Episode 6: From the Pitch to the Playground – Nathan Tyson on Reinvention, Resilience & Coaching with Heart

In this uplifting and motivating episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Clare Bowyer and Hannah Danby are joined by former professional footballer Nathan Tyson to discuss his remarkable shift from the stadium spotlight to the vibrant world of coaching children.

After 24 years on the pitch, Nathan opens up about his bold leap into entrepreneurship as a Mini Athletics franchisee in Nottingham—a journey sparked by looking for fun, active experiences for his own son. He shares the challenges of starting over, the power of community, and how the joy of seeing children grow through sport has brought new meaning to his life.

Nathan’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and passion. From navigating the learning curve of business ownership to finding fulfillment in play-based coaching, he offers real talk and practical advice for anyone considering a new path—especially those transitioning from high-performance careers into purpose-driven roles.

With warmth and honesty, Nathan reflects on the importance of persistence, the value of energetic coaching, and why laughter, learning, and little victories are what it’s all about.

Whether you’re a sports fan, aspiring coach, or simply curious about life after professional athletics, this episode is a testament to how reinvention can lead to even greater impact.

Mini Athletics: Discover how our inclusive, confidence-building programs help children thrive through sport and play at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Join our active, supportive community on Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics for stories, tips, and event updates.

Love the Podcast? Leave us a review and share your feedback—your support helps us spotlight even more inspiring journeys.

Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5: Drawing from the Heart – Eleanor Tomlinson on Art, Animals & Unexpected Fame

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Clare Bowyer and Hannah Danby sit down with celebrated artist Eleanor Tomlinson to explore her journey from sports-averse schoolgirl to viral sensation and passionate creative.

Eleanor opens up about how her love for animals has shaped her artistic path, her early days balancing a school business with drawing for fun, and the moment her Jubilee illustration of the Queen captured the nation’s heart. From viral fame to meaningful pet portraits, Eleanor shares how her art helps people heal, remember, and celebrate life’s moments—big and small.

The conversation dives into how creativity can emerge from unlikely places, the value of embracing imperfection, and why inspiring children to be imaginative is more important than ever. Eleanor also discusses how the challenges of the pandemic shaped her work and outlook, and she gives us a glimpse into exciting projects on the horizon.

With stories of growth, grief, joy, and a lot of heart, this episode is a celebration of the artist’s journey and a reminder that creativity belongs to everyone—no matter where they begin.

Whether you're an art lover, parent, or dreamer chasing a passion, this episode will leave you uplifted, motivated, and maybe even ready to pick up a pencil.

Mini Athletics: Discover how our inclusive, confidence-building programs help children thrive through sport and play at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Be part of our creative, active community on Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics for more stories, tips, and event highlights.

Love the Podcast? Leave us a review and share your thoughts—your support helps us keep bringing inspiring stories to life.

Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4: From Champions to Coaches – Inside the Mini Athletics Superstar Event with Sam & Ryan

In this energetic episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Hannah Danby sits down with Mini Athletics franchisees Sam McDermott and Ryan McClay – both proud past winners of the Mini Athletics Superstar event – to relive the magic of one of the most anticipated days in the Mini Athletics calendar.

Sam and Ryan share what it was like to go from being young athletes full of nerves and excitement, to now standing on the sidelines as coaches, cheering on the next generation. They reflect on the unique energy of the event, how it fosters confidence and team spirit, and why creating a joyful, positive atmosphere is key to helping kids shine.

With plenty of laughs, heartfelt memories, and hands-on advice, this episode is a celebration of what makes the Superstar event so special – for children, families, and franchisees alike. From preparing athletes to building community connections, Sam and Ryan offer inspiration and insight for anyone gearing up for the big day.

Whether you're a franchisee, coach, or parent, you’ll come away with ideas, encouragement, and maybe even a few goosebumps.

Mini Athletics: Discover how our inclusive, confidence-building programs help children thrive through sport and play at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Join our community on Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics for stories, tips, and event highlights.

Love the Podcast? Leave us a review and let us know what you think – your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to life

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Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3: From STEM to Sports – Laura Coe on Building Confidence, Business & Play

In this inspiring episode of Mini Athletics and Me, Hannah and Clare sit down with Laura Coe, founder of Snapology – an educational franchise that blends STEM learning with play. Laura’s journey from working as an actuary to leading a global movement in children’s education and entrepreneurship is full of insights, passion, and purpose.

Laura opens up about the early days of Snapology, how her son’s love of LEGO sparked a business idea, and how play-based learning can transform STEM education for kids. She also shares her perspective on Mini Athletics and the exciting potential it holds in the U.S. market – particularly as a tool for building confidence, fostering creativity, and supporting family-led businesses.

Throughout the conversation, Laura emphasizes the importance of flexibility in franchising, the power of following a proven system, and why every child deserves a chance to thrive – whether through robotics or running. She touches on empowering women in business, raising entrepreneurial children, and the magic that happens when families work together.

Whether you're a parent, aspiring entrepreneur, or just love hearing stories about passion-driven business growth, this episode is full of wisdom, encouragement, and heart.

Tune in now to hear how Laura is helping kids grow through fun, confidence, and community – and why the future of education might just start with a single brick… or a pair of running shoes.

Mini Athletics: Learn more about our fun, inclusive programs that help kids develop sports skills and confidence at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Find us on Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics for updates, tips, and inspiring stories from our community.

Leave Us a Review: Love the show? Let us know by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform – it helps us grow and bring you more amazing guests like Laura.

Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2: The Mini Athletics Journey – Starting Strong with Seb & Harriet

This week on Mini Athletics and Me, Hannah and Clare are joined by two special guests – Seb and Harriet! Just two weeks after launching their own Mini Athletics journeys, they reflect on how they're feeling and what led them to take the leap into the world of kids’ fitness and coaching.

In this episode, they share their personal motivations for joining Mini Athletics, the process of going from signing up to running their first sessions, and what their initial training was like. They also open up about the challenges they've faced so far and how they’re adapting to their new roles.

Most importantly, Seb and Harriet discuss the exciting impact Mini Athletics is already having on their lives – and how they see it shaping their future. Whether you're thinking about joining Mini Athletics or just love hearing inspiring stories about new beginnings, this episode is packed with insights and real-life experiences!

Tune in and join us for an honest and uplifting conversation about taking the first steps toward something new.

Mini Athletics: Learn more about our programs and how we’re helping kids develop sports skills in a fun, supportive environment at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Stay connected for all the latest updates, tips, and motivational content on our Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others find the show and ensures we keep delivering top-notch content!

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, Your feedback keeps us motivated and helps us shape future episodes.

Produced and Edited- Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very first episode, meet your hosts Hannah Danby and Clare Bowyer as they introduce themselves and share their journey into the world of Mini Athletics!

From their backgrounds in sport to their passion for getting kids active, they dive into what inspired them to be part of this incredible program. Learn how they went from loving sports to helping little athletes build confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love of movement.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or just curious about Mini Athletics, this is the perfect place to start. Let’s get moving!

Mini Athletics: Learn more about our programs and how we’re helping kids develop sports skills in a fun, supportive environment at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Stay connected for all the latest updates, tips, and motivational content on our Instagram and Facebook @miniathletics

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others find the show and ensures we keep delivering top-notch content!

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, Your feedback keeps us motivated and helps us shape future episodes.

Produced and Edited- Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.