Sport and Life

I think for those of us who played a lot of football growing up, there is always a part of us that wonders... could I have made it if I’d tried harder, had more lucky breaks, backed myself more? Jordan Thomas is evidence that even in age when pro club’s academies cast scouting nets far and wide across the country, it’s possible for a talented kid to be overlooked - but then to make it pro anyway. Jordan signed his first full-time pro contract last year, at Cheltenham at the age of 23. We discuss Jordan’s journey through non league and the upcoming coaching camps he’s putting on with Elite Soccer Stars in North Leigh, Oxfordshire: https://www.elitesoccerstars.com*****Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

What are your thoughts on one of the age old debates in my industry: are athletes born or made? Is it nature or nurture?Usually, we conclude it’s a bit of both. But I certainly get the sense that Jack Clement may have been genetically predisposed to playing pro rugby. He didn’t even play the game until the age of 14 and within a couple of years was representing England in his age group.This is also a brilliant story of serendipity - he only wound up discovering his aptitude for rugby after winning a cricket scholarship to the very prestigious Cheltenham College.Jack is still only in his mid 20s, but a sharp cookie. We talk about the importance of a positive proactive mindset when recovering from injury in rugby - injuries are a part of life in this most rugged of sports - and the psychology of still wanting the ball when results aren’t great and confidence is low.Jack is also aware of the shortness of a rugby career and is sagely studying for a second career in finance.I hope you enjoy this one. Go well and keep moving. By the way, the £300 voucher is still available for Herring Shoes - check out the 2nd of January message from me for how to win it.Go well and keep moving,Teddy

It’s struck me that people are bombarded by a lot of nuance and detail about physical training and fitness. And it’s true you can go deep into the weeds if you’re looking to maximise performance and conditioning. Not to mention appearance.But that’s irrelevant to someone who isn’t currently moving. The path to getting stronger is brilliantly simple: start lifting something. And beginning with your own body seems a solid and tech-free first step. Ross Mitchell and I have stayed in touch since he was a tutor on my Personal Training course and I always value his radical candour and ability to break the complicated and often emotionally complex into simple action. Here he runs through the literal exercises you can do to start building strength - for a stronger body today and when you’re old. If you’re looking to get stronger, I’d recommend following Ross (after listening to him here, of course). Let me know if this is useful. Remember something is always better than nothing when it comes to fitness. Go well and keep moving friends,

I believe everyone wants to be fit and healthy. But I also know that in this modern world that encourages sitting around and eating non nourishing food, it can be hard to know how to get going. So I found this conversation with my bro Max brilliant in breaking down simple steps to feeling healthier and happier. Areas covered include: Nutrition, Movement (big focus on walking), Daylight, Mindset and Social Connection. Let me know if this is useful. And let me know if you have tips for getting going you'd like me to share. If you’d like some help, I’d love to share the Triple Tonic experience with you - in person if you’re in the Cheltenham area or remotely if you’re located elsewhere. Regardless: remember the three pillars of fresh air, movement and conversation are pretty good failsafes to protect your health. Info: https://drapermedia.co.uk/the-triple-tonicWishing you a brilliant year ahead! Go well and keep moving.Teddy

Happy New Year Message from me, Teddy and a chance to win a £300 voucher for Herring Shoes (handmade in Britain).Please email answers to the question posed in this episode to teddy@drapermedia.co,uk (or hello@drapermedia.co.uk)Thank you for listening to the podcast!*************Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

I’ve been a sports journalist for more than 20 years. But until the past few weeks I had no clue about croquet!England star James Death certainly helped me get a grasp of the basics and I hope you’ll find this educational too. I had a tryout on the courts with James recently and great to pick his brains again here. Fantastic to discover the Croquet England office - where James works - is located in my hometown of Cheltenham.It’s quite a complex sport - but as it nails the Triple Tonic pillars of health: fresh air, movement and conversation. I can see it would be a fantastic hobby.Let me know your thoughts. If you’re in Cheltenham and want to take a look: https://cheltenhamcroquet.org*****************Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

Merry Christmas! I hope you and your’s have had a good holiday season!I believe this will be a warming, nostalgic conversation to entertain you in this downtime.Martin Middleton, a racing car fanatic has lived a remarkable life working on race cars as a mechanic and a remarkable spell as companion/translator to Formula One Legend Juan Manuel Fangio. I hope you enjoy this one. Go well and keep moving in 2026! If you need any help with getting more active drop me a note - Teddy@drapermedia.co.ukBest wishes,Teddy**********Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

JP joins the show once more to update on Cheltenham Football Club's rejuvenated season, look ahead to a big FA Cup showdown with Leicester plus reflects on his soft spot for Cameroon with AFCON upon us.

A compelling conversation with Jack Bannister - a Cruiserweight boxer from Gloucester who won the Southern Area title in November 2025.Jack talks about falling in love with the sport, his frustration at trying to find opponents and his ambitions for the future. Jack's sparred some big names and talks about the challenge of going into another fighter's camp. Also discuss his day job as an electrician and why representing his home city means so much to him. ************Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

I hope you enjoy this uplifting conversation with Ash Loveridge as much as I did. Ash is a seasoned sports journalist who is approaching the 5th year of running the independent website https://stroudtimes.com In this episode we talk about how former Premier League footballer and Wales international Robbie Savage has helped lift Forest Green Rovers on and off the pitch. We also talk about the continued growth of Stroud Times and people's hunger for local news and sports coverage in an age where traditional outlets are under the pump.

Dr Laura O'Loghlen is a GP and private doctor in Cheltenham - co-founding Montpellier Medical in the heart of the town (https://www.montpelliermedical.co.uk) In this conversation we covered some key areas of how to stay healthy in winter including:* Modifying our physical output if fatigued/sleepy in the dark days of mid winter.* Sleep (and screens) * Alcohol * Vitamin D * Vitamin B12 * Relating to vitamin levels - the importance of blood tests. * Daylight * Socialising * Flu (and how this year's vaccine may have been dodged by the prevalent strain in the UK)I found this a really useful and practicable chat - and fun! Let me know what you think. ***************Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

Mark Weir is not far off 60, but you’d never guess it! A UFC pioneer and Gloucestershire legend , 'The Wizard' recorded a 10-second KO win in the inaugural UFC in London in 2002 - he still trains, eats and sleeps like a Champion and is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. In this conversation we discuss a coming-of-age year for his charge Christian Leroy Duncan who recorded three victories in the UFC to move to a 13-2 record and showed potential to be a championship contender. Mark reflects on the incredible growth of the UFC and the money and prestige that’s now up for grabs for fighters like Christian. We also talk about his continued work training aspiring pros and everyday people at Range Martial Arts Academy in Gloucester. https://www.facebook.com/RangeMartialArtsAcademy/?locale=en_GBMark tells me why MMA is the sport to choose for self-defence.We also discuss Mark’s secrets to longevity and health - the importance of movement and his adherence to a daily fast. ***********Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

Andy Tucker is a football legend where I live in Cheltenham - an ex player for Cheltenham Town FC and Gloucester City, he created soccer schools that are famous in the this part of the world. And through his national franchise supa strikers Tuxs is helping kids as young as two learn the ropes of the beautiful game.Great to talk football and business with this passionate man.If you’re looking to coach kids in that 2-7 age bracket and need a little help, Tuxs has an entire system in place and can help you get started: https://www.supastrikers.co.uk*****Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

I met Claire Richardson recently at a networking event and was seriously impressed with her passion and vision - and overwhelming conviction that we can enjoy a healthy second half of life. I’m in my forties and I’m often saddened by the limiting beliefs of many of my peers. “I’m too old to exercise.” Or “it’s time to maintain what I’ve got.” To be honest, I first noticed comments like this in my twenties. As Claire underscores with hard science - we can get fitter and stronger as we age. Claire has set up GHS Clinics - https://ghsclinics.health/services/ - in Cheltenham to help clients maximise their health-span (how long they live in good physical and mental health) so it’s closer to their lifespan (total years lived). In this pod we talk about GHS’ Second Prime plan and the importance of taking some time to create a plan for ageing well. ********Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: Check out the intro to the podcast.

Powerful conversation with ex Antiguan and Barbudan international Craig Heskey on his role steering young players through the highs and lows of trying to make it as professional players at Liverpool Football Club. Craig over the past six or seven years - at Leyton Orient and Millwall previously - has been a pioneer in this new, and, I think, vital role.Craig and others' work is big from the clubs' perspective: by giving nurturing and mentoring care you increase the club's chances of maximising the talent in the ranks. But also from the players ' perspective, I love the fact that one of Craig's big drivers is keeping the players' joy for the game (whether they make it pro or not). We also discuss Craig’s cousin, Ex England star Emile Heskey and his role as an inspirational figure to Craig. ****Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing: check out the intro to the podcast.

I’ve been to watch horse racing lots of times - most often here in the town I live in at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse. And I know a fair bit about training - from a degree in sports science to qualifying as a personal trainer. But I don’t know too much about the training of horses. Turns out they’re not all that different to humans. It was illuminating then to chat with Max Kendrick - an ex jockey who know helps training horses at Fergal O’Brien’s picturesque yard near Cheltenham. Max is doing pioneering work with horse heart rate monitors, that also track metics like the speed of the horse and distance covered. This gives insight that will help trainers coax horses to peak performance, but also from an animal welfare perspective make sure the horses aren’t overtrained. Pretty cool to hear Max talk about how the data is often backing up old school trainers’ ‘feel’ for how the horses are.*******Chief Sponsor: Bang & Olufsen Cheltenham: https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-kingdom/cheltenham/unit-15-the-courtyard-montpellier-streetInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing check out the intro the podcast.

I’ve recently begun hosting a podcast called The Blindside for Gloucester Rugby. Rhys was a fascinating guest on that show, so it was a treat to get him on Sport and Life for a thorough conversation on health and fitness from a physio’s perspective.Ground covered1) Rhys’ sporting background, being deemed too small to be an elite goalkeeper.2) Training in physiotherapy 3) Working at Sheffield United Football Club4) The counselling role of the physio and the importance of creating a good ‘vibe’ in the treatment room. 5) General tips for injury prevention including your pelvis position. 6) The spectre of brain injury in rugby and football and how Gloucester Rugby have combined with The University of Oxford in landmark new research to understand and minimise player concussion. Info on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing check out the intro the podcast.Hope you like this one. Let me know your thoughts.Go well and keep moving, Teddy

Russell Milton has had a near 30-year relationship with ( couple of short spells away) Cheltenham Town as player, coach, head of recruitment and caretaker manager. I was loosely familiar with that. But loved hearing about ‘Milts’ beginnings as a Kent boy who didn't start playing organised football until the age of 10. He played for Arsenal and, when released by the Gunners, spent a chunk of time playing in Hong Kong and Japan. An effervescent character! Russ is also a qualified PE teacher and he says having that qualification allowed him to have a go at being a pro with Cheltenham when the club went full-time in the 90s. Hope you enjoy this one.Go well and keep moving, Teddy

This is a little bit different. I qualified as a personal trainer a few years back, but alongside my sports broadcasting career have developed a slightly different training service for clients in Cheltenham: The Triple Tonic is based on three health pillars: movement, fresh air and conversation. My sister-in-law Kerry Halloran in this conversation has kindly offered to (gently) quiz about the evidence behind each pillar, how I fastened onto this approach and what the science says.We also discuss the nuance of each workout and how I incorporate balls, rackets, agility ladders and more while getting clients fitter and stronger in the great outdoors.If you’re in Cheltenham and want to get out there with me, or live elsewhere and want some remote fitness coaching there is more info here: https://drapermedia.co.uk/the-triple-tonicInfo on Sponsor Offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing check out the intro the podcast.Go well and keep moving, Teddy

Sporting a black eye today after a football injury, but very much feeling good after chatting to author Wayne Barton about two of my favourite topics: football history and Manchester United. I’ve just finished reading Wayne’s book Football Taught by Matt Busby’ and great to elucidate his findings on the quintessential style of United. It’s hard to define - Wayne found it to be from and related to Hungarian football, Total Football but yet slightly different. Wayne does a great job here in articulating a way of playing that had practical elements, but also an ethereal freedom to it. As fan, there is a sense of flair and do and dash that feels a prerequisite of a United team - but perhaps different to other ‘entertaining’ clubs, there is a firm commitment to winning. To win in style seems the ultimate goal. To elucidate sponsor offerings: For 15% off Herring Shoes enter the code SPORTANDLIFE at checkout at - https://www.herringshoes.co.ukFor 30% off Cytoplan supplements for your first purchase at https://www.cytoplan.co.uk and a 10% discount ongoing check out the intro the podcast. Let me know what you think of this one. Go well and keep moving,Teddy