The Jack Murley Sports Show

The One with Campbell Johnstone

It’s been nearly two years since Campbell Johnstone shared the story of his sexuality with the world and – in the process – made a little bit of history.
As a New Zealand rugby star who’d been capped by the national team, Campbell’s decision to speak publicly about the fact he’s gay made him the first out All Black – and when we spoke with him at the time of his decision, life was a bit of a whirlwind for him.
So it’s great to get Campbell back on for a catch-up – and a look at how life has been since then.
We talk about Campbell’s own journey with his sexual orientation; his relationship with the idea of ‘masculinity’; opening up publicly about his sexuality and that decision; the impact his story had; the state of the current All Blacks squad; and yes, planning a wedding!
It’s always cracking to have a chat with Campbell, and it was brilliant to catch up with one of the nicest men in sport – so we hope you love this episode!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@campbelljohnstone.nz
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Connor Minney

As the man behind GAYNS and a serial fitness entrepreneur, it’s fair to say that Connor Minney is a person who lives and breathes the industry.
But Connor’s own journey in fitness – one that had its origins in the unique world of the performing arts – has been quite a ride itself, which is why we’re so delighted to get him on the podcast for a chat today.
And honestly, this is a conversation that’s full of a bit of everything – the reality of life in the fitness industry, the joys and challenges of being an entrepreneur, helping others to achieve their goals and exceeding your own expectations – yes, this chat has it all.
We also touch on the challenge still facing LGBTQ+ athletes and coaches when it comes to things like sponsorship and endorsements; providing a pathway into fitness for the queer community and loads, loads more.
Connor is a great guest and someone who we think you’ll love listening to, and this is a cracker of an episode – and we’re really grateful he’s taken the time to join us for it today.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@connorminney@getgayns
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Joseph Parsons

There’s no doubt that Joseph Parsons is a sports super-fan.
He’s someone we love speaking to on this podcast – about Bristol City, about his previous special about being an LGBTQ+ sports fan, his thoughts on the Euros… he’s just a great guy who is making waves on the UK comedy scene.
So when he dropped us a message asking if he could talk about his first-ever tour, we were only ever going to say ‘yes’ – and that makes this a strange, hybrid sort of episode that links both sport, fitness and comedy in a fantastic conversation.
We talk about gym culture, inclusive football teams, body image – but also about putting a stand-up routine together, finding humour in the mundane, how putting a stand-up set together has a lot in common with a pre-season tour, and loads, loads more.
We think Joseph is terrific, and we think you will as well – and we’ve really enjoyed putting this one together.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@josephparsonscomedyWANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?jack@jackmurley.com@jack_murley
 

The One with Prince Pelé

From WWE Clash at the Castle to AEW All In, it’s been a massive year from the British professional wrestling scene – and particularly for inclusive wrestling in the UK.
Prince Pelé has been at the centre of it, with appearances at TGW’s Pride Show in the summer, and EFFY’s Big Gay Weekend just a month ago in Liverpool.
We never need an excuse to talk about wrestling on this podcast, and it’s awesome to have him with us on the show today.
There’s so much in this podcast that we think you’ll love – from how Pelé discovered wrestling; overcoming anxiety to get into the ring; the emotional promo that led him to find himself as a character; representation in the industry; goals for the future…
It’s all here, in an absolute stonker of an episode that we think you’ll love!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@princepele_
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Mikey Connor

Mikey Connor first came to the public’s attention as one of the contestants on BBC Three’s landmark reality TV show I Kissed A Boy.
But before Mikey was on television, he was out on the pitches, week in and week out, officiating in games across the Merseyside area.
And even though Mikey is now firmly established as a social media presence, his first love is, in many ways, still the beautiful game.
So, there’s every chance you’ll see him refereeing or speaking to LGBTQ+ fan groups about the importance of inclusion – or raising awareness of cancer after his own experiences with the disease.
He’s also one of the nicest blokes there is out there, and it’s great to have Mikey back on the show.
We talk about Everton; his love of the Toffees; challenging stereotypes and breaking down cliches; visibility and being a role-model; what the future holds; and loads, loads more!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@mikeyconnor22
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Carly Telford

Carly Telford is someone who has lived and breathed football for their whole life.
The legendary Lioness spent twenty years in the beautiful game, playing right around the world on some of the biggest stages that the sport has to offer.
So when new research came out showing that far too many female footballers believe that a lack of funding, sponsors and equipment are holding the game back, it was only natural that Telford was going to throw her weight behind the campaign to do something about it.
After all, the game is something that has given her so much – experience of playing around the world; triumphs in competitions like the She Believes Cup; the thrill of being part of World Cups, European Championships and the Tokyo Olympics; and so much more.
And, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Carly is also keen to represent in other ways as well – and it’s an honour to have her on the show with us today.
This is an amazing conversation that goes from everything from ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ to her first England call-up to the amazing changes that the women’s game saw during Carly’s time in it – and we think you’re really, really going to love this episode!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@carlytelford1
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Sophie McKinna

Sophie McKinna is one of those people who we love on this podcast.
In fact, it was with us that the shot-putter and British Olympian first spoke publicly about her sexuality back in 2023 – and a lot has happened since then.
There’s been a major elbow injury, surgery, a road to recovery and – as you’ll hear – an engagement and wedding to plan as well.
But what pushes Sophie on is her desire to continue competing, and her recognition that something within her is driving her to accomplish goals that she’s not yet reached.
You’re going to hear all about that on the podcast today – in a chat that’s about mental resilience, body positivity, role models, grit, sharing your story to help others, finishing things you’ve started, and dogs.
Yeah, dogs feature a lot!
This is a top chat with a brilliant athlete in which nothing is held back, and we think you’ll love hearing it!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@sophiemckinna
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Bruce Mouat

You know how you know that Scottish curler Bruce Mouat is one of the nicest men in sport?
Because the Olympic silver medallist, world champion and multiple-time European gold medallist had literally just got back from competing in Canada when he shook off the jet-lag and joined us on the podcast for a catch-up that has been long overdue.
To be honest, a lot has happened in the years since Bruce was last on the show – including completing a full set of world championship medals after leading Scotland to their first men’s curling world title since 2009 in one of Bruce’s most iconic moments in the sport.
Bruce has also been appearing at Pride events and continuing to fly the flag, both for curling and as an ambassador for the LGBTQ+ community – and it’s brilliant to have him back on the show!
This is a fascinating chat – about the media whirlwind that follows an Olympics; about being visible and dealing with the aftermath; about inspiring others; about being open to help others; about what drives him forward as an athlete… oh, and about the joy and challenges of playing with your partner!
We make no bones about the fact that we love Bruce – and after hearing this episode, you’ll understand why!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@brucemouat
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
 

The One from Virgin Radio Pride

It was an email from listener Adam that got us thinking about the theme for today's episode. Because over the summer, we collaborated with Virgin Radio Pride to put out five special documentaries, looking at everything from Euro 2024 to the Olympics to professional wrestling.
But our international listeners (and some in the UK) didn't get a chance to listen to those shows - so today, we're bringing you some of the best bits from those shows.
You'll hear from Olympians, footballers, pro wrestlers and more - as we bring you some of the best bits from a brilliant summer of sport that we were lucky enough to share over on Virgin Radio Pride.WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Jack Woolley

It’s certainly been a rollercoaster few months for Ireland’s Jack Woolley.
At points, it was uncertain whether Jack would be able to qualify for this year’s Olympics in Paris – but qualify, he did, for his second successive Games in a row.
In fact, Jack’s already a history-making athlete, as the first Irish athlete to ever compete in an Olympic taekwondo event – and this time out, he was cheered on by his partner Dave, unlike in Tokyo, where there were just a handful of people on hand to watch his monumental achievement.
Jack’s been someone we’ve wanted to have on for ages, and we’re absolutely delighted we’ve finally managed to make it happen.
This conversation is a cracker – as we look at Jack’s amazing sporting achievements, his drive and self-acknowledged need to be perfect, his life in taekwondo, his Olympics experiences, his journey with his own sexuality, being open for others and so, so much more.
There’s no doubt that Jack is an inspiration for so many folks, including many listening today – and we’re certain you’re going to love this chat.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@jack_woolley_oly@jack__woolley__
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com