The Jack Murley Sports Show

The One with Heath Thorpe

Heath Thorpe has spent years representing Australia on the world stage in the world of gymnastics, where he's already accumulated more medals than you can shake a stick at! 
When he’s not competing at the very highest level, Heath is representing for the LGBTQ+ community in sport – and building his own brand as an athlete, an advocate, a model, a social media star and so much more.
We’ve been wanting to catch up with Heath for a little while – and since his schedule brought him to Belgium this spring, it was the perfect time to get him back onto the podcast for a catch-up about life over the past few years.
This is a cracking chat about Heath’s journey over the past few years – from becoming a national champion to changing his discipline within gymnastics, to becoming a broadcaster and discovering a strength of character he hadn’t always been certain he'd had.
We also talk about queer joy and visibility; becoming a role model and inspiring others; his release and being himself and loads, loads more besides.
It’s fantastic to get Heath back on the podcast, and we can’t wait for you to hear this one.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@heaththorpeWANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Johnathan Zemlik

Whether it’s representing the LGBTQ+ community as an officer with Keighley Cougars or playing himself in any free hour he’s got, Johnathan Zemlik is someone who lives and breathes rugby.
He’s run out for Leeds Hunters, Ossett RUFC, York Barbarians and a whole host of other clubs – and this summer, he’ll even be a key part of the world’s longest-ever rugby union match for the charities Looseheadz and Wooden Spoon, which both do amazing work in the game.
So, when he said he wanted to come onto the podcast to shout about that – and so much more! – we were always going to say ‘yes’.
This is a fascinating conversation with someone who lives and breathes rugby, but who didn’t actually get into the sport into relatively late – and it feels like he’s been making up for lost time ever since!
It’s a conversation with some exciting announcements, some touching revelations, and a chat with a really genuine man who has discovered his tribe in rugby and is now dedicated to having others do the same.
It’s just a brilliant chat with someone who embodies what grassroots sport is all about, and we think you’ll really love this chat with Johnathan today!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@johnathan.a.zemlik
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with the London Otters

Founded more than a decade ago, the London Otters have gone from strength-to-strength in the decade since it was set up, hosting everything from regattas to taster sessions to drag events – it really is going on there!
So, what better time to shine a spotlight on the Otters than now, with co-founder Grant ‘Ralphie’ Ralph and committee member Swarnima Sircar, who are our guests on the podcast today.
We talk about their own experiences of rowing, including why Ralphie helped to found the club in the first place; their own journeys in sport; getting others into rowing; their personal highs on and off the water and so much more.
It’s a fantastic chat with two brilliant guests from a great club – and we think you’ll love it.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@londonottersrc
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Emma Wiggs

In the sport of canoe, there simply hasn’t ever been a woman like Emma Wiggs.
A triple Paralympic gold medallist along with two silver Paralympic medals, plus an incredible twelve World Titles, more European Championships than you can shake a stick at – and a sporting CV that can go toe-to-toe with absolutely anyone in the world.
She’s also been nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year Award at this year’s Diva Awards – and continues to inspire and motivate others with her talks about her journey.
And when you hear this conversation with Emma, you’re going to understand why – as she’s one of the most incredible talkers and one of the nicest people in sport.
We chat about all sorts of things – her incredible sporting career, the history she’s made, the way she’s challenging the mindset that people feel elite athletes need to have, psychology, being herself, the people she’s inspired, and loads, loads more besides.
Time with Emma Wiggs is always time well spent – and we think you’re going to absolutely love this episode!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@emmawiggs
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
 

The One with Zack Leader

To say Zack Leader is committed to diversity and inclusion in the beautiful game would be a gross understatement.
A nominee for the British LGBT Awards in 2019, he’s been a finalist on multiple occasions at the Football v Homophobia Awards – and he’s celebrating nominations again this year as a result of his work.
In fact, it’s fair to say that if you are involved in football in Lincolnshire – either with Lincolnshire FA, Lincoln United or the area’s inclusive football team -  you’re going to know all about Zack’s work in opening the sport up to everyone.
A fellow Spurs fan and an athlete in his own right as a gravity bike rider (in fact, he’s a two-time British junior champion), Zack is a fascinating guy and a brilliant guest on the podcast today.
We chat to Zack about the amazing work he’s been doing in Lincolnshire, about why inclusion is so important to him, about pushing through so many fantastic initiatives to do with the LGBTQ+ community, his own experiences as a gay man in football and loads more besides.
It’s a great conversation, and it’s always fantastic to check in with Zack – and we think you’re going to love this one!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@zleader23
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Ruaridh Donaldson

Few footballers are more active allies to the LGBTQ+ community in the men’s game than Ruaridh Donaldson.
The Chelmsford City midfielder doesn’t shy away from his allyship – in fact, it’s front and centre on his Instagram page, and something he is proud to be.
And while it seems an odd question, asking the Scot why he’s so open with his support for the community when relatively few other men in the world of football aren’t is a question that’s absolutely key – and at the centre of this cracking conversation on the podcast today.
It’s a chat with a man who is considered, empathetic, sensitive and utterly genuine with his allyship – especially as he has experienced homophobic abuse himself, even as someone who isn’t a member of the LGBTQ+ community himself.
We also talk about Ruaridh’s journey in football, his experiences in the beautiful game, what the sport has given him, the reality of playing in National League South and so much more besides.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@ruaridhd on Instagram
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Jon Holmes

If you’re interested in the sort of stories that we tell on this podcast, then you almost certainly already follow Jon Holmes.
And if you don’t, you need to – as it’s no exaggeration to say that he’s one of the most influential LGBTQ+ sports journalists working in the world today.
From his work with Sky Sports to his current role at Outsports, alongside his work with the Sports Media LGBT+ group, there really is no aspect of LGBTQ+ sporting life in the UK and further afield that Jon hasn’t covered.
So, it’s great to get him on the show to talk about all sorts of things – and especially the work he’s been doing as part of Football v Homophobia during February, including today’s ‘Wear it Black and Pink’ Day to support the campaign.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Jon is an absolute pioneer who so many of us in the industry look up to, and it’s amazing to have him on the podcast with us today.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@jonhholmes on Instagram
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Daniel Jervis

We’re proud to call Daniel Jervis a friend on this podcast.
The double-Olympian and multiple-time Commonwealth medallist came into the life of this show back in 2022 when the swimmer chose to open up about his sexual orientation for the first time on our podcast.
In the time since then, there’ve been some downs and a load of ups for Dan – including the mammoth achievement of a second Olympics for the Welshman in Paris – and so it only seems right that Dan joins us to talk about his announcement today that he’s retired as a professional athlete.
And really, more than ever, this is a chat with one of the many guests we’re privileged to have become friends with on this podcast – a reflection on his career, his legacy, the significance of his coming out, what comes next and his highlights from his time inside and outside of the pool.
It’s funny, it’s emotional, it’s real – basically, it’s an episode with a man we love to bits, and we think you're going to love it. 
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:@danieljervis1
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Jason Joshua

If you didn’t know Jason Joshua before this weekend, there’s a chance you do now after he went viral for – well, there’s no other way to say it, for being bodyslammed onto a sex aid.
But even before that, ‘Big Daddy Unicorn’ was capturing the eyes of the British and international wrestling community with his unique mix of power and personality, along with a personal journey that is every bit as compelling as his in-ring persona.
Anxiety and mental health issues have played a huge part in this larger-than-life grappler’s life, as has his own journey with his sexuality – and he’s on the show to talk about it all today.
It is a fascinating chat – about imposter syndrome, about pushing yourself, about overcoming the obstacles that we all put in front of ourselves, and so much more.
Belts, being yourself, the works – it’s all in this conversation.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@jasonjoshuapro
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
 

The One with Cindy Ngamba

It’s always special to have an Olympian on the podcast.
When that Olympian is also a medallist, that makes things even better – and when they made history in the process… well, it doesn’t get any better than that.
But that’s exactly what Cindy Ngamba did at the Paris Olympics, when she became the first person from the Refugee Olympic team to ever win an Olympic medal, as she picked up bronze in the boxing in the middleweight division.
Cindy is also a multiple time British Amateur Champion, and has competed for the European Refugee Team as well – and by anyone’s measure, she has an extraordinary story to tell.
This is a conversation you just need to hear – it’s inspiring, it’s raw, it’s real, it’s genuine – with someone who is incredibly modest about what she’s achieved, yet in no doubt about how hard she worked to get there.
From coming out to winning bronze to being her authentic self, this is an episode you just can’t miss!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@cindyngamba
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com