In honor of LGBTQ History Month, Ryan is excited to speak with David Watters, an LGBTQ+ rugby player, innovation consultant, and business coach based in the UK. While many of our guests transition from sports to other fields, David's story is unique: he transitioned from the boardroom to the rugby pitch. Now playing for the Airmill Warriors, David is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. As an innovator and startup accelerator, he specializes in integrating new technologies into transportation and city infrastructure.

David’s journey marks a significant shift since he first joined LGBTQ rugby. From its humble beginnings with the Kings Cross Steelers in 1995, the International Gay Rugby (IGR) movement has blossomed into a global network of over 100 teams. This growth highlights the broader trend of incorporating diversity and inclusion within traditional rugby clubs and across the sports world.

David’s expertise in building successful sports and corporate teams is evident. He draws insightful parallels between his sports experience and his innovation work, offering practical tips for creating inclusive environments. He emphasizes how rugby clubs can foster a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Tune in to learn more about:

- David's innovative career trajectory and his transition into rugby
- His initial challenges and feelings of exclusion when starting in the sport
- Reflections on traditional rugby cultures and the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ players
- The expansion of the International Gay Rugby (IGR) movement and its impact on creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ players
- The importance of team mentality, recognizing individual strengths, and building a supportive culture
- How the IGR movement has influenced traditional rugby clubs and broader inclusivity in sports
- Practical steps clubs should embrace to foster inclusivity
- David's insightful analogy between sports and business leadership, and the benefits of applying sports lessons to the corporate world and vice versa

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io

Links:

Davids Linkedln:https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcwatters

Website: https://igrugby.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrclubhouse/

What if the toughest streets of Stonebridge, Northwest London, were the unlikely training ground for a future Olympian and corporate leader? In this episode, Ryan dives deep into the life and career of Marilyn Okoro, a British track & field athlete, 800m specialist, and Athlete Welfare Change Maker. She represented Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she was part of the 4x400m relay team that won a bronze medal (upgraded to silver in 2016).

From a young girl with a passion for running to becoming one of the world's elite athletes, Marilyn’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and transformation, shedding light on the realities of pursuing excellence in sports and the profound challenges faced during and after an athletic career. Known for her resilience and candidness, Marilyn has become an advocate for athlete welfare and mental health, working to ensure the holistic well-being of sportspeople beyond their competitive careers.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Reflections of her transitioning from Sport to Corporate Life
• Emphasizes on the significance of role models and mentors who champion your growth and vision
• How the boldness required in athletics (facing stadiums full of spectators) translates into the corporate environment.
• Juggling her athletic career with academic commitments and the importance of maintaining a beautiful balance between sports and education.
• The stages of retirement she experienced: logical, physical, and emotional, and how each played a role in her journey
• The emotional and psychological aspects of retiring from sports and nuggets on how to navigate life that life season,

…and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io

Links:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/marilynokorooly

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynokorooly

What happens when an Olympian transitions from competing on the world stage to tackling global challenges like climate change? Join us as we welcome Hannah Campbell-Pegg, a former Australian Olympian in Luge, who shares her riveting journey from competing in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games to her current life balancing a PhD, motherhood, and a career in sustainability. Hannah opens up about her unexpected foray into winter sports, which began with a friend's suggestion and led her from the beaches of Australia to icy luge tracks worldwide.

Hannah was known not only for her athletic achievements but also for her leadership, serving as the head of Luge Australia for over a decade. Even after retiring from competition, Campbell-Pegg continued to contribute to the sport, playing a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of Australian lugers, making her an inspiring figure both on and off the track.

Tune In To Learn more about:

• Her intriguing path to the Winter Olympics
• Hannah's thrill of competing at the highest level and the challenges of pursuing a winter sport as an Australian
• Highlights on the sense of a close-knit community among athletic peers and how to leverage it
• The stark contrast of living in a desert climate in Dubai after years of winter sports
• Sneak peek into her PhD on the impact of climate change on Winter Sports
• The joy in her teaching pursuit and how it complemented her life as an athlete
• Hannah’s disciplined approach to training and life and how it has immensely guided her life after sports

…and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-campbell-pegg-oly-

X: https://x.com/HCampbellPegg