Matty Peet is back. After a phenomenal few years leading Wigan Rugby League to unprecedented success, I sit down with him to reflect on the highs, the challenges, and what it really takes to lead at the highest level.

From winning every available trophy to managing the relentless demands of elite coaching, Matty shares the lessons he’s learned—not just about rugby, but about leadership, resilience, and personal growth. He opens up about the pressures of expectation, the importance of connection, and why he believes every coach needs a coach.

This episode isn’t just about sport. It’s about leadership, self-awareness, and the mindset required to sustain success.

Show Notes

Reflections on Leadership & Growth

• What’s changed for Matty over the past three years as Wigan’s head coach
• The doubts and criticism he faced when he first took the job—and how he silenced them
• The biggest lessons in resilience and leadership from elite sport.

The Power of Connection

• Why connection is the foundation of Wigan’s success
• The impact of fostering a deep bond with players beyond just performance
• How Matty balances the demands of coaching with being present for his family.

Coaching & Personal Growth

• How self-awareness has transformed Matty as a leader
• The importance of having mentors and coaches at every level of leadership
• Why vulnerability in leadership isn’t a weakness, it’s a superpower.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for Wigan

• How Wigan is preparing for the next season with the same squad
• The importance of evolution vs. revolution in sustaining success
• Matty’s focus on innovation, creativity, and maintaining a high-performance culture.

Lessons for Leaders Everywhere

• Why every leader, whether in sport or business, needs a support system
• The importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and leading by example
• The role of personal development in becoming a better coach, father, and man.

In this episode, I sit down with Cody Royle, a coach to elite head coaches in professional sports and author of three impactful books, including the Amazon bestseller The Tough Stuff.

Cody shares his journey from coaching Australia’s national Aussie Rules team to mentoring some of the top leaders in soccer, basketball, rugby, and beyond. Together, they explore the emotional toll of leadership, the power of self-awareness, and the profound impact of integrating personal growth into coaching.

Show Notes

Cody’s Journey:

• From playing Aussie Rules football to becoming a coach at 22
• Transitioning from coaching Canada’s national team to writing The Tough Stuff
• The pivotal moments that led Cody to focus on supporting head coaches.

The Challenges of Head Coaching

• The increasing complexity of managing multi-billion-dollar sports organisations
• Balancing personal growth with professional demands
• Common struggles faced by head coaches, including pressure, identity, and maintaining perspective.

The Role of Personal Growth:

• Why self-awareness is at the core of effective coaching
• Cody’s approach to coaching head coaches: attunement, presence, and refining existing strengths
• The importance of integrating family life and personal practices into professional pursuits.

Key Themes and Insights:

• The emotional toll of leadership and how to navigate it
• Bridging the gap between elite performance and personal well-being
• How Cody’s work is helping to shape a new generation of self-aware, emotionally intelligent coaches.

I sit down with Martin Offiah, rugby league legend and cultural icon, to explore his journey from a young boy in Hackney to becoming one of the greatest try-scorers in the history of the sport.

In this deeply personal conversation, Martin reflects on the mentors who shaped his career, the challenges of breaking barriers, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience and self-belief. From his rugby triumphs to his advocacy for sustainability and electric vehicles, Martin shares his powerful story of transformation and greatness.

This is an episode for anyone who wants to learn how to turn adversity into fuel for success.

Show Notes

Martin’s Journey

• Growing up in Hackney and discovering rugby as an outlet for his energy and ambition
• The transition from rugby union to rugby league and becoming one of the sport’s most iconic players
• Reflections on the pivotal moments, including his legendary try at Wembley.

Themes of Greatness

• The coaches and mentors who believed in him and taught him the value of star power
• How Martin learned to embrace his achievements without fear of judgment.

Challenges and Resilience

• Overcoming racism and other challenges as a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport
• Lessons learned from tough times on and off the pitch.

Life Beyond Rugby

• Martin’s passion for sustainability and his work in promoting electric vehicles
• Reflections on being immortalised in a statue outside Wembley and what it means to inspire the next generation.

Insights and Advice

• How mentors, teammates, and family shaped his journey
• Lessons from rugby and life on staying authentic and resilient.