The Armago Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mark Bushby
The world of sport is fiercely competitive; nanoseconds separate gold medallists from silver, single goals separate winners from losers, and individual catches separate tears from celebration. Yet behind even the most daring athletes, Olympic champions and international sportspeople lies a heart-warming person with an inspirational success story of immense pride and sacrifice.
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
It’s always great catching athletes at the early stage in their career and this week we had a great chat with the up and coming Louise Duncan.
Just 21 years old, Louse Duncan made a thrilling breakthrough on the Women’s golf scene this year being the first scot in 24 years to win the Women’s Amateur Championship and finishing in the top 10 in her Women’s Open debut.
She’s really only just getting going, however as you’ll hear from Louise she also intends to complete her university degree before going full-time professional. A great episode if you’re a university student and looking to balance your sport alongside your degree.
Host: Mark Bushby Edits: Angus Strudwick Music: David Simkins
Kate Cross a right-arm medium fast bowler who plays cricket for England, Lancashire and Captains the Manchester Originals in the Hundred.
She was the first woman to be accepted into Lancashire's cricket academy. In 2006 She made her debut for the England Under-21 side in 2007. In October 2013 she was called up into the England senior squad to tour the west Indies. She made her T20 debut against the West Indies and in November 2013 made her One Day International debut, also against the West Indies. Cross was selected for the Women's Ashes Tour of Australia in 2014, during which she played in 6 matches of the 7 match winning series.
In this epiosde she opens up about her struggles with Depression and Anxiety and how she over comes her challenge.
Host: Mark Bushby
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Born and brought up in Hong Kong, Alec was introduced to rugby by the Hong Kong 7s. He was an angry kid, chucked into the game by his dad to help control his anger. Soon after he fell in love with the game.
His family moved to England where he attended Millfield school and continued to develop his rugby. Alec went on represent Scotland at age grade in 15 a side rugby before he decided to transfer to 7s and hasn't looked back since. Alec recently was part of the GB 7s team representing GB at Tokyo where they came 4th.
In this episode Alec talks about his struggle with confidence and big egos and his move to Millfield being the start of his rugby journey where he surrounded himself with positive, likeminded people. He talks about the values within the team and how trusting his teammates from the beginning enabled a positive environment for them to buy into at Tokyo.
Host: Angus Strudwick
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Music by David Simkins
Adam Burgess is a British Canoe athlete who specialises in slalom.
First introduced to the sport through the Scouts. It wasn't until 2012 when he was part of the Team GB's Ambition Programme in 2012 that he really took to the sport.
In 2015 Adam broke onto the scene becoming Great Britain’s first-ever U23 World Champion in C1 and was a finalist at the senior World Championships.
After such an incredible few years on the water, fast forward to 2021 and Adam comes just 0.16 seconds away from winning an olympic medal.
In this episode, Adam gives us a huge insight into his training and how he learns to adapt through perspectives, and why they matter so much if you want to succeed. A big part of this episode is also about recovery: "You can't out-train rivals but what you can do is out recover them."
Ed was on track, like many of the athletes we’ve had on here, to become a very successful rugby player. Playing England age grade and premiership clubs Bath, Wasps and Newport dragons .
But in 2017, something happened to Ed which would change his life forever.
Whilst at a BBQ, Ed dived into a pool, knocking his head in the process and ended up paralysed and in hospital.
Told he might never walk again, Ed proved that it’s your mindset that can truly define you.
Ed has gone on to defy the odds: climbing mountains such as the 10,000ft Mount Buet in the alps, raising funds for charity and becoming a times 'best selling author.
In this episode Ed talks about mental toughness and resilience to overcome challenges. He also talks about creating opportunities to push yourself when you're down and never giving up.
This is a story of a man choosing not to give up, choosing to work even harder and give everything his best shot.
Host: Angus Strudwick
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Jane Figueiredo is a former diving Olympian having dove in the Portugal 1984 Olympics. Jane was recruited to dive at the University of Houston where her coaching career began. In 1996 she coached the GB at the Olympic games. Following this, between 2000 and 2012 she coached the Russian Olympic Team, taking two of the Olympians to Olympic Gold, before returning back to the UK in 2013 where she began working with Tom Daly.
Jane now coaches at the London Aquatics Centre and has recently coached Tom Daly and Matty Lee to Gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
In this episode, Jane gives us an insight into British diving and the different techniques she used to help athletes from different backgrounds and cultures to become the best of the best.
Host: Mark Bushby
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Rebecca Adlington OBE is a British former Olympic swimmer. She won two gold medals in the 2008 Olympics where she broke a 19 year-old record in the final. In the 2012 Olympic Games she won a further two Bronze medals.
After retirement, Rebecca has founded swim stars programe which focuses on giving kids ages 3-11 exposure to the water. The motto of the 2012 Olympics was to ‘inspire a generation‘, a legacy which inspired her to do exactly that. She is also an ambassador for Woman in Sport.
Host: Mark Bushby
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Scott Denny Hann is an English gymnastics coach and currently the director of Gymnastics in the South Essex coaching club. Most noticeably, he is the coach to 6 time Olympic medalist Max Whitlock who has competed in three Olympics, including the recently games in Tokyo. Scott was awarded an MBE for his hard work and efforts after the London 2012 Olympics.
Scott speaks very honesty. In this episode he provides a lot of inspiration and advice as a highly successful coach within areas such as development within sport, techniques for improvement and how to succeed in the sport itself.
Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Anthony Watson is a current Bath and England Rugby union player. Anthony was just 19 when he was first called into the England squad and since then has been a huge part of the England set-up. He was a vital part of the 2019 squad that reached the final of the rugby world cup against South Africa. Anthony toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2017 and 2021, playing tests in both years.
✅ Adapting to cultures
✅ Seizing opportunities
✅ Overcoming hurdles
Host: Mark Bushby
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Mike Ford is a Former professional rugby league footballer and English rugby union coach. Mike first joined the Premiership team Saracens in 2005 after a tour to New Zealand that summer. He then went onto coaching at Bath, Toulon, Dallas Griffins and Leicester Tigers. You may know that Mike is father to George ford who is currently in the England rugby squad.
In this episode Mike talks about how if you want to achieve success you have to buy into the club culture and work as a team. Mike mentions that to go fast you go alone but to go far you have got to go together.
Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Music: David Simkins
Fiona Crackles is just 21 years of age. She's already won an Olympic bronze medal.
A keen hockey player from a young age, Fiona proved herself at school where she rose up the ranks to captain the GB Women's U18 squad.
Not long after that, she found herself studying at Durham University where she was able to further her hockey skills whilst balancing her degree to soon become the captain of the Women's 1s.
It wasn't long before she was picked out by the Senior GB Squad at a time when many of their players were injured. However, during this time, Fiona proved herself to be an incredibly valuable asset to the team and was invited to Tokyo with the squad for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Host: Mark Bushby
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music by David Simkins
Stirling University graduate Duncan Scott won a record FOUR Olympic medals as Britain ruled the pool in Tokyo.
With 3 Slivers 1 Gold, he is the first Brit to win 4 medals in a single games also GBs greatest Olympic haul. With two silvers from Rio 2016, his six Olympic medals is a total bettered only by cyclists Sir Chris Hoy, Jason and Laura Kenny and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Host: Mark Bushby
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music: David Simkins
Kickboxer Lauren made the switch to Taekwondo after having watched Jade Jones become Olympic Champion at London 2012 on her TV.
The Welsh-born teenager competed at junior level before she moved to join the GB Academy in Manchester.
Lauren became Junior World Champion in 2014 and began fighting as a senior in 2016.
After only spending a few months as a senior, Lauren struck gold at the European Championships in Montreux. She was also selected as a reserve for the Olympic Games in Rio, before retaining her title as Junior World Champion later that year.
A force to be reckoned with, Lauren has gone on to defend her European crown and finished off 2018 with a gold at the Grand Slam in Wuxi, China.
With Injury's trouble and other external factors, Lauren arrived in Tokyo after the squad and with preperations arguably a concern, it was her focus and cool that took her to the final in Tokyo and the Silver medal was hers. Tune in at 6:30pm for an Instagram live with the GB medalist and 7pm for the release of her episode.
Host: Mark Bushby
Edits: Angus Strudwick
Music: By by David Simkins
Photo:Matthew Pover Ltd
In 2015, Ben set off on an unimaginable challenge, running 401 marathons in 401 days and in the process managed to raise an astounding £330,000 for two anti-bullying charities.
It is something which Ben had to face and overcome during his childhood where at the age of 18 things got so bad that he attempted to take his own life. The effects of this lasted way into his 20's and took Ben's health down a severe path. It was only when Ben discovered who he really was and started living a life true to himself that he began to find happiness and was able to get over the challenges of his childhood.
On the final of his marathons, Ben was joined by 350 people who had been watching him on his terrific challenge.
In 2022, Ben will take on his next extraordinary adventure – running and cycling 14,000 miles across all 50 US states in just 104 days to raise £500,000 for The 401 Foundation, supporting mental health causes all round the UK.
Greenwood grew up at Sedbergh school, where his rugby took to the stage alongside his cricket. He then went on to Durham University to further develop his studies. It wasn't until after working for HSBC that he then took to the field and started to get noticed.
Will described himself as skinny, slow player that certainly wasn't in competition for one of the spots within the England Rugby squad.
In this episode you'll hear him say "If I can play for England.. anyone can". The facinating thing is... how did he make that happen?
Will went on to play for the 1997 Lions tour as an uncapped international underdog an achievement like no other. Following this, he then went on to play in two more Lions tours; became a 2003 Rugby World Cup Winner and achieved 55 caps for England. You may now see Will commentating with Sky Sports for the 2021 Lions tour - one of Greenwood's many post-rugby activities.
Monika is a US Olympic fencing medalist. She started off fencing at just the age of 9, overcame a back fracture, had to crowdfund plane tickets in order to get to events and almost missed out on the olympic team the year she won her medal.
In this episode she shares her personal story of overcoming challenges on the road to success.
Tune in for:
✅ Focusing on yourself
✅ Building confidence
✅ Controlling the controllable
✅ Seizing opportunities
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music by David Simkins
Kate Waugh is an up and coming triathlete. Just 22 and studying at Leeds University, she has had a flying start to her triathlon career with several medals including a silver in the mixed U23 Junior Relay and an individual silver in an Elite Women’s race.
In this episode she talks about the ways in which she is able to study at university whilst competing in the sport at the highest level.
Tune in for:
✅ Surrounding yourself with the right people
✅ Creating achievable goals
✅ Balancing sport with other commitments
✅ Being positive
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music by David Simkins
Winning any Olympic Medal at any age is an outstanding achievement.
For Brittany Broben though, she wasn’t just any old age. When she won an Olympic Silver Medal for 10m diving in the London 2012 Olympics she was just 16 years of age and the youngest of the 410 strong Australian Olympic Team.
In this episode Broben talks about how if you want to achieve success you’ve got to train harder than everyone else. She used to wake up at 4:15am to train for her event.
Tune in for:
✅ Getting the right mindset
✅ Fighting negativity
✅ Handling pressure
✅ Enjoying the moment
✅ Training smart
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music by David Simkins
Having played for the U18 Scotland rugby squad; captained the U20 squad and now playing centre for the Glasgow Warriors - Stafford's rugby career is just getting started.
Stafford grew up on his farm in Ayr and speaks in this episode about the importance of family and in particular his father in supporting him in his early rugby career. His time as a rugby professional is just getting started and the youngster holds high ambition for his future with the Scotland International squad.
Tune in to this episode to hear about:
✅ Bouncing back
✅ Building communication
✅ The importance of family
✅ Respect in sport
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music by David Simkins
Non Stanford started off as a cross country runner, but switched focus to triathlon after a series of injuries. She was the ITU World Champion in 2013, and despite missing an entire 2014 season due to injury, she not only managed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but finished fourth place.
More recently, she captained Team Wales at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. 🏴
Have a listen for:
✅ Positivity
✅ Focus
✅ Taking on the challenge ahead
✅ Mental Health
✅ Prioritising in Life
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music by David Simkins
There's little that get's in the way of Amy Williams. Least jumping on a board and travelling at 90mph down an icy rink.
In 2010 Amy Williams did just that. In so doing, took the Gold Medal for Great Britain at the Vancouver Olympic Games. This incredible achievement placed her as the FIRST British individual gold medallist at a Winter Olympics in 30 years and the ONLY British medallist in the 2010 Olympics.
Amy has since been awarded an MBE; commentated for BBC Sport; been on shows such as The Gadget Show and Top Gear and presented for Ski Sunday and the Olympics.
Have a listen for:
✅ Mindset
✅ Preparation
✅ Finding your Passion
✅ Reslience
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Graphics: Eleanor Trotman
Music by David Simkins
A man who hardly needs an introduction; Alistair Brownlee, MBE.
- Double Olympic Gold Medalist 🥇 (2012 and 2016)
- Two Time Triathlon World Champion 🏃♂️🚴♂️ 🏊♂️
- Two Time Team World Champion 💪
- Four Time European Champion 🏅
- 2014 Commonwealth Champion 🏆
Alistair is one of the greatest ever Triathletes. He often competes alongside his younger brother Johnny Brownlee. You might remember the inspiring moment in 2016 when he carried his brother to the line. Something that had never ever been seen before in the sport.
Alistair grew up Yorkshire. He attended 2 universities - University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University. He completed his dissertation at the same time as winning the Olympic Gold Medal in London!
It doesn't matter if you're not a super keen sportsperson. The advice Alistair gives out is applicable across all areas of life.
✅ Pushing Limits
✅ Maximising Potential
✅ Building Confidence
Please drop us a review if you get the chance.
You can also find us on instagram @armago_uk.
Your Host: Mark Bushby
Editor: Angus Strudwick
Music by David Simkins
A great episode to wrap off season 2!
Keri-anne Payne had some incredible stories to tell from her time as an olympic athlete and becoming World Champion. From having her funding cut after the London 2012 to bouncing back as an open water 10km swimmer - Keri has really overcome some very difficult challenges!
Listen in for some brilliant advice!
Approach to pressure ✅
Owning your own performance ✅
Overcoming adversity ✅
Stay tuned for season 2!
Music (as always) by David Simkins
James Heatley achieved bronze in the 1m Springboard event at Gold Coast 2018, making him Scotland’s first Diving medalist since his grandfather’s success in 1958.
Prior to this, James proved himself in the Junior Championships where he won a bronze medal. He went on to represent Scotland, aged 17 at the Glasgow Commonwealth games where he finished in the top 10 for both the 1m and 3m springboard.
James’s success built over the years, not least in 2017 and 2018 where he won several medals at the British Championships and finished in the top 10 during the World Championships in 2017.
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
Music by David Simkins.
In 2014 Lauren Quigley won 3 silver medals at the commonwealth games. This was for the 50-metre backstroke, the 4x100-metre freestyle relay and the 4x100-metre medley relay.
Lauren’s swimming career followed the path of both her mother a her aunt who competed respectfully internationally and for team GB in the 1984 Olympic games.
She is a British record holder, 5x British world champion and has been ranked in the all-time top 10 in the world.
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
Music by David Simkins.
Known for his friendliness and character both on and off the field, Schalk started his career with the Western Province.
He played for almost 10 years for the Saracens where in the 2009-10 season he was voted as player of the year.
Schalk finished his career with the Blue Bulls and the Spring Boks where he achieved a World Cup win in 2019, which included a game as captain against Namibia.
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
Music by David Simkins.
125kg, 18 years of age, cousin to Toby Faletau and England's Vunipola brothers; Carwyn Tuipulotu is just getting started in his international rugby career.
Having played for the Welsh U18 team, Carwyn now plays for Scarlets Rugby.
Determined to follow his family's path, Carwyn's aims to begin playing for the Welsh International side within the next few years. Listen in to hear what it's like as a rising rugby star.
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
Music by David Simkins.
"Would you consider yourself more of an athlete, adventurer or storyteller?" On the 18th of September 2018 Mark Beaumont set the world record for his cycle around the world. An attempt that took less than 79 days. Prior to this Mark had already cycled around the world; cycled the length of the Americas; rowed to the North-Magnetic Pole; attempted to row across the Atlantic; cycled the length of Africa as well as many other adventures. In this episode Mark breaks down his path into becoming a top endurance athlete and gives advice to those looking to pursue their passions. Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take? Music by David Simkins.
Life as a young rugby referee is pretty intense. Especially that of Craig Evans.
Having done nearly 30 tournaments, 9 Cup Finals and being the first ever to referee back to back finals in their first ever 2 tournaments on the World Series, Craig's career has been off to a flying start.
Some of his highlights include being appointed to the referee for the 7s Rugby World Cup SF and being appointed to the Bronze Medal Match for the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
In this episode we hear what it's like referee rugby at such a high level; how you get into being a referee and some of the more extreme situations (including on-field fights).
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
Music by David Simkins.
The first Glasgow Warriors player to reach 50 caps at just the age of 21 and the fourth youngest prop in Scottish history to be capped for the country. In the first episode of Season 2 we're joined by Zander Fagerson; tighthead prop for the Scotland rugby team.
Zander earned his Scotland debut as a replacement prop in the 2016 RBS 6 Nations against England at BT Murrayfield, making him the 1074th Scotland cap.
In this episode Zander discusses his path into international and club level rugby; balancing family life with high-level sport and his advice for aspiring rugby players.
Join us every Wednesday at 7pm as our guests take you through their own inspiring journey. Many can dream, but few can make it. What does it really take?
Music by David Simkins
Greg Searle took the world by surprise in 1992 when he and his brother Johnny won Olympic Gold in rowing with Gary Herbert as Cox. Greg was just 20 and the time and later returned to University to complete his degree.
Following on from this Gregs love for rowing took him to several more Olympic Games.
What is perhaps the most remarkable thing about Gregs athletic career however, is his return to rowing at the age of 38. Exactly 20 years on from winning his Gold Medal, Greg took Bronze in the 2012 London Olympics at the age of 40.
His journey is truly remarkable.
It's exciting. It's inspiring. It's game on.
Music by David Simkins
3,000 miles. 3 World Record titles. 3 brothers.
Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean are three brothers from Scotland who took on the challenge of the 'world's toughest row'. During this episode of the podcast I speak to Ewan and Jamie, the eldest of the three, about their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Rowing one of the most demanding endurance events, coupled with the fact that more people have been to space than attempted it, we talk about the physical and mental demands this challenge brought to the brothers.
They braved shark infested waters, Atlantic storms, shipping lanes, 40 degree heat, severe dehydration and exhaustion, to name a few.
It's exciting, It's inspiring, it's game on.
Music by David Simkins
3,000 miles. 3 World Record titles. 3 brothers.
Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean are three brothers from Scotland who took on the challenge of the 'world's toughest row'. During this episode of the podcast I speak to Ewan and Jamie, the eldest of the three, about their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Rowing one of the most demanding endurance events, coupled with the fact that more people have been to space than attempted it, we talk about the physical and mental demands this challenge brought to the brothers.
They braved shark infested waters, Atlantic storms, shipping lanes, 40 degree heat, severe dehydration and exhaustion, to name a few.
It's exciting, It's inspiring, it's game on.
Music by David Simkins
“You know what, f*ck it, I’m gonna win the Tour de France”
This is Josh Quigley.
From the darkest of days...
To cycling around the world...
Getting hit by a car at 70mph...
And now on a mission to become the World’s Number 1 Cyclist.
There’s absolutely nothing getting in his way.
It's exciting. It's inspiring. It's Game On.
Music by David Simkins.
Jake Wightman is our fourth guest on Game On: The Podcast. Jake is a British middle-distance runner who has represented both Great Britain and Scotland at huge sporting events such as the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
In 2018 Jake was the 1500m Commonwealth bronze medalist, representing Scotland, and then went on to take home the bronze for Great Britain at the European Championships in Berlin later that year.
In June 2018 at the Diamond League event in Stockholm Jake set the Scottish record for 1000m. His time of 2:16.27 broke the previous record which had stood since 1984.
Jake is an inspiration to all aspiring athletes, and we're thrilled to have him on the podcast.
It's exciting. It's inspiring. It's Game On.
Music by David Simkins
Holly Hutchinson is our guest for Episode 3 of Game On: The Podcast. Holly's most recent tennis season saw her named the C-USA Athlete of the Week. Her sporting success doesn't stop there. In late 2019 Holly took down UNC's number two nationally ranked singles player at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Chapel Hill, N.C. Following this Holly was asked to compete at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla for singles and doubles. Ending 2019 being nationally ranked number 38 in singles, it is safe to say this episode with Holly is not to be missed. It's inspiring. It's exciting. It's Game On. Music by David Simkins.
This week we're honoured to be joined by Olivia Elliott, UK national tennis player, winner of the road to Wimbledon doubles aged 15 and the Junior Necker Cup Final at just the age of 13 - making her the best young tennis player in the UK.
Now Olivia studies at the UNLV in Las Vegas where she continues her journey to becoming a professional tennis player.
It's exciting. It's inspiring. It's Game On.
Music by David Simkins.
Kicking off series one of the podcast is Dean Ahmad, entrepreneur and CEO of Fine Edge Cricket, one of the biggest sports' management agencies in the world. Through 'Fine Edge Cricket' Dean represents and co-represents some of the world's top sporting figures. You may recognise Dean from your TV screen as he just competed in the most recent series of BBC's 'The Apprentice', surviving right up to week 10. I can't wait for you to listen to this first episode of Game On - The Podcast. It's exciting. It's inspiring. It's Game On.
To find out more go to www.game-on.uk or visit the Game On instagram page @game_on_sport
Helping you to connect through sport. When you want, where you want.
Music by David Simkins