Be More with a Rugby Mindset

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 Dylan's 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. 

Ben Simpson talks about his decision to become a professional Referee and how it has helped him develop skills and tools he uses on and off the field. He reminds us that the Ref is a vital member of the Rugby family and that there is no Game without them. He speaks about the training, dedication and hard work he has to put into being a great Referee and encourages more people of all ages to consider following in his path, for the sakes of the Game. Jay is delusional about how many tries he has scored, and James feels old, yet again. 

James and Jay sit down to analyse the 6 Games so far and talk through the insights, lessons and inspiration they have had from the amazing guests that have so kindly agreed to be on the Podcast.

Be More Rugby would like to thank all our guests for sharing their stories and for being an inspiration to all.

We are excited for the next part of the Be More Rugby season, so please subscribe and follow us on our social media channels so you don’t miss any of our future podcasts.

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Be More Rugby!

Victor Ubogu talks about Club Culture, Mindset and the History that is the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. He explains how being given the time and freedom to learn, make mistakes and grow, creates a successful team. He shares his experience as a child coming from Lagos Nigeria to snowy Devon and finding Rugby, and how he was determined to be the best he could be. Jay reveals who he would invite to his dinner party and James is one contact closer to his ultimate goal. 

 Mike Ford talks about his determination to become a professional and how his son George Ford and Owen Farrell’s time in League gave them an advantage in playing Union. He shares his feelings when he got his first coaching position and how he learned more from his failures than his successes. He explains how he wants to continually develop himself and those around him and that as a coach your ultimate goal is to make yourself redundant. He hopes that if you take anything from Rugby, it is the enjoyment of friends, camaraderie, positivity and to be your best. He talks about how he is consulting with corporations in leadership and management through his website www.mikefordpc.co.uk. Jay shows off his new tan and, it seems, James didn’t get the invite to Spain. 

James (Willow) Williams explains how he used the negative comments from the media to drive him to keep going and become even better. He tells us about his respect for those that have gone before that have helped him so much and how he wants to give the same back to the youngsters coming after him. As a Captain, he explains he’s an emotional leader who doesn’t see himself as better then his teammates, he just sees what needs to be done and says it how it is. All this with a peperoni pizza and a smile. 

Shelley Hamblin shares her experience of playing at Twickenham. How her second rower mentality makes her a good teacher and coach. She discusses how to concentrate on the little wins and let the score line take care of itself. She talks about how Rugby welcomed her in at Uni and the talent that she trialled with for England students. And Smax was back as a stand in for Jay who unfortunately couldn’t be on the pod.

Harry (Baz) Bazalgette discusses becoming a professional Rugby player for the Cornish Pirates. The good memories, friendships that are a different bond and the Never say die attitude he has developed through Rugby. He talks about Rugby being his Focus during his childhood as his family travel the world with the Military and how building good behaviours, habits and practices are the key to success. Jay becomes an art critic and James has a breakdown, of the technological kind.

Smax (Trevor Smith) Kicks off our first ever episode on the Be More Rugby Podcast. He talks about how Rugby has given him purpose in the dark times, joy in the good times, a sense of fulfilment in helping others, family values and above all friendships for a lifetime