Claire Thomas - Podcast Details

Shows

Demain vous appartient #81 Anne-Laure Thomas (L’Oréal) : valoriser les différencesDans ce 81ème épisode, Claire Perset reçoit Anne-Laure Thomas, Directrice Diversités, Équité & Inclusion chez L'Oréal en France.Handicap, parité, séniors, diversité ethnoculturelle : elle nous dit tout sur les bonnes pratiques de l’Oréal en matière de diversité. À propos du contexte actuel de recul en matière de diversité, elle nous le dit clairement : « Chez L’Oréal, rien n’a changé et rien ne changera. L’engagement pour la diversité date de 20 ans. Il est dans notre ADN. On continue plus que jamais de porter tous ces sujets haut et fort. »

2025-07-1034 min

Les Voix Otentik Rayonner à plein cœur : présence, expansion intérieure et relation vivante avec Claire ThomasDans cet épisode des Voix Otentik, je reçois Claire Thomas pour explorer ce que signifie rayonner à plein cœur. Ensemble, nous parlons de présence, d’expansion intérieure et de relation vivante — une manière d’habiter le monde qui va au-delà du paraître, vers une vibration profonde et incarnée.Tu te reconnais si :tu sens une tension entre le vouloir être vu·e et la peur de t’exposertu veux habiter ta vie avec davantage d’authenticitétu cherches à ouvrir ton c...

2025-03-0343 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Backstraight End of Year Review 2024 with Special Guest Claire ThomasSend us Fan MailThe old gang are all here as we're joined by OG Backstraight Girl, Claire Thomas to round up the whole of 2024!!!We has 3 Major Champs and a whole host of stunning performances to look back on so we choose our highs and lows from an amazing year of T&F.Special shout outs to Jazmine Sawyers and Preet Majithia for all of their help this year and of course all our special guests.See ya in 2025 :-) Please enjoy, please subscribe and p...

2024-12-301h 48

Investir Simple #164 - La réglementation peut-elle tuer les cryptos ? Avec Claire BalvaAprès l'arrivée des ETF BTC et du halving il était temps de refaire un point crypto.J'ai reçu Claire Balva, directrice stratégie de Deblock, et experte crypto depuis presque 10 ans.Depuis quelques années, il y a un vrai sentiment d'adoption des cryptos de la finance traditionnelle.Entre les ETF cryptos, les campagnes électorales US pro crypto ou encore les réglementations qui arrivent, la crypto ne fait plus peur et tout le monde veut prendre sa part du gâteau.Mais le problème n'est-i...

2024-10-0257 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Backstraight End of Year Review 2023 with Special Guests Jeanette Kwakye and Claire ThomasSend us Fan MailDid you think we'd forgotten about you??? We took our time but it was worth it cos we couldn't do the end of year review without the First Ladies of Backstraight. Jeanette Kwakye and OG Backstraight Girl Claire Thomas made room in their very busy broadcasting schedules to join us and discuss an action packed 2023.From Josh Kerr and KJT snatching Gold, Sha'carri coming good, Faith having a season for the ages and Budapest maybe being THE GOAT, this year had EVERYTHING.We sat down to reminisce ab...

2023-12-311h 50

Demain vous appartient #44 - Thomas Breuzard (Norsys) - La permaentreprise : le modèle qui réinvente l’entreprise engagéeDans cet épisode de Demain vous appartient, Claire Perset reçoit Thomas Breuzard, Directeur du modèle de permaentreprise de Norsys et Co-président de B Lab France, association chargée de représenter le mouvement Bcorp. Après un MBA en commerce international et marketing, il débute sa carrière dans le conseil en développement durable. Pendant 8 ans, il accompagne des grands groupes et des PME dans la définition ainsi que la mise en œuvre de leur stratégie RSE, avant d'intégrer Norsys, une entreprise de services numériques. Dans ce podcast, Thomas Breuzard...

2023-12-0753 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #38 What would it be like if we were paid to be healthy? Web3.0 and the future of healthcare with Brigitte PiniewskiWow! Where did 2023 go? I’ve had an incredible time talking to more powerful women that I could have dreamed I would have the opportunity to speak to and I can sincerely say that I have loved it, been inspired and learnt so much. To wrap up the year I have a conversation that won’t disappoint. I’m joined by Dr. Brigitte Piniewski. Brigitte is a trailblazing figure at the intersection of medicine, decentralised technology and AI, putting her at the forefront of the web3 healthcare evolution.

2023-12-0630 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #37 How forest bathing helps us connect with our true selfMy guest this week shows how we can beautifully combine the different threads in our lives to create a business that brings joy to many. Meet Tansy! The name Tansy comes from the tenacious wildflower that grows in the English countryside and much like her wildflower counterpart, Tansy lives and thrives in the countryside of Kent where Nature is a fundamental part of her life in work rest and play. After living in London for 25 years, Tansy moved to Kent and trained as a Cer...

2023-11-2932 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #36 How to trust and surrender to what our bodies know bestHaving children opens up a lot of things for many of us. The way we look at the world, what is important to us, our identity. Often this is a time women use to explore areas that they are interested in. Women aren’t prepared for this big life change… just like they aren’t when it comes to perimenopause. This is a raw and authentic conversation about what happens when we trust and surrender to what our bodies know how to do best. I’m joined by Anna Robertshaw, a Senior Yoga Teacher, Sound Therapist...

2023-11-1529 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #35 Achieving Flow in Life with the Power of PilatesI love following the threads of people’s lives to see how they got to where they are today? Where does inspiration come from and what nudges us in a certain direction? This week’s Powerful Woman, Nadine André, has been a professional pianist and piano teacher for over 20 years and is now also a certified Romana's Pilates instructor. When she was a child she was given the choice in which passion to follow. Her instinct said swimming, but her “nudge” said the piano. This powerful conversation goes to sho...

2023-11-0834 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #34 What happens when you invest in the course of your dreams and then have it (and the money) taken from you? Everything happens for a reason…Kalli, my powerful guest in this week’s conversation overcame imposter syndrome and took money out of the family mortgage to invest in the yoga training course of her dreams. Then just before Christmas, the company folded along with her money and her plan to become a yoga teacher. But everything happens for a reason and an opportunity to train was literally handed to her… 13 years ago Kalli Pasqualucci started her yoga journey, and has since wanted to be a yoga teacher. Like many of us she held the belief...

2023-11-0130 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #33 What does it take to challenge an inconsiderately parked builder on a station forecourt?Does it take guts? Is it stupidity? Or is it simply a self-awareness and curiosity and a strong desire to understand this strange world that we live in? In this week’s Powerful Conversation I am joined by Adelina Chalmers, nominee on Computer Weekly’s Most Influencing Women in IT list in 2021 and won her place in the top 50 Most Influential Women in Tech in 2022. This is a fun, yet deep conversation where we talk about the labels we give ourselves… and others give us. Adelina talks about despite a lifet...

2023-10-2533 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #32 How to turn traumatic experiences into self-love and reconnection with our emotionsI’ve been friends with Sophie since I was around 8 - on and off. We reconnected a year or so ago and have some amazing walks and talks in my local woods! I was delighted when Sophie agreed to join me as a guest in my Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women. Sophie is a trauma-informed coach, consultant, trainer and speaker helping people find their most authentic, agile, emotionally and psychologically resilient selves. Her work is based on her lived experience of navigating a culture and career in the Army whe...

2023-10-1830 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #31 Be the empowered leader you are in today's worldI first met Melody Jane a decade or so ago at a local women’s networking event when we were both interior designers. Fast forward to today and our paths have crossed again. And by the strangest of coincidences we both now find ourselves on a path of coaching, mentoring and spirituality. Melody Jane is full of energy. She literally fills the room, but with warmth and love. I was delighted when she accepted the invitation to be a guest in one of my Powerful Conversations. In this conversation we start off by ta...

2023-10-1126 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #30 How nature helps you connect to your intuition and true selfHow nature helps you connect to your intuition and true self Have you met a modern day Priestess? In this powerful conversation I am joined by the truly inspiring, creative and intuitive Jakki Hesse. There isn’t one word to describe what she does. Or maybe there is? She’s following her calling. Embracing and surrendering to life. And wow this makes her a truly powerful women. After a long journey with endometriosis and fibroids she said goodbye to her coil and her womb and...

2023-10-0428 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #29 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sheena TaylorIt’s time to be honest. So where is the messy drawer in your house that you don’t want anyone to look in? We all have one. Don’t we? Well I assume that we all do. I’m a naturally messy person, but I am also very organised. So I was fascinated when I met this week’s guest, Sheena Taylor at Edenbridge Ladies Lunch Club. Sheena is an eco-friendly professional organiser. She strongly believes in our overall mental wellbeing, and that our home plays a huge part in this. Her 'Make Space f...

2023-09-2729 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #28 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Michelle Bauge“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.” Today’s guest is one wise women with an inspirational story to share. A powerful women, unafraid to break the patterns of the past, embrace her present with a knowing that it will influence the future. This is definitely a powerful, deeply resonating, conversation with Michelle Bauge. Many of us realised our gifts during the 2020 lockdowns. During lock down, Michelle had time; for the first time in years she had time to...

2023-09-2031 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #27 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Emma DaviesNames have an impact don’t you think? So when I came across “The Rebel Flock” I thought two things. The first - that’s my cup of tea! And the second I want to speak to the Powerful Women behind such a cool company name. So in this Powerful Conversation I am joined by Emma Davies. She is the powerful woman behind The Rebel Flock, a brand built on passion, empathy, and a deep belief in business being the linchpin for positive change. With a wealth of experience in team development, strategy & leadership, Emma is on a mi...

2023-09-1331 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #26 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Diane FabenIt’s pretty impressive when you speak to a real maverick? I hope the correct sense of that word is interpreted… A 30 year career in IT as a women is VERY impressive. Sometimes we forget that what feels normal today was new, challenging, rare just a few decades ago. When speaking to Diane I had a strong sense of a powerful woman that has intuitively leaned into a more feminine, caring way of doing things and this is exactly what has set her apart. There is a lot to be l...

2023-09-0639 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #25 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sunshine GriffinThere is a lot in a name… I’ve had this conversation with many people that I have spoken to. This week’s Powerful Conversation is with a women that has a BIG name to live up to. Her name is Sunshine. And WOW does she live up to her name. Sunshine is one of the first women that I spoke to when I started networking on LinkedIn. There is something magnetic and powerful about her energy. She literally lights up those around her. A few month’s ago I was on a panel that Sunshine w...

2023-08-3046 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #24 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Krista AndersonThere are not many people who can stand up and say they have recovered from Stage 4 cancer, having been given 3 months to live. There are not many that would consider riding a bike across the Swiss Alps with only one lung… But this week’s guest has done both of these things and she still has a HUGE smile on her face. There is a lot to be learnt from someone that can bounce back from these sorts of challenges. Krista Anderson is the founder and CEO of Healthy on th...

2023-08-2327 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #23 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Debs de VriesSometimes when we meet someone, even if it’s online, you just CLICK. This is exactly what happened when I first spoke to Debs a couple of months. It was an incredibly raw and authentic conversation. I was delighted when she agreed to join me for a Powerful Conversation. Debs is the UK’s “go to” mentor for the determined, creative and ‘out of the box’ kinda midlife woman who is feeling her dreams (and energy) slipping away. She mentors, guides and alchemically fast tracks spirited, soul-called women so they don’t wast...

2023-08-1634 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #22 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Romy MarloThis Powerful Woman oozes confidence, compassion and kindness. She’s the kind of women you know has your back and each time I chat with her time flies… we have similar visions and missions for the world - not wanting women to be restrained by expectation, but rather following our passions and ultimately seeking world peace and global healing. In this Powerful Conversation, I am joined by Romy Marlo. She’s an Executive Leadership Coach and founder of The Uncommon Woman, a global empowerment platform for women with powerful stories and big visions. Since launching her coac...

2023-08-0937 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #21 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Jennie HolyoakeWhen I saw the shot of bright red hair in Jennie’s profile, I knew that she was going to be someone that was worth speaking to. And I wasn’t wrong! This week I am joined by the wonderful Jennie Holyoake (aka Jelly Bean Jen), a self-confessed number geek. Jennie founded Wellbalanced UK back in 2015, so she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to being an entrepreneur. As an experienced bookkeeper, Jennie helps support small business owners who have no time or inclination to do their...

2023-08-0226 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #20 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Georgia St John-SmithCool, calm and collected. Three words that perfectly describe my next Powerful Conversation guest. This week I am going by Georgia St John-Smith from sunny Ibiza! Georgia is a powerhouse facilitator at the intersection of inner wellness and success. Having experienced burnout in her corporate career, Georgia has since swapped her fast-paced London life for the laid-back wellness side of Ibiza. Georgia is the Founder of Sancti Retreats, and shares her tried and tested methods with top leaders around the world. It's her mission to spark personal transformation so t...

2023-07-2627 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #19 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sabrina VictoriaWhen was the last time you met a very POWERFUL woman? My guest this week is just that. Not only does she sit in front of a piece of her own artwork that is full of incredible energy, you can tell that her mission comes straight from the heart. Her story is exceptionally powerful and in this conversation, she shares it with me. From a struggling single mom, to escaping a 13 year narcissistic abusive relationship, Sabrina’s tenacity and optimistic spirit has inspired fans world...

2023-07-1931 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #18 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Donna OkellWhen we have a WHY that is deeply aligned with our core values great things can happen and we can cause great ripples in our world. This is exactly what this week’s guest has achieved. As a parent and step-grandparent, Donna, the Founder and Director of UK for Good, wanted to be able to look future generations in the eye and say with complete sincerity that she had done everything she could to protect our precious planet. Donna had a light bulb moment when she realised that the needs and expectations of pe...

2023-07-1235 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #17 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Jane van ZylMany of us, particularly women, find ourselves in a position of caring while also holding down a job. It’s tough and can often lead to burn out as we keep on going, putting ourselves last, until our bodies force us to stop. In this week’s Powerful Conversation I am delighted to be joined by Jane van Zyl. Jane is the CEO of Working Families, the UK’s national charity for working parents and carers. It’s Working Families mission to remove the barriers that people with caring responsibilities face in the workplace. So if you ar...

2023-07-0529 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #16 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Francesca TricaricoNow this week’s guest really is an inspiration. A phrase that comes to mind is “You’re never too old to…” As a single mum of two, Francesca Tricarico, followed her passion for accountancy and re-trained so that she could create a better life for herself and her children. And boy has she done just that. Francesca is now the co-founder of Future Cloud Accounting and founder of her local NYPsocial networking group. Unafraid to take on a challenge and to learn from previous mistakes, Francesca’s company focuses on cloud-based accounting. But she’...

2023-06-2830 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #15 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Tabitha JayneTime flies when you are enjoying yourself right? That is exactly what happened when I spoke to Tabitha in the Powerful Conversation. Tabitha Jayne is a Professional Certified Coach and the founding director of Earthself, a Community Interest Company whose purpose is to put Earth at the heart of business through the power of coaching as nature and on behalf of Earth. Tabitha is also a co-founder and director of Net Zero Nation, whose purpose is to mass mobilise SMEs on their journey to Net Zero. A lady who clearly likes to a...

2023-06-2128 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #14 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Viktoria SolteszCryptocurrency? Bitcoin? Have you dabbled? No clue where to start? Or maybe you think I’m talking a different language altogether! Business owners need to have a grip on their finances and on their tax situation. But this can be overwhelming for many of us, especially when it comes to working with client all over the world. Fear not! I have a guest who can help. In this Powerful Conversation I am joined by Viktoria Soltesz. Viktoria is the fo...

2023-06-1426 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #13 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Andraya, Mira and MarcelaThis week I am joined not by one but by THREE powerful women! What an honour. Meet Andraya Catlyn, Cvetomira Borisova and Marcela Cermakova. These ladies are co-founders of ThYnk Inclusive Project Solutions, an agency which helps women break into traditionally male-dominated fields in project management. Andraya is the proud owner of Ace Inventories Ltd and it’s her goal is to make a positive impact on the world by leveraging her skills in project management to provide women worldwide with the opportunities they truly deserve. She believes in fos...

2023-06-0728 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #12 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Iaysha SalihDo you have a guardian angel that helps you through challenging times or inspires you to be courageous? I know I do - and better than that she’s hung on my bedroom wall as a daily reminder of who I am! She was painted by Iaysha Salih, a friend and visionary artist. She is guided by her intuition in her paintings, which are inspired by Angels and their connection to light and the divine realms. So I am over the moon to be joined for this Powerful Conversation with...

2023-05-3134 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #11 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sara PowellDo you know what it’s like to feel like your job isn’t quite lighting you up? And then on top of that, the stress and anxiety start to impact your health? I’m pretty sure we have all felt that at some point in our careers. This week’s Powerful Conversation is with Sara Powell, founder of Impactury. Having been in exactly this situation, Sara set up Impactury, which offers eco-luxury wellness retreats to women executives seeking more purpose and less stress at work. So who’s not envious of creating a company...

2023-05-2331 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #10 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Trienne ToppThis is the one you've been waiting for... I can't wait for you all to join me and the inspirational Trienne Topp for this week's Powerful Conversation. Trienne is a no-nonsense business growth and team leader with the belief that leadership, culture, and exceptional service are the pillars of sustainable business growth. Add to this mix her energetic and positive nature and you will see why so many women turn to her to help them confidently advance to their next level. After spending more than 26 years in the restaurant/hospitality industry, retail space...

2023-05-1731 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #9 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Charlie ClareyThis week’s guest has always been passionate about empowering women in business and has made it her mission to provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed. Charlie Clarey is the founder of a marketing consultancy that specialises in helping female entrepreneurs achieve their business goals through effective marketing strategies tailored to suit their business. With 20 years of experience in corporate marketing, Charlie has worked with a wide range of businesses and huge established corporations, helping them develop effective marketing plans and campaigns. However, she now has a particular foc...

2023-05-1030 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #8 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire Talks to Shinara GeorgeI'm very lucky that I meet many powerful women with powerful stories to tell in my work. My Next Powerful Conversation is no different in that respect. However, my recent guest has a strength that comes from the joy of entrepreneurship and the pain of loss. ⁠Shinara George⁠ is the CEO and Owner of La Luna Bella, an eco-friendly children's clothing company dedicated to protecting the environment from some of the impacts of fast fashion. This incredible woman is also looking into running a charity with her partner to help support families struggling with the loss...

2023-05-0431 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #7 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire Talks to Carole ArmitageWhat do you get if you mix hot chocolate with determination, a passion for quality, and a flair for business? A powerful conversation with the truly talented ⁠Carole Armitage⁠, that's what! This amazing woman has been on a mission since the age of 8, to bring the very best hot chocolate to the world, without the sugar overload or grittiness of powder. I've tasted 80Noir Ultra and can vouch it is eaven in a cup. Beyond anything you have ever experienced from hot chocolate. Best of all, you can also just eat the bars!

2023-04-2634 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #6 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sophie BengeIn this Powerful Conversation, I'm delighted to bring you the amazing Sophie Benge for 30 minutes of raw empowerment, inspiration and fun. Sophie’s unique approach to women’s wellbeing inspires us to connect with our authentic feminine nature as the most beautiful path for nurturing self-esteem, purpose and happiness. Her workshops, courses, retreats and consultations take women on embodiment journeys to wake up their sensual aliveness, guiding us to feel – and own - our innate joy and wisdom within. As a thought leader in this area of women’s wellbeing, her work draws from Tao...

2023-04-2536 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #5 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Helen HillThis episode is brought to you by Claire Thomas, Reaching My Best. It's Claire's mission to help female entrepreneurs have the confidence to find balance, fulfilment and purpose in their lives so they can keep everyone, including themselves happy. Claire draws on coaching, mentoring and mindfulness techniques to help her clients reawaken their unique power. ⁠For more information on Claire⁠ I was so excited for this Powerful Conversation, which matches my guest perfectly! Helen Hill is a self-confessed multi-hyphened and excitable business owner. She is an ICF ACC accre...

2023-04-1837 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast #4 Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sheila VaskeSheila Vaske is a 2X Published and Bestselling Author, Designer, Creative and Entrepreneur. She is the former CEO of V’Enza, the inspirational brand of jewellery and accessories. Sheila is the mother of two daughters. Most would describe her as creative, intuitive, and passionate. And through the power of the mind and soul, these qualities have driven her to rise above during the most challenging times along her life journey. Sheila has also appeared as a guest on multiple Podcasts and has been published in multiple bestselling magazines, including Where Women Cre...

2023-04-0531 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Jacqueline CrippsHave you ever had a moment where you see something on LinkedIn that resonates so deeply you just HAVE to reach out? I felt like that after seeing an article by the immensely talented Jacqueline Cripps and knew I HAD to have her as a guest on Powerful Conversations. Jacqueline is a consultant, writer, and speaker with a background in social sciences and psychology. As a ‘millennial translator,’ she educates workplaces on the millennial generation. She is the author of two non-fiction books, with a th...

2023-03-2229 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Steph McCannSteph is a Health and Mindset Transformation Coach. It’s is her deep-seated passion to support single women in their mid forties. Life can change in so many ways from a health and social perspective at this time of life and championing woman to get their health in check, and to move away from a toxic diet culture is a game changer. Fuelling our future from inside out makes the ageing process something to be embraced and not feared. Steph offers a fresh approach to enjoying life that gives women str...

2023-03-0827 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Old episodes, a new era, and an unwavering love of athletics: Backstraight's big look backSend us Fan MailOur 100th episode passed us by in a flash. Like a home straight Kyle Langford. Like the naps you desperately snatch whilst balancing a championship across the globe with your commitments at home. Like the time between each jaw-dropping performance from Rojas and Duplantis. We missed it just as surely as we've habitually missed Diamond Leagues (why are they so inconsistently scheduled??) since starting this podcast - all the way back in 2017.'Better late than never' we figured, and so we sat down - on New Year's Eve of 2022 - to...

2023-02-171h 11

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Andrea RainsfordToday I am joined by the AMAZING Andrea Rainsford. She didn't have the easiest of times back in 2022! So many things happened in this lady's life! But, she picked herself up, dusted herself off and she's back this year not only with a new lease on life but a new product and offering too! Don't miss it! ______________ This episode is brought to you by Claire Thomas, Reaching My Best. It's C...

2023-01-1142 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Sarah BanksSarah Banks is the owner of Banks’ Business Solutions an online business consultancy, she helps women in business have more time to focus on their 'core' business by simplifying technology and saving them time. She is also wife to David and Mum to Molly (13) and Sophie (9) and she enjoys travelling, walking, yoga, meditation, a good book and open water swimming. I recently chatted with Sarah, having met her on LinkedIn. (I love this platform for meeting great people!) I love what Sarah does and her passion about it. She's ins...

2022-12-0728 min

Shine Your Light Reach Your Best Podcast Powerful Conversations with Powerful Women: Claire talks to Tina BrigleyTina Brigley - 4 October 2022 This is my first episode. I want to interview powerful women to inspire others that they can reach their best. Anything is possible when we put our mind to it! Today's guest is the amazing Tina Brigley! ______________ This episode is brought to you by Claire Thomas, Reaching My Best. It's Claire's mission to help female entrepreneurs have the confidence to find balance, fulfilment, and purpose in their lives so they can keep everyone, including themselves happy. Claire draws...

2022-10-0432 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Cake, Chaos, and Centuries: Our 100th episode and meandering Oregon reviewSend us Fan MailIt's our 100th episode. One *hundred* podcasts. Can you believe that? We certainly can't.Jody and Bayo are sleep deprived after watching all of Eugene live, Claire is trying (and failing) to instil some sort of structure into our Oregon World Championships review, and all three of us are fuelled by M&S birthday cake. It's neither organised nor comprehensive, but it's certainly opinionated and enthusiastic (a sentence which applies to each of the 100 episodes we've produced so far, and will probably cover any we publish in the future, too...).

2022-07-2848 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Appropriate fish, roads to Oregon, and Oz-esque winds: we're back ahead of the summer to end all summersSend us Fan MailAfter a brief sabbatical (Claire was feeling a bit swamped), we're back - and all roads lead to Eugene. The Worlds are a week and a bit away, with Commonwealths and Euros looming large, and the British squad has been announced. It's big, it's teeming with talent, and it's getting us as extremely excited as we always are for anything involving supremely fit individuals running, throwing, and jumping.Jody and Bayo were at the trials, so report back on a gusty and eventful couple of days, before the team delve into...

2022-07-0450 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Nominations Assessed, Hot Topics Addressed, and Chatter Ceaseless: Normal Service ResumedSend us Fan MailWorld Athletics have named their end-of-season gong longlists. They've also named their shortlists, but we weren't organised enough to realise that, so we covered all ten athletes per field. Death, taxes, and us merrily getting things slightly wrong on this podcast... Anyway: great fun pitting Elaine against Yulimar, and debating Karsten versus Ryan. There was some *wonderful* running, throwing, and jumping this year, it transpires.We also turn our attention to the changes at UKA, Kat's move to Florida, and our delight at the imminent return of the Night of the 10...

2021-11-1855 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Incredible Performances, Gorgeous Storylines, and just being 'So Olympics': Our (1st) Tokyo 2020 ReviewSend us Fan Mail'What's the plan for this one, Claire?''I'll do a quick intro, and then how about we just talk about the Olympics for an hour?'And there you have it: a non-stop romp through just a sliver of a truly magical Games. From Karsten to Rojas, and back again via Tamber(in)i and some stellar British performances.We laughed, gasped, and cried our way through the games, had a blast doing World Athletics' Inside Track, and remain utterly in love with the Olympics. We're sure...

2021-08-111h 05

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Jubilant Jodie, Kween Keely, and Plenty More from Manchester: Our British Champs Sunday SpecialSend us Fan MailWhen British Athletics offer you accreditation for Olympic trials, you drop everything, and so Claire and Bayo headed up to Manchester for a blockbuster Sunday of runs, jumps, and throws.They caught up with Adam, with Beth, with all three women's 800-metre medalists, with the ever-wonderful Elliot Giles, the prodigious Oliver Dustin, the gravity-defying duo of Jaz and Morgan, a delighted Tiff Porter (off to her THIRD Games), an ecstatic Jess Judd, a not-yet-qualified Amy-Eloise Markovc, and Jodie 'two golds' Williams. It was a blast.Here's a bit of...

2021-06-281h 03

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat All the gear, plenty of ideas, and tonnes of noteworthy results: a real round-up of a podSend us Fan MailWe're back in the same room! We've got amazing new recording equipment! Katie Snowden's run 4:02! The women's 100 metres at Gateshead is going to be incredible! 'Sarah' actually exists! There's so much to be excited about this week, as the gang meet up - in the actual flesh - to look at recent standout performances by athletes all over the world, and preview the first Diamond League of the season. Bayo said it best: there are going to be some entirely 'wait, who?' unpredictable Olympic Champions this year, but th...

2021-05-1954 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Tactics, Bar Stools, and (alleged) Gingerbread: Our European Indoor Champs Review - feat. Holly ArcherSend us Fan MailYou could be forgiven for thinking that this is the second instalment of our women's middle distance special - 70% of this episode is either us waxing lyrical about the tactical excellence of the British contingent in these events, or Jody's interview with the brilliant Holly Archer - but we do discuss other bits: promise!From Hannah England and Richard Kilty's analytical abilities, to the weeping Lavillenies, and back again via the piece of toast Torun employed as its mascot - our latest offering attempts to cover the 2021 European Indoor Championships, which w...

2021-03-111h 12

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Jemma Reekie, Sarah McDonald, and Melissa Courtney-Bryant: Our British Women's Middle Distance SpecialSend us Fan MailWe say it so often, we might as well replace that part where Jody and Bayo forget their social media handles at the end of each episode with this refrain, but: the British middle distance trials are going to be something else. Olympic qualifying standards are casually scattered up and down the domestic rankings, and we are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to world-class athletes over 800 and 1500 metres. In 2020, we had three women in the global top ten over 800 metres, and four in the metric mile. Laura M...

2021-02-261h 26

Narratives of Purpose®On Preventing Blindness - A Conversation with Dr. Sanduk Ruit & Thomas BosshardOn this episode, I talk with world renowned eye surgeon, founder and executive director of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu: Dr. Sanduk Ruit; and with co-owner of Oertli Instrumente AG, a Swiss-based medical device company: Thomas Bosshard. Both Dr. Ruit and Thomas have been carrying out impactful work in the field of cataract surgery. In our conversation, they share how they established a long-lasting collaboration leading to philanthropic activities. Dr. Ruit and Thomas speak very passionately about their work, how they see cataract surgery evolving, and they also give some advice to students interested to start a...

2021-02-2245 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Competition, Charisma, and Consistency: Indoors So Far, feat. the World-Leading Trayvon BromellSend us Fan MailThere's regular athletics back on our screens, which is heaven (cheerless cheerleaders in Lievin aside). With Euros just around the corner, we take a deep - far deeper than planned, as per - dive into the performances we've enjoyed so far.From the absurdly talented Grant Holloway, to the fact that Laura Muir ran 3:59 and was beaten by six seconds. From the contrasting styles of two huge middle distance talents - Elliot Giles and Jakob Ingebrigsten - to the gift that keeps on giving: the pole vault. Oh: and the handful o...

2021-02-161h 12

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Unrecognisable Olympics, Unmissable Events, and an Abundance of Stars: Getting Excited for 2021 with the Wonderful Kath MerrySend us Fan Mail2021 is upon us. Covid’s still here. Winter training is well underway. The calendar is teeming (but for how long, we don’t know). And - most excitingly - Backstraight is back.In their first pod of the new year, Jody, Bayo, and Claire are joined by Olympic medallist and broadcasting superstar Kath Merry, to discuss everything 2021: the events we can expect to happen and are most excited for; the stars we can't wait to see - both established and rising; and what we would guarantee for this season, if we were...

2021-01-1157 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat All Hail Harry, Peerless Pratt, and the Bright British Future: the Delightful Surprise Package of the 2020 British ChampionshipsSend us Fan MailOne left with a national record, one left not a dry eye across the land, but both Harrys were stars of the show at last weekend's British Championships. Alongside the now world-leading Aimee Pratt, the prodigious Lucy-Jane Matthews, the wonderful trio of women's 100m medallists, and - you know what? It'd take too long to list; the event was just gorgeous, which is really saying something, given the circumstances.No crowds and seriously depleted fields could have turned the whole affair in Manchester into a damp squib, but we were thoroughly...

2020-09-1055 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Cheptegei's Heroics, Karsten's Commitment, and World-Class Brits: Jody and Bayo's take on a diamond-standard MonacoSend us Fan MailSafe to say we all had *big* Friday nights... from our sofas... drowning in world record attempts, huge performances, and that ubiquitous green-and-blue Nike race kit.That's right: athletics - proper athletics - is back, and Monaco. Went. Off.Joshua Cheptegei broke Bekele's 5,000m WR, Baby Ingebrigsten has his first European Record, and Faith Kipyegon ran the second-fastest kilometre of all time.Laura Muir broke a British Record, Laura Weightman is now behind only Paula Radcliffe on the all-time 5000m list, and Jake Wightman is also sitting...

2020-08-1529 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Christmas Shopping, Sourdough Starting, and Adapting as Athletes: Our Lockdown Chin-wag with Morgan Lake and Jazmin SawyersSend us Fan MailSprint queens, step aside (for one week only, please; we still adore you): the jump queens are in town, and it's been a total hoot.When we say 'in town', we mean on a Zoom call with us, for a lockdown special featuring two of our favourite Team GB athletes - the wonderful Morgan Lake and Jazmin Sawyers. Not only are these two international medallists, articulate podcast guests, and major fans of the sport itself, but they're regular listeners to this show, and so it was a no-brainer to get them...

2020-06-251h 02

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Listening, Learning, and Changing: Black Lives MatterSend us Fan MailIt would be remiss to talk about anything else right now, so - here it is - a Backstraight episode with neither bells nor whistles: just a discussion of this essential global movement away from racism and towards equality. To help us sift through this weighty, complex topic, we're joined by two incredibly knowledgeable former athletes: Chris Lambert - whose impassioned, articulate writing has inspired and educated thousands of people on the topic in recent weeks - and Donna Fraser, whose work as Equality, Diversity & Engagement Lead at British Athletics allows h...

2020-06-141h 12

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat On Top of the Podium, Next to Dolly, and in Front of Camera: Denise Lewis Interview Special (Part II)Send us Fan MailWHAT a cliff-hanger that was. Aren't we wicked?But - great news - Bayo is back, and so is Denise, and we're ready to pick up where we left off: approaching the 2000 Olympic Games.Just in case you don't know how Denise got on in Sydney (although the episode title does contain a slight spoiler in that regard), we won't ruin the surprise here, but her recounting of the competition makes for a cracking listen. That said, the highlight of this episode is probably Lewis' Dolly Parton impression, which...

2020-05-2048 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Footie, Fourths, and Fabulous Four-by-Ones: Adam Gemili Interview SpecialSend us Fan MailAdam Gemili likes to break records. When he produced a dazzling 9.97 in 2015, he became the first British athlete to dip below the two hallowed barriers of men's sprinting. When he scorched past several of his competitors down the back straight of the Olympic Stadium in the 2017 4x100 final, he helped Great Britain to their first ever global title, and a whopping national record. When his funding was reduced to that of a relay athlete only, he marked his return to form with a championship record at the 2019 British Champs.We reckon...

2020-04-101h 07

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Olympics Postponed, Dry Punished, and Britney (Bitch): Hot Takes for your Locked-Down EarsSend us Fan MailDoes Caster Semenya have the raw speed to challenge the world's best over 200 metres? Does Britney Spears..? As the Olympic Games are postponed for the first time in their history, and Mark Dry receives the same length of ban as Ruth Jebet, the world - it seems - has truly gone mad.The only constant right now is that Mo Farah is embroiled in drama, as a new Panorama documentary airs, and his name makes headlines once more. At least we've something comfortingly familiar in these desperate times, eh? S...

2020-03-2748 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Fiendish Trials, Canny Tactics, and Upholding a Legacy: Our British Men's Middle Distance SpecialSend us Fan MailWe'll level with you: this might be a middle distance special, but it's the length of a marathon. It's an hour and forty-eight minutes of athletics chat, including four substantial interviews with a quartet of Great Britain's finest current 800 and 1500 metre racers. You could get half way through the responsibly-spaced queue at your local Tesco's in that time.'The optimal length for a podcast episode is between 40 and 50 minutes', the received wisdom will tell you. Well, we've a few responses to that:1) You've nothing better to do r...

2020-03-211h 48

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Jemma's Flying, Mondo's Soaring, and GB's Spoilt for 400m Talent: the Glasgow Grand Prix and a few more besidesSend us Fan MailMondo Duplantis is making history at whim, Jemma Reekie has stepped out of Laura Muir's shadow and is eating national records for breakfast, and Jessie Knight is laughing in the face of her own previous bests. Oh, and Joshua Cheptegei just dropped a 12:51 5km on the roads in Monaco. 2020 looks set to be epic.Claire's back with the boys this week, with all of the above covered, plus plenty of shout-outs to other Backstraight favourites around the globe (we see you, Amber Anning), an update on Christian Coleman's location, and a...

2020-02-2050 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Jeanette, Jon, and Pre-Season Joviality: Backstraight's 2020 PreviewSend us Fan MailIt's an Olympic year. Mondo has already broken a World Record. Jemma Reekie has broken three British ones. Jeanette Kwakye and Jon Mulkeen are on the pod. Goodness gracious, 2020 really is off to a fabulous start at Backstraight HQ.We've had a wonderful couple of months off, but are back with an absolute bang, and thought this would be the perfect appetite-whetter ahead of what ought to be a sensational year of running, jumping, throwing, and walking.Here's to rants, raves, and records; to sprint queens and distance duels...

2020-02-131h 21

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Barshim's Back (so's Radzi), Kat's Beaming, and Athletics is Better (or is it?): Our 2019 Season ReviewSend us Fan MailRadzi's back. He's an expert and a professional, who covered - with great warmth and nous, we might add - many of this year's major events. This recording should be plain-sailing... right?Of course not. Radzi thinks Kipchoge's sub-two was a phenomenal athletic performance. Jody and Bayo think it's a gimmick. Chaos ensues. He also thinks Christian Taylor might be his Male Athlete of the Year. Claire 'Keep it Karsten' Thomas is apoplectic.It was terrific fun, however, and we did agree on a few things: Muhammad's supremacy, the...

2019-12-121h 44

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat King Kipchoge, Awards Analysis, and Federation Formations: Records are Falling, but Athletes are RisingSend us Fan MailWas Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two marathon an extraordinary athletic achievement? Or was it a technology-doped gimmick? Could it be viewed as both? A little late to the party, perhaps, but full of opinion as ever - we took a look at his history-making run through the streets of Vienna.Within 24 hours of that, Brigid Kosgei was smashing Paula's time in Chicago, and so fell one of the greatest statistical outliers in the sport: the longest-standing marathon record of the post-War era. What a time to be a distance runner, eh? T...

2019-11-2450 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Mary Cain (brave), Diamond League (diminished), and some British favourites (journalised): two mega rants and three mega interviewsSend us Fan MailWe've had a lovely, restful month off. Unfortunately, the IAAF haven't. They've been busy chopping the triple jump, steeplechase, discus throw, and 200 metres from the 2020 Diamond League. Honestly. You couldn't make it up. Taylor v Claye? Meh. Noah Lyles? We've had enough charismatic sprinters. World records? Completed it, mate. Some of the best discuss-throwers in history? Throws leave people cold... right?There's that rant to have, and then there's the NY Times' interview with Mary Cain to discuss. Once one of athletics' most prodigious talents - a distance dynamo with an...

2019-11-131h 31

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Shot Putters in the Stratosphere, Kat and Dina in the History Books, and Elephants in the Room: Our Big Doha Review PodSend us Fan MailWhere do we begin..? With the empty seats? The fainting marathon runners? Alberto Salazar's ban? With the DQs that were and weren't? Or the fact that we missed experiencing Mihambo's 7.30m live because it was necessary to watch (another) Mo Farah montage?OR - how about we talk about the world records? The African fans roaring on their athletes in the distance events without stopping dancing for even a second? The women returning to the sport to earn the titles of both 'mother' and 'world-beater'? Mutaz Barshim shrugging off gravity with...

2019-10-081h 12

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Karsten's King, Abi's Back, and Amelia's Just Getting Started: Diamond League Finals Wrap & Those Picked To #RepresentSend us Fan MailThe 2019 Diamond League has finished, British Athletics have named their team for the World Championships, and the gang's back together! Oh - hang on - Bayo's running late. Close, but no coconut. Regardless: what an exciting time of year, and how bloody amazing does it feel knowing we've a British women's 100m Diamond League Champion? With Doha just around the corner, it's time to ponder how revealing those Zurich and Brussels meets were, and cast an eye through the 74 athletes chosen to #Represent. Ever the journalist, Jody spoke to comeback queen A...

2019-09-221h 26

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Bounding Ben, Dashing Dina, and Heights-Hitting Holly : The Race to Represent at British ChampsSend us Fan MailNewly-crowned British 100m Champion, Ojie Edoburun said something very wise to us this weekend: ‘you can be a circuit guy, or you can be a championship guy.’ Now, in an ideal world, you’d be both, but that’s no easy feat, and it’s a rare old athlete who’d pick Diamond League consistency over the chance to etch their names into the history books, and clinch silverware when big performances matter the most. The British Champs aren’t the Worlds or Olympics, but they sure do run the rule over ou...

2019-08-281h 18

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Best of British, Birmingham-Bound, and Doha Dust-Ups: Our British Champs Preview PodSend us Fan MailClaire's away 'doing rugby in France' (close enough, lads; she's been in both Portugal and West London, and is now - terrified - hitting 'publish' on an episode the boys promise needs only a cursory tidy up in edit...), leaving Jody and Bayo to look ahead to this weekend's British Championships. Last year, we all agreed that the trials were one of our favourite events of the season: brimming with fierce competition, high-quality contests, and the very best of British athletics. Beth Dobbin's post-race interview. Dina's championship record. A women's long ju...

2019-08-2236 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Youcef Zatat, Rabah Yousif, and Plenty More Besides: Recent Results and Clangers from the World of Track and FieldSend us Fan MailWe've two guests this week, and they're on for very different reasons. Double European U23 Champion and enormous talent Jemma Reekie is back (we've had her on before. We adore her), to discuss her history-making exploits in Gavle. Rabah Yousif? Well, he's on because he... Oh - hang on. Scrap that. We mean Youcef Zatat. Or do we..? Basically, British Athletics had an administrative shocker in Bydgoszcz, naming the wrong athlete in their 4x400 squad, and catapulting the UK's #2 shot putter into the limelight. FYI - he definitely would have competed, and is...

2019-08-141h 20

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Jakob's baby fat, Karsten's heart, and Shelly-Ann's GOAT status: Backstraight's Half-Century at the London Diamond LeagueSend us Fan MailWe've recorded 50 episodes! How on earth has that come about? Thank you *so* much to those of you joining us on our error-strewn, star-sprinkled athletics' romp to date. We've loved every minute of it (especially when Jody made the pacemaker his Fantasy Diamond League captain...).Claire's been away covering the Netball World Cup, but these major international meets don't journalise themselves, so Jody and Bayo headed to the London Stadium to speak to the following at the Anniversary Games: Karsten Warholm, Laviai Nielsen, Jakob Ingebrigsten, Gjert Ingebrigsten, Beth Dobbin, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce...

2019-07-2456 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Plenty of Laps, Oodles of Fun, and Lots to Discuss: Journalising (G&Ts in-hand) at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10k PBsSend us Fan Mail'Distance running isn't sexy. How on Earth are you meant to market it? Does anyone even want to watch races longer than 4 minutes these days? Definitely - DEFINITELY - let's not sell beer at distance running meets, have supporters pack out lane three, nor invite international medallists to thrash it out - screamed on by thousands of cowbell-toting fans - for European and national titles.' - Actual (read: completely fabricated) minutes from a recent Diamond League meeting...The fact is - with a little TLC, some big speakers, plenty to...

2019-07-161h 02

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat Handling nerves, seizing opportunities, and PBing for fun: Niamh Emerson Interview SpecialSend us Fan MailBeing a heptathlete (we imagine; we’re hardly speaking from experience here at Backstraight HQ…) requires not only explosiveness, endurance, technical finesse, and sublime co ordination, but nerves of absolute steel. The psychological challenges of the event have proven a stumbling block for many physically-gifted athletes, and to be able to reach into your bag of tricks and deliver a third round clearance, lifetime best, or gutsy 800 metres at the end of two gruelling days of competition requires the mentality of a supreme competitor. Niamh Emerson, from what we’ve seen so far, is one...

2019-07-091h 15

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #47 - Fantasies, Nightmares, and Errors (So Many Errors...): If Bulls did Athletics Round Ups in China ShopsSend us Fan MailAs gaffs go, we thought we'd be hard-pressed to beat missing the entire Stockholm round of the Fantasy Diamond League this season. Our rankings were decimated; our hearts broken. Our seasons, surely, can be written off just like this year's Nike Elite kit. But then Jody named an actual pacemaker as his team captain, and all bets were off. Oh, how we laughed (Jody aside...). Claire's captain? The resplendent Karsten Warholm, whose European record was the headline act of this week's Bislett Games, and one of the finest runs of the...

2019-06-1543 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #46 - Caster’s Class, Doha’s Diamonds, and Eliud’s Enduring Excellence: Backstraight’s Take on the Last Few WeeksSend us Fan MailCaster Semenya is a terrific talent. She is a fierce competitor. She is a dignified presence in a melting pot of opinions: an articulate and inspirational oasis in the face of a relentless tide of ignorance, knee-jerk reactions, and vitriol. We love the light-hearted on this pod, but put our usual flippancy to one side for a moment this week to discuss this historic legal case, and bemoan the lost art of sitting on the fence. It is okay to not have an answer to this conundrum; it is alright to not have...

2019-05-1753 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #45 - Our Young Guns Special with Amber Anning, Molly Caudery and Cameron CorbishleySend us Fan Mail'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' wrote Charles Dickens, but this canonical line could well have been penned by Georgia Nicholson, Lady Bird, or any other coming-of-age protagonist. Adolescence is tough enough without international selection, age group championships, and the expectation of massively-invested athletics' fans to contend with. Being a prodigious youngster is no easy feat: just look at Jodie Williams, who had to compete with the moniker of 'Moneylegs', or the many US collegiate athletes who've buckled beneath gruelling schedules and meteoric ascents into the track...

2019-04-151h 25

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #44 - Fewer Events, Higher Standards, and (supposedly) Greater Entertainment: The IAAF's Big AnnouncementSend us Fan MailMore people would watch athletics if there were less of it. More athletes would jump higher, run faster, and throw further if they were under greater pressure (the threat of not fulfilling a lifelong ambition by competing at an Olympics) to do so. More interest could be generated and clarity secured if a global ranking system were put into place. More fans would be able to enjoy field events if they took place outside of stadia. That's right; it's all change on Planet Track & Field. The IAAF have announced reformations to b...

2019-03-2552 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #42 - Twice the Events, Half the Beards, and Double their Ages: Gallivanting in Glasgow (Part I)Send us Fan MailAll sort's been going on at Backstraight HQ the last few days: Bayo's been kicking himself, out in Rio for the Carnival, getting his time zones muddled up and missing the Glaswegian athletics action he's so desperate to live stream; Jody's been catching up with Nicola Sanders, she of indoor 400m royalty, and utterly bonkers splits; Claire's been having a quarter-life crisis, having spent 15 minutes with some of Team GB's brightest young talents, and realising - after hearing Amber Anning discussing her revision timetabling - that she's actually getting on these days; and...

2019-03-041h 05

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #43 - Big Vaults, Tough Falls, and Raised Roofs: Gallivanting in Glasgow (Part II)Send us Fan MailWe had coffee with Holly. We caught up with Guy. We enjoyed a cracking pub lunch (although appreciate that's not entirely relevant here). We screamed Tim onto a gnarly, silver-clinching 1000m personal best. We relished Shelayna's tactical nous. We marvelled at Jamie's classy, canny run. We chuckled at Maria's poker-faced demolition of a high-quality field. We witnessed yet another tactical masterclass from Marcin. We picked our jaws up off the floor after Eilidh's scorching anchor leg. We recorded a mildly hysterical, knackered wrap of the championships. We had a terrific day, all in...

2019-03-041h 06

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #41 - Grand Prix, Glasgow, and Girl Power: The Indoor Season So FarSend us Fan MailAnyone got Samuel Tefera's number? Would someone please let him know he broke a world record in Birmingham on Saturday? He seemed to have absolutely no idea, as he stopped the clock at a handy 3:31.04... Come to think of it, there have been plenty of pinch-yourself marks, times, and series at this year's indoor meets already: Melissa Courtney's run in Karlsruhe; Holly Bradshaw's two-outings, two-4.80s, and two-wins campaign to date; Laura Muir casually setting two national records in the same race; Konstanze Klosterhalfen running (from the front, of course) into German history...

2019-02-1747 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #39 – Late Finishes, Even Later Medal Ceremonies, and – Lately – Legal Life: Christine Ohoruogo Interview Special (Part Two)Send us Fan MailJust like a lot of Christine Ohoruogo's races (there was just never a dull moment watching her run, was there?), this episode comes in two parts. That's right; we're providing you with almost 90 minutes of her amazing insights and recollections, you lucky ducks. If you enjoyed the first instalment: welcome back. If not: go and listen to it right now. It's just below this one on the Backstraight feed. This one will still be here once you're up to speed, we promise. Caught up? Good. Chrissy's been found by the 400, won h...

2019-01-201h 09

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #38 - Switching Codes, Missing Tests, and Striking Gold: Christine Ohoruogo Interview Special (Part One)Send us Fan MailWatching Christine Ohoruogo race was exhausting. The gun would go. She'd be in the mix. You'd not panic - knowing that her finish was her greatest strength. Another hundred metres would pass. She'd look off the pace. The butterflies would begin. You'd quell them. 'It's fine. Chrissy finishes like a train.' The athletes would exit the bend. Ohoruogo not even amongst the medals. The butterflies set loose. You'd leap from your seat. 'She's left it too late. Even Christine can't pull this off.' But, wait! With eighty or so to go...

2019-01-151h 13

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #37 - Championships, Challenges, and Champers: A Mimosa-Fuelled Romp Through The Rather Brilliant 2018Send us Fan Mail2018 was a doozy. A vintage year. Mondo, Dina, Eliud, Kevin, Laura, Abderrahman, Nafi, Niamh: we could list athletes until 2020 rolls around, but we've just received our accreditation for European Indoors in March, and are rather excited to crack on with covering that for you instead. It was a year in which 6.69 didn't even get you on the women's long jump podium at the British Championships; in which we saw KJT beam - yes, beam! - after a shot put in a major heptathlon; in which you could win double European gold and then...

2019-01-071h 38

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #36 - Freaky Fridays, Sprinting Prodigies, and Imaginary Libraries: A Day at Fudge Project LondonSend us Fan Mail'He's got a sprinting library. In his house,' Asha Philip asserts from the physio table, as she receives treatment at the end of a long day's training. 'A bag of books,' adds Seye Ogunlewe, sat alongside. You'll have to listen to this episode to find out whether or not Steve Fudge actually owns a collection of speedy tomes, but - either way - his knowledge of the sport is certainly encyclopaedic. His meticulous mechanical coaching is matched only by his intuitive management of each of the athletes within Fudge Project London...

2018-12-182h 08

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #35 - Freezing Temperatures, Warm Hearts, and Hot Takes: Backstraight Does ParkrunSend us Fan MailAs we hit 'publish' on this episode, 1,810,242 runners have - over the last 14 years - given up their Saturday morning lie-ins to cover an astonishing 120 million kilometres of parks worldwide. It is in no way hyperbolic (and, trust us, we know all about hyperbole on this show) to describe parkrun as a global phenomenon, and we had a myriad of questions about the mass participation sensation: is it good for athletics? is it really more of a 'run' than a 'race'? what's it like to volunteer at one? and, how on Earth has...

2018-11-0255 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #34 - Diamond Duels, Continental Contests, and Historic Hustles: The Final Month of an Epic, Herculean SeasonSend us Fan MailDISCLAIMER: This is not the episode for the pedantic. This is not the Diamond League review for those with photographic memories. Steer away, those of you with encyclopaedic athletics' knowledge looking for a factually-accurate review of the Continental Cup. This is a look back at some spectacular results, some thrilling contests, and some extraordinarily confusing scoring systems at the end of what's been a doozy of a season, but the only world record in danger of falling during this recording session was that for most forgotten athlete names and most frequent laughter by trio...

2018-09-2148 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #33 - Sumos, Steeples, and Seizing Silver: Eilish McColgan Interview SpecialSend us Fan MailBefore Jessica Ennis-Hill in Beijing, there was Liz McColgan in Tokyo - winning global 10,000m gold less than a year after giving birth to Eilish. In just two years’ time, the McColgans will be back in Japan, and hoping to reach another international podium, for - despite her parents’ best efforts not to push her into the sport - Eilish has followed in her mother’s footsteps, and is now a formidable athlete in her own right. 4:01, 8:31, 14:48: these days, she is rubbing shoulders with Paula, Jo, Yvonne, Laura, and other British distance heavyweights towards the to...

2018-09-171h 17

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #31 - Jeanette Stepping Up, Kyle Stepping Back, and Berlin Looking Thrilling: Our Big European Preview EpisodeSend us Fan Mail102 athletes have been named in the British team, at least 80 of whom seem to have been selected for relays, but - despite 'the world and his wife' having received the nod (B. Furlong, 2018) - there were still some raised eyebrows and furious tweets. We pick over some of these, along with the events we're most looking forward to watching, the youngsters we think could prove Berlin bolters, and generally get hugely excited for the latest major championship this year (like Ingebrigstens - they just keep on coming...). Oh - and we speak to 'The...

2018-08-051h 17

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #30 - Monaco, Muller, and Millicent: Journalising at the London Anniversary GamesSend us Fan MailFor the first time in thirty episodes, all three of us were at the same meet, with nothing to do but soak up the atmosphere, interview some international stars, and discuss the world of athletics. And, if we do say so ourselves, we've delivered. Morgan Lake, KJT, Laura Muir, Sifan Hassan, Guy Learmonth, Sandra Perkovic, Maria Lasitskene (feat. interpreter), Adam Gemili, and - of course - the man who has catapulted himself into the hearts of British athletics fans, and onto more podiums than you could shake an airline-mislaid bag of pole vault sticks...

2018-07-2351 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #29 - Champs (British), Cup (Global), and Pie (Humble): Brilliant in both Birmingham and LondonSend us Fan MailThe British Championships were outrageously good. Seriously - they were absolutely brilliant, and we're pleased as punch that our UK Sprint Queens reigned supreme by delivering the race of the weekend. Shout out to bronze medallist Jodie Williams for a magical bend, Bianca Williams for floating (elegant as ever) to a silver, and Beth Dobbin for proving everyone that - not only is she a 200/400 star in the making - media training is vastly overrated. Why not burst into tears on national television and leap upon Jeanette Kwakye upon learning you've broken a Championship...

2018-07-1616 min

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #28 - Ice Creams, Henry VIII, and War Paint: A Little Bit of Everything with National Record Holder Dina Asher-SmithSend us Fan MailDina Asher-Smith believed she was in mortal peril during her first ever race: a cross country meet at primary school, entered in exchange for the promise of an ice cream. Thank goodness her sweet tooth was stronger than her reluctance to take part; the thought of a Dina-less athletics doesn't bear thinking about. Listing her achievements here seems silly for three reasons: A) she's the darling of British sprinting, so we all know them already B) there are loads of them, and there's only a finite amount of space for these descriptions C) the...

2018-06-281h 05

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #27 - Speedspiration, Hype Tracks, and the 23-second barrier: Our UK Sprint Queen SpecialSend us Fan MailThe ladies featured here might be super speedy - they're all bona fide sprint sensations - but this episode certainly isn't. It's an epic, 90-minute romp through some of the biggest names in British sprinting: Jodie Wiliams (06:51), Shannon Hylton (25:26), Beth Dobbin (33:04), Paula Dunn (51:00), Abi Oyepitan (61:02), and Dina Asher-Smith (78:14). Tell us about it; we've no idea how we managed to persuade such sprint queens onto our little pod, either... Eight UK athletes currently hold the European A standard of 23.20, which is both fantastic and a sign of how far sprinting has come for this country's...

2018-06-261h 30

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #26 – Shaunae’s Shorts, Bell’s Brilliance, and Highgate Hilarity: Our Latest Offering, Feat. Seb CoeSend us Fan MailHello there, beloved listener, and welcome to our twenty-sixth episode. Since we last caught up, Shaunae's gone sub-50 in baggy shorts, Claire's favourite Linden Hall's broken the Australian 1500m record, and Bayo's completed a half marathon (beer-fuelled, much to Jo Pavey and Seb Coe's disappointment).... Please enjoy, please subscribe and please let us know what you think on all our socials. Thanks for listening and follow us on Social Media at Twitter - (@BackstraightB) Insta - (@BackstraightBoysPodcast).

2018-05-301h 01

Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat #24 – Aussie Thrills, English Spills, and Langford Lovin’: Gold Coast 2018 Done and DustedSend us Fan MailJody, Bayo, and Claire are in the same country – as Anna in ‘Frozen’ sings whilst cavorting around Arendelle Castle – for the first time in forever. Backstraight is well and truly back. The boys have returned from duty as Track and Field News’ Gold Coast correspondents with, unsurprisingly, numerous interviews with some of the biggest names of the games, and – even less surprisingly – strong opinions on the event and various athletes’ performances. If they topped a podium, they’re on this pod: here’s 85 minutes of top notch ‘journalising’ (all we ask for in exchange is a rating, re...

2018-05-071h 25