Talent Takes Practice

In the final episode of the first series of Talent Takes Practice, Matthew and Robbie speak with Fara Williams MBE, the most capped player in national history, with 172 appearances for England, as well as an illustrious playing career at club level, winning multiple titles for sides including Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton Women.    Fara shares the story of how she was homeless for a period of six years during her playing career, the challenges she faced and how football provided an escape for her. She discusses the mental strength that allowed her to overcome adversity and the importance of hard work in forging her successful career. She also examines the changing nature of the women’s game and the development she has seen from the beginning of her career to the present. 

With 7 UK number one singles, 11 out of 12 of his studio albums reaching number one and more than 75 million record sales worldwide, Robbie Williams, one of the most successful singer-songwriters and entertainers of all time, joins the podcast to discuss his incredible career in music and the challenges he has faced on his journey to achieving success. Robbie shares the story of how he joined Take That, in 1990, his subsequent departure from the band and the progression into his solo work. He speaks candidly about the effect that success and the media have had on him and the lessons he has learnt and continues to learn, throughout his career in music. 

Former professional footballer, Tony Whelan, is the guest on this week’s episode. Tony now works as Assistant Academy Director at Manchester United Football Club. Having first joined the Club on a part-time coaching basis in 1990, his tenure has seen the development of some of the most successful youth talent in football, spanning the majority of the Sir Alex Ferguson era- including the Class of ’92- as well as the development of some of today’s top players, such as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. Matthew, Robbie and Tony discuss how youth football has changed since Robbie and Tony were players and the challenges facing aspiring footballers today. Tony also reminisces about his own career in the game, which saw him training at Manchester United as an Apprentice when the likes of George Best, Dennis Law and Bobby Charlton were in the First Team, with Sir Matt Busby as Manager.  

Matthew and Robbie are joined by footballing icon Cesc Fàbregas, who has enjoyed a career at sides including Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea and is currently playing for Monaco. Cesc moved from his native Spain, aged just 16 to London to join Arsenal Football Club. He reveals the sacrifices he had to make to achieve success in the game and his advice for younger players trying to make their way to the top. 

Gymshark founder and owner, Ben Francis joins Matthew and Robbie to share the story of his success and how he grew his business from making gym wear out of his family garage, to become one world's most successful brands, worth over £1 billion. Ben shares his insight and tips for how to succeed in the business world and discusses how learning practical life skills and following the advice of friends and family helped him to get to where he is today. 

Paralympian Stef Reid MBE joins Matthew and Robbie to discuss the challenges she overcame to achieve success. Stef was involved in a boating accident, aged 15, which cause her to have her right foot amputated and prevented her from fulfilling her dream of becoming a professional rugby player. In this inspiring and revealing discussion, she sheds light on how she overcame the mental challenges of losing her foot to become one of Britain’s most successful Paralympians.

Ian Poulter is the guest on this week’s episode of Talent Takes Practice, as he, Matthew and Robbie discuss what it takes to reach the top in your chosen field. Ian discusses his illustrious golfing career including being part of a European Ryder Cup winning team on six occasions and being a two-time winner of the World Golf Championships. Ian reveals how his passion initially lay in football and how being rejected by a Premier League side spurred his desire to achieve success in golf. In this insightful conversation Ian shares his advice on how to achieve your best and how dedication, focus and confidence helped him to achieve success in his career.  

Matthew and Robbie speak to Judy Murray, mother of professional tennis players Andy and Jamie, discussing the challenges she faced trying to help her sons achieve their best and her advice for parents navigating such challenges. She discusses maintaining balance between the siblings, her journey as a tennis coach and how she aimed to give her children drive without spoiling their passion for the game. She also reminisces with Robbie about their time spent on Strictly Come Dancing, in this insightful episode.  

Matthew and Robbie speak with Leicester City Manager, Brendan Rodgers, about his journey from managing a team of under 9s and 10s players to being one of the top coaches in the Premier League. Brendan shares the techniques and methodologies that have brought him success in his career, spanning more than 30 years in football. 

In the first episode of brand-new podcast, Talent Takes Practice, Matthew Syed and Robbie Savage speak to ex-professional footballers and brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand. They discuss their careers, their sibling rivalry growing up and what drove them to achieve their potential, as well as how they now support their own children in achieving their best. 

A mosaic of stories that will give every listener – from students to aspiring sportspeople, to coaches and teachers and parents – powerful and practical lessons
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