Before The Medals - The Podcast Before The Medals

What can you say about Becky Adlington? An incredible inspiration that shot to fame in the Beijing Olympics 2008 winning double Gold in the 400m and 800m, breaking a 19 year old World Record in the latter event.

Becky tells us how hard she worked and the determination she had to succeed - whilst always managing to keep her feet on the ground. I think Becky is an inspiration to us all.

We talk importance of finding the right coach, how amazing her family are and the support they gave her and why its not always a bad thing to have a good burger!

Thank you for the support in our first series. We hope we have helped inspire the next generation.

Rich

Karl's story is one you don't want to miss out on. He shows that you don't need to be a superstar at 15 years old to make it at the elite level. Karl played rugby at School but nothing serious and actually played football whilst at University in Coventry. It was when doing his PGCE in Bedford that he picked up a Rugby Ball again purely to keep fit whilst studying. Joining the lowest team he quickly worked his way up to the first team where he was spotted by Harlequins and moved into Professional Rugby.

Since our chat Karl has hung up his playing boots but kept them nice and clean ready for his new career as a professional Rugby referee! We wish Karl all the very best in his future career.

Listen to this incredible story, thank you.

Rich
Before The Medals

I was lucky enough to watch Rhys Williams' career close up as I was at Loughborough University with him. Rhys has recently finished his career as an athlete when he hung up his spikes in June this year - but what a career it has been.

The Cardiff AAC athlete and son of rugby union's JJ Williams has achieved the feat of becoming European Champion at every level from U18 through to Senior, as well as picking up the full complement of European Senior medals; beginning with a bronze in 2006, silver in 2010, before becoming European Champion in 2012.

He competed for Wales at two Commonwealth Games, finishing 4th in Melbourne, and before going one better and claiming the bronze medal in 2010.

He competed for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, making the semi-final, with a semi-final place also achieved at the 2005 and 2013 World Championships.

Not only has Rhys been a phenomenal athlete but also an incredible human being and I wish him all the very best for his life after the track.

I hope you enjoy our chat,

Richard Edmonds
Before The Medals

Number 7 in our first season of Podcasts could only be my favourite number 7 of all time - Matt Le Tissier. I grew up watching incredible goal after incredible goal from this Southampton FC Legend.

We talk about growing up on an Island and the importance of having older brothers to bring up his level.

Listen to how Matt developed his talent through hard work and practise and then even more practise!

Southampton FC fans nickname Matt 'Le God'. Watch his YouTube goals real now to find out why..

Find us on Twitter @beforethemedals or at www.beforethemedals.com