Episode 17 - Katharine Merry

Here's a great chat we did with Joel Fearon earlier in 2021. What a guy! There's so much in here to enjoy and be inspired by.On the track, he's one of the fastest-ever British sprinters, despite a lack of financial support. And he doubles up with competing in Bobsleigh. He and the GB crew finished 5th in the Sochi Winter Olympics, since upgraded to bronze because of the disqualification of the Russian crews because of doping violations.Joel talks about competing, mentoring, family and his love of country music. We hope you enjoy it!You can find us at@grspodcasr@discusdan@martynrooney

We're back with another pod and today it's a chat we had with Morgan Lake much earlier this year. Morgan is a high jumper and former heptathlete with plenty of insight into the life of an athlete.Morgan seems to have been around for ever but she's only 24. She talks about she deals with the pressure of doing so much, so young having made the Rio Olympics as a teenager. At those Games Morgan became the first British woman to reach an Olympic high jump final since 1992.Morgan tells us about the influences of her family, the importance of her training partners and Denise Lewis. And there's a good discussion about the pros and cons of social media.She also gives her thoughts on the state of athletics and what changes she'd like to see in the sport.Thanks for listening to the pod you can find us @discusdan@martynrooney@grspodcastAnd Morgan is@morganalexandralake

Dan and Martyn delve into the mind of serial winner, multiple Paralympic and World Champion Jonnie Peacock, he chats to the boys about handling pressure, meeting his idols and reaching for the stars on strictly. Recorded at the end of January 2021*There is an issue with Martyn's mic, hence the overly deep tone!FOLLOW US:INSTAGRAM @grspodcastTWITTER @GRSPod@discusdan@martynrooney

Our guest this week is someone with Olympic, World and European medals. It's Emily Diamond. A team mate of Martyn's in the 4 x 400m relay.Emily talks about her early life as a junior tennis player and the hours of practice she put in. She was eventually talent spotted for athletics and moved sports in her teens.Emily talks about her career and her coaches who've helped her along the way to her medals. And how she now combines living in the South West at the weekends and in Loughborough during the week.There's a lot of takeaways from this podcast and a great discussion on the need for more research to help women athletes around the use of contraceptives and the menstrual cycle.She's a great guest.Please get in touch with us and tell us what you think@martynrooney@discusdan

Here's a great chat with 400m hurdles legend Dai Greene. Dai talks about motivation, his thoughts on Tokyo 2021 and great days on the track.There's a world-record story from his time serving fast food at MacDonalds, his recent entry into the business world with a hand-held massage gun, starting a mentorship scheme and currently firing up the oven twice a week for his partner's sourdough pizza business. However, as we hear from Dai, training for his event is physically demanding. And he tells us how he adapted during lockdown, learning lots about himself.Follow us @grspodcast on instaDan Greaves @discusdanMartyn Rooney @martynrooney

Another great guest for Paralympian Dan Greaves and Olympian Martyn Rooney.  This time it's 6 times Paralympic gold medal winner and 8 times London marathon winner Dave Weir. Dave tells the guys he's in the best shape he's been for a long time and first the first time in ages he's really enjoying the sport again.  He talks honestly and openly about the mental challenges and depression he's faced, especially in recent years, and the counselling that he's had to get him back to this point. And there's plenty of competition talk - through the distances - the London Marathon and the Paralympics including London 2012      

Paralympian Dan Greaves and Olympian Martyn Rooney have a chat with experienced GB sprinter Danny Talbot.    Danny was part of the gold medal winning 4x100m team at the World Championships in London in 2017.  And we enjoyed this deep dive into his life and athletics career Danny Talbot was training in Texas before the Covid crisis but has returned to the UK to support his girlfriend, who's a nurse.  He's left the group for solo work during lockdown. He talks about his life in Texas, his love of neatness and preparing for competition.  It's an epic.  And a great listen.

Paralympian Dan Greaves and Olympian Martyn Rooney chat to former athlete and broadcaster Katharine Merry. The trio talk about how they're training coming out of lockdown and the impact it's had on the year. There are some great discussions.  From starting out early, to improving, to Kat's medal winning run at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.  And there's a discussion on drug testing and the situation around Christian Coleman. Kat also talks about the transition from athlete to broadcaster and how she coped with moving away from competing.

Paralympian Dan Greaves and Olympian Martyn Rooney chat athletics.  There's life under lockdown and their aims for the year without competition. There's training talk, parenting and thoughts on 2020 life, And the boys find out about lockdown around the world with  special guests, Christian Taylor, the double Olympic Triple Jump Champion from the USA.  High Performance Coach Benke Blumquist in Sweden.  And Ryan Gregson, the Australian 1500m record holder.  

Paralympian Dan Greaves and Olympian Martyn Rooney chat about life under lockdown along with some of their Team GB friends.  The guys reveal how they've adapted their training plans and how they've taken the loss of the Tokyo Games and all the other events.  With special guests Dai Greene, Lynsey Sharp, Jazmin Sawyers and Guy Learmonth.