Life Through Ball

Tarek
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Mental Health

Life Through Ball (formerly Life in Sport) is a storytelling platform exploring life, identity, and purpose through football. Hosted by Tarek Moustafa, the podcast features honest conversations with players, coaches, staff, and people across the football world about the journeys behind the game. From academy football to life after the pitch, these conversations go beyond performance to explore pressure, transition, belonging, and growth. Football is the home base, but the stories reach far beyond it. Follow us on all platforms: https://beacons.ai/lifethroughball

  1. 2d ago

    The Hidden Side of Professional Football Nobody Talks About

    What really happens in a footballer’s life away from the pitch? Life Through Ball is back, and for the first episode of the new season I’m joined by Jack ‘Tebbs’ Tebbutt, Head of Player Wellbeing at Charlton Athletic. Tebbs has spent years working closely with players inside professional football, including his time at Burnley and now Charlton. But as he explains in this conversation, most of the conversations he has with players have nothing to do with football. LinkedIn +1 We get into the side of the game supporters rarely see: the challenges players can experience away from the pitch, dealing with setbacks, pressure and difficult periods, the importance of having a strong routine and a “default” to come back to, and why understanding someone is often more valuable than judging them. Tebbs also explains his approach to player wellbeing and why he believes that every person needs a champion — someone willing to understand the person behind the player. A conversation about football, but even more about people. Follow Jack Tebbutt: LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-tebbutt-4bb369111?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tebbs__?igsh=ZWU4Y2hpYWE5eDU=&igsi=ZWU4Y2hpYWE5eDU= Follow the Person First: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonfirst_?igsh=MWU5NG0xMHd4dTI4bw==&igsi=MWU5NG0xMHd4dTI4bw== 00:00 Introduction & What Does Player Wellbeing Really Mean? 02:17 Dealing With Stress, Routine & "Being Middle" 06:36 The Pit of Doom & Building Resilience 10:46 Becoming Head of Player Wellbeing at Charlton Athletic 13:48 Growing Up, Football & Finding Purpose 19:41 A Career in Education Before Football 30:23 Misconceptions, Bias & Understanding Young People 35:36 Building Trust With Young People 40:37 What Is Player Care Really? 47:06 Why 80% of Player Care Has Nothing To Do With Football 52:16 Role Play: Helping a Young Player Through a Relationship Problem 57:57 Academy Players vs First Team Players 01:00:34 The Hidden Challenges Footballers Face 01:05:29 Losing Your Identity as a Footballer 01:08:02 Working With Coaches & The MDT Approach 01:12:11 Why Players Don't Always Open Up 01:17:13 Why Player Wellbeing Should Be the Heartbeat of Football Clubs 01:19:45 Building Person First 01:26:21 Can You Measure the Impact of Helping People? 01:29:39 Is Behaviour Really Communication? 01:33:16 Social Media, Young People & Modern Education 01:40:25 Final Reflections

    The Hidden Side of Professional Football Nobody Talks About

  2. Jun 7

    The Football Career Trap Nobody Talks About | Ft. Dr Chris Platts

    What if the biggest challenge in football isn't making it… but staying there? In this episode of Life Through Ball, I sit down with Dr Chris Platts to discuss the realities of academy football, career transitions, identity and the decisions that can shape a young player's future. Whether you're a player, parent or coach, this is a conversation worth hearing. Dr Chris Platts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchrispl... Website: www.chrisplatts.co.uk Email: info@drchrisplatts.co.uk Follow us on all platforms @lifethroughball.

    The Football Career Trap Nobody Talks About | Ft. Dr Chris Platts

  3. May 24

    Released At 20… The Reality Of Leaving Football | Paddy Gamble

    Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Paddy Gamble joins Life Through Ball to talk about the realities of football beyond the pitch. Released at just 20 years old, Paddy reflects on the emotional side of leaving the professional game, rebuilding identity beyond football, and the lessons that shaped his journey after the academy system. We also dive into the unique pressures of being a goalkeeper, player wellbeing, transition, and why support systems in football matter more than ever. A powerful conversation around football, identity and the human side of the game. You can find Paddy on LinkedIn and through his platform, Person Before Player. #LifeThroughBall #Football #PlayerCare #Goalkeeper #MentalHealth #NottinghamForest

    Released At 20… The Reality Of Leaving Football | Paddy Gamble

  4. May 11

    The Hidden Side Of The Football Industry | Lifethroughball

    The Hidden Side Of The Football Industry

    The Hidden Side Of The Football Industry | Lifethroughball

  5. Apr 26

    Players Get Lost In The Academy System… So He Built His Own

    In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Tekky FC to explore his journey from Preston to London, and how he built a platform focused on developing young players beyond just football. We dive into the realities of the academy system, why it doesn’t work for everyone, and the importance of creating environments where players can grow both on and off the pitch. This conversation goes beyond the game — touching on identity, development, and what it really takes to support young people in football today.

    Players Get Lost In The Academy System… So He Built His Own

  6. Mar 29

    Where Football Meets Culture | Johnny Kay on Versus, Identity & Mental Health

    In this episode, we sit down with Johnny Kay, the mind behind Versus, to explore where football meets culture. From the power of identity in the modern game to the often-unspoken realities of mental health, Johnny opens up on what it really means to navigate life in and around football today. We dive into how Versus is reshaping storytelling in sport, why culture and community are inseparable from the game, and the pressures that players, creators, and fans carry behind the scenes. This is more than football it’s about people, purpose, and perspective. 🎧 Tune in for an honest, thought-provoking conversation.

    Where Football Meets Culture | Johnny Kay on Versus, Identity & Mental Health

  7. Mar 28

    Guillem Balague: Storytelling, Identity and Life Beyond Football

    In this episode of Life Through Ball, I sit down with renowned football journalist and author Guillem Balagué for a conversation about his journey through the world of football. Known for his work covering some of the biggest names in the game, Guillem shares a perspective that might surprise many fans, football itself was never his true passion. Instead, it has always been storytelling. We discuss how his career developed, the lessons he has learned from decades working around elite football, and how storytelling sits at the heart of the sport. From covering the biggest clubs in the world to writing books and shaping football narratives, Guillem reflects on what the game has taught him about life, identity and purpose. This episode is a deep dive into the human side of football and the stories that shape the game. If you enjoy conversations about football journeys, identity in sport, and the people behind the game, make sure to subscribe to Life Through Ball. Follow Life Through Ball: Follow Life Through Ball: YouTube: @lifethroughball Instagram: @lifethroughball Twitter/X: @lifethroughball Tiktok: @lifethroughball

    Guillem Balague: Storytelling, Identity and Life Beyond Football

  8. Mar 2

    Why He Founded Proficient Youth Development | KK

    In this episode of Life Through Ball, we sit down with KK, founder of Proficient Youth Development (@proficientyouthdev), to explore his journey and the reason he built a platform dedicated to supporting young athletes and their parents. We discuss identity beyond performance, the role of parental guidance in youth sport, and where youth development is heading. KK shares why he felt there was a gap in the space and how he is working to change the way players are supported on and off the pitch. A conversation about purpose, responsibility and building something bigger than the game.

    Why He Founded Proficient Youth Development | KK
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About

Life Through Ball (formerly Life in Sport) is a storytelling platform exploring life, identity, and purpose through football. Hosted by Tarek Moustafa, the podcast features honest conversations with players, coaches, staff, and people across the football world about the journeys behind the game. From academy football to life after the pitch, these conversations go beyond performance to explore pressure, transition, belonging, and growth. Football is the home base, but the stories reach far beyond it. Follow us on all platforms: https://beacons.ai/lifethroughball

Information

  • Creator
    Tarek
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tarek Moustafa 2023
  • Show Website
    Life Through Ball