Running through Lock-down One Podcast at a time.

Like most people during these times, I have recently dusted off the running shoes and took to the roads for the first time in nearly 18 months. Something I felt I had to do given my response to the countries Lock down, I am sure I am not the only one but when Boris first announced the country was going to be staying home, I filled the fridge with all things nice (those who know me will know exactly what I mean when I say nice) typically things loaded with sugar. Not only that the booze fridge was full and I found myself dipping in every night to enjoy a cold one or two in the garden. Fast forward 5 weeks and I had gained half a stone, easily done when the rugby season has been cancelled and there is no access to the gym.

So I cleared out the cupboards and pulled out the runners, determined to make a change. I first started listening to music but found it difficult to maintain a steady pace as this changed dependent on what shuffled next, I remembered back to a number of colleagues who have been running whilst listening to Podcasts and thought I would give it a go. Inspired by Michael Jordan’s Last Dance, I searched for a few sporting heroes in my field and gave them a go. The past 4 weeks have been eye opening, not only have I been listening to (In my opinion and given their in my field) sporting greats, I have also found it interesting on how their previous experience can link directly to my working life.

Jonny Wilkinson is known to many (in the northern hemisphere) as one of the greatest rugby players to grace the field, his heroics in 2003 earned England the world cup with what was one of the last touches in the game. Off the field and after his career Jonny went on to talk about his nutrition brand No.1, which is what really stuck in my mind. He goes on to talk about how the . in his brand name defines the line between success and failure, see No.1 simply reads number one however take out the point and No1 can often read no-one. Going back to his sporting days he talks about how persistence and obsession with being the best lead him to becoming number one in his field. He then says if he misses that drop goal attempt in 2003 and Australia win the world cup he could have simply ended up as no one, just another professional rugby player chasing greatness. This leads me to think about life today, in any career you often start as a no-one, an unknown, however you are always only ‘.’ away from being number one and that is always in your own hands.

I have always been a huge Rugby League fan, growing up in Salford I spent many of weekends at “The Willows” watching Salford City Reds (often get beaten). I started following Sam Burgess a number of years ago after watching “Slammin Sam Burgess” on YouTube. Sam is well known for playing on the very edge, he pushes his body to its max as well as walking the line of the law. In 2014 Burgess helped guide the South Sydney Rabbitohs to the NRL Grand Final, in the very first play of the game Sam meets fellow Englishman James Graham head on and fractured his Cheekbone, it was at this moment he found himself in a risk reward situation. Doctors had told him that there was a huge chance he could loose sight if he continued to play on but having assessed the situation and worked so hard to get there Burgess decides to play on despite the detrimental risks. He played on and won the Clive Churchill Medal whilst guiding the Rabbitohs to a grand final victory. So how does this compare, well in any business there are always risk reward situations. Take now for example, I believe the companies that even given the circumstance and uncertainty are still hiring. A huge risk in some respects without the being able to do face to face interviews, however they are being rewarded with some of the best talent in the market and will be able to hit the ground running when things get back to normal.

So my suggestion for those who struggle to listen to music when there out getting there exercise in… listen to a podcast, I have previously never seen any value in them however I now thrive on understanding how the journey of others can positively impact me mapping out my own path.