Best Mark Shardlow Podcasts (2024)

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Why I nearly didn't travel to Tokyo - LIbby Clegg MBE, Track and Field, Paralympics GB 12:32

3y ago12:32

12:32

Libby Clegg is a blind sprinter in the Paralympics GB team in Tokyo. Libby won double gold in Rio but since then has become a mum to Edward. Libby reveals here here struggles over the last year after the Games got postponed last summer. She was at the peak of fitness last spring after appearing on Dancing on Ice. But has really found the last year …

1
A sport massively affected by Covid - Charlotte Moore, Wheelchair basketball, Paralympics GB 9:23

3y ago9:23

9:23

Charlotte Moore ie a wheelchair basketball player for Paralympics GB. Tokyo will be her second Games after making her debut as a 17 year old in Rio. She's been playing since she was 8 when she had a chance meeting whilst shopping with her mum at Sainsbury's when she was approached by the coach of a local wheelchair basketball team. She's never look…

1
Going for a 3rd gold - Richard Whitehead, T61 200m, Paralympics GB 10:35

3y ago10:35

10:35

Richard Whitehead is competing in the T61 200m at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Richard won gold in London in 2012 and Rio 2016 but a hat-trick is going to be a challenge at the age of 45. Richard talks to me from Japan and tells me about the atmosphere and conditions in the training camp. Things have changed as Richard's been reclassified from T42 to …

1
Double issue...heading for a 4th Games and making a debut - Stef Reid and Thomas Young, Track and Field Paralympics GB 13:52

3y ago13:52

13:52

Stef Reid will compete in the Long Jump for Paralympics GB and she starts this double header. Stef talks about life at the GB preparation camp and dealing with the Covid protocols. She's been to 3 previous games and draws on her experiences to think about the weeks ahead. She also reveals, because of Covid bubbles, she's unlikely to be able to meet…

1
Dealing with expectation - Hannah Cockroft, Paralympics GB 10:41

3y ago10:41

10:41

Today's guest is Hannah Cockroft, wheelchair racer for Paralympics GB. Hannah has won 11 world titles and 5 Paralympic gold medals and she talks about the weight of expectation as she heads to her third Games. She talks brilliantly about the moment she discovered sport and what it's taken to get to be top of the world. And she now embraces the fact…

1
Tackling physical and mental health issues - Lauren Rowles, Paralympics GB Rowing 12:39

3y ago12:39

12:39

Lauren Rowles is part of the rowing squad for Paralympics GB for the Tokyo Paralympics. This is a really revealing chat with Lauren who found para-sport after becoming paralysed as a 13 year old. She was inspired by London 2012 and went on to win a gold medal at Rio just four years later. But the last five years have been tough with a number of phy…

1
The SAS and Adam Peaty + insights into coaching - Mel Marshall, Adam's coach 10:58

3y ago10:58

10:58

Big thanks to the Her Spirit Podcast for letting me use this interview. Check out Her Spirit on herspirit.co.uk - your friendly coach in your pocket. But also, I know you'll want to listen to the whole hour of Mel Marshall - she's quite brilliant. So please go to the Her Spirit Podcast too. I work with Lousie Minchin and Annie Emmerson on the Her S…

1
Back with an Olympic medal - Shona McCallin, GB Hockey 14:20

3y ago14:20

14:20

I'm back with a quick reflection on the Olympics before we head to a final preview of the Paralympics Games Shona has been one of our regular contributors and she's brilliantly articulated all the doubts and concerns of the last six months or so. She gives an inside track on what conditions were like in Tokyo and what winning a bronze medal means t…

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BONUS: What it means to be an Olympian and how to get involved - Beth Tweddle, Medal Winner London 2012 8:02

3y ago8:02

8:02

Here's a bonus edition Beth Tweddle won a terrific bronze medal at the London Olympics. She's on the podcast to talk about a big participation event called I am Team GB which finishes with a weekend of special activities on 14/15th August. Beth talks about her Olympic experiences and about the events. You can find all the details at Iamteamgb.com T…

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Recovery from a post gold medal crisis - Maddie Hinch, Team GB Hockey 10:05

3y ago10:05

10:05

Maddie Hinch is the GB Hockey goalkeeper who was one of the heroes of the Rio Olympics in 2016. But she's had a difficult time since with mental health issues. Maddie talks about the roller coaster she has had since winning gold in that historic match in Rio in 2016. She gave up hockey for a time and, as she says herself, she got herself in a bit o…

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I'm coming off social media and why I've upped my step count - Natalie Powell, Team GB Judo 10:24

3y ago10:24

10:24

Natalie Powell is in the Judo team for the Tokyo Olympics. This will be her second Games. Natalie talks about what she learnt from competing at Rio five years ago. And one things she will definitely be doing for the Olympics is come off social media - and she tells me why. Natalie has also increased her step count this year to prepare for all the w…

1
"It's just two lengths of the baths" - Adam Peaty, Max and Joe Litchfield Team GB Swimming 11:35

3y ago11:35

11:35

Today I have 3 swimmers as guests. Adam Peaty won gold in Rio and is completely dominant at his event. He's favourite to retain his Olympic gold medal. Adam talks about what he hopes to achieve in Tokyo and how he keeps delivering the times. Adam also talks about coming to these games as a dad. My other guests are Max and Joe Litchfield, the brothe…

1
I'm here for business - Moe Sbihi, Team GB Rowing 11:09

3y ago11:09

11:09

Moe Sbihi has won medals at the London and Rio Olympics. Gold in the coxless four in 2016 and bronze in the eight in London. I spoke with Moe just before he left for Tokyo and he reflected on the last few months and the benefits for an inexperienced team of an extra year. This is Moe's third games and he reflects on the differences between Tokyo an…

1
Darren Pearcy, Team Manager Skateboard GB 11:28

3y ago11:28

11:28

Darren Pearcy is the Team Manager at Skateboard GB as the sport makes its Olympic debut. And this is a great insight into the culture of a very non-traditional sport. Darren talks about what he does to help his team of two teenage girls in Tokyo making sure they are well looked after. Darren talks about this major new platform for skateboarding and…

1
Competing in two different sports - George Peasegood, Paralympics GB Cycling and Triathlon 9:42

3y ago9:42

9:42

George Peasegood is going for a unique treble at the Paralympics in Tokyo this summer. George has qualified for the para-triathlon and for the road race and time trial in cycling. He's going to have a mad week in the intense heat and humidity of Tokyo. George talks about competing in all three events and how he's preparing including time in the hea…

1
Behind the scenes for final preparation - Patrick Huston, Team GB Archer 11:54

3y ago11:54

11:54

Patrick Huston is part of the Team GB Archery squad for the Tokyo Olympics. Patrick has been giving us a unique insight in this podcast into his Olympic preparation and his love of a very different exercise routine. Definitely check him out on social media! Today Patrick takes us behind the scenes at the Team GB Holding Camp where athletes make the…

1
Making it against the odds: Epilepsy and having 4 jobs - Beth Dobbin, Team GB Athletics 15:07

3y ago15:07

15:07

Beth Dobbin will run the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics for Team GB and she has quite a story to tell. As you'll hear Beth is absolutely thrilled to be going to the Olympics. Since she was a young girl, it's something she dreamed of. She well remembers Dame Kelly Holmes winning in Athens with her dad screaming at the TV. And then in 2012 she was obsess…

1
Arrival in Tokyo - the unprecedented Games - Nick Hope, Olympic Sports Reporter 12:06

3y ago12:06

12:06

Nick Hope will be reporting on the Olympics for BBC Sport. He's one of the most knowledgable Olympic reporters around and definitely worth a follow at the Games on @NickHopeTV Nick talks about arrival in Japan and the warm welcome at the airport. He discusses the various Covid measures in place. And then there's the climate with the end of the rain…

1
A penalty shoot-out GB won! - Hollie Pearne-Webb, Team GB Hockey Captain 9:54

3y ago9:54

9:54

Hollie Pearne-Webb is the Team GB women's hockey captain. She was part of the gold medal winning team in Rio. And she had a key role in that victory. Hollie took the penalty shuffle that gave Team GB an historic gold against the Netherlands. Hollie talks about the penalty moment and what it meant. She discussed captaincy during Covid and how she li…

1
Choosing a husband wisely! - Alison Peasegood, Paralympics GB Para triathlon 8:37

3y ago8:37

8:37

Alison Peasegood has been named in the GB Paralympics team to compete at Para triathlon. Alison Peasegood will compete in PTVI which is for athletes with visual impairment, less than ten per cent vision. Alison won silver in Rio and she's back for more with her new guide Nikki Bartlett. Alison talks about the challenges of social distancing when ne…

1
The lift from the Gods saved my career - Ali Jawad, Paralympics GB Powerlifting 9:58

3y ago9:58

9:58

Ali Jawad has been named in the Paralympics GB team heading to Tokyo for powerlifting. Ali's been a great guest on this podcast, telling his story over the last six months to today's announcement. It's been an uncertain journey and not just because of the pandemic. Ali has been revealing his thoughts and talking about the obstacles over the last si…

1
Heading to Tokyo, a dog called Rio and six tortoises - Claire Taggart, Paralympics GB Boccia 11:09

3y ago11:09

11:09

Claire Taggart has been named for the Paralympics GB squad in Boccia. Claire talks brilliantly about the sport of Boccia and what's needed to be good at it. Claire also gives a great account of the difficulties the sport has had during lockdown and how they've done their best to overcome them. Boccia is generally played by players who need high lev…

1
I doubted if I'd ever be an Olympian so today is so special - Sarah Adlington, Team GB Judo 9:51

3y ago9:51

9:51

Sarah Adlington is set to make her Olympic debut in Judo for Team GB. And that's a relief for her. Sarah narrowly missed out on London in 2012 and Rio in 2016 and she articulates what that was like and how at times she felt she was never going to be an Olympian. Sarah is in the heavyweight class and she feels time in the gym over lockdown has left …

1
One remarkable moment that changed his life - Ben Fox, Paralympics GB Wheelchair Basketball 10:20

3y ago10:20

10:20

Ben Fox is part of the Wheelchair Basketball Squad heading to the Paralympics. Ben has an extraordinary story about how he got into the sport. It was a chance moment which changed his life. I met Ben at the team announcement at Loughborough University where the squad are on camp as they prepare for Tokyo. The pandemic has really limited the amount …

1
Olympic history maker - Bombette Martin, Team GB Skateboarding 7:46

3y ago7:46

7:46

Bombette Martin is a history maker. She's part of the first ever Team GB Skateboarding squad heading to the Olympics. Bombette is 15, was born and lives in New York, but qualifies for GB because her dad is from Birmingham, UK. She talks with great enthusiasm about becoming an Olympian, which she says is very overwhelming. Bombette took up skateboar…

1
Dealing with expectation and the final weeks - Shona McCallin, Team GB Hockey 11:42

3y ago11:42

11:42

Shona McCallin has been named in the hockey squad for Team GB to defend their Olympic title in Tokyo. Shona has kept us up to date with the ups and downs of the last six months with regular contributions to this podcast. I met Shona at the Kitting Out day in Birmingham which she says is one of the most exciting days of the Olympic journey. Shona wa…

1
Selection frustration and a lack of support - Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith, Team GB Badminton 13:21

3y ago13:21

13:21

Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith have been named for Team GB in the mixed badminton, with Lauren also in the women's doubles for Tokyo. However Lauren is upset at the way she feels the players have been treated during a controversial selection process and feels they have not been given the support they need. Marcus won bronze at the Rio Games and was …

1
A dream come true - Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe, Team GB Artistic Swimming 12:35

3y ago12:35

12:35

Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe will be part of Team GB in Tokyo as Britain's qualifiers in Artistic Swimming. Kate and Izzy describe it as a dream come true - an incredible moment after more than ten years of hard work. And their excitement shines through. They talk about the hard work that goes into training from the breathing work that's necessary…

1
"It's not sunk in yet!" what it means to be an Olympian - Alice Dearing, Team GB Marathon Swimming 12:35

3y ago12:35

12:35

Alice Dearing is a marathon swimmer and is part of Team GB for Tokyo. I'm thrilled to see Alice on the team as she's been kind enough to share her journey across the last six months on Destination Tokyo. You can hear her on Episodes 3, 25, 51 and 82. But last weekend she finally qualified for Tokyo - making history as Team GB's first black swimmer …

1
From eating bugs on I'm a Celebrity to being selected for Tokyo - Hollie Arnold, Team GB Javelin 11:21

3y ago11:21

11:21

Hollie Arnold is a heading to her 4th Paralympic Games as part of the Paralympic GB Track and Field squad. She competes in F46 Javelin. She was only 14 and the youngest on the team at her first games. It's not always been an easy journey but Hollie's determination saw her win gold at the Rio Games in 2016. Away from the sport, she made history by b…

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Emotional and amazing...recovering from an horrific eye injury to making the squad - Sam Ward, Team GB Hockey 11:54

3y ago11:54

11:54

Sam Ward is part of the Team GB Men's Hockey Squad for Tokyo. I chatted to Sam at the Kitting Out Day where he collect bags of kit for the Olympics. Sam's one of the characters of the squad and he talks about his way of putting smiles on people's faces. But his Olympic hopes, even his hockey career, seemed to be over in November 2019 when he was hi…

1
From teenage scooter rider to Olympic medal prospect - Charlotte Worthington, Team GB BMX Freestyle 11:02

3y ago11:02

11:02

Charlotte Worthington has been selected for Team GB for BMX Freestyle Park. It's the first time this event has been held at the Olympics and Charlotte is one of the stars of the sport with bronze medals at the World Championships in 2019 and 2021. Charlotte spent her teenage years on a scooter at skate parks and eventually moved to BMX about 5 year…

1
A first Fathers Day and a visit from a gold medal winning captain - Adam Dixon, Team GB Hockey 11:38

3y ago11:38

11:38

Adam Dixon is the GB men's hockey captain heading to his second Olympic Games. He's had the difficult job of guiding the team through lockdown and keeping the squad together through this unprecedented 16 months. He's also got married and become a dad. We met up at the Team GB Kitting Out to talk about the final preparation and the hopes for the Tok…

1
Broken bones and broken dreams but finally an Olympian - Jess Piasecki, Team GB Marathon 8:32

3y ago8:32

8:32

Jess Piasecki is part of Team GB in the marathon and will make her Olympic debut in the heat of Tokyo. I met Jess at the Team GB Kitting Out day and she was thrilled with the experience. Jess's story is a remarkable one. She's been competing at international level since she was 16. But from the age of 18 she's had to learn about and overcome a numb…

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Child acting, parents who were ballet dancers and a love of sailing - Dylan Fletcher, Team GB 10:15

3y ago10:15

10:15

Dylan Fletcher is heading to Tokyo for his second Olympics as part of Team GB. His mum and dad were ballet dancers who got him into child acting. They saved the money he got paid for appearing in programmes like The Bill. And with that money he got his first boat aged 11. Dylan finished 6th in Rio but goes in as one of the favourites with partner S…

1
Inspired on a family caravan holiday - Lauren Williams, Team GB Taekwondo 10:31

3y ago10:31

10:31

Lauren Williams will make her Olympic debut in Taekwondo in Tokyo and her story is one to inspire any young athlete. She's twice European Champion and hoping to add to her overall medal haul this summer. In 2012 she was on holiday with her family in their caravan when they watched Jade Jones win her gold medal at the London Olympics. Inspired by th…

1
Going to a dark place and frustration at BBC Panorama - Ali Jawad, Paralympics GB Powerlifter 11:15

3y ago11:15

11:15

Ali Jawad is a Paralympic powerlifter who won silver in Rio in 2016. As we've heard over this series, Ali has really struggled with Crohn's Disease which has left him way behind his previous level at the sport. But he's working hard and doing his best to make the Games. Ali had one last chance to qualify and he says he produced his best performance…

1
Poetry, hay fever and nasal breathing for health - Patrick Huston, Team GB Archer 11:56

3y ago11:56

11:56

Patrick Huston is heading to Tokyo with the Archery team. This will be his second Olympic Games. Patrick has just won the British Field Archery Championships and he tells me about that side of the sport. Patrick has just competed overseas in a World Cup event - his first major event since the European Games in Minsk in 2019. He was disappointed wit…

1
Avoiding the covid risk with 6 weeks to go - Shona McCallin, Team GB Hockey 10:32

3y ago10:32

10:32

Shona McCallin is a gold medal winner with GB Hockey from the Rio Olympics in 2016. Shona is a regular on the podcast and it's great that she's here on Episode 100. The Games are now just six weeks ago and Shona talks about the final preparations and how she's approaching the final push. She's also had an injury and has been on crutches. So it's es…

1
Finally becoming an Olympian and living with Coeliac - Laura Gallagher, Team GB Trampoline Gymnast 11:24

3y ago11:24

11:24

Laura Gallagher is a GB Trampoline Gymnast, an 8 times World and European medal winner and now a member of Team GB. Laura gave a great interview in Episode 40 talking about giving up the sport five years ago, a crisis of confidence and never giving up. She promised to come back to tell us if she made the team. And I'm delighted to see we can celebr…

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A special moment, a biking accident and Over Training Syndrome - Vicky Thornley GB Rowing 8:03

3y ago8:03

8:03

Vicky Thornley is heading to her third Olympic Games. The Team GB rower won silver in Rio with Katherine Grainger and also competed in the 8 in London. But this will be her first Games going solo. Vicky's had a few bumps along the way and talks openly and honestly about the issues she has had with over training and her nasty accident on her bike du…

1
Heading to a remarkable 7th Games - Jeanette Chippington 10:22

3y ago10:22

10:22

Jeanette Chippington is one of the world's most successful paddlers. She's won multiple world championships and is the current Paralympic champion in KL1, when the sport made it's debut at Rio. Jeanette made her debut in the 1988 Games and competed at 5 successive Paralympics in Swimming, winning 12 medals including 2 golds. She talks about three d…

1
The Olympic dream taken from Becky Downie 8:52

3y ago8:52

8:52

Becky Downie has been left out of the Olympic team for Tokyo. The experienced Team GB athlete has had a torrid few weeks after the sudden death of her brother and having a special trial two weeks later to try to secure her place. An appeal failed. "Ever since I was a little girl winning an Olympic gold medal has always been my dream. I don't have t…

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Develop the person first and their welfare, rather than the athlete - Joe McDonnell, GB athletics sprint coach 11:59

3y ago11:59

11:59

Joe McDonnell is an athletics sprint coach and part of the British Athletics coaching team. Joe speaks to me from European Para-athletics European Championships in Bydgosczc in Poland. He talks openly and candidly about the coaching issues over the last 12 months and his hopes for Tokyo. Joe believes individual welfare and development as a person c…

1
The challenges of organising the GB teams - Penny Briscoe, Chef de Mission, Paralympics GB on 12:17

3y ago12:17

12:17

It's 50 days to go until the start of the Olympics which marks the beginning of an extraordinary summer of sport in Tokyo with the Olympics and Paralympics. So how has it been for those involved in the organisational side! One guess!! Penny Briscoe is the team leader of Paralympics GB. She's called the Chef de Mission, which is the head of the team…

1
The only woman in the team - Kylie Grimes, GB Wheelchair Rugby 6:55

3y ago6:55

6:55

Kylie Grimes has committed herself fully to being a Paralympian and these will be her 3rd Games. Kylie is the only woman named in the GB Wheelchair Rugby squad in this mixed event. She says competing at the top level has been a dream since she was a young girl. A swimming accident changed her life but she used sport as part of her rehab and absolut…

1
My dad remains my inspiration - Mahama Cho, GB Taekwondo 8:41

3y ago8:41

8:41

Mahama Cho has been named as part of the GB Taekwondo squad for the Tokyo Olympics. This will be his second Olympic Games after a 5th place in Rio. I caught up with him whilst he was trying out the Team GB formal suit supplied by Simon Jersey. He talks about looking the part for the Games. He was massively inspired by his dad who encouraged him to …

1
A new sport for the Games - Matt Bush GB Para Taekwondo 7:16

3y ago7:16

7:16

Matt Bush talks to me about being on the team for the debut of Para Taekwondo at the Paralympics. Matt talks about his journey into the sport; what he loves about it and how he balances training with working for the family firm. He also talks about how he had to convince his local gym owner that He came close to making Rio in 2016 in the javelin. T…

1
An epic whirlwind - the fortunes of Beth Munro Para-Taekwondo 8:02

3y ago8:02

8:02

Beth Munro has been named in Paralympics GB's taekwondo team for the Tokyo Games. Beth is 27 and from Liverpool and has had a remarkable few months. In her first international competition she qualified a place for the Games and this week has been selected. Beth played netball and threw javelin until 2019 when she was spotted and invited to try out …

1
"We're in better shape than any other National Olympic Committee going in to the Games" - Mark England, Team GB 9:43

3y ago9:43

9:43

Mark England is Team GB's Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympics. The Chef de Mission is the person in charge of the team. And there's been a lot of complexity to get to this point ready for Tokyo. Mark says the preparations are in good shape because of the work done before last March when travel restrictions came in. In fact, because of the restri…

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