Rob continues his fascinating look at the philosophies of Leo Tolstoy, and the insightful ways in which his teachings can positively impact coaching and mentoring practices. In this episode, Rob discusses the importance of self-knowledge, the power of words, why we should obey the voice of our conscience, and why we should always stand by our own philosophies. KEY TAKEAWAYS Every journey begins with self-knowledge. We must know ourselves before we can effectively understand our ability to influe...
Jul 26, 2020•24 min•Ep. 120
Life itself is a journey without a map. We're born, and must find our way through the journey of existence with no predefined blueprint to follow. In this week's show, Rob discusses the multi-faceted and varied journeys we all take, and what commonalities link all pilgrimages through life. KEY TAKEAWAYS We often find that it's far easier to make important decisions about lives other than our own, but when it comes to our own choices, we hesitate. Those who have goals and aspirations, and who ach...
Jul 19, 2020•24 min•Ep. 119
Coaching is a pursuit that takes place across many different disciplines. The finest leaders know that knowledge and wisdom are universal. After listening to a marvellous masterclass in the art of coaching from rugby coach, Eddie Jones, Rob is inspired to share some of the finest points of the interview, and the wisest lessons learned, so that you can become the best coach you can be. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you want to be successful in life, then you have to follow your passion. This requires a knowle...
Jul 12, 2020•26 min•Ep. 118
Rob talks to young up-and-coming player, Connor Taylor, about life from the perspective of one of football's most promising future stars. KEY TAKEAWAYS Perseverance and dedication are two qualities that Connor was forced to learn quickly in his youth. Setbacks are magnified by youth. Resilience is formed swiftly. As a football player, even in the role of defender, you must have the skills to take chances when they come along. Training and development are vital. The best coaches are the ones who ...
Jul 05, 2020•36 min•Ep. 117
Rob continues his fascinating look at the philosophies of Leo Tolstoy, and the insightful ways in which his teachings can positively impact coaching and mentoring practices. In this episode, we look at the power of true listening, the importance of detachment, and what it means to “close the gap”. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are all students, and should embrace the attitude that we are always learning. Humility and curiosity are the gateways to knowledge. The results of any situation are not within our con...
Jun 28, 2020•23 min•Ep. 116
Spencer Fearn has devoted himself to developing the next generation of football players, despite the fact that he also spends a significant portion of his life in developing himself in areas such as UEFA licensing and even a business master's degree. Spencer joins the conversation to discuss the importance of not just instilling the values of the game into his young charges, but also of equipping them for life in general. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's important to develop skills other than football in youn...
Jun 21, 2020•52 min•Ep. 115
The effects and implications of lockdown are widespread, and are taking a serious toll on not just the economy, but our mental health. Human beings are social animals, and to be quarantined away from each other is not a natural state to find ourselves in. This week, Rob candidly examines the effects of the lockdown on his own wellbeing, and discusses how we can use our strength of will to see ourselves safely through to the other side. KEY TAKEAWAYS The principles that guide us into being the be...
Jun 14, 2020•36 min•Ep. 114
This week, Rob examines the ground-breaking, monumental work by author Jed C. Davies, 'The Philosophy Of Football: In Shadows Of Marcelo Bielsa', and the fascinating, if sometimes uncomfortable questions it raises about the state of the modern game. KEY TAKEAWAYS Football is a game of opinions; that's what makes it the “beautiful game” in the first place. It is a game of endless variables that can be interpreted differently depending on the philosophy of the player or coach. The philosophy frame...
Jun 07, 2020•35 min•Ep. 113
In the ninth part of his fascinating look into the teachings and wisdom of Leo Tolstoy, and how it can enhance your coaching abilities, Rob talks about the importance living life to its fullest, why we need to take care of our spirits as well as our bodies, and the power of a word well chosen. KEY TAKEAWAYS Only as we grow older, and realise that days spent are days lost, can we truly realise the need to avoid diversions and laser-focus in upon the things that truly matter. The power we wield is...
May 31, 2020•25 min•Ep. 112
Stuart Watkiss is a an ex-footballer turned professional coach, who's spent a significant part of his life in developing Bangladesh's players of tomorrow. Stuart's journey through life has been one of resilience, challenge and fortitude. As he discusses in this week's show, these are qualities he has taken from his story, his personal challenges, working hard to transfer to the hearts and minds of successive generations. KEY TAKEAWAYS An apprenticeship in football is a tough life. From a young a...
May 24, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 111
Rob discusses a subject that is key to not just grass roots and youth football, but also to the future of football at all levels: physical competency. No matter which path we choose in football, the game itself demands, at its very foundations, a level of physical competency in order to achieve success. In this week's show, Rob discusses the basic components of competency to which any aspiring player must commit. KEY TAKEAWAYS The key components of physicality are strength, speed, power and prop...
May 17, 2020•29 min•Ep. 110
In years to come, we will no doubt look back upon 2020 as not just a time of lockdown and fear, but of great change. Change is perhaps the greatest and most positive effect of the quarantine, with many speculating upon how it will take form in the near future. In today's show, Rob discusses the concept of change itself, and why it must be embraced at every opportunity. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are the product of an infinite number of incremental changes that have been taking place in our minds and bodie...
May 10, 2020•20 min•Ep. 109
Rob explains the importance of Hierarchies of competence and why understanding what it actually takes to carve out a meaningful life is key. He explores the changes that have brought not an equality for all but the creation of an equality of outcome. We are all different, all unique but this means to achieve we need to not only value practice but also understand what it really means to undertake and embed it as part of our daily routine. This is a thought-provoking episode listen in, learn and e...
May 03, 2020•30 min•Ep. 108
In this very special episode, Rob talks to father-son coaches, Keith and David Meyer, the co-authors of ‘Gold Dust', one of the hottest titles on the market right now due to its practical wisdom and inspiring message of empowerment for all aspiring coaches. Keith and David discuss their thought process behind the book, the ongoing power of their relationship, and the respective journeys that have led them to this point in their careers. KEY TAKEAWAYS As a player, you can impact the game, which c...
Apr 26, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 107
Self-reflection and study has sown Rob the value of "Finding The One”, the art of discovering the one key player in any team, that can make all the difference. It's the same in life. As Rob explains, finding the one element or key player in any pursuit, be it football, politics or business, can be the difference between stagnancy and supremacy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Bangladesh is a nation that's hungry for wealth, success and happiness. But there are many obstacles to overcome along the way to prosperit...
Apr 19, 2020•22 min•Ep. 106
Matt Ward has spent a lifetime becoming one of the world's greatest coaches, and has since gone on to recount his experiences on the written page, as well as playing a huge part in recognising the efforts of British coaches abroad through The British Football Coaches Network. Matt joins Rob today to talk about the highs and lows of his varied career, that have turned him from shy young lad with a dream, to one of the most renowned and fearless leaders in the beautiful game. KEY TAKEAWAYS Much of...
Apr 12, 2020•53 min•Ep. 105
We're in the middle of unprecedented times, and no matter where we're from or who we are, we're all impacted. For the current generation, the coronavirus has delivered an epoch-shifting way in which we live our lives. Rob examines, in his trademark philosophical way, the effects of the quarantine, and our eventual role in helping humanity to get back on track through leadership and wisdom. KEY TAKEAWAYS Never in living memory, has a world event so truly brought together each member of the humanr...
Apr 05, 2020•30 min•Ep. 104
As we continue this month our series of discussions on Leo Tolstoy's book and its coaching wisdom, we focus more on introspection which can help us understand what we have in ourselves and eventually in our surroundings. We get so tangled up and give so much attention to unnecessary things that we forget to appreciate our own freedom; the beauty of having peace and unity, the attitude of not giving a single f*ck to anything. Things can change for the better. Start tuning in to the Leader Manager...
Mar 29, 2020•25 min•Ep. 103
Rob welcomes you to another fascinating discussion, this time centred around the concept of risk, and what it means to us as individuals? How much something means to you, in terms of outcome, can determine the level of risk we are willing to take in order to achieve it. But can we influence those factors through mindset or will power? Is this the secret behind the great risks in history, or the decisions made by those we look up to? In this week's insightful episode Rob discusses risk and all it...
Mar 23, 2020•31 min•Ep. 102
Today Rob talks about adversity in its many forms, and the ways in which we can use the surprising power of negative thinking in overcoming adversity in our lives. It's a tool we rarely ever use in order to face everyday life, but as Rob explains, it may just be the key to unlocking a more positive, productive outlook on life. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of Ryan Holiday's views surrounding the stoic philosophy is in imagining the worst-case scenarios, as opposed to searching for the positives in all thing...
Mar 16, 2020•24 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to the seventh instalment of Rob's incredibly insightful series on the coaching wisdom of Leo Tolstoy, and how you can apply it to the leadership, the management, and the coaching elements of life. This time round, we're discussing the importance of remaining grounded, the futility of revenge, why we should all nurture our own sets of values and virtues, and why faith and wisdom are the most important goals in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Remind yourself on a consistent basis to remain grounded -...
Mar 09, 2020•30 min•Ep. 100
‘Although you might have a liking and desire for something the mind needs to be conditioned for it' Rob is talking with Granville Cousins a practising Yoga teacher with over 40 years practice experience and 20 years as a teacher. They discuss Granville's journey from working as a joiner to changing course completely to learn and teach yoga. They have shared yoga practice in the past when Rob was a student of Granville's and this is a heartfelt episode where they share their understanding and lea...
Mar 02, 2020•47 min•Ep. 99
In this episode Rob shares the stoic philosophy promoted by Ryan Holiday in his book, ‘Ego is the Enemy' Ego is what drives us with no regard to others whilst humility will influence the way you appear to other people, the way you interact with others and the way you learn. There are many facets to ego and it manifests itself as part of our lives daily. Rob explores the ways to take control of ego and view life within the frame of reality and understanding to be a better leader and manager. KEY ...
Feb 24, 2020•31 min•Ep. 98
Rob has been exploring the chapter ‘Managing Yourself' in Ryan Holiday's book, Ego is the Enemy. In this episode, he takes the learning about management and explores the impact successfully being able to manage yourself has on the skills of being able to effectively manage others. People will only follow and look to someone if they believe they can manage them effectively and those who master managing themselves are the individuals who potentially become great and good leaders of others. Listen ...
Feb 17, 2020•29 min•Ep. 97
Day to Day Inspirational Living in Dhaka In this fascinating episode, Rob shares a taste of what it's like living in Dhaka and doing what he loves. He gives a view on day to day life working with the national youth team and on the many fascinating aspects of being part of a different culture. The city of Dhaka is a place that is a stark contrast to the lake district hamlet he has have come from and the city is one that is continually on the move. As a part of the team building something that wil...
Feb 10, 2020•31 min•Ep. 96
What are your key fundamental values? They will guide your decision making on a daily basis It's vital you understand what affects you, your thoughts and actions and in this episode inspired by Leo Tolstoy's calendar of wisdom Rob shares more curated wisdom and reflects on how it can be used to guide life and provide contentment and fulfilment in the busy modern world. This thought-provoking episode will help anyone, anywhere reflect on the true importance and impact of what we do and how we thi...
Feb 03, 2020•27 min•Ep. 95
Rob is interviewing Kent Teague, successful Texan businessman who always wanted to own a football club. His dream and ambition has been realised as the owner of Leyton Orient Football Club and in this episode, he shares his journey and aspirations for the club moving forward. They discuss the skills and qualities that Kent has used so effectively to build a successful career as a businessman and the importance of knowing what you are good at and working within a diverse team to build success. Ke...
Jan 27, 2020•38 min•Ep. 94
‘It's about meeting yourself and asking have I acted in the way I would have liked to have acted and can I do better tomorrow? How many times have you achieved something but not felt comfortable with it? Rob has taken his inspiration for this episode from the book by Ryan Holiday ‘ The Ego is the Enemy' and focuses on the chapter ‘The Eternal Student' Rob has experienced a stage in his life where he wanted to be recognised and looked for recognition, it seemed to be important but as life has gon...
Jan 20, 2020•24 min•Ep. 93
‘Real freedom comes from living your own life so you are aligned with who you really are' This is the next part of a series exploring the ‘Calendar of Wisdom' from the great philosopher Leo Tolstoy. Each month Rob is sharing the daily wisdom of Leo Tolstoy and in this episode the wise words range across truth, courage, being in nature and encompass humility, keeping your head, being yourself and taking baby steps on the journey to finding your inner peace. Rob invites you to find ‘somewhere to h...
Jan 13, 2020•17 min•Ep. 92
Rob looks in depth at the qualities of 2 great managers whose teams faced each other in the Champions League final - Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino. The events that led to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurs facing each other were phenomenal examples of belief. Both managers share passion, authenticity, humility and vulnerability which makes them attractive to others. It's all about that feeling, it's not about logic it's about emotion, we do things because of emotion, we buy things for the e...
Jan 06, 2020•20 min•Ep. 91
