Who are our guests?

Dan Wilson and Alex Ogden are pioneering spirits in the realm of physical education (PE), each illustrating the transformative journey from teaching in schools to spearheading community-wide initiatives for active living. Dan’s evolution from a PE specialist to a director at Yorkshire Sport Foundation is a testament to his leadership in melding education with broader community goals. His personal experiences highlight a strong belief in the value of sports for social and development benefits. Similarly, Alex’s path from a passionate PE teacher to a role at Yorkshire Sport Foundation under Dan's guidance showcases his dedication to promoting physical activity in schools and beyond. His career transitions, driven by a commitment to physically active learning, mirror his belief in the power of sports to enhance well-being and community engagement.

Dan and Alex embody the mission to make sports accessible, enjoyable, and life-enhancing for all children. They remind us of sports' powerful role in building life skills, fostering a sense of community, and enhancing physical and mental health.

What did we discuss?

· Dan's Professional Journey

· Alex's Professional Journey

· Personal Reflections on Physical Activity

· Creating Active Schools Framework

· Research Foundations and Early Implementation

· Regional Pilot Projects and Key Learnings

· Quick Wins and Active Curriculum Strategies

· Behaviour Change and Teacher Engagement

· Future vision of the education sector

Who is our guest?

Ryan Harris is a charismatic leader in the children's sports coaching and activity sector. Beginning his career at 17 years old, as a kids' activity club provider at David Lloyd's leisure centre, Ryan has demonstrated a natural flair for sports and leadership. His early involvement in tennis, where he excelled to become the number one player in Lancashire for his age group, laid the foundation for his passion for sports and its development.

Despite leaving university early, Ryan's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to sports led him to recognise the transformative power of physical activity in children's lives. He leveraged his experience and skills to establish the School of Sport in 2016, later diversifying its offerings and rebranding to meet the needs of children and parents better. Under Ryan's leadership, the organisation has flourished, driven by his commitment to high standards, organisational excellence, and community impact. Ryan's journey from a sports enthusiast to a successful business owner reflects his belief in the importance of leadership, collaboration, and innovation in combating physical inactivity among youth. His story is a testament to the impact of perseverance, dedication, and a genuine passion for making a difference in the lives of young people through sports.​

What do we discuss?

· The importance of leadership in combating physical inactivity

· Introducing Ryan Harris: From tennis prodigy to business owner

· Ryan's professional journey: The early years

· Expanding beyond tennis: The growth of a business

· Navigating business growth and the pandemic

· Ryan's personal fitness journey and its impact

· Engaging children in physical activity: Strategies and Challenges

· The evolution of wraparound services

· Offering free sessions: A strategy for growth

· Leadership insights and inspirations

· Building a culture of continuous improvement

· Cracking the Active Code

Who is our guest?

Adam Holland is a visionary leader in the children's physical activity sector, having devoted over nine years to managing Progressive Sports in Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Chesterfield. His journey, unconventional in the beginning, started right after high school when he dived into a sports coaching apprenticeship with Port Vale. Despite the early end of his tenure due to financial constraints, Adam’s passion never wavered. He quickly found a new beginning with Progressive Sports, where through dedication, learning, and genuine care for community wellbeing, he has significantly expanded the organisation's reach across the East Midlands. With a focus on making sports accessible and enjoyable for children, Adam has introduced innovative methods such as glow-in-the-dark activities to engage young people and has tirelessly worked towards breaking down barriers to physical activity. His leadership is not only transformative but also inclusive, pushing for high-quality services that raise enjoyment levels and physical activity among children. His efforts extend beyond the field; his strategic use of PR and marketing has notably increased Progressive Sports' visibility and impact. Adam's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the importance of leadership at all levels of an organisation.

What do we discuss?

· A Journey in activating community activity

· Adam's early career and the path to Progressive Sports

· The power of physical activity: Adam's insights

· Innovative approaches to engaging children in physical activity

· Adam's proudest moments and inspirational leaders

· Leadership insights and business coaching

· The power of measurement in business improvement

· Personal leadership style and team management

· Developing leaders within the organisation

· Challenges and strategies in leadership development

· Addressing leadership perceptions in the sports sector

· Recommendations for enhancing leadership skills

· Creating opportunities and overcoming barriers

· The importance of reflection and continuous improvement

Who is our guest?

Andrea Springthorpe is an inspiring figure with a multifaceted professional journey deeply rooted in physical activity and fitness. Starting her career in sales and marketing, Andrea found herself unfulfilled and longing for a change. At 28, she took a bold step by quitting her job to pursue a degree in Exercise, Physical Activity, and Health as a mature student at the University of Huddersfield. This decision was a turning point, leading her to explore various domains of physical fitness but ultimately recognising that her heart was not in becoming a PE teacher. Instead, Andrea embarked on an entrepreneurial path and established 'Fit for Force,' a boot camp business aimed at preparing individuals for the physical assessments required in the forces. Her venture was born out of a desire to fill a gap in the fitness preparation for those entering the forces, and it has been successful and ongoing since 2011.

Beyond running boot camps, Andrea's journey took another significant turn when she joined Legacy Sport, where she climbed up to become one of the directors. In her role at Legacy, she handles a mix of finance, operations, sales, and marketing, drawing from her rich background to bring value to the organisation. On a personal level, Andrea places immense value on physical activity, not just for its physical benefits but for its mental health benefits as well. As a mother, she views herself as a role model to her daughter, Sophia, emphasising the importance of being active and healthy. Through her journey, Andrea exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion, making her a compelling character in the narrative of fitness and personal growth.

What do we discuss?

· Andrea's Unique Journey into Fitness

· The Birth of Fit for Force and Transition to Legacy Sport

· A Day in the Life at Legacy: Roles and Responsibilities

· Leveraging Sales and Marketing Skills in the Fitness Sector

· Challenges and Changes in the School Fitness Sector

· The Personal Significance of Physical Activity

· Promoting Physical Activity Among Children and Parents

· Inspirational Role Models and Leadership in the Sector

· The Power of Collaboration and Networking

· Leadership Style and Development at Legacy

· Challenges and Achievements: A Reflection

· Improving Activity Levels: Insights and Recommendations

Who are our guests?

With over 25 years of experience in fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement in sports, Louise Assioun and Sue Morrison stand out as true champions of making physical activity accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Louise, with her rich background in physical education and a level 4 tennis coaching accreditation, spearheads the Team GB Visually Impaired Tennis team, offers invaluable expertise to the Battle Back program, and consults on various projects, including content creation for the LTA’s Coach Education department. Her dedication shines in her work to inspire and develop skills in others, ensuring physical activities are a source of joy and camaraderie for all. Similarly, Sue Morrison’s journey in coaching across a plethora of sports, from tennis to multisport, especially for children and those with disabilities, reflects her deep-seated commitment to nurturing a lifelong love for sports. Her innovative approach in creating activity programs and designing equipment highlights her dedication to broadening the reach of sports, making it possible for individuals from different backgrounds and abilities to find delight and fulfilment in being active. Together, Louise and Sue embody the spirit of inclusivity and passion for sports, making significant strides in bringing the joy and benefits of physical activity to everyone.

What do we discuss?

· Louise's Journey: From PE Teacher to Disability Sports Coach

· Sue's Path: 40 Years of Coaching and Inclusion

· The Power of Sport: Personal Stories of Impact

· Championing Activity: Strategies for Inclusion and Engagement

· Overcoming Barriers: Ensuring Access to Physical Activity for All

· The Journey to Support and Innovation in Inclusive Sports

· Introducing Innovative Training Workshops for Schools

· Creative Solutions for Inclusive Physical Education

· Adapting to Lockdown: Virtual Support and Community Engagement

· LUSU TV: A Resource Hub for Inclusive Activities

· Harnessing Creativity for Inclusive Sports Activities

· Empowering Educators with Inclusive Training Techniques

· Recommendations for Further Learning and Inclusion

Who’s our guest?

Mike Michalowicz is the entrepreneur behind three multimillion-dollar companies and is the author of several business books, including Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan and his newest book, All In. Mike is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and a business makeover expert for MSNBC. He regularly travels the globe as an entrepreneurial advocate.

Mike is a dynamic, energetic and passionate individual, often described as a source of inspiration by his peers. As a business leader, author and speaker, he is dedicated to eradicating entrepreneurial poverty and helping small businesses thrive. He understands the hard work and dedication that goes into running a business and the importance of physical health in maintaining balance. Mike is an advocate of regular exercise, not just for its physical benefits, but also for the positive impact it has on mental well-being. An approachable and engaging personality, Mike believes in the power of people and constantly works towards enabling others to reach their full potential. His daily practices revolve around contributing to his personal growth as well as the growth of others. He is highly focused on bringing about change and improvement in any environment he is a part of.

What do we discuss?

· The importance of physical activity

· Physical activity and business leadership

· Promoting physical activity in teams

· The impact of flexibility and health on business

· The power of training camps: A new approach to recruitment

· The importance of education in recruitment

· The power of measurement: Scorecards and improvement

· The art of caring: Transforming underperformers into top performers

· Top tips for small business leaders

Who is our guest?

With over 40 years of experience in marketing communications and customer relationship management, Richard is the director at Customer Plus, a leading consultancy that helps businesses improve their customer experience and loyalty. He is also a certified NPS practitioner and an accredited C-me colour profiling activator, which enables him to deliver effective and engaging workshops and training sessions for clients across various sectors.

What do we discuss?

• Career Journey and Business Ventures
• Role and Services of Customer Plus
• Passion for Sports and Physical Activity
• Introduction to Customer Journey Mapping
• Understanding Customer Satisfaction Surveys and Net Promoter Score
• Importance of Prioritising Customer Experience
• The Discrepancy Between Promotion and Delivery
• Common Mistakes in Customer Experience
• The Fitness Analogy: Long-term Commitment in Customer Experience
• The Importance of Consistency in Customer Experience
• The Role of Customer Experience in Brand Perception
• The Challenge of Enhancing Customer Experience
• The Power of Choice in Customer Experience
• The Role of Enjoyment in Customer Experience

Who’s our guest?

Kay Batkin is the Network Director at Youth Sport Trust. Inspired from an early age to work in sports education, her professional journey began with the aspiration of becoming a PE teacher. However, after a chance conversation with her own PE teacher, she decided to broaden her horizons and studied Sport and Recreation Development at Leeds Beckett University. After graduation, she found herself thrown into local authority roles managing school improvement and sports development. Within her career, her leadership roles have taken her from managing pivotal sports programmes and competitions to building communities and networks within educational landscapes.

In her 14 years at Youth Sport Trust, she has contributed significantly to programmes, where she shares her passion for transforming children's lives through sports and talks about Youth Sport Trust's long-term strategy for using physical activity as a key facet of child education.

Beyond her role as an executive, she is also a fierce advocate for the benefits of physical activity and good health. She strongly supports the idea of schools leading the way in instilling a culture of physical health through initiatives like fitness-based after-school programmes. She believes in the power of sport not just as a competitive platform, but also as a tool for positive social change.

Stay tuned for more such engaging conversations on the Active Code Podcast!

What do we chat about?

Kay Batkin's Professional Journey

Kay's Role at Youth Sport Trust

The Current Landscape for Children and Young People

The Impact of Physical Activity on Kay's Life

The Future of Youth Sport Trust

The Evolution of Health Issues and the Role of Physical Activity

The Long-term Goal: Daily Physical Activity for All

The Challenge: How to Implement the Goal

The Collaborative Approach to Policy Making

The Manifesto: Key Asks for Youth Wellbeing

The Importance of Physical Education in Schools

The Need for Accessible Play Opportunities for Young People

The Role of Activity Providers in the Strategy

The Importance of Collaboration in the Sector

The Impact of School Games on Youth Engagement

The Upcoming YST Conference: Change Their Score, Change Their Future