The Jack Murley Sports Show

Kevin Maxen: Coming Out in the NFL, Coaching, Courage and Changing the Game

Kevin Maxen has always wanted to be ‘just Kev’, and to march unapologetically to the beat of his own drum. A lover of baseball who rose to the elite level of American football as a strength and conditioning coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars; and a lover of literature who helped some of the top athletes in the USA to excel in the NFL, Kevin has defied stereotypes throughout his life – and nowhere was that more true than in this month two years ago, when the then-Jags NFL coach opened up about the fact he happens to be gay.
Kev’s decision to share his story was the first time that a male coach in a major US sports league had spoken publicly about their sexuality – and it caused a huge reaction around the world, as you probably remember.
So, it’s a delight to have Kev on the podcast today, two years on from that momentous decision, to talk about his life and his journey, inside and outside of sport.
It’s a cracking conversation about all sorts of topics – from helping athletes fulfil their potential, to some of the NFL’s most glamorous moments, to why speaking his truth about his sexuality was such a watershed moment for both American and international sport.
This conversation with Kev is a real treat – thought-provoking, considered and humble from a man who, simply by being himself, has helped countless people across the world!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@kmax3823WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
 
#KevinMaxen #NFLCoach #LGBTQInSport #GayCoach #RepresentationMatters #PrideInSport #ComingOutStory #InclusiveSport #QueerInSports #StrengthAndConditioning #JacksonvilleJaguars #SportsHistory #LiveYourTruth #Pride2025 #NFL

Wes Rennison: Serving Pride and Building Inclusive Tennis with the Dundee Deuces

With the French Open in the rear-view mirror and Wimbledon underway in London, it’s no wonder that tennis is high up the sporting agenda right now.
But for Wesley Rennison – the founder of the Dundee Deuces inclusive tennis and pickleball team – it’s the Serve It Summer Cup that took centre-stage at the weekend, as four of Scotland’s top inclusive tennis clubs came together for a day of serves, allyship and friendship.
With EuroGames Lyon on the horizon, it’s a busy time for the club – and the perfect chance to get Wesley onto the podcast to talk about how it all came about.
We talk to Wes about his love of tennis, establishing an inclusive club, the joy of getting others into the sport, representing Team Scotland on the international stage – and why baking is such a key part of what makes the Deuces special!
It’s a fabulous trip to the grassroots with a really special club, and we hope you enjoy listening!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@dundeedeuces
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com#DundeeDeuces #InclusiveSport #LGBTQIA #QueerInSport #ServeItSummerCup #PickleballLove #TeamScotland #EuroGames2025 #TennisForAll #LGBTQInTennis #PrideInSport #CommunitySport #ScottishSport

Michael Gunning: breaking barriers, smashing swimming stereotypes and bringing authenticity to the pool

Michael Gunning has done so much in his life after retirement that it’s almost easy to forget what an incredible athlete he was during his competitive swimming career.
A Team GB athlete who switched to represent Jamaica, Michael went on to become one of the country’s greatest-ever swimmers – and made history as the Caribbean’s first out gay male athlete.
Since then, Michael has made it his mission to help other people in sport feel comfortable as their authentic self, inspiring the likes of Daniel Jervis to open up about their sexuality and working with former Blackpool striker Jake Daniels to tell his ‘coming out’ story.
Combine that with Michael’s hosting work at events like Cardiff Pride and the British LGBT Awards, and you can see how committed Michael is to living his mantra of leaving every room brighter than it was when he entered it.
Not bad, when you think about it, for a man who was told that ‘black people can’t swim’ when he was growing up.
Michael is a brilliant guest to have with us today – as we chat about life after swimming, being a role model to folks in the queer and Black community, transitioning to life after swimming, the pressure that comes with using his platform and so much more!
And as always, a chat with Michael is an utterly authentic experience – funny, real, and nothing other than genuine – and we think you’re going to love it.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@michaelgunning1
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#MichaelGunning #QueerInSport #BlackExcellence #LGBTQIA #GayAthlete #RepresentationMatters #PrideInSport #TeamJamaica #TeamGB #AuthenticityWins #InclusionMatters #SwimmingChampion #Swimming
 
 
 

Jordan Burrow: 'I Kissed A Boy', queer representation in football, Jake Daniels, life as a PT and more

When Jordan Burrow donned the kit of former Blackpool striker Jake Daniels on this year’s series of I Kissed A Boy, he was looking to prove a point.
As a kid growing up in rural Cumbria surrounded by football fans, he knew that seeing queer representation in the game would have made his life easier – and by going on the hit BBC reality show, he’s blazing a trail himself.
So what role did sport play in Jordan’s life growing up, and as a PT now, what does it mean to him now – and how did he end up on the iconic BBC Three show in the first place?
Jordan is a great guest on the podcast today, talking about everything from body image to using this moment and his platform to amplify the position of the queer community in sport.
Plus we get the gossip on his reality TV stint – and celebrate his dad being just an awesome, awesome ally.
It’s a cracking episode with a brilliant lad, and we think you’re going to love it – and we’re massively grateful that Jordan joined us today!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@jordanburrow
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com#JordanBurrow #IKissedABoy #QueerInSport #LGBTQIA #GayRepresentation #BBCThree #QueerAthlete #BodyPositivity #InclusionMatters #FootballForAll #LGBTQFitness #PrideInSport #LGBTNews

Caz Simone: the Huddersfield Town player on coming out as non-binary, living authentically and the power of visibility

For Caz Simone, football has always been part of their life.
The Huddersfield Town Women player uses their platform not only to talk about the beautiful game but their journey as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community – including as a proud gender non-conforming person and advocate.
It’s not bad for someone who was afraid of even joining a team at all when they were twelve years old – and in the years since then, Caz has gone on to do loads in the game, winning the LGBTQIA+ Award from the Football Black List and testing themselves against some of the biggest names in the sport.
So, what does football mean for Caz – and how are they using their position right now?
They join us for a cracking conversation that ranges from everything from discovering their identity to their finest moments in the game – to a little bit of breaking news on the podcast as well.
It’s a conversation that is honest, that’s raw, that’s often very funny, as Caz talks about using their platform to inspire others and open football up to everyone!
It’s a fantastic chat, and we can’t thank Caz enough for it!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@_cazsimone
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#LGBTQIA #GenderNonConforming #FootballForAll #QueerVoices #LGBTQInSport #CazSimone #PrideInSport #InclusionMatters #LoveIsLove #QueerAthlete #HuddersfieldTownWomen

Ryan Dunk: representing Team USA, counting Lady Gaga as a fan, and bringing skating to half-a-million on social media

If you love figure-skating, you’ll almost certainly follow Ryan Dunk on social media.
The US collegiate and junior champion has amassed more than half-a-million followers on social media – where his jaw-dropping routines to the likes of ABBA, George Michael and Queen regularly go viral.
To say Ryan has a passion for figure-skating would be a massive understatement – and as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, he’s a vocal advocate for using his voice to help others who may be struggling with their own sexuality.
But his own journey with his sexuality has been one that has brought its share of difficulties to Ryan’s life – but now, skating is his way of spreading a world of joy, tolerance and acceptance around the world.
We have a cracking conversation with Ryan – about his journey in sport, about his love of skating, about representing Team USA, about his coming out journey, inspiring others, being shared by the likes of Lady GaGa and so, so much more.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@ryan.dunk (Instagram) and ryan_dunk (TikTok)WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#figureskating #sport #gaysport #lgbtathlete #gayathlete# #teamusa #comingout #ryandunk #iceskating #queer #gay #dance
 

Micheál Costello: representing Ireland internationally, mastering triathlon events, talking about eating disorders, coming out and more

As a two-time ironman competitor, Micheál Costello knows what it’s like to maintain an elite level of fitness – and this year, he hit a personal milestone when he was picked to represent Ireland on the international stage for the first time in Spain.
And while that event didn’t go the way that Micheál wanted, he is determined to represent his country again – and to do so as an authentic member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Micheál has been a long-time listener to the podcast as well – so when he dropped us a message saying he’d love to come on for a chat, we were always going to say yes!
This is a powerful, personal conversation about Micheál’s journey to elite-level sport; his diagnosis with an eating disorder; his journey with his own sexuality; his mental growth and the grit that you need to represent your country on the international stage.
It’s a cracker of an episode that we love, and we think you’ll love as well!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@michael_costello_
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#comingout #pride #gay #gayathlete #gaysports #pridesports #LGBTNews #olympics #triathlon #ironman #Ireland #gayireland

Javier Raya: competing at Sochi Olympics, starting Compete Proud, elevating LGBTQ+ voices in sport and more

Javier Raya was just a child when he began skating at a rink near a train station in Madrid.
From there, the Spanish figure-skater turned himself into an elite level skater, winning the country’s National Championships in 2011 and medalling on countless other occasions – and becoming an Olympian when he represented his country at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
He’s not just an elite level athlete in his own right either, but started Compete Proud to give LGBTQ+ athletes at all levels the representation and support that they needed.
The organisation has gone from strength-to-strength, with partnerships like Pride House Paris and more in the last twelve months alone.
So, it’s brilliant that Javier has taken the time to join us from Spain to talk about Compete Proud and his own amazing sporting career.
This is a cracker of a conversation – about the obligation that Javier felt to be his authentic self in sport; about the importance of lifting up others; about his highest sporting moments; how he switches off; and so, so much more!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@skaterraya@competeproud
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#comingout #pride #gay #gayathlete #gaysports #pridesports #LGBTNews #competeproud #olympics #gayolympian

Elevating Trans Voices: A Sports Show Special

We don’t know about you, but we don’t think there’s ever been a more important time to elevate the voices of the trans community in sport.
At a time when it feels as if trans athletes across the globe are being talked ABOUT, we decided it was appropriate to use our platform to show what happens when you talk TO trans men and women in sport instead – about their goals; about what sport brings to their lives; and the ups, downs and in-betweens that they’ve experienced, on and off the pitch.
So, that's what we've done on the podcast today.
From rugby to wrestling to football at all levels, we’ve compiled some brilliant stories from the podcast’s back-catalogue featuring just a snapshot of the amazing trans individuals who have joined us on the podcast over the years.
We hope you enjoy them, that you share them – and that we can help spread some much-needed trans positivity and joy with today’s episode!
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#trans #transsport #transpride #lgbtqsport #pridesports #LGBTNews #LGBTQNews #football #rugby #rugbyleague #soccer #comingout

Nicholas Daines: making it as one of Hollywood's top stuntmen, being gay in Tinseltown, gymnastics and more

As a gay stuntman breaking barriers in Hollywood, Nicholas Daines has turned his gymnastics background into an asset that has made him one of the most sought-after individuals for some of the big screen’s biggest blockbuster stunts.
He’s been in films like The Batman, Wicked and Indiana Jones – as Nicholas (a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community) turned his life as an elite-level gymnast and diver into a career in movies that few people can ever have dreamed off.
It's been too long since we've last had Nicholas on the show - so it's great to have him back on the podcast today to talk about his life in movies, in sport, and so much more besides.
From visibility for the queer community in Hollywood to his journey with his sexuality, it’s a cracking conversation with a guest that we think you’ll love!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@nicholasdainesWANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
#lgbtq+ #lgbtsport #lgbtqnew #lgbtqsport #gymnastics #comingout #lgbtqia #sport #uksport #movies #stuntman #stuntwork