Putting Yourself First

My football career is one of my biggest achievements in life, and there’s only one thing that I’ve always prioritised above it – my family. They are the constant that got me through the toughest times, and for the AbsoluteLee season one finale, I’m joined by my wonderful daughters Candice and Jasmin Lee to discuss all the previous episodes and talk about life as a football family. In this episode, we delve into the trials and triumphs of my career, discuss the choices and sacrifices that impacted my family and explore how their mixed-heritage identity shapes their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Playing top-flight football is the ultimate dream for millions around the world. Others have their hearts set on a TV role and some would simply be content working with sports most iconic stars and brands. And then there’s Andy Ansah who’s done all three. Andy went from scoring goals for Southend United to starring in Sky One’s Dream Team before a life-changing conversation catapulted his career to stratospheric levels. In this episode, Andy shares his love of the game, his passion for Sunday League and tell us about the incredible series of events that led to his meteoric rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you lead on the pitch your words carrying weight, but how does that position of influence translate into the real world when you leave the game? Former player Michael Duberry decided to find out by channelling his passion for helping people into a new, unexpected career. Now, he impacts lives daily as an elite performance coach, mentor and speaker. In this episode, we caught up to talk about finding your purpose, maintaining mental toughness and what it takes to become the best version of yourself.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From chants on the terraces to the tracks boxers choose as they enter the ring – the relationship between music and sports has always been a special one. It’s rare you get a chance to work in both, but Johnathan Joseph  aka DJ Spoony is one of very few people who’ve succeeded in both industries. A pioneering DJ and beloved broadcaster, Spoony helped put UK Garage on the map, gave the genre a new lease of life decades later and has been part of the Premier League TV presenting team for nearly a decade. In this episode, we chop it up about challenges we’ve faced, musical legends and an eighties Anfield upset Spoony still isn’t over. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lot’s of footballer’s have interesting life stories, but there’s very few that involve a situation that’s literally life or death. My former Watford teammate Wayne Andrews became an elite personal trainer after leaving the game behind, but a shock diagnosis of kidney failure threatened to alter his reality forever. In this episode, Wayne and I take a trip down memory lane, talk about dealing with life’s curveballs and how he’s using his unique story to inspire others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’ve met and played with some exceptional ballers in my time, but rarely have they been as accomplished as Fara Williams. She’s won FA Cups and League titles, appeared multiple times at the Euros and World Cup, played at the Olympics and even been to the palace to pick up an MBE - but the road hasn’t always been smooth. In this episode, Fara shares what life after football looks like when you’re a legend of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, conversations about wellbeing in sport are common but they rarely get deep enough. My friend and former teammate, Leon Mckenzie is one of the only people in the game shining a light on the rawest parts of men’s mental health. In this episode, he joins me to talk about the impact elite sport can have on wellbeing, racism in football and what it takes to build yourself back up when you’ve reached your lowest point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Playing in the Premier League is seen as the pinnacle of success for professional footballers in the English Leagues, but what does it cost to get there? In this episode, I discuss the unique pressures that come with playing - and coaching - professional football, with my friend Steven Reid as he tells me what drove him to choose a new path that many people wouldn’t understand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the height of my playing career, David Baddiel wore blackface and put a pineapple on his head to mock me on TV every Friday night. The chants have remained ever-present, and David's name has become synonymous with mine, it’s taken 25 years for us to finally meet, face-to-face. In this episode*, we talk about the impact his racist sketches had on my career, my life and the wider community, and why allyship needs to become a bigger part of football.*This episode was recorded before the 2022 Women's Euros final. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’ve looked for the win in every part of my career, doing whatever it takes to get the right results. On my new podcast, I tackle life’s biggest equality issues with some of sport's most interesting people and explore how we can work together to uplift our communities and inspire others. Here's a sneak peak! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.