Power And Purpose Podcast

What happens when you strip away the headlines and let three men talk about what really matters?In this Season 2 opener, Maro Itoje, William Ekong and Leon Mann are back together for one of the most open and honest conversations we have ever had. Will pulls back the curtain on the real business of football, from contract negotiations to choosing family over ambition. Maro reflects on reaching 100 caps for England before sharing something deeply personal about losing his mother, grief and learning to keep going when the world feels different.This episode reminded me why we started this podcast. It is not about performance. It is about purpose.Listen to the full episode below:Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5acio7AdrIGnrGU7pXgrv2⁠Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/power-and-purpose-podcast/id1838671753⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@listenpowerandpurpose⁠

What does it take to lead at the highest level when the world keeps telling you that you don’t belong?In this episode, we sit down with global legal leader Sandie Okoro OBE, whose rise from a South London childhood to the top of the World Bank is a masterclass in confidence, resilience and purpose. Her story goes far beyond law and finance. It is about challenging expectations, embracing fear, leading with kindness and humility, and breaking ceilings that were never designed to open.This conversation changed the way I think about leadership, identity and what it truly means to step into your power.Listen to the full episode with Sandie Okoro below:Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5acio7AdrIGnrGU7pXgrv2⁠Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/power-and-purpose-podcast/id1838671753⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@listenpowerandpurpose⁠

What does it really take to build champions—inside and outside the ring?In this episode, we sit down with legendary boxing trainer Dave Coldwell, whose journey from a violent childhood to coaching world champions is a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and emotional intelligence. His story isn’t just about boxing—it’s about rebuilding confidence, overcoming fear, and leading with honesty.This conversation reshaped how I think about performance, pressure, and what true toughness looks like.Listen to the full episode with Dave Coldwell below:Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5acio7AdrIGnrGU7pXgrv2⁠Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/power-and-purpose-podcast/id1838671753⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@listenpowerandpurpose⁠

What does it really take to build a football brand from nothing?For today’s episode, we sat down with Jake Hardy, the founder and CEO of Sokito, one of football’s fastest-growing sustainable boot companies. His story isn’t glamorous. It’s raw, risky, and built on sacrifice most people will never see.This conversation changed how I think about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what success actually costs.Listen to the full episode with Jake Hardy below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5acio7AdrIGnrGU7pXgrv2Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/power-and-purpose-podcast/id1838671753Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@listenpowerandpurposeSokito: https://www.sokito.com

Welcome back to Episode 9 of the Power & Purpose Podcast with Leon Mann, and William Troost-Ekong.In this episode, we sit down with one of the most influential leaders in British football today - PFA Chief Executive Maheta Molango - to unpack a remarkable journey that proves why talent alone will never take you to the top.Maheta talks us through his unconventional rise: from paying to play amateur football in Switzerland, to earning a contract at Atlético Madrid, scoring one of the fastest debut goals in English football… and then reinventing himself completely.We dive into how he combined education with elite sport, why understanding your weaknesses is a superpower, and how resilience - not raw ability - is what separates the good from the great.He also shares honest insights on leadership at Real Mallorca, navigating failure, transforming the PFA, supporting players’ mental health, and why athletes need to see themselves as more than just the game.As always, jump in the comments with your thoughts - and let us know who you’d like to see next on the Power & Purpose Podcast!

Maro and Leon are joined by one of the greatest rugby players of all time on this week’s Power & Purpose Podcast – All Blacks legend Dan Carter.Dan opens up about his incredible leadership journey: from a five-year-old dreaming of the black jersey, to becoming the All Blacks’ all-time great points scorer and a double Rugby World Cup winner.We dive into how he discovered his purpose, why “pressure is a privilege”, the red-head vs blue-head mindset that helped the All Blacks win back-to-back World Cups, and what really changed after that brutal 2007 quarter-final.Dan also shares the story behind missing the 2011 World Cup final, how he rebuilt himself to deliver a fairytale 2015, the power of team culture over individual brilliance, and how he’s now using his influence for social impact through his foundations and his book The Art of Winning.It was an honour having Dan on the podcast – if you enjoyed the episode, make sure you leave a like, follow/subscribe, and let us know in the comments who you’d like to see on future episodes!

Will and Leon bring you the first guest on the Power & Purpose Podcast this week, it's the PDC's Chief Executive - Matt Porter. Matt tells us all about his incredible leadership story so far, from becoming Leyton Orient's CEO at the age of 26, to leading the rise of one of the biggest sports in the world! We discuss what it's liking working under Barry and Eddie Hearn, how Darts actually makes more money than Matchroom and we discuss the big plans for taking the sport to Saudi Arabia... It was a pleasure to have Matt on the Podcast this week, be sure to leave us a like and tell us who you would like to see on future episodes!

Welcome back to Episode 6 of the Power & Purpose Podcast with Leon Mann and Maro Itoje! There’s no Will this week as he’s away with the Nigeria Super Eagles, but the powerful conversations continue. In this episode, we celebrate Black History Month and discuss the figures who inspire us — from Muhammad Ali and Lord Ouseley to Ian Wright. We explore what true leadership and representation mean in today’s sporting world.The team also dives into the McKinsey report that highlights a striking contrast — while 63% of Premier League players are Black, only two sit on club boards. We ask why, and take a closer look at whether rugby faces similar diversity challenges.Join the discussion in the comments — who inspires you, and what changes would you like to see in sport?Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with new episodes.

Welcome back to Episode 5 of the Power & Purpose Podcast with Leon Mann, Maro Itoje and William Troost-Ekong. In this episode, the team get into how leaders deal with pressure in elite sporting environments and the effect of the media. We talk about how criticism differs in Nigeria in comparison to the UK and Leon recalls an interview with a Team GB Judo athlete at London 2012... Will gives us an insight into the viral video of Victor Osimhen playing table tennis, plus we also discuss his comparisons to Maradona and so much more! As always, get in the comments and give us your thoughts on this topic and do let us know what guests you'd like to see on the Podcast!

Welcome back to Episode 4 from the Power & Purpose Podcast. In this episode, Will, Maro and Leon discuss the key things you need to be a success in sport and why nothing is best done alone...We talk about footballers being seen as assets rather than people, the difference between faith and blind faith and what LeBron James' key to success was...Remember to like and hit that subscribe button and leave us a comment - tell us who you'd like to see as a guest on the Podcast!

Welcome back to Episode 3 from the Power & Purpose Podcast. In this episode, Will, Maro and Leon discuss emotional intelligence in sport, managing these experiences and empowering younger people to be the best leaders. We talk about a secret coach who inspired one of our guests to peak performance for club and country, an England crisis meeting held ahead of the Rugby World Cup, plus Leon tells a story from playing football on the Hackney Marshes many years ago.Remember to like and hit that subscribe button and leave us a comment - tell us who you'd like to see as a guest on the Podcast!

Welcome to the Power and Purpose Podcast - the podcast exploring leadership, influence, and impact across sport, business, politics, and culture.In Episode 2 of the Power & Purpose Podcast, Will, Maro and Leon are vulnerable and reveal all about their own stories from childhood, right up to the present day. We hear family stories, boarding school experiences and talk about the evolution of being British and Nigerian, plus, why is it now 'cool' to be African?We'll also hear from Maro on the one song that was on repeat in the England dressing room during the 2019 Rugby World Cup and what other sports he played at school, including some that you won't be expecting... The team have got some top tier guests on the way, sharing their stories on why leadership is critical within sport, business and life!Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Power and Purpose Podcast — the podcast exploring leadership, influence, and impact across sport, business, politics, and culture.In Episode 1, Nigerian Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, England & Lions star Maro Itoje, and award-winning sports consultant & journalist Leon Mann MBE share why they launched this new platform. They discuss their experiences in elite sport, how leadership shapes their lives on and off the field, and the purpose driving them forward.Subscribe now as we have some big guests on the way who will share their stories into why leadership is so important in the world we live in and the impact it has on others.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.