finishing in London at 10 Downing Street, where Mike was presented with a Points of Light award by Health Minister Maria Caulfield MP. The award recognises outstanding individual volunteers, and prompted support from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, among many others.

In this incredibly powerful, important episode, we discuss Mike's life as a journalist, the impact of losing Ross, the system as it stands, how and why Mike believes we need to work towards a zero suicide society - and much more.

Follow the Baton of Hope on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

After being crushed under a 1 TONNE (2200lbs) bale of hay, her Olympic dreams were shattered.

But what Kelda Wood MBE has done since that life-changing accident is nothing short of incredible.

From being the first adaptive rower to row the Atlantic - solo - to helping survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and many others living with life changing injuries, illnesses or trauma with her charity Climbing Out, Kelda lives her life by her own personal mantra:

“It’s not about saying ‘I can’t’… It’s about saying, ‘how can I?’”

This is episode 8 of The Starting Line Podcast and we've been incredibly excited to bring this one to you all.

Follow @kelda_wood on Instagram, and follow Climbing Out @climbingoutcharity on Instagram and on Facebook here.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

Former Cage Warriors champion Christian Leroy Duncan is a 28 year old mixed martial artist from Gloucester, UK, with a pro record of 8-1-0. 7 of his wins have been stoppages, with six knockouts and one submission.

Christian fights out of MMA pioneer Mark Weir's Range Martial Arts Academy, and made his UFC debut in March 2023, bringing his unique and flowing style to the middleweight division.

In this wide-ranging interview recorded before jetting to Las Vegas for his second fight in the UFC we talk about everything, from the ins and outs of life as a professional fighter to what it was like to make his UFC debut in London, on the same card as fellow Brit Leon Edwards' welterweight title defence against Kamaru Usman.

We discuss Christian's upbringing, who he looks up to in sport, how his background as a basketball player elevates his fighting ability, his big ambitions for the future, and how the loss of his best friend Joel Westcarr motivates him daily.

Follow Christian on Instagram @christianleroyduncan.

Listen to Fly Team, the entrance song we discuss that was recorded by Joel (Yung Montanna) just months before his death, teaming up with Gripper, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w-KxlLBxfc.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

Coming from a council estate in Wales to creating a multi-billion pound industry and two of the most famous brands in the UK, Hayley Parsons OBE is a one-of-a-kind entrepreneur.

In this rare interview, Hayley talks about how she created Confused.com while working at Admiral, and how being overlooked for the CEO role was "the best thing that ever happened" to her, as it spurred her on to create GoCompare.

Hayley went on to build and sell GoCompare for £100m, creating one of the most memorable characters in all of advertising in the process - Gio Compario - remarking "I wanted to create the most annoying ad possible!"

Since selling, Hayley became the first woman to serve on Cardiff Rugby's board when she was appointed a non-executive director.

She wrote a passionate and much-publicised letter to the Welsh Rugby Union, in which she highlighted "a long-standing and deep-rooted culture of toxicity and bullying", and called for change and for the CEO to step down. She said, "I believe the board, in its current state, does not possess the expertise and experience to run the WRU, which is essentially a £100m company."

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about a drunken visit to 10 Downing Street, obsession, curiosity and more.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

Who do Lord Sugar, Steven Bartlett and the Spice Girls have in common?

The answer is Andrew Bloch, Mr Black Book himself.

Public relations is all around us - every time you open a newspaper or social media platform, the fingerprints of PR are there, building and protecting reputations.

Andrew is a PR expert. He started his career in the agency that inspired British comedy Absolutely Fabulous, and sold the agency he co-founded, Frank PR, for a life-changing sum, having worked with some of the biggest names and brands in the world.

Having been Lord Sugar’s PR advisor for more than 20 years, Andrew was instrumental in the development of the BBC’s hit business show The Apprentice in the UK.

He was also my boss for a short period of time, before I started my own PR agency, Radioactive PR.

Follow Andrew on Instagram and Twitter.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

The fourth episode of The Starting Line podcast, with undefeated professional boxer Shabir Haidary.

Shabir fled Afghanistan aged just 12, finding himself in Gloucester in the UK after a harrowing journey in which he admits he thought he’d die numerous times, having witnessed things ‘no child should’, both in Afghanistan and on his long and terrifying journey.

At 14, Shabir found boxing, and he hasn’t looked back since. Having won each of his first five professional fights, and with his sixth fight looming, he has his eyes set firmly on a world title.

Shabir arrived in the UK not knowing a word of English - or even being able to read or write in his first language - yet he has recently finished a degree, and been granted British citizenship.

Follow Shabir on Instagram and Facebook.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

The third episode of The Starting Line podcast, with the inspirational James Cracknell OBE.

Two-time Olympic gold medal winner. Six time world champion. Junior world champion.

Add the extensive and impressive list of feats since his Olympic rowing days, which includes rowing the Atlantic with Ben Fogle, finishing as the fastest ever Brit at the time of competing in the gruelling 350km Marathon des Sables and winning The Boat Race for Cambridge as the oldest man to ever compete, and James is undoubtedly one of the most incredible athletes Britain’s ever produced.

James was in a coma for 12 days following a near-fatal and life-changing accident in 2010, when he was hit by a fuel truck driving at 65mph. His road to recovery has been long and continues even today.

Listen to find out more about this one-of-a-kind man.

Follow James on Instagram and Twitter.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == This week's guest is super prime estate agent Alex Bourne (joined on and off by his lovely dog, Noodles).

- Oh, and forgive the pesky gremlins and the weird intro glitch, thank you, please - Alex had a starring role in Netflix's Buying London, giving viewers a glimpse at the houses and the property market of the super rich. The Guardian gave it 0 stars out of 5, and said it was 'probably the most hateable TV show ever made'. Despite the critical reception, the show was in the top 10 Netflix shows in more than 50 countries. In this episode, we talk about family life in the public eye, as it was even before the show, social media trolling and unkindness, Alex's path from a young soap opera actor to selling houses to the richest and most famous people in the world and more. Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com *About The Starting Line Podcast* The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity. Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells. *About me, Rich Leigh* Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children. Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers. *Follow The Starting Line on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

The second episode of The Starting Line podcast, with the brilliant Marnie Swindells, winner of the most recent series of the BBC’s flagship business show, The Apprentice, and the founder of boxing gym business Bronx LDN.

Join us as we go behind the scenes on the show, discuss Marnie’s early life, her challenges, her ambitions, her motivations and more.

The Apprentice averages 7 million viewers per episode - meaning one in every six adults in the UK will have watched Marnie secure Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment back in March 2023.

Follow Marnie on Instagram and Twitter.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

= About The Starting Line =

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

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

The one, the only, Mr Levi Roots.

Listen as we talk about Levi's journey, from the boy that couldn't read or write to becoming one of the most recognisable names in the UK. Levi's story is as winding as it is inspiring - and I promise you, you don't know the half of it.

= About The Starting Line =

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

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

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at startinglinepod.com and follow us @startinglineshow on social platforms. Email hello@startinglinepod.com - with guest suggestions or just to say hello.

Follow The Starting Line on:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Facebook

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

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==

Dudley 'Tal' Stokes was the captain and founding member of the Jamaican bobsled team the hit Disney movie Cool Runnings was based on.

He competed at the 1988, 1992, 1994 and the 1998 Winter Olympics, and after his competitive career, became a coach and the president of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Federation.In this conversation, we talk about Tal's upbringing, his time in the army, the true story of Cool Runnings - and whether there could be a sequel - and much more.

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing wasn't great.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==

You know he loves a Chinese. You know he loves a bosh.

In this interview, filmed at Chariots fish and chip shop in Romford (NOT ESSEX RICH, you blithering idiot), you'll get to know the real Big John.

He dismisses the idea of being an influencer, and that's one of the reasons I wanted to have this conversation - I'm intrigued by somebody that became well-known as he approached 50, and how it's changed his and his family's lives.

In John's words: 'I'm just a normal bloke who's got a bit of a following, who can resonate with people. There are hundreds of thousands of people just like me."

Enjoy this interview, where we talk about everything from being paid to travel the world, famous friends and fans - including Conor McGregor, what he did before becoming well-known and the most surprising answer to the dinner party question I've ever heard.

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing wasn't great.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! ==

This week’s conversation is with American writer, producer, director, voice actor, and radio personality Lazlow.

In a fitting request, I was asked that this episode was audio-only.

Alongside his radio work, Lazlow is perhaps best known for his in-game radio shows and ads across the Grand Theft Auto series, lending his writing and vocal talents across eight games since GTA3 (as well as appearing, motion captured, in GTA5).

Lazlow worked with Rockstar Games for almost 20 years, across 17 games, also writing for the Red Dead Redemption series.

We sat down to talk a few weeks ago, the day after Lazlow had talked at the Podcast Show 2024 in London, where he had been discussing his new audio fiction series, A Better Paradise.

Created and written by former Rockstar colleague Dan Houser and directed by Lazlow, the series is set in the near future and tells the story of the ill-fated development of an ambitious but addictive game-world.

Starring the Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln, Paterson Joseph - you’d probably know him as boss Alan Johnson in Peep Show - Rain Spencer and Shamir Anderson, the first two episodes are available wherever you listen to your podcasts at the time of recording this.

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing was rough. I'm sure I'll fill in the blanks sometime.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

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

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! ==

Today's episode is with one of the most exciting and unorthodox talents rugby has ever seen, Gloucester and England backrower James Forrester.

James is now the CEO of Gloucester-Hartpury - reigning Premier 15s champions.

Having burst onto the scene for Gloucester, in 2002, at just 21, Forrester made his England debut against the Barbarians, scoring a 65m wonder-try, skimming none other than the great Jonah Lomu.

James’ rugby career was to come to an eventual end, with a ‘blood curdling’ scream and an injury the operating surgeon said was the worst sporting he’d ever seen, comparing it to someone who’d been in a car crash.

Olympic gold medal winning Fijian coach, Ben Ryan - who'd coached James at school - said of his retirement: "The tragedy is we never saw the best of him – he could do things on the field that defied belief. The game is losing a great talent".

Enjoy this interview with a true Gloucester and rugby legend, as we talk about his life and career.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108

Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

I wouldn't wish our upbringing on anybody.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

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

*-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --*

Today's episode is with 19 year old British racing driver Zak O'Sullivan, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Zak currently races in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix, and has his sights set firmly on racing in Formula 1.

With only 20 seats available each season, you have more chance of becoming an astronaut than you do making it to the F1 grid.

Zak won the GB3 Championship in 2021 and was the 2023 Formula 3 runner-up. He was the winner of the prestigious 2021 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, and is a member of the Williams Driver Academy.

We spoke about everything from his upbringing, his mindset, his journey to date, Netflix's Drive to Survive, the eye-watering financial costs to even compete at each level of a driver's ascent towards F1 and more.

Follow Zak on Instagram @zak.osullivan

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108

Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

In series one Leigh spoke to three OBEs, one MBE, world champions, world record holders, Olympic medal winners, and multi-millionaires, alongside people giving back and supporting communities in unique and incredible ways.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.

Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

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

-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --

Nearly 40% of teenage girls in the UK who spend over 5 hours on social media per day score as clinically depressed.

Anxiety diagnoses among 18–25-year-olds have increased by 92%.

Self-harm and suicide rates continue to increase around the world, beginning to spike in line with the rise of phone-based childhoods, as opposed to play-based childhoods.

And we need to do something about it. First, it means recognising why this might be - and this conversation, and many others like it, couldn't be more important.

Zach Rausch is an Associate Research Scientist at NYU Stern School of Business in the Business and Society Program.

He is the Chief Researcher for Jonathan Haidt and the #1 New York Times Bestseller "The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness".

In this episode we speak about why The Anxious Generation needed to be written - and how we, as a society, can turn this around.

Research link: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/research

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, we talk about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.

Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

Follow The Starting Line on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

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

Is it possible to find and hold on to real love in an increasingly confusing dating world, where 42% of marriages end in divorce?

Relationship expert and author Stina Sanders joins me to talk about red flags, healing, and why self-awareness might just be the ultimate relationship skill.

This conversation is raw, funny and full of heart. Expect to come away questioning what “doing the work” really means, and with a new understanding of yourself, your relationships, and what it takes to find and hold onto real love in 2025.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Essex boy Dean Franklin made history as the first outright male winner of BBC’s The Apprentice in over a decade — but what might surprise you is that he nearly QUIT the show just two weeks before the final.

In this episode, Dean opens up about being rejected at his very first audition, only to come back a year later and beat out 80,000 other hopefuls to land Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.

Our conversation is equal parts inspiring, revealing, and downright silly. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like being watched by six million people every week, and hear Dean reflect on his relationship with Lord Sugar — then and now.

With his winning mindset and trademark cheeky smile, it’s easy to see why Dean became a fan favourite. Expect to leave this episode smiling, inspired, and with a fresh perspective on what it really takes to go from rejection to victory.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠

Email: ⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

How is it possible to become a full-time podcaster?

A very personal one for my first-ever mid-week upload - and my first ever solo episode.

In this episode, I talk about who I am, why I sold my company to pursue the passion I have for interviewing and creating this show, the impact of grief, what I hope to achieve, how you can get involved and more.

I don’t have plans to do solo episodes regularly, but I wanted to speak outside of the confines of an interview for a moment, directly to you - and I hope you enjoy it!

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

=====

Join our growing posse of Possibilists now by signing up to our free weekly newsletter at ⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠

You'll be the first to get interviews, see behind the scenes, be first in line for giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/richleighpod

Email: ⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠https://www.projectpossiblepod.com

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

*Previously known as The Starting Line, before series 3.

=====

My upbringing was one of domestic violence, addiction, debt collectors and prison visits.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to break the cycle.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book, working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

Using that influence, I’ve helped to raise more than £1m for sick children.

On February 7th 2025, my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. He was just 27. His note to me was addressed ‘to the dad I never had’.

In June 2025, I sold my PR agency to give 100% of myself to this project and my aim to build a community of Possibilists, dedicating myself to positivity and my passion for sharing the stories and lessons of incredible people.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, Project Possible is the show that asks the question: what is possible, for you, for me and for all of us?

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/richleighpod

Email: ⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠https://www.projectpossiblepod.com

How is it possible to go from working as a bouncer to starring on the most prestigious comedy show on British TV in just five years?

Join me for this first episode of the new series of Project Possible, as I chat to the hilarious Emmanuel Sonubi about a heart attack he suffered while on stage, amateur rugby antics, his career, parenting, stories from his nights on the door and much more.

Head to emmanuelstandup.com for tickets to his UK tour, Life After Near Death.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at https://projectpossible.substack.com for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod

Email: hello@projectpossiblepod.com

The Project Possible website: http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Tweedy the Clown is one of the UK's most beloved performers. He's entertained millions around the world over decades, from village circus big tops to Madison Square Garden.

I was lucky enough to have a couple of hours with him, recording in what I later found out to be the late, great Nell Giffords' caravan - Nell co-founded Giffords Circus in 2000.

In this funny and surprisingly philosophical conversation, Tweedy takes us from being a tiny teenager who worried he might only be funny because of his size to perhaps the most famous working clown in the country.

We talk about the art of clowning, the day his hair caught fire on stage - and how that shaped his signature look, how the media made monsters of clowns, how chaos becomes craft, and why the best clowns are really just adults who refuse to let go of their childlike wonder.

This is a joyful deep-dive into creativity, resilience, silliness, and the beautiful craft of making people laugh.

I bet you've never met anybody quite like Tweedy before. I know I hadn't, and I'm honoured to have been able to.

=====

Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.

While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Tom Stroud became one of the breakout personalities on the smash hit Netflix show Love Is Blind UK - but his most powerful story started well before the cameras rolled.

In this episode, Tom opens up about:

- Growing up with an absent father and how it fuelled anger, rebellion and a lifelong pattern of emotional avoidance

- The moment his dad walked out – and why that became a defining event

- Why he now believes what he felt on Love Is Blind wasn’t love, but intense infatuation shaped by unmet childhood needs

- The reality of being trapped in a high-pressure filming environment with no phone, no escape – and why so many men struggle with vulnerability in those settings

- How shame can keep men stuck for decades, and the moment he chose to forgive his father shortly before he died

- The power and complexity of male friendships - including the breakdown and repair of his relationship with co-star Benaiah

- What he’s learned about masculinity and boundaries

- Why avoidance might keep you safe, but never fulfilled

Tom’s story isn't just about reality TV. It’s about identity, fatherhood, healing, and what it really takes to understand who you are.

Honest, introspective and hopeful - this is the kind of conversation that makes you think about the person you are, the one you’ve been, and the one you still have time to become.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

What happens when you take a crazy idea - like building a real-life tribe on a remote Fijian island - and actually do it?

This week I sit down with Ben Keene, co-founder of TribeWanted, Rebel Book Club and former lead at Escape the City.

Ben was the star of BBC Two's five-part Paradise or Bust documentary following his island exploits, and wrote the best-selling book: Paradise or Bust: A 21st Century Adventure.

For nearly 20 years, Ben has been asking bold questions and bringing people together around them - whether through adventure, shared learning or radical career and life changes.

We talk about:

- how a blog and a belief in people became a global island movement

- what community really means, and what it takes to build a real-life tribe

- the struggles, mistakes and life-changing moments along the way

- why curiosity and learning are the foundations of belonging

- and why no one should try to do life alone

This isn’t just a story about a paradise island in Fiji.

It’s about building something bigger than yourself. It’s about purpose, courage, respect and possibility through community.

If you’ve ever wanted to start something, escape something or believe something could be different - this conversation might just be your push.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

When doctors told Louise Butcher she had lobular breast cancer, her world collapsed.

But instead of hiding, she chose to strip away the stigma - literally.

Known online as The Topless Runner, Louise runs marathons, half-marathons, and 10Ks topless, using her body as a living message of strength, survival, and self-acceptance.

In this raw and powerful interview, Louise opens up about:

- Her lifelong struggles with anxiety, OCD, and health fears

- The trauma and turning points that shaped her life

- Why she chose not to have breast reconstruction

- What running topless really represents - and why it’s not about shock

- How losing control helped her finally find peace

This episode isn’t just about cancer - it’s about courage, control, and what it means to truly live free from shame.

Follow Louise on Instagram @louisebutcher39

Buy her book Going Topless on Amazon here.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

From awareness campaigns to social media hashtags - are we really making progress when it comes to the very real problem of men struggling with their mental health, or are we just making the right noises?

In this honest and challenging conversation, I speak with George from The Tin Men - a creator who’s shaking up the way we talk about men’s health, suicide, and loneliness.

George doesn’t want a gender war. He wants the truth - and in this episode, we talk about everything from domestic abuse against men, how boys and men are behind at every stage of education, loneliness, purpose and why so many men feel unseen.

It’s uncomfortable at times, but necessary. If we’re serious about saving lives and making life better for everybody, I believe we have to start by being honest. Real change starts with better conversations, not slogans.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Kicking off Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I sat down with a director from Samaritans to better understand what the charity is and does, and talk about how we can all do a better job of looking after ourselves - and each other.

Amanda has spent over a decade volunteering with Samaritans, the charity that answers a call for help every 10 seconds.

Founded 70 years ago by a vicar with a single phone, Samaritans has grown into a 24/7 lifeline for anyone who needs to talk, with more than 20,000 volunteers in the UK.

In this conversation, we talk about how we can be better listeners for friends, family and strangers. We get into what really happens when you call the helpline - 116 123, how volunteers protect their own mental health, why listening can save lives, and the power of simply asking, “Are you OK?”

We also explore loneliness, talk about men’s mental health and suicide, the future of Samaritans, and what hope and possibility look like when life feels impossible.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

What would you do if you were told you had five years to live?

At just 30 years old, Iain Liam Ward - better known online as The King of Chemo - was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer and given a five-year life expectancy. That was five and a half years ago.

Since then, he’s turned his diagnosis into a mission: raising millions for charity, building a community of millions online, and proving what’s possible when you stop waiting to die - and start living.

In this conversation, we talk about everything from gaming and fitness to grief, male friendship, how cancer impacts dating, Iain's choice not to have children and the random moment a medical trial changed his life forever.

It’s raw, real, and deeply human - a reminder that even in the darkest of times, finding purpose is always possible.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Is it possible to choose positivity, even through pain and loss?

In this episode, fitness icon Derrick Evans MBE - better known as Mr Motivator - joins me for a deeply human conversation about resilience, faith, health, family and the power of perspective.

From his tough beginnings in Jamaica and early life in Britain, to success in business even prior to his TV fame, Derrick shares the lessons that shaped him: gratitude, kindness, hard work and the belief that happiness is a choice we make.

He also opens up about personal loss, being given up at just 3 months old, parenting, prejudice, and what it really means to keep hope alive.

It’s honest, emotional and uplifting - a reminder that while life can test us, positivity is always possible.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Is it possible for one moment of accountability to change everything?

At 18, Jon Watts was sentenced to six and a half years in prison - a turning point that would shape the rest of his life.

Today, he’s a Sunday Times best-selling author and chef to the rich and famous, known for his inspiring story of redemption and resilience.

In this conversation, Jon opens up about growing up in a strict religious community, the choices that led him to prison, and the hard work it took to rebuild his life from scratch. We talk about responsibility, forgiveness, and the quiet power of perseverance.

This episode is raw, honest and deeply human - a story of transformation, second chances, and what’s possible when you decide your past doesn’t have to define your future.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

I sit down with Jeremy Lynch to talk about discipline, failure, rejection, consistency, and what it takes to get back up again when you fall down.

Jeremy reflects on being just 20 years old on Britain’s Got Talent, overreaching on the biggest stage of his life, and experiencing a very public failure - and why finishing the performance mattered more than winning.

We talk about his mindset, his work ethic, and his long-term approach to growth.

We get into why motivation is overrated, why systems and focus matter more than feelings, and why most people quit just before things start working.

Jeremy shares how he taught himself skills without formal lessons, why learning by doing has been central to his success, and how consistency compounds over years - not months.

We also talk honestly about money, happiness, fatherhood, impostor syndrome, collaboration over competition, and the pressure creators put on themselves to “make it” quickly.

This is a conversation about doing the work, staying curious, and committing to the long game - even when no one’s watching.

Jeremy has launched a new 'focus-first' supplement brand called HP-1. We talk about the story of creating the company, benefits and more in this conversation. Find out more at: https://hp-1.com

=====

Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.

While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Luke Kemp, an existential risk researcher at Cambridge University and the author of Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse.

Luke spends his life thinking about how societies rise, why they fall, and what really puts our future at risk. What surprised me most is how hopeful this conversation turned out to be.

Luke argues that history is best understood as a story of organised crime.

From early civilisations to modern governments, tech giants and today’s global system, he shows how the same patterns keep repeating: power, control and inequality.

Together, we talk about:

- How and why early civilisations formed

- Why data might be the most dangerous resource we have today - and how AI might impact civilisation

- The modern versions of grain, weapons and geography

- How close the world has come to nuclear disaster - and the people who quietly stopped it

- Whether global collapse is actually likely - and what we can do about it

- Why studying worst-case scenarios can sometimes make you more optimistic, not less

This is a wide-ranging conversation about power, history, human nature and possibility.

If you’ve ever wondered where we’re heading - or how we might build something better - I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

=====

Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.

While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

Trevor Woodman is a Rugby World Cup winner. One of only 30 Englishmen to win and lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

And yet, if you walked into his house, you wouldn’t know it - he never framed a shirt, and doesn't have anything out that highlights his incredible achievements.

In this wide-ranging and deeply reflective conversation, Trevor opens up about growing up in Cornwall, breaking into professional rugby, feeling like an outsider at Gloucester at first, and the physical toll that ultimately ended his career.

We talk honestly about injuries, ambition, regret, and why chasing “the next thing” can quietly rob you of contentment. Trevor shares why he still describes himself as having “only 22 caps”, why he never did frame an England shirt, and what he learned from watching others chase what they didn’t have.

This is a conversation about reaching the pinnacle of elite sport, yes, but more than that it’s about identity, perspective, and learning when enough really is enough.

A thoughtful, grounded episode with one of rugby’s most quietly impressive figures.

=====

Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.

While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com