The Legacy Pod: Recent Episodes
Paul Hughes
Conversations with influencers, creators and motivators. Your legacy doesn't need to wait.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Sevan Matossian is the former Director of Media for CrossFit.
He's an extraordinary film-maker with an extraordinary story.
Raised in a loving home, he first picked up a camera when he was 14. It would be the beginning of a career that would take him to the top of the world's fastest sport - CrossFit - but not before he spent two years living on the streets.
Sevan has embarked on a new project with Mat Fraser, five times CrossFit champion, and former Navy S.E.A.L. and CrossFit athlete Josh Bridges. What does it feel like making two of the most popular guys in the sport laugh?
Beyond CrossFit, we talked COVID-19, politics, racism, health and everything in between.
We discussed the impact of losing parents and how that influences relationships with our own children.
Listen, rate and subscribe. This was gold.
Eilidh Barbour is one of the most recognisable faces in British sports broadcasting TV.
Not only is she Sky Sports’ host of Scottish football, but alongside the likes of Gary Linker, Gabby Logan and Rio Ferdinand, she is part of the BBC team covering this summer’s European Championships.
From making cups of tea on local radio stations, to presenting and reporting on the biggest sports events on the planet, Eilidh has thrown everything at building a career she can be proud of.
In this episode she discussed so many aspects of her journey - including the challenges women face in the media and the criticism that comes with being a female with an opinion on football.
For the dinosaurs out there who still think that’s not possible, you’ll soon realise professionals like Eilidh know more about sport than most.
Eilidh should be an inspiration to any young girl with ambitions to reach the very top of their chosen career. You can't be what you don't see.
That's living a legacy.
Kris Boyd is one of the most successful footballers Scotland has produced. The former Rangers, Kilmarnock and Scotland striker has won medals, played for his country and is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League.
After a hugely successful career on the pitch, Kris has been just as successful off it as a football analyst.
Yet it's the work he is doing to tackle mental health that might end up being his biggest achievement.
Following the tragic death of his brother Scott, Kris founded The Kris Boyd Charity to help tackle the growing issue of mental health,
Forget what you think you know about Kris Boyd the player or pundit. Take some time to listen to his thoughts on why people are struggling with their mental health and what more can be done to help.
David Duke was homeless, struggling for a purpose and lost in life.
The chance to play in the homeless World Cup in 2014 changed his life.
Suddenly David had structure, a way out of homelessness and a reason to say no to drink, drugs and all the other negative distractions in his life.
Fast forward 17 years and David has built Street Soccer Scotland and Street Soccer London - organisations using the power of football to lift people out of social inequality and homelessness.
With an MBE, David has become a renowned and respected figure both in business and sport.
This is one of the most inspirational stories you could hear.
Football and sport has the power to change lives. David Duke is proof of that.
Zack George is the Fittest Man in the UK - and one of the nicest guys in CrossFit.
In 2020, he was heading to compete in the 2020 CrossFit Games - only for the COVID-19 pandemic to shatter his dreams.
In 2021, injury has curtailed his hopes of clinching another ticket to the Games, yet he's stayed positive.
In this episode we talked about the mindset which has shaped his life as an athlete and businessman.
He reflected on his transition from an overweight kid to fierce competitor on the global stage
Zack addressed the pride and responsibility he felt demanding change from CrossFit as the organisation was engulfed in a storm of racism as the sport was accused of caring little for its diverse community. He spoke about the direction under new CEO Eric Roza and his excitement for the future.
As his new book - Start Where Others Stop - hits the shelves next week, it's clear Zack George is the real deal who has even bigger things heading his way over the next few years.
Hamad Al Amari is a comedian, entrepreneur and creator.
With a thick Irish accent, he sounds more Dublin than Doha - but Qatar is his home and he's fiercely proud of helping to tell its story.
Hamad talked about:
- Doing the things people say can't be done
- Being bullied in the playgrounds of Dublin
- Educating people about Qatar
- Creating a space for the next generation of creators
- Being inspired by the parents who gave him the freedom to build his own future
Hamad is a guy to admire and respect for embracing an attitude that there is a life to live and a legacy to leave.
Episode Ten featured Tommy Marquez and Sean Woodland – co-hosts of the Talking Elite Fitness podcast.
Tommy and Sean are two of the best-known faces and voices in CrossFit who found huge success after losing their jobs during the infamous CrossFit media cull a few years ago.
The guys gave a great insight into the challenge of building a business out of adversity and the realisation that having the freedom to control your own destiny brings its own responsibilities.
This episode touched on the fear of going it alone, the responsibility of keeping an audience entertained and the courage to pick yourself off the floor to chase your dreams.
This was a great chat with two guys who found success because of their passion, knowledge and dedication.
James Stanton Cooke - aka Jimmy Halfcut - is an Australian rainforest warrior and co-founder of the HalfCut organisation, a social movement raising awareness around the reality that half of the world’s forests have been destroyed.
Jimmy has been on a quest to save the planet, one tree at a time.
He spoke about the reasons for trying to tackle climate change - sparked by the memories of the violence his community suffered protesting against the construction of a motorway which destroyed the natural habitat he grew up enjoying.
This was a conversation completely different to any so far on the Legacy Pod - but it might just be one of the most important.
Enjoy the story of Jimmy Halfcut… the man with half a beard.
Si Ferry is a professional footballer and host of the YouTube show Open Goal.
Since starting the show three years ago, Si has taken the media world by storm with the his incredible behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.
His move into the media came at a time when Si had no idea what the future held. He went from playing in front of huge crowds to working midnight factory shifts and delivering kitchens simply to provide for his family.
The success of Open Goal has taken the pressure off. He's thriving with one of the best football shows in the UK. But Si's real legacy is helping young footballers understand it's never too early to plan for life beyond the game.
Fran Whitfield is a London based personal trainer who at the age of 25 was diagnosed with cancer and told she had just two years left to live.
Within the space of two weeks, Fran was told she had both breast cancer and a secondary brain tumour.
Suddenly she wrestled with the thought she might never get married, never own a house, never get the dog she always wanted.
But once her anger passed, Fran focused on accepting her death was anything but a foregone conclusion. She dealt with the physical and mental battle of undergoing chemotherapy during a global pandemic, spending hours alone in hospital because of strict social distancing rules.
Fran focused on fitness, continuing to exercise to help battle through the disease.
Above all, after being told she was too young and hormonal to deserve a scan for breast cancer, Fran learned that no matter what age you are, if something doesn’t seem right with your health, you need to demand the proper treatment.
Her story is inspirational and humbling.
Check it out!
Johnny Russell stepped inside the Legacy Pod to talk about his life as a professional footballer and captain of MLS franchise Sporting Kansas City.
Reflecting on a successful career in Scotland, England and the USA, Johnny discussed:
His determination to become a footballer when he was told he didn't have the discpline to make the grade
The lessons learned in the early days of his career
The desire to travel and play overseas
The pride of playing for Scotland
The hurt of losing for Scotland
Swapping a crack at the English Premier League to play in America
His ambition to represent Scotland at the European Championships this summer
Johnny’s story highlights what can be achieved when you dedicate your life achieving your goals – and ignore the people who say it can’t be done.
Admitting you're not always strong isn't a weakness - even for a fierce competitor like Matt Rodwell.
In this episode Matt gives his views on:
- His struggle to accept failure in sport
- The mental health challenges he's fought against
- The opportunity which passed him by because his life changes weren't right
- The family and friends who help keep his demons at bay
- COVID-19 and the lack of leadership to deal with the crisis in the UK
- The future of CrossFit
The choices you make matter. Own your mistakes and never be afraid to ask for help.
Enjoy the episode.
Think you can't make a change? Think again.
Jassim Al Shamali is a CrossFit fanatic who has battled through personal loss, cyber-bullying and self-doubt in a quest for greater fitness and health.
He proves you don't need to be an elite athlete to make an impact in the sport, building relationships with some of CrossFit's biggest names who have been inspired by his story.
It might not have been easy, but it was possible. A true legacy.
Scott Britton is the founder of Battle Cancer, an organisation committed to tackling the impact of cancer.
Using CrossFit and functional fitness events, Scott and Battle Cancer harness the power of community to raise money for various cancer charities.
He talks about the decision which led to him leaving his job in the police force and embark on a mission to raise awareness and money for the charities and organisations on the front-line fighting the disease.
What Scott didn't expect was to be inspired every day by the people fighting the disease.
If ever there's an organisation and group of people leaving a legacy, this is it.
For more information, visit https://www.battlecancer.com
If you like this episode, please subscribe to the Legacy Pod, leave a review and share. Your support really matters.
Jason Ackerman is co-founder of the Best Hour of Their Day podcast and Affiliate University - a programme he runs with business partner Jason Fernandez helping CrossFit coaches unlock their true potential.
Jason talks about his path into fitness, being broke while friends made big bucks in the City, but ultimately the satisfaction of never giving up on his dream.
An experienced Level Four CrossFit coach and published author, Ackerman talks about his mission to help gym owners become better - and realise it's okay to make money doing it.
He opens up about the impact former CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman had on his career, the changes in the sport since its conception and the future under new owner Eric Roza.
Follow the Legacy Pod on Instagram @legacy_pod
We're a brand new Podcast. Remember to rate, review, subscribe and share.
Enjoy.
Accomplished film-maker Heber Cannon speaks about the impact of making movies, the thrill of building the hugely popular Buttery Bros YouTube channel and the legacy of content.
Heber discusses helping build the brand of CrossFit - before watching it almost "burn the ground" in 2020.
He explores the importance of controlling his own destiny through creativity...and hanging out with super-human athletes like five-times CrossFit champions and Fittest Man on Earth, Mat Fraser.
Heber reflects on the last 12 months, the impact of COVID-19 and the commitment of the Buttery Bros to inspire people to stay fit.