Ep 33 - The Medallist's Method: Lewis J. Richardson on Crafting a Career in the Business of Professional Boxing
Description
Welcome to the loooong-awaited Season 4 premiere of Define Your Success! We kick off this new season with an incredibly inspiring conversation with Lewis J. Richardson, an Olympian who medalled at the 2024 Paris Games and recently made his pro debut (June 2025). Lewis takes us on a raw, honest, and truly profound journey, offering a rare glimpse into the complex world of professional boxing and the personal battles fought outside the ring.
In this episode, Lewis delves into:
- The Transformative Leap from Amateur to Pro: Discover the dramatic differences between amateur and professional boxing, not just in terms of round duration (from 3 to 4-12 rounds), but especially the business aspect. Lewis likens the transition from being "employed" by GB Boxing (funded by the National Lottery and offering a holistic program) to becoming "self-employed" and building your entire support team from scratch.
- The Unforgettable Moment of Olympic Qualification: Hear the goosebump-inducing story of Lewis's "absolute highlight" – securing his Olympic qualification on May 31st, 2024. He reveals why this moment meant more to him than even an Olympic medal, highlighting the notoriously difficult qualification process in boxing where only one person per country can qualify per weight category, and his light middleweight division was the most highly contested.
- Overcoming Adversity and Silencing the Naysayers: Lewis transparently shares the relentless doubts he faced throughout his career – "He's not strong enough. He's not big enough. He's not fit enough. He's not good enough". He details significant challenges, including a bad back injury in 2018 and the difficult Tokyo Olympic cycle where he faced the world number one on his 23rd birthday.
- The Gut-Wrenching Weight Category Dilemma: Learn about the crushing blow when his long-standing 75kg Olympic weight category was removed, forcing him to consider moving up or down. Having boxed at 75kg since he was 16, the decision to drop to 71kg seemed nearly impossible, sparking widespread disbelief. Lewis shares how he defied these expectations, proving his doubters wrong at every step.
- Rediscovering Purpose in the Crossroads: Lewis openly discusses the "lack of direction" and "lack of purpose" he felt in 2022-2023 when his Olympic dream seemed over and the professional path wasn't aligning. He credits working with a clinical psychiatrist and taking a "Powered by Purpose" course and the True Athlete Project with helping him "look within" and "rediscover himself".
- The Power of a Trustworthy Team and Loyal Sponsors: Lewis emphasises the critical importance of surrounding yourself with "people you trust" in the "shark's business" of boxing. He outlines the essential team members, from a good coach, manager, promoter, and lawyer to a nutritionist and psychologist. He also passionately highlights the vital role of loyal sponsors like Maldon Demolition (since 2016) and Datum Group (since 2017), emphasising the importance of deep, non-transactional relationships.
- Beyond the Ring: Life, Hobbies, and Humility: Get to know Lewis beyond his athletic prowess and his commitment to being a positive role model for the next generation.
- Post-Paris Highlights of a Hometown Hero: Lewis gushes about his incredible experiences since Paris, including turning on the Christmas lights in Colchester (his hometown) and meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
This episode is a masterclass in resilience – defined by Lewis as "being able to grow, being able to come back from adversity, and being a better person off the back of it". Lewis' story is a testament to the power of unwavering self-belief and the profound impact of having the right support system when defining your own success.
Connect with Lewis:
- Instagram: @LewisJRichardson
- TikTok: @LewisJRich
Website - https://lewisrichardson.org/
Email the podcast at info@defineyoursuccess.uk