Advertise on podcast: Wind Yer Neck In

In this episode of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Ex Saracens captain and Headmaster Floyd Steadman to the show who recently released his autobiography 'A Week One Summer.' Floyd covers some difficult topics in this chat around his tough and challenging upbringing which lead to foster care and physical and emotional abuse. Floyd discusses how he ended up in rugby and broke barriers down with position and team leadership roles. Floyd reflects on playing in the 80's as a black man and how he had to overcome bias to aim for the top. Floyd then look to explain the other half of his life as a teacher and how he broke down glass ceilings in that field too. A story of hope and hard work, Floyd's story is sure to create moments of reflection and discussion! Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)! 

In this episode of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome world renowned Performance Nutritionist Graeme Close in association with Supplement brand Nutrition X. Graeme discusses how he hopes to educate young people in a 'food first' style diet.  Graeme reflects on his association with Nutrition X and how his role with the brand allows him to do some ground breaking study in tandem with his role as a professor at the Liverpool John Moores University. Graeme also looks at how his role with lead Performance Nutritionist for England Rugby has developed and what is entails. Graeme looks back to his playing days in elite level Rugby League  and how it is different now.  Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)! 

In episode 2 of Wind Yer Neck In , season 3, we welcome current France Rugby Union Defence coach Shaun Edwards to the show. In a rare interview, Shaun discusses transitioning from League to Union and how his late mother helped with the decision. Shaun talks coaching philosophy and how 'keeping it simple' helps when under the biggest pressure and strain. Shaun also touches on the game as it is now and how some of the new law adaptations have changed the game. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)! 

In episode 1 of the brand new Season 3 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome world cup winner and the only point scorer in the final against a famous New Zealand side, Joel Stransky to the show! Joel discusses what needs to change in the game for Rugby Union as a product to improve. Joel delves into some of the inspirational leaders and coaches he worked with and what made them such high performers. Joel then reflects on his youth and how it paved the way for his success and the behaviours he learnt along the way! Joel finishes by giving unheard insight into the prep for the famous '95 world cup final and how he prepped for it. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)! 

In episode 13 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome GJ Van Velze to the show. GJ talks through his early childhood and how his school life shaped his character. GJ touches on his time with the Blue bulls and his move to Saints came about after a conversation with a coach. GJ looks to explain how he found the culture shift in England compared to what he was used to as a South African in Pretoria. GJ describes the meeting he had with former Director of Rugby Dean Ryan that finally made him put off retiring and heading back to South Africa and instead take on a new challenge at the Worcester Warriors. GJ talks concussion and the blow that had him out for 12 months and how his rehab was to get back. GJ passionately talks about the business he created with the help of a former sponsor during his period out with concussion and how it looks to grow going forward. GJ tells us what the future holds for him. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)! 

In episode 12 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Worcester Warriors teammate and Springbok star Francois Hougaard to the show.  Francois begins by talking through his up bringing and how his family supported him and encouraged him to be driven and athletic. Francois talks us through his time at school, Paul Roos Gymnasium. How important it was there and what skills and life lessons he learnt. Francois discusses his steps into professional rugby and how moving to the Bulls in Pretoria and working with Fourie Du Preez shaped and accelerated his development.  Francois explains his development and how that forged the way for his Springbok career to flourish. Francois then looks at the highs and lows of being involved in international rugby and how he cherishes the experiences. Francois talks us through the process of moving into the Blitzboks which is the South African 7's team and the gruelling training that it took to win an Olympic bronze medal. Francois then explains to us how his move to the Worcester Warriors came about. Francois describes how he has enjoyed his time and thanks the fans for all their support.  Francois finally touches on his next move to Wasps just up the motorway and how exciting that is for him. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!

In Episode 11 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome a special panel consisting of English International Matt Kvesic, Scottish International Kelly Brown and Welsh international and former British and Irish Lion Richard Hibbard to the show. In this episode we break down the recent announcement of the 37 man touring squad that Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland has selected to tour South Africa in July 2021.  The panel works its way through some of the big names left out, some of the people who have come from left field and the touring captain Alun Wyn Jones role whilst on tour. Finally the panel looks to try and take a step into Warren Gatland's mind and pick what they believe will be his match day 23 for the first test against South Africa. As always, we hope you enjoy this chat with one of the sport's biggest characters. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!

In episode 10 of Wind Yer Neck In  we welcome  former Irish Rugby International, British and Irish Lion star John Robbie to the show. John recalls his Irish Rugby debut and the lead up to it being an interesting turn of events. John discusses the pride and honour he felt when he had been called into the British and Irish Lions squad for the 1981 tour to South Africa. John looks back to reflect on the decision to tour South Africa at a time when tensions were high and how he regrets the decision to this day. John recalls the decision to move to South Africa later in the year of 1981 to play for Transvaal and how that lead to being included in South Africa squads for year to come and accumulating in being named as one of the 'Top 5' players in South Africa in the year 1987. John looks back with pride on the transition he made away from Rugby into a small local Radio show that boomed into becoming a huge show and somewhere he spent 30+ years of his life. As always, we hope you enjoy this chat with one of the sport's biggest characters. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!

In episode 9 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome the young and hugely talented Worcester Warriors and England Centre Ollie Lawrence to the show. Ollie talks early life, social media hype around him and how he and his family shielded and prepared him for that. Ollie then discusses the rapid transition into senior professional rugby and how that experience fed his hunger to be the best centre in the world. Ollie then reflects on a time in his life when he need to show huge amount of resilience and mental toughness with an ankle injury that put his career in doubt. Working towards the present, Ollie talks about his England debut and how life is in England camps and bubbles and how they manage those. Ollie shares his experiences with Eddie Jones the infamous England Rugby Head Coach. Finally Ollie discusses the Lions Tour and who his starting back line would be and how important the BLM message is for him and how he continues to spread the message that 'Racism has no place in life.' As always, we hope you enjoy this chat with one of the sport's biggest characters. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!

In episode 8 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome Cardiff and Wales Rugby Union starJosh Adams to the show. Josh looks back to his unconventional route back into professional rugby after being let go by the Welsh Rugby Regions, only to find a new home in Worcester with the Warriors. Josh looks back to the early stages of breaking into the senior team and how he forged a reputation as one of the most deadly finishers in the English Premiership over a period of 3 seasons. Josh reflects then on how he was challenged to make a decision to go back to Wales due to the current '60 cap rule' and how difficult a decision that was. Josh discusses how enjoyable the experience of representing his country has been and what life was like when he first got invited into camp. We look back at the most recent Six Nations competition and Josh describes how painful the loss to France was. Finally Josh allows himself a moment to think about the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in the summer and how much of an honour it would be to travel with the Lions. As always, we hope you enjoy this chat with one of the sport's biggest characters. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!

In episode 7 of 'Wind Yer Neck In' we welcome former British and Irish Lion, third most capped Irish player of all time and former captain and Ulster Rugby legend Rory Best to the show.  Rory starts by discussing his journey into professional rugby and how 2 years in Newcastle at university gave him the spark he needed to push on with his rugby career. Rory reflects on his time cutting his teeth at Irish club rugby level before he broke through to the Ulster Rugby set up and shortly after became the captain of the squad. Leadership and how it has developed is something Rory looks to analyse, discussing how he developed and how the culture of Ulster Rugby was challenged into better shape.  In line with this Rory talks about how Irish Rugby took a change and how influential Joe Schmidt was to that. Rory chats us through some of the highlights in his career Finally Rory explains how important the Lions are and what we might see this summer amidst the ongoing Covid situation. As always, we hope you enjoy this chat with one of the sport's biggest characters. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!

In episode 6 of 'Wind Yer Neck In'  we welcome Professor Damian Hughes to the show. Damian is the man behind many of the best sports psychology books out there like ‘The Barcelona Way’, ‘The Winning Mindset’, ‘Liquid Thinking,' He also doubles up as a Consultant for many elite level sports teams including previously working with the Scottish Rugby Union Team in the build up to the World cup in 2015 and also in Education roles and within the corporate world. A Professor of ‘Organisational Psychology and change’ at Manchester Met he has dedicated his life to understanding and exploring environments and cultures for which people and teams can most be successful. Damian allows us to explore many of the frameworks he has written about. One fo the things Damian and I discuss is the different types of culture long with what makes a good leader in these cultures. Damian reflects on how his life has been in High Performance and the people he has learnt from along the way.  As always, we hope you enjoy this chat with one of the sport's biggest characters. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@WindYerNeck_In) and Instagram (windyerneck.in)!