E144 - Amanda Blanc: Finding your voice and speaking up

In this interview, we welcome Edwin Van De Sar. The man who went from player to CEO, who won four Eredivisie titles, four Premier League Crowns and the Champions League, among many other accolades in his career.We recorded this in a hotel room overlooking the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, the home of Ajax Football Club. Edwin, at the time of recording, was the Chief Executive of the football club. He walked into the room and I said to him, “how are things?” The reply was a one word swear word. Immediately it was clear to us that pressure was taking its toll on this guy. We then spoke at length about the truth of what life's like at the top of a football club.We talk about the scrutiny, we talk about the criticism, the questions, the pain and the impact on his family. Of course, we also talk about his playing days. What he learned at Manchester United, what it was like in that great Ajax team. Some of the challenges he faced as a Holland International and the great players he's played with.A couple of days after the conversation, it was announced that Edwin had decided to quit as the CEO Ajax. So this now lives as the final interview that he gave as the CEO.I think that we will now listen to it with fresh ears, with an even deeper understanding of the challenges that he was under.Enjoy!Love, Jake Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Jun 202356min

To mark the Champions League final, Jake reflects on the conversations they have had with a range of guests about the Champions League. In this episode, you will hear from Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino among others about their relationship to the competition.This final of the Champions League also a very significant game for Jake as it will be the last ever match he hosts on BT Sport, after a decade of presenting on the channel. He shares how he feels about the significant moment and his final time hosting a competition that many consider to be the pinnacle of the game.Listen to the full episodes:Rio Ferdinand: https://pod.fo/e/15914Mauricio Pochettino: https://pod.fo/e/16521Kieran Trippier: https://pod.fo/e/17a67fSteven Gerrard: https://pod.fo/e/a33baFrank Lampard: https://pod.fo/e/136b50 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Jun 202322min

Kevin Sinfield returns to the podcast, after two years, to discuss how his career, mindset and approach to life has changed since Jake and Damian last sat down with him.Kevin is a rugby coach, currently the defense coach for the England Rugby Union national team. In his career as a player, spanning almost three decades with Leeds Rhinos, Kevin played 521 games for the club, finishing with 3,968 points. As a coach, he was a key part of the World Cup management team that took England back to the World Cup Final in 2017.In this episode, Kevin shares how Rob Burrow’s diagnosis has changed his life, including finding fulfilment, community and providing hope to others. He discusses his most important lessons as a coach and why it is so crucial to focus on empathy. Jake and Damian catch up on everything they’ve missed in the last two years, including how he gets through the most difficult days, the importance of family and overcoming micro-annoyances.Kevin’s book The Extra Mile: My Autobiography is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extra-Mile-My-Autobiography/dp/152990305XDonate to the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/Appeal/mnd-centre-appeal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Jun 202358min

Jake and Damian reflect on their key-takeaways from the guests that joined the podcast in May. They take a look at each episode from the previous month, curating the key lessons from each guest.They analyse Lord Billimoria’s 10 P’s for business, how Gary Barlow creates the best concert experience and how he deals with failure. They delve deep into building partnerships with Premier League CEO of the Year, Paul Barber and Kieran Trippier on why team spirit is so important.Listen to the episodes here:Lord Billimoria: https://pod.fo/e/178a56Gary Barlow: https://pod.fo/e/17fc0bPaul Barber: https://pod.fo/e/17de80Kieran Trippier: https://pod.fo/e/17a67f Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Jun 202320min

Gary Barlow is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and record producers. As part of pop group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards and sold over 45 million records with almost four decades in the music industry.Gary shares with Jake and Damian the exciting but tumultuous initial years with Take That, the relationships with his band members and how he dealt with world-wide success. He details his attempt to ‘break America’ and how this experience changed his life. Jake, Damian and Gary delve into the most emotional moments of his career, and why it is so important to embrace failure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Mai 20231h 6min

Jason Daniel is founder and CEO of clothing brand LSKD (Loose Kid). LSKD grew from his pursuit of a sporting career in Motocross, whilst he built core business and work ethic skills as a carpenter. In this episode, he shares how his wife falling pregnant empowered him to pursue LSKD 100% and encouraged him to find his ‘why’.He reflects on the power of vulnerability and naivety when starting any new venture. Damian, Jake and Jason discuss how to find and inspire passion and drive, and why you should embrace failing forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Mai 20231h

Paul Barber is the CEO of Brighton & Hove Albion FC. In Barber's first season at the club, they recorded their highest league finish for more than 30 years. How did he achieve it and what has he done since to instill the club’s values?He reflects on how having a diligent and thorough approach has allowed the team to effectively review mistakes and revise for the future - the focus is always how to come back stronger. Looking into the future, Paul shares what elements go into preparing the club for Europe. Having over 25 years of football experience, Paul divulges the key lessons he employs to ensure the team always achieve high performance.- - - - -On Tuesday June 14th we're at the Hackney Empire for a special live episode and Q&A with Rugby Union legend Dan Carter! Tickets include a signed copy of Dan Carter’s new book - THE ART OF WINNING. https://tourlink.to/HPDanCarter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Mai 20231h 11min

In this retrospective episode to mark Mental Health Awareness week, Jake and Damian look back on some of the conversations they've had with guests about overcoming struggles with their mental health. Featuring a sneak preview of an upcoming episode with Gary Barlow, there are also moments from Mark Cavendish, Courtney Black and Danny Cipriani.Listen to the full episodes:Danny Cipriani - https://pod.fo/e/14797eCourtney Black - https://pod.fo/e/15a903Mark Cavendish - https://pod.fo/e/eb9c4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Mai 202323min