Since its publication in 1952, Ernest Hemingway's timeless novella, 'The Old Man And The Sea' has enchanted readers with its prose and plot. But as Rob discusses in this week's show, there may be far more to the classic book than we realise... KEY TAKEAWAYS Books allow us a world of perspectives without our having to leave our homes. They are a gift to our souls and conscious minds. The story concerns a fisherman approaching the close of his life, the struggles he faces and how he overcomes the ...
Jul 16, 2023•32 min•Ep. 270
Rob explores the work of philosopher Epictetus, a former slave who was freed, and who went on to study great wisdom, teaching others about the best way to live. KEY TAKEAWAYS In his teachings Epictetus followed the early rather than the late Stoics, reverting to Socrates and to Diogenes, the philosopher of Cynicism, as historical models of the sage. Each human being is primarily a citizen of his own commonwealth, but he is also a member of the great city of gods and men. It matters not what ende...
Jul 09, 2023•22 min•Ep. 269
After being inspired by words of wisdom from Jordan Peterson, Rob takes a further deep dive into the heroic journey, and how it affects us as human beings on a fundamental level. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are all on our own hero's journey, whether we are conscious of it or not. By being alive, by definition, our journey has already begun. Human beings are born unsettled. We are constantly searching for our place in the world, which moves on regardless of our conscious attachment to it. in order to make a...
Jul 02, 2023•25 min•Ep. 268
Lindsay Leighton is a prime example of someone who could well look at the world and proclaim themselves a victim, but who has instead stared down adversity and become one of the most inspirational human beings alive. Join Rob as he talks to Lindsay about what it really means to overcome hardship and face down challenges, and the invaluable, empowering lessons we can take from this remarkable man's story. KEY TAKEAWAYS Never let any barrier keep you from dreaming big and striving to achieve the d...
Jun 25, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 267
In our quest to become better leaders and thinkers, we must study the work of other great minds. With this in mind, Rob presents a summary of the wisest lessons from Jordan Peterson's ground-breaking book, Maps Of Meaning. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is so much that we understand as logical and autonomous, but is actually driven by forces that we can not comprehend. Pay attention is a profound statement. It encapsulates the concept of attention and people's time being worth something. The truth is the g...
Jun 18, 2023•37 min•Ep. 266
In this episode, Rob talks about the power behind living our day-to-day life in a rhythm and how this can be the building blocks to not just a successful life but a fulfilled and happy one too. KEY TAKEAWAYS The definition of a leader is someone who does what they say they will do! Peregrination is a word that alludes to journey, this word reminded Rob that it’s the things you are interested in that are beckoning you. The things that interest you can be a threat or a promise and you get to decid...
Jun 11, 2023•25 min•Ep. 265
Rob examines the surprising, yet still empowering lessons that we can take from the world of health care, caregiving, and particularly those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. KEY TAKEAWAYS Those suffering from dementia is unable to deal with information in the way that they were used to doing. Never argue. It's futile, will not end with a positive outcome, and always leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Consider that those in your care may not always be able to fulfil what you're asking them to do...
Jun 04, 2023•25 min•Ep. 264
Keith Hackett is largely recognised as one of the greatest referees in the history of football, having overseen such famous games as the 1981 FA Cup Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City and the the now legendary league encounter between Mn Utd and Arsenal that resulted in a twenty-one man brawl. Keith is still out there and still active, and he joins Rob this week for an incredible retrospective across his entire career - the highs and lows - and the invaluable life lessons he's t...
May 28, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 263
Rob further explores the concept of the hero's journey, including why we experience an innate desire to achieve goals in general, and the benefit of conceiving our lives as a philosophical journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS To be able to combine, amalgamate and align what we do with a philosophy that we believe in is ultimately empowering. Human beings are fundamentally built as goal-oriented creatures, and naturally look for purpose in all tasks, no matter what area of life is being considered. We cannot b...
May 21, 2023•19 min•Ep. 262
Rob discusses transformation and transcendence, and how each moment can add to the complexities of our psychological make up in ways we sometimes do not comprehend. KEY TAKEAWAYS Life is a constant state of transformation. We re never the same as we were the day before. We are a constantly evolving species. If we accept that we are the sum total of our thoughts and actions, then we come to realise that everything matters, no mater how small or seemingly insignificant at the time. If you do somet...
May 14, 2023•19 min•Ep. 261
Rob discusses some talking points from Terry Mac's groundbreaking autobiography, 'Living For The Moment', including the value of perseverance, why your upbringing should never hold you back, and how you can use the pain of tragedy to push you higher. KEY TAKEAWAYS No matter where you're from, never let the place you originate from hold you back from dreaming big and realising your ambitions. Perseverance is the factor that pushes the great ones that little bit farther ahead in the race towards s...
May 07, 2023•25 min•Ep. 260
Rob is joined by data literacy advocate and best-selling author, Kevin Hanegan, to discuss the vital role that data plays in our modern society, how we can use it to our benefit by focussing purely on what's important, and how factors such as AI and marketing may have a profound effect upon the way we live. KEY TAKEAWAYS Only by setting ourselves effective goals can we create the best objectives. When we have our mission solidified, we are able to ask the right questions to get us there. The wor...
Apr 30, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 259
Rob talks about the impact we can make and the positive benefits we can reap and sow, when we involve ourselves in life, instead of seeing the world as something in our orbit. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we are born, we are little more than a vulnerable collection of cells, reliant upon the care and nurturing of another person. Our next stage is to form self-reliance. This next phase of self-reliance is the one that shapes the way we interact with the world afterwards. We must remember that we are part o...
Apr 23, 2023•26 min•Ep. 258
Many use the word "citizenship", but what does it truly mean? In this edition of the show, Rob talks about its definition, and how we can make better use of our own citizenship in order to effect positive impact in the world. KEY TAKEAWAYS Being a citizen means that you are part of your environment, not simply a consumer of it. It means that you become a part of the beating heart of your surroundings. A city is something that has evolved from nothing due to the efforts of the people who have nur...
Apr 16, 2023•18 min•Ep. 257
What do we do when chaos and entropy arise to challenge us on life's journey? In this week's episode, Rob talks about the practical ways in which we can view chaos and turn it into some form of order. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you are entering into any situation, we have the opportunity to look at it from all angles and make sure it is wise for us to proceed. Entropy means random chaos. Entropy is the force that throw up challenges. It's how we meet them that matters. In life, one way of looking at the j...
Apr 09, 2023•29 min•Ep. 256
Jacqueline Wales is a speaker, transformational coach, and the author of 'The Fearless Factor', an essential guide to helping you live a happier, more fulfilled life. Jacqueline joins Rob to discuss her book, the truth about the nature of fear, and how we can surmount it in order to overcome challenges and become the best version of ourselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fear is nothing to do with reality, and has everything to do with the narrative you personally create in your life. Words of wisdom always m...
Apr 02, 2023•42 min•Ep. 255
Rob discusses progressing your career, and the route through which you can work your way towards the job of your dreams, and why every step along the way is a chance to become a better version of yourself. KEY TAKEAWAYS With every step we take in our professional lives, we are honing our skills and progressing towards a broader skill set. Nobody will simply hand you your dream profession - you have to earn it. Dedication is the first tool you must master on your road towards success. Never be af...
Mar 26, 2023•26 min•Ep. 254
Taking inspiration from JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, Rob discusses why rock bottom doesn't necessarily have to be a defeat, but can instead be reframed as a starting point for the rest of your life. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are all going to face distinct adversity in life, and it can come in any type of form. What matters is the way we look at it, and the way we look for solutions to surmount it. If you build your life on a robust set of values, then no obstacle in the world can de...
Mar 20, 2023•26 min•Ep. 253
Rob discusses vulnerability, and why letting others know that you are not invincible is actually a form of strength and inspiration. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is nothing wrong with being human, and that means admitting weakness. Those who pretend to be invulnerable are harder to relate to. We're often conditioned to hide pain and to show strength and resilience at all times. If we live this way then we are living a lie. Life is not about wall-to-wall happiness. You shouldn't be seeking happiness in ev...
Mar 13, 2023•23 min•Ep. 252
Rob welcomes to the show, Blaine McKenna, a UEFA A License coach, and author of ‘Coaching Abroad. How Eight Coaches Got Jobs and Succeeded Worldwide’. Rob and Blaine discuss his life as a coach, the inherent value of courage, why you need to face down your fears, and the importance of experiencing the world's cultures as they are, instead of expecting the world to revolve around you. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is no substitute for courage when it comes to following your dream. Summon up the inner stren...
Mar 06, 2023•56 min•Ep. 251
Rob reflects upon a practical reminder from his own experience - how to face down your biggest fears and how to take lessons and positives from even the most difficult challenges. KEY TAKEAWAYS Our inner voice naturally steers us away from challenge. This is a survival instinct. But the best results come from straying into this area. Things that aren't easy often provide the biggest lessons to ourselves. In terms of development, we grow more when we are challenged more. We need to face our fears...
Feb 27, 2023•21 min•Ep. 250
Coaching and mentoring in football is not just about creating better players, it's also about making sure that human beings begin in one place and end up as better people. In this episode, Rob discusses why the coaching process is about much more than fitness, and why the work also has to focus upon the soul. KEY TAKEAWAYS Investing in creating and facilitating the growth in human beings has a beneficial effect on what happens on the pitch. There are only a few individuals who are brave enough t...
Feb 20, 2023•18 min•Ep. 249
Rob discusses leadership itself, and why you don't have to be raking in fortunes in order to find success in the field. Sometimes, it's all about the dopamine hit you get when you really help someone hit the next level, and in this week's episode, Rob reminds of this timely fact. KEY TAKEAWAYS You do not have to be the President Of The United States, or the head coach of a Premier League club in order to be a leader. Leaders are found in every place in the world. The world is full of individuals...
Feb 13, 2023•32 min•Ep. 248
Rob is joined by the current Head Of Player Care at Swansea City Football Club, Abby Carrington, as well as a Care Consultant at Beyond The White Line. Abby talks to Rob about her background which began in coaching, and the value to be found in making sure our people are cared for in the most effective way. KEY TAKEAWAYS We can teach coaching, but we don't really get the full experience until we work with others. There is no substitute for practical experience. The business side of football can ...
Feb 06, 2023•58 min•Ep. 247
Rob looks to the personal life story of JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, in order to highlight a number of lessons that prove that persistence is the key to greatness, and why resilience matters. KEY TAKEAWAYS Life never stops throwing lessons at you. If there's one thing we must learn, it is that persistence is the key to greatness. We all love the story of how someone small becomes someone great. It's because this is the archetypal journey we all hope to take. Journeys of sel...
Jan 30, 2023•19 min•Ep. 246
The last of a ten part series based on a book by Phil Denton and Micky Mellon, ‘The First 100 Days ; Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses.’ They will donate all proceeds to the Len Johnrose Trust which will help in the fight against motor neurone disease and that’s a good enough reason to buy this book. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we reach this point, we have to maintain the things we've put in place, and keep making sure that standards are set. You have to keep hammering home the principles. P...
Jan 23, 2023•19 min•Ep. 245
Rob looks at the way life is a journey filled with constant challenges and how when you make the choice to voluntarily engage in the process you can become the hero Acceptance of the challenges that are in front of you means you are on the hero’s journey facing problems with a growth mindset and constantly learning and growing KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s about finding out about processes, strategies and ways that will help on your journey Life is about a never-ending hero’s journey and the voluntary acce...
Jan 16, 2023•30 min•Ep. 244
We've unfortunately begun the new year with some sad news - one of the finest proponents of sportsmanship and leadership, the Brazilian legend Pelé, has sadly departed our world. In this episode, Rob reflects upon the life of a man who brought heroism back to the playing fields and showed the meaning of dedication, hard work and what it means to lead. KEY TAKEAWAYS It doesn't matter about the possessions we accrue through life. Life only really means anything if we build and nurture relationship...
Jan 09, 2023•15 min•Ep. 243
Leaders are readers - that's the message behind this week's episode, in which Rob discusses the value of knowledge, how the act of passing it down and absorbing it through the written word is an invaluable tool in any leader's arsenal, and how perspective can lead to re-evaluation in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Knowledge is power and we are fortunate enough to be able to learn about almost any subject by absorbing the knowledge and teachings of others. When we are derailed in life, it allows us an all n...
Dec 19, 2022•25 min•Ep. 242
Congratulations! Whether you realise it or not, you are doing the most important job in the world. As a coach, you are providing the finest investment in young people’s education and well-being that is available to an economy. Your job educating and creating skills and attitudes in developing young people will benefit the person themselves, their team, their community, their society and their country. Rob is here to point out the far-reaching ripples of your influence. KEY TAKEAWAYS You only hav...
Dec 12, 2022•25 min•Ep. 241
