Ruck My Life Podcast

Welcome back to a brand new season of Ruck My Life Podcast. The show that helps raise the profile of LGBTQ+ rugby athletes around the world and gives them a platform to share their story of being part of the International Gay Ruby Organisation (IGR). Today we are excited to hear from James Anthony, a long time member and co-founder of the Birmingham Bulls RUFC, who has been working hard behind the scenes as the Bulls host this year's Union Cup 2023. Sadly like many events Covid-19 meant that the original date in 2021 had to be postponed but now that restrictions have been removed the doors are open to another thrilling weekend of rugby! We will be exchanging past memories of tournaments, our trials and tribulations of being gay in sport and of course discussing the tragic news of Trans athletes being banned from contact rugby. So wherever you are, relax and enjoy another episode of Ruck My Life Podcast!

Merry Christmas! We are back for a quick message of festive cheer as the boys reunite for a Christmas and New year Special. In part 1, Christian, Justin and Matt catch up on what has happened since the last episode and decide whether they have been naughty or nice this year! Plus some fun and laughs as we play 'Something you'd say at the family Christmas dinner table, but also something you would say in the bedroom!' Plus some snippets of Christmas past as I look back at how we managed to survive Christmas 2020 with laughs and cheers. Tune in next week for Part 2 where the boys celebrate the dawn of 2022 and what hopes and celebrations it may bring!

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life Podcast! This week we speak to Augustine Ihm originally from Chicago but currently living here in Manchester UK and playing for the Manchester Village Spartans. This week we discuss the issue surrounding conversation therapy and the dangerous effects it can leave behind. Augustine’s journey and battle with self identify is truly heroic and he is now fighting the fight to bring down such ‘cure’ therapies and break down stereotypes in gay culture, to make our community more inclusive and allow people of all backgrounds to feel that they belong.

Yes we are back after a short break while I was busy teaching and of course playing rugby now that the restrictions have eased here in the UK. Today’s episode is a special inside experience of what Touch My Brum is all about. Of course for those of you in the UK who play Touch Rugby, it is the event of the year and I couldn’t resist coming along and meeting up with old and new faces let’s see if you recognise them from other episodes! It is great to be back in the podcasting seat and of course over the summer I will be bringing you more stories from LGBTQ+ rugby athletes from around the world so make sure you follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more information. I’m Christian John and this is RuckMyLifePodcast.

Happy Pancake day! The boys are back and already have something to say about the current Rugby Union 6 Nations! But of course they quickly turn their attention to who are the hottest players on the screen. However this week the boys discuss Mental Health and how now more than ever, it is vital for men especially to be open to talk about it. The boys discuss what they are struggling with during lockdown and suggest ways to combat our moments of depression and low self esteem. And finally it wouldn’t be a February episode without mentioning toppings - Pancake toppings that is! Remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @Ruckmylifepodcast

Wow, wow, wow, what a show I have for you! I am honoured to be joined by the incredible and truly inspirational athlete that is Mr Devin Ibañez. His story is such a roller coaster of emotions as he battles through his amazing career as a professional US rugby player whilst having to hide his true identity and sexuality. Join Devin and I as we discuss what it was like for him growing up and having to choose between being open and being successful until a life threatening injury gave Devin the opportunity to come out publicly and become the America’s first Out-Gay Pro Rugby Player.

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life Halftime where the boys are back to bring in the New Year in style... well socially distance style anyway! What a year it has been and we are certainly glad to see the back of it but it hasn’t all been doom and gloom so join us as we celebrate the good, the bad, and the down right hilarious moments of Ruck My Life Halftime 2020.

Merry Christmas Everyone! This year has been especially hard on everyone so the boys and I thought it would a great opportunity to share some Christmas love and share our fondest...and not so fondest memories of Christmas Time. So wherever you are and whatever you are doing, a very Merry Christmas from us and A Happy New Year xxx

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life Podcast. On today’s show I discuss how zoom calls have Lead me to feel rather lonely especially at this time when we would normally be sat around a big table with our team mates enjoying our Christmas meals and exchanging gossip from the season. We are also joined this week by the wonderful Mr Damian Giles who shares his story of being gay in sport and how joining the Brighton and Hove Sea Serpents became his family and he’s never felt prouder to be himself and enjoy being part of an amazing team.

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck my Life Podcast! This week we are honoured to be joined by Andy and Scott from the Worcester Saxons RUFC. A relatively new team to the IGR family but have already been making headlines with over 100 members in just 18 months. Not only this, but their team is one of only a handful of teams around the world that was born from an already founded club the Worcester RUFC, a team predominately made up of cis male straight players, a idea that not so long ago, would have been unheard of. However they both share their stories of the ever growing issue of being gay at a young age and how our perception of sport is so fragile. However Scott and Andy tell us of how they overcame their barriers and be proud of who they are.

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck my Life Podcast! This week we are honoured to be joined by Mr Darren Morrin from the Emerald Warriors. Who were the last team to host the Union Cup, A tournament which we are sad to see is the next victim of the COVID crisis and will be postponed until 2023. As usual we discuss the ever growing issue of being gay at a young age and how our perception of sport is so fragile. However Darren tells his story of how he overcame his barriers and travelled the world with the Irish teams and is now the head coach of Ireland’s first IGR team.

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life Halftime Podcast with your favourite 4 gay rugby players! This week we catch up with how rugby teams are returning to contact rugby during these COVID times. We also discuss long distance relationships and the best and the worst chat up lines we have had!

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck my Life Podcast! This week we are honoured to be joined by Mr Dan Howarth from the South London Stags. A relatively new team to the IGR family but are already getting their antlers stuck into rugby player welfare which is so important to keeping mental health and well-being positive in any team. As usual we discuss the ever growing issue of being gay at a young age and how our perception of sport is so fragile. However Dan tells his story of how he overcame his barriers and found his ‘hooves’ with the South London Stags team and has never felt happier!

We’re back, back, back, back again! Yes your favourite foursome are back to discuss more rugby trivia and issues surround the world of LGBTQ+ lifestyles! This week we are live from London as the boys get to meet up finally after lockdown restrictions ease. This week we chat all things lockdown, dating apps, and the current issue regarding World Rugby and Trans Rights.

Welcome back to Ruck My Life Podcast Season 2! This week we are joined by the brave and motivational player Max Beaton from the Lancashire Typhoons, who shares his story of being a trans-man rugby player and we discuss the recent upset caused by the world of rugby potential banning trans players from playing professional rugby.

Welcome back to another Halftime show! Can you believe it is the tenth week and with that we reach the season finale! Thank you all so much for joining us on our journey as we discussed all things gay and rugby, but with lockdown easing we have decided to take a few weeks off air to get back to some sort of normality. But do not panic we will be back in August with more entertainment, gossip and shade from the pitch and delve further into each other’s past! This week we catch up with the boys, share our experiences and which episode was our favourite and are joined by some guests from the world of IGR! Finally we discuss what PRIDE means to us and where we stand on LGBTQ+ education. We hope you have enjoyed listening over the past 10 weeks and can’t wait to hear from you about your favourite episode! Don’t forget to vote for us on the British Podcast Awards 2020!

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life Podcast. This week I have the honour of speaking to Mr Tom Bird Jones, a fellow Manchester village Spartan player and part of the Spartan Touch leadership team. He bravely shares his story of coming out and the difficulties with growing up being part of a Welsh Rugby loving family, but not feeling accepted in the local teams - a feeling we all know too well! But with his supportive family and close friends Tom flourishes with his skills of sewing to the point where he becomes a local hero by providing the Greater Manchester NHS staff with hundreds of scrub sets to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in to listen to his amazingly generous project and life journey.

Hello and welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life Halftime Podcast! This week we discuss the easing of social distancing with the introduction of the 1m rule and how it might change people’s behaviour and attitude. Also, whilst rugby is off the field, we reminisce about our favourite childhood cartoons which I’m sure you will recall! For fun we decide on which Pokemon best suits each of us which gets shady trust me! In addition we delve deep into each other’s relationship past and answer fan questions on ex-boyfriends! It’s morphing time and Matt, Justin and James I choose you!

Welcome back to another episode of Ruck My Life. Today I talk about the progress of non-IGR clubs becoming more inclusive and accepting of gay players. Our guest this week is Mr Alex Calanca hard working and committed member of the Hong Kong City Rugby Team. Today we talk about his experiences of coming to his friends, family and rugby team along side issues with homophobia along the way. But his story is unique as he plays for a non-IGR team, yet feels totally accepted by the other team mates and explains that the team are totally inclusive no matter what your background is and he has never felt happier and his confidence of being an out and proud gay rugby player, has never been stronger!

Today we are back with Matthew, James and Justin as we continue to discuss your questions and delve into the truth behind rugby. This week as there’s not much happening in the world of rugby we decided to expand on a fan question who asked us randomly about our favourite Disney movies, so being a bunch of typical gays we jumped at the opportunity to talk all things Disney but also exploring the possibility of LGBT characters. Plus we delve into some hidden truths and the boys discuss who in the world of Disney they would snog, marry or avoid. So be our guest as we let it go! Welcome to Halftime!