James Forrester: on his rugby career, forced retirement, entrepreneurship and Gloucester-Hartpury

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! ==Today's episode is with one of the most exciting and unorthodox talents rugby has ever seen, Gloucester and England backrower James Forrester.James is now the CEO of Gloucester-Hartpury - reigning Premier 15s champions.Having burst onto the scene for Gloucester, in 2002, at just 21, Forrester made his England debut against the Barbarians, scoring a 65m wonder-try, skimming none other than the great Jonah Lomu.James’ rugby career was to come to an eventual end, with a ‘blood curdling’ scream and an injury the operating surgeon said was the worst sporting he’d ever seen, comparing it to someone who’d been in a car crash.Olympic gold medal winning Fijian coach, Ben Ryan - who'd coached James at school - said of his retirement: "The tragedy is we never saw the best of him – he could do things on the field that defied belief. The game is losing a great talent".Enjoy this interview with a true Gloucester and rugby legend, as we talk about his life and career.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUlPatreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a monthWebsite: https://www.startinglinepod.comContact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected]*About The Starting Line Podcast*The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.*About me, Rich Leigh*Your starting line doesn't have to define you.I wouldn't wish our upbringing on anybody.But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglineshoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshowFacebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshowLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.