Be More Rugby Podcast

Dylan Hartley catches up with the Be More Rugby team at Twickenham for a short game, on and off the pitch. He spoke about the hard work and discipline needed to achieve anything worth achieving. He also spoke about leadership, being an example to your team, as well as being able to take criticism, when it’s given in a constructive way. After a day at the Home of Rugby talking about Leadership, mentoring and all things Rugby, as well as a game on the hallowed turf, James was struggling to catch his breath and contend with fans wanting Dylans autograph in the middle of a Podcast.

Tony Underwood talks about his incredible career including England, the British and Irish Lions and the transition from amateur to professional and then into his high-flying career as a pilot as well as his unfulfilled acting talent. He explains that the lessons he learned from his Rugby career in leadership, team building and the importance of improving yourself for the good of all, continues to help him in his professional and personal life. He imparts his wisdom and inspiration to others through his Leadership development, team building and executive and career coaching. We talked about the effort involved in improving yourself or creating a team and that his CARE acronym is all about supporting yourself, focusing on the things you can control, having the right attitude, being resilient and aware of your environment when the going gets tough. James robs Tony of a Lions tour and Leigh wants to know what that Pizza smelt like.

Mark Philpott talks about his incredible ‘Run For Rugby’, where he will run the full length of the UK for mental health awareness in Rugby. He will run 1000 miles in aid of https://looseheadz.co.uk Rugby's Leading Mental Health Charity who aim to #TackleTheStigma of mental health in Rugby. He also talks openly about his own battle with mental health and how he wants to get people talking, having the conversation and supporting each other. Mark explains his love of Rugby was from his childhood with a Dad who played high level Rugby and taught him the values of Rugby that has helped him throughout his extraordinary life and journey so far. Follow Marks Run For Rugby that starts on May 8th on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoEX-Z275qo  and you can support LooseHeadz by going to Marks Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-philpott-1679501686464?newPage=true Leigh will not let James forget to press record ever again, as James’ IT woes continue.

Amy Humphries (Rugby with Amy) explains how she has created her own career in a time where social media and Journalism has opened up the game of Rugby to new audiences, and she encourages others to follow in her path to grow the game and encourage youngsters to take up Rugby. She talks openly about her difficult times at school and how Rugby gave her the channel for her aggression and need to fit in, helping her to change the way her life was taking, giving her both mental and physical support. She says that her career as a Carer was her calling and that her new career is still fulfilling that need to care about others when she receives messages from her followers thanking her for being an inspiration and encouragement to them to take up Rugby and adopt that Rugby Mindset. Leigh has at least one follower on TikTok, when he finally figures out what it is, and James dusts off the Fax machine for those listeners who are desperate to get in touch but, like him and Leigh, don’t fully understand the modern world.

Dr Brendan Meany EdD talks about how he fell in love with Rugby when he found himself without a team environment after finishing college Football in the USA. He said he thought he was in love until he found his true love of Rugby. He recounted how he was shocked when he first played Rugby that, not only was he expected to have a beer with the opposition after the game, but that he was handed a beer by the guy that had just broken his nose in that game. He talked about how Rugby has formed him into the man he is today and taught him that 1 mistake does not define him and that creating safe spaces for people to make mistakes means creativity has a space to flourish. Leigh and James both struggle through the aches and pains from their game at the weekend, but also realise how much easier it is to support your teammates when you are on the pitch than from the side line.  

Christian Lang talks to us about the amazing work that STAR Scheme are doing through Rugby, to make a real difference to the lives of young people who are suffering or have suffered adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). He explains how the Scheme came to be and how he couldn’t NOT take action. He say STAR Schemes ambition is to help clubs provide a safe, supportive and encouraging space and to help children overcome the effects of ACE’s and become important members of the Rugby, and wider, community. He discusses his own love of Rugby and how it has given him the ability to overcome adversity and that he and the STAR Scheme team are determined to expand to all Rugby playing nations around the world within 10 years. So they need your help. www.starscheme.co.uk Leigh returns and tackles the new RFU tackle height plans head on and James is reminded again why he didn’t go into IT.

Dan Cottrell tells how he came to love Rugby, how he loves the tactical side of the game but didn’t enjoy tackling. He says he learned from amazing coaches whilst at Bath and Bristol playing with some true legends of the game. He says Rugby is full of people dedicated to helping others and that Rugby allows lots of different people chances to be the best version of themselves. He believes Rugby gives you the opportunity to find common ground with different people on different levels, giving you a richer life and better knowledge of yourself. Leigh Coulling stands in for Jay and is the first host to get interviewed by the guest, and James wishes he'd read the dress code.

Denny (Den) Champ talks about his time playing Rugby in the Elite Royal Marines and how Rugby helped him transition out of the Military into civilian life. He explains how Rugby gives you the values to support and help those around you and that your teammates will always be there for you when you need them. We discuss how Rugby has a place for everyone and Den urges people not to compare themselves with anyone else and that if you practice anything, on and off the pitch, you will improve. Jay wants to find where he fits in and James wants to see more of Denny in the shower. 

Alex Powell talks about how she came to create The Achieving Mind, her time as a player for Wasps and Exeter Chiefs and how Rugby was a Lighthouse of hope during dark and difficult times. She explains her fast-tracked journey from having never played Rugby, to the England squad, and how she coped with massive injury by focusing that same dogged determination she had as a Lock Forward to her Psychology studies. Jay grows a moustache and James’ old age shows as he thinks we are on the telly.

Professor Adam’s research and teaching has helped Rugby players and sports professionals to succeed on and off the field. He talks about coping with stress in Rugby and how it can be a positive, if managed and understood correctly. He explained how Rugby has taught him that when he feels he is exhausted, he can always find that bit more to get over the line. He also says that creating a culture of support and positivity will help all people feel they can overcome mistakes and achieve. Jay wishes he had more time and James tries to understand something intelligent.