• S2E8: Jeremy Bettle - Why Men Burn Out at the Top
    Apr 22 2025

    From the outside, Jeremy Bettle had it all — a high-profile career in elite sport, working with some of the world’s most successful athletes and organisations. But behind the scenes, he was running on empty.

    In this episode, Jeremy shares the quiet crisis that brought him to a breaking point, and the path he took to rebuild a life rooted in presence, truth, and vitality.

    We talk about:

    • The cost of performing and pushing for too long
    • Why success without meaning leads to burnout
    • Letting go of identity and walking into the unknown
    • The medicine in movement, men’s work, and Peru
    • What it means to build a life from the inside out

    This is a conversation about what happens when men stop chasing and start feeling — and the freedom that follows.

    The Build-up to Burnout

    • Jeremy’s rise through elite sport and performance coaching
    • The moment he realised success wasn’t enough
    • How professional ambition can become emotional suppression

    Breaking the Pattern

    • The physical and emotional signals he could no longer ignore
    • Walking away from what looked like a dream job
    • The fear and freedom of not knowing what’s next

    Reconnection and Recovery

    • Why movement, breathwork and brotherhood became vital
    • Insights from ICONIC and the Peru men’s retreat
    • Letting go of roles, pressure, and performance

    A New Way of Living

    • Learning to listen to the body
    • Rebuilding from purpose, not pressure
    • What high performers need to hear — and unlearn
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • S2E7: Martin Bone - Why Men Must Learn To Move
    Apr 9 2025

    Movement is more than just physical. It’s emotional. Energetic. Transformational.

    In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and co-facilitator of the ICONIC program, Martin Bone. We explore the deeper meaning of movement and dance, not as performance, but as a powerful doorway back into the body.

    For many men, especially those raised in the UK and Ireland, movement became linear - lifting weights, pushing harder, always doing. But in that, freedom, expression, and spontaneity got lost.

    We talk about how reclaiming movement helped us both heal old wounds, reconnect with our emotions, and become better leaders, fathers, partners, and men.

    This conversation is about breaking the stigma, getting over yourself, and remembering the body knows what to do... if you let it!

    Show Notes

    The Stigma Around Dance and Expression

    • Why so many men freeze at the idea of dancing
    • How childhood and culture taught us to suppress movement
    • Craig and Martin’s early experiences with dance, shame and identity

    Dance as a Doorway Back to the Body

    • Movement as medicine for emotion, stress, and stuckness
    • Why the body holds wisdom that the mind can’t access
    • The link between dance, emotional release, and inner freedom

    From Raves to Retreats

    • The role of club culture and music in helping men reconnect with their bodies
    • How early experiences with dance music created space for self-expression
    • The transition from unconscious release to conscious embodiment

    Why Movement Belongs in Men’s Work

    • How the ICONIC retreat in Peru uses movement to create real transformation
    • Why most men’s breakthroughs come through the body, not the mind
    • Creating safe spaces where men can move, feel, express without being judged

    How to Start

    • Simple ways men can reconnect with movement and shake off years of stiffness
    • The importance of containers, consistency, and community
    • Letting go of the need to ‘know how’ and learning to trust the body again.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • S2E6: Scott Ford - The Secret to Playing in the Zone
    Mar 25 2025

    Athletes talk about it like it’s magic. That moment when everything slows down, the game feels effortless, and they’re completely in the zone.

    But what if flow state wasn’t random? What if you could access it on demand?

    I sit down with Scott Ford—author, coach, and a pioneer in non-dual awareness in sport. He’s spent over 40 years teaching athletes how to enter and sustain flow states intentionally, rather than just hoping it happens.

    What is Flow State in Sport?

    • Why athletes describe being in the zone as effortless, timeless, and automatic
    • The difference between flow happening by accident vs. accessing it on demand
    • The key shift in focus and awareness that changes everything

    How to Train for Flow

    • Why “watching the ball” might actually be limiting your reactions
    • The soft focus technique that allows you to see and react faster
    • How to stop overthinking and let your body’s intelligence take over

    Beyond Competition: The Non-Dual Approach

    • Why traditional competition is dualistic (me vs. you) and how that affects performance
    • How non-dual awareness allows athletes to co-create the game with their opponents
    • Why playing in flow isn’t just about winning—it’s about playing at your highest level

    Practical Applications for Coaches and Athletes

    • How tennis, rugby, and even Navy SEALs have applied Scott’s work
    • Simple drills to train focus, presence, and reaction time
    • Why flow training is the next evolution in coaching and performance
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • S2E5: Mark Walsh - Why Men Need to Get Out of Their Heads
    Mar 11 2025

    Most men spend their lives in their heads: overthinking, overanalysing, and second-guessing. But true leadership, confidence, and resilience don’t start in the mind, they start in the body.

    In this episode, I sit down with Mark Walsh, one of the world’s leading embodiment coaches, to explore why so many men feel disconnected from their power and how reconnecting with the body can transform how they lead, train, and show up in the world.

    This isn’t just theory. Mark has worked with elite professionals, trauma survivors, corporate leaders, and athletes worldwide, helping them develop embodied leadership and resilience. His insights are practical, powerful, and cut straight to the point.

    Show Notes

    Why Men Need to Get Out of Their Heads

    • Why most men live in their heads and the impact on confidence and leadership
    • The difference between thinking about change and embodying it
    • How weightlifting, martial arts, and movement help men reconnect with presence

    The Role of Physical Practices in Mental Resilience

    • How gym training can be a sacred practice for focus and discipline
    • Why men need challenge, struggle, and physical adversity to grow
    • The connection between breath, posture, and emotional state

    Breaking Free from Overthinking and Insecurity

    • The science of embodiment - how your body shapes your mindset
    • Why men struggle with boundaries, people-pleasing, and saying no
    • Practical techniques to build presence and confidence in daily life

    The Bigger Picture: Why Society is Failing Men

    • How modern culture is weakening masculinity and what men can do about it
    • The importance of mentorship, challenge, and a strong peer group
    • Mark’s personal journey, from addiction and nihilism to leadership and resilience
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • S2E4: Rod Boothroyd - Why Men Struggle to Lead
    Feb 25 2025

    This episode isn’t just about leadership—it’s about self-awareness, emotional mastery, and the deeper work men need to do to lead with confidence and integrity.

    In this conversation, I sit down with Rod Boothroyd, who has spent over two decades working with men, helping them uncover what’s holding them back and step into their full leadership potential.

    We dive deep into the reasons why so many men struggle with leadership—whether in their careers, relationships, or personal lives.

    Rod shares his insights from psychotherapy, shadow work, and men’s development, unpacking why modern leadership feels so disconnected, hesitant, or misdirected—and what men can do to reclaim their inner power.

    Show Notes

    The Root of Leadership Struggles

    • Why so many men feel lost when it comes to leadership
    • The role of absent fathers and childhood wounds in shaping a man’s confidence
    • How modern society has disconnected men from true leadership

    Reclaiming the King Energy

    • The four archetypes—King, Warrior, Magician, Lover—and why men struggle to embody them
    • The difference between real power and control
    • How a man’s ability to process emotions directly impacts his leadership

    The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief

    • Why so many men struggle to feel joy and fulfillment
    • How suppressed grief and loss block leadership potential
    • The essential role of emotional intelligence in strong leadership

    Practical Steps to Step Into Leadership

    • How to develop self-leadership and move from hesitation to confidence
    • The power of mentorship—why every man needs a guide
    • The impact of men’s groups, accountability, and long-term personal growth
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • S2E3: Matty Peet - Going Deeper
    Feb 11 2025

    Matty Peet is back. After a phenomenal few years leading Wigan Rugby League to unprecedented success, I sit down with him to reflect on the highs, the challenges, and what it really takes to lead at the highest level.

    From winning every available trophy to managing the relentless demands of elite coaching, Matty shares the lessons he’s learned—not just about rugby, but about leadership, resilience, and personal growth. He opens up about the pressures of expectation, the importance of connection, and why he believes every coach needs a coach.

    This episode isn’t just about sport. It’s about leadership, self-awareness, and the mindset required to sustain success.

    Show Notes

    Reflections on Leadership & Growth

    • What’s changed for Matty over the past three years as Wigan’s head coach
    • The doubts and criticism he faced when he first took the job—and how he silenced them
    • The biggest lessons in resilience and leadership from elite sport.

    The Power of Connection

    • Why connection is the foundation of Wigan’s success
    • The impact of fostering a deep bond with players beyond just performance
    • How Matty balances the demands of coaching with being present for his family.

    Coaching & Personal Growth

    • How self-awareness has transformed Matty as a leader
    • The importance of having mentors and coaches at every level of leadership
    • Why vulnerability in leadership isn’t a weakness, it’s a superpower.

    Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for Wigan

    • How Wigan is preparing for the next season with the same squad
    • The importance of evolution vs. revolution in sustaining success
    • Matty’s focus on innovation, creativity, and maintaining a high-performance culture.

    Lessons for Leaders Everywhere

    • Why every leader, whether in sport or business, needs a support system
    • The importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and leading by example
    • The role of personal development in becoming a better coach, father, and man.
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    58 mins
  • S2E2: Cody Royle - Why Coaches Need Coaches
    Jan 28 2025

    In this episode, I sit down with Cody Royle, a coach to elite head coaches in professional sports and author of three impactful books, including the Amazon bestseller The Tough Stuff.

    Cody shares his journey from coaching Australia’s national Aussie Rules team to mentoring some of the top leaders in soccer, basketball, rugby, and beyond. Together, they explore the emotional toll of leadership, the power of self-awareness, and the profound impact of integrating personal growth into coaching.

    Show Notes

    Cody’s Journey:

    • From playing Aussie Rules football to becoming a coach at 22
    • Transitioning from coaching Canada’s national team to writing The Tough Stuff
    • The pivotal moments that led Cody to focus on supporting head coaches.

    The Challenges of Head Coaching

    • The increasing complexity of managing multi-billion-dollar sports organisations
    • Balancing personal growth with professional demands
    • Common struggles faced by head coaches, including pressure, identity, and maintaining perspective.

    The Role of Personal Growth:

    • Why self-awareness is at the core of effective coaching
    • Cody’s approach to coaching head coaches: attunement, presence, and refining existing strengths
    • The importance of integrating family life and personal practices into professional pursuits.

    Key Themes and Insights:

    • The emotional toll of leadership and how to navigate it
    • Bridging the gap between elite performance and personal well-being
    • How Cody’s work is helping to shape a new generation of self-aware, emotionally intelligent coaches.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • S2E1: Martin Offiah - Becoming Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
    Jan 14 2025

    I sit down with Martin Offiah, rugby league legend and cultural icon, to explore his journey from a young boy in Hackney to becoming one of the greatest try-scorers in the history of the sport.

    In this deeply personal conversation, Martin reflects on the mentors who shaped his career, the challenges of breaking barriers, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience and self-belief. From his rugby triumphs to his advocacy for sustainability and electric vehicles, Martin shares his powerful story of transformation and greatness.

    This is an episode for anyone who wants to learn how to turn adversity into fuel for success.

    Show Notes

    Martin’s Journey

    • Growing up in Hackney and discovering rugby as an outlet for his energy and ambition
    • The transition from rugby union to rugby league and becoming one of the sport’s most iconic players
    • Reflections on the pivotal moments, including his legendary try at Wembley.

    Themes of Greatness

    • The coaches and mentors who believed in him and taught him the value of star power
    • How Martin learned to embrace his achievements without fear of judgment.

    Challenges and Resilience

    • Overcoming racism and other challenges as a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport
    • Lessons learned from tough times on and off the pitch.

    Life Beyond Rugby

    • Martin’s passion for sustainability and his work in promoting electric vehicles
    • Reflections on being immortalised in a statue outside Wembley and what it means to inspire the next generation.

    Insights and Advice

    • How mentors, teammates, and family shaped his journey
    • Lessons from rugby and life on staying authentic and resilient.
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    1 hr and 25 mins
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