BEYOND THE GAME

What does it take to perform under pressure - live, unscripted, for decades? In this episode of Beyond The Game, we sit down with legendary Irish sports broadcaster Ger Canning - a voice synonymous with some of the most iconic moments in Irish sport. Across four decades behind the microphone, Ger has commentated on All-Ireland finals, Olympic Games, World Cups and historic sporting milestones. But beyond the big calls and famous phrases lies a masterclass in preparation, resilience, focus, and high-performance communication. From managing pressure in live broadcasting to sustaining excellence over a lifetime in sport, Ger shares the mindset, habits and leadership lessons that have allowed him to stay sharp, relevant and energised in an ever-evolving media landscape. This is a conversation about composure in chaos, longevity in performance, and the power of storytelling to connect, inspire and lead. Topics Covered: Performing under pressure in live, high-stakes environments The preparation habits behind confident communication Lessons in resilience from decades in elite sport Leadership, observation & reading momentum Adapting to change in a rapidly evolving media world Purpose, legacy & what truly matters beyond the big moments Whether you’re a leader, communicator, coach, entrepreneur, or sports fan, this episode is packed with practical insights on resilience, high performance and the mindset required to sustain excellence over time. For powerful conversations with athletes, coaches and leaders from the world of high-performance sport and the lessons that apply far beyond the game - listen and subscribe to Beyond The Game on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms. Sound and post production by Elaine Smith -Elaine Smith on Linked In

Does talent really drive success - or is culture the real differentiator? In this episode of Beyond The Game, we’re joined by Bernard Jackman, former professional rugby player, Heineken Cup winner, elite coach, and now a highly respected leadership and high-performance consultant working across Irish and international organisations. Bernard draws on his experience operating at the highest levels of sport and business to unpack what truly underpins sustainable success. From elite dressing rooms to boardrooms, his message is clear: talent alone is never enough - high performance is built on culture, accountability, and standards. We explore how resilient teams are created, why adaptability and learning matter more than raw ability, and how leaders can build environments where people consistently perform under pressure. Bernard also shares insights from his own career transitions - from player to coach to leadership advisor — and the mindset required to reinvent yourself while maintaining clarity and purpose. This episode is packed with practical leadership lessons, making it essential listening for business leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and anyone interested in resilience, high performance, and organisational culture. Topics covered include: Why talent doesn’t guarantee success - and what does Building resilient, high-performance cultures in sport and business Accountability, standards, and leadership under pressure Lessons from elite teams that transfer directly into Irish business Adapting, learning, and reinventing across multiple careers 🎧 Listen and subscribe to Beyond The Game for evidence-informed conversations on resilience, leadership, mindset, and high-performance habits - distilled from the worlds of elite sport and business. Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In

What does it take to stay at the top of professional rugby for over a decade? In this episode of Beyond The Game, we sit down with James Cronin - former Munster, Biarritz, and Leicester Tigers prop - whose career is defined by consistency, resilience, and an unbreakable determination to succeed. Having made over 150 appearances for his boyhood club Munster, James went on to test himself in France with Biarritz before finishing his professional career in the English Premiership with Leicester Tigers. Now stepping into his next chapter as Head Coach of Highfield Rugby, he reflects on the lessons learned from the highs, lows, and everyday grind of elite sport. James shares powerful insights into maintaining elite performance over time, managing setbacks, and transferring the mindset of a professional athlete into leadership and coaching. Topics Covered: Building resilience and consistency in elite performance Overcoming injury setbacks & psychological recovery Leadership lessons from the pitch to the coaching box Transitioning identity from player to leader The importance of preparation, perspective & purpose Listen, follow, and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for real-world lessons on resilience, mindset, and leadership from athletes, coaches, and business leaders who’ve performed at the highest level.   Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In #JamesCronin #BeyondTheGamePodcast #Resilience #Leadership #HighPerformance #Rugby #Mindset #CareerTransition #MunsterRugby #LeicesterTigers #Biarritz #IRFU #Highfield #Coach

TJ Dillashaw: Resilience, Reinvention & Running a Business What does it take to rebuild yourself after hitting rock bottom? In this powerful first episode of Beyond The Game Season 2, two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw opens up about the highs of world titles, the lows of public scrutiny, and the mindset required to come back stronger than ever. Known for his relentless work ethic and precision inside the Octagon, TJ shares how he’s applied the same discipline, accountability, and mental toughness to life after fighting - and his new venture, Wild Society Nutrition. This conversation goes far beyond sport. It’s about owning your mistakes, rediscovering purpose, and using adversity as fuel for reinvention — lessons that resonate in business, leadership, and everyday life. Topics Covered: Overcoming setbacks & rebuilding confidence after failure The psychological components of true resilience Lessons in leadership, discipline & ownership Life after sport: transferring elite habits into business Founding Wild Society Nutrition & the science of wellbeing Listen, follow, and subscribe for more powerful insights from athletes, coaches, and business leaders redefining what it means to perform — Beyond The Game. #BeyondTheGamePodcast #TJDillashaw #UFC #Resilience #Mindset #Leadership #Redemption #HighPerformance #SportsPodcast #Entrepreneurship #WildSocietyNutrition #Motivation  

What happens when the game you’ve built your life around suddenly stops? In the final episode of Season 1 of Beyond The Game, our very own Jonny Holland steps into the guest seat to share his remarkable journey - one marked by resilience, reinvention, and a relentless pursuit of growth. From the heartbreak of a career-ending injury to building a new path as a leading performance nutritionist and coach, Jonny opens up about the mindset shifts that helped him navigate change, and how the lessons from elite sport now fuel his approach to helping others perform at their best. Topics Covered: - Reinventing yourself after a career-ending setback - Resilience in the face of uncertainty and identity loss - Nutrition & mindset for sustainable high performance - Moving from player to coach — lessons in leadership & empathy - Building a future beyond sport — and staying driven through transition   🎧 Listen now to the final episode of Season 1 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.   Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In

What does it take to leave behind everything familiar and start again on the other side of the world - professionally, personally, and mentally? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Ciarán Sheehan shares his remarkable journey from All Ireland winning Cork GAA star to professional AFL player with Carlton Football Club in Melbourne. Ciarán reflects on his early love for sport, the joy of playing multiple codes, and the shift from community-driven GAA to the high-pressure environment of professional sport. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of injury setbacks, how he navigated change, and the identity challenges that come with life after elite sport. Taking his knowledge from working in player welfare and development role, Ciarán now leads people at Green rebel one of Ireland's biggest green energy suppliers bringing thoughtful insight into working with people, supporting others through transition, and the lessons he’s carried with him from sport into real life. Topics Covered: - Transitioning from Cork GAA to professional AFL - Managing injury setbacks - physically and mentally - Adjusting to a new culture and professional system - Supporting others through change and personal development - Balancing performance, wellbeing, and staying grounded in joy 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.   Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In

How do you transition from the intense world of high-performance sport to leading a business, raising a family, and building a new identity? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Derval O'Rourke - World Champion hurdler, three-time Olympian, successful entrepreneur, and proud mum of two - shares her honest journey of moving beyond elite athletics. Derval opens up about the challenging transition away from the structured world of sport, how long it truly took to settle into "normal life," and the mindset shifts she had to make to thrive in business leadership. She also reflects on parenting lessons, including how she’s learned to park her competitive instincts when it comes to raising her children—and why redefining success matters more now than ever. Topics Covered: The emotional transition away from elite sport Mindset shifts from individual sport to business leadership Balancing ambition with parenting and real life Building resilience and patience beyond competition Redefining success beyond medals and titles 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms. Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In

What does it take to carry the weight of a family legacy, help your county to All-Ireland glory, and stay driven through over a decade of elite-level sport? In this episode of Beyond The Game, All-Ireland winner and Cork football legend Paul Kerrigan opens up about the mindset that drove his success, the pressure and pride of living up to his name, and the role of reflective practice and psychology in building resilience both on and off the pitch. Now a qualified sports psychologist, Paul shares the powerful tools and strategies that apply far beyond sport—into business, leadership, and everyday life. Topics Covered: Developing a relentless, championship-winning mindset Embracing pressure and honouring a proud family legacy Leadership from the pitch to life’s bigger arenas Reflective practice as a driver for growth Mental tools that fuel performance in sport, business, and life 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.   Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In  

What does it take to transition from a successful business career to owning one of Ireland’s most passionate football clubs? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Dermot Usher shares the lessons he’s learned applying business principles to sport, the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks, and the deep belief that football clubs can be a powerful force for connection and community. From navigating the challenge of relegation to building a trusted support network and laying the foundation for Cork City FC’s return to the top, Dermot reflects on leadership, adversity, and the strength it takes to stay the course. Topics Covered: Transferrable lessons from the business world to football leadership Overcoming adversity and bouncing back from relegation Building a support system of people you can trust The power of sport in creating connection and combating loneliness Leadership through uncertainty and long-term vision Bringing Cork City FC back to where it belongs Listen, like and subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms. Sound and post production by Elaine Smith -Elaine Smith on Linked In

What does it take to balance elite sport, a full-time career, and breaking barriers in STEM—all while competing at the highest level? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Phil Healy gives a rare insight into the discipline, mindset, and time management strategies that have helped her become a European champion, two-time Olympian, and leading advocate for women in STEM. From navigating motivation over the long haul to overcoming injuries and autoimmune challenges, Phil shares the tools that have kept her performing at an elite level—while still finding ways to enjoy the journey, even under pressure. Topics Covered: - How to stay motivated & disciplined over long periods of time - Tools & strategies to push through tough days - Balancing elite sport with a full-time career in STEM - Overcoming injuries & autoimmune challenges - Championing young women to enter male-dominated industries - The importance of having fun—even in high-pressure environments Listen, like and subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

What does it take to sustain elite performance for almost two decades? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Patrick Horgan gives a rare insight into the mental toughness, discipline, and obsession with improvement that have made him one of hurling’s all-time greats. From the heartbreak of All-Ireland final defeats to the relentless drive to keep coming back stronger, Hoggie shares how he stays motivated, managing his mindset over time and what wearing the Cork jersey truly means to him. Topics Covered: - The elite mindset—how to stay at the top for over a decade. - Leadership in the face of setbacks & finding motivation again. - The power of knowing your ‘why’ in sport & life. - How resilience & reflection fuel long-term success. - Cork pride, passion & what it really means to wear the jersey. Listen and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for unique insights into the mindsets, resilience and habits of athletes, coaches and business leaders from the world of high performance sports.   Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In

In this exclusive and unfiltered episode of Beyond The Game, Simon Zebo opens up like never before. From the pressures of elite sport to the hidden struggles behind his signature smile, he shares how family support, resilience, and mindset shifts helped him navigate career transitions, missed selections, and injuries. Now, stepping into entrepreneurship with Black Emerald Irish Whiskey, Zebo reveals the high-performance habits and transferable skills that drive his success beyond rugby. Topics Covered: How sport shapes character and fuels long-term success The high-performance habits that fuelled Simon Zebos’ success. The realities of professional sport—beyond the fanfare and smiles. How transferable skills from rugby apply to business and leadership The mental resilience needed to handle setbacks like missed selections & injuries Listen and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for unique insights into the mindsets, resilience and habits of high performance athletes, coaches and business leaders from the world of high performance sports.   Sound and post production by Elaine Smith - Elaine Smith on Linked In