Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu: ‘How to Run a Business & Play in the Premier League' (Ep76)

This week, we’re delighted to welcome Thomas Robson-Kanu to the show, known to many of you I’m sure as Hal. The different names he has gone by is the perfect demonstration as to why this is such a unique story. A footballer with over nearly 500 competitive games under his belt and a businessman with revenues in the tens of millions, Thomas is the epitome of creating additional opportunity alongside elite sporting performance.

Many of us think straight to that momentous moment in Euro 2016 when he scored the goal of goals against Belgium to put Wales in their first Semi-Final. As incredible as that was, it doesn’t come close to doing him justice. The Turmeric Co has become a leading company in the food and beverage industry, with the shots extracted directly from turmeric roots linked to Hal overcoming career ending injuries and chronic inflammation. We have to be careful about how we directly link this to recovery, but everything points to major health benefits and recovery.

But how do you build a business and compete in the Premier League at the highest level? This is a conversation for everyone; any athlete looking to understand how you can influence the business world, Hal gives one of the best explanations we’ve heard on 80 shows. Anyone interested in the realities of building a business alongside another high intensity career, this is also for you. Not to mention, from a fan point of view, it’s another reveal on the people behind the athletes we celebrate but don’t give full recognition to. 

We have put a link to the Turmeric Co below (not a paid advert!) because I think this genuinely something you should try. I’m excited for you to hear this. 

On today’s show we discuss:

Football, Media & Player Empowerment

• What was it like to walk away from football while still receiving offers?
• How do you recover after being told you’ll never play without pain again?
• Why do so few players take control of their own stories?
• How does the football system fail young players in preparing them for life after the game?
• Why media narratives can overlook the full story of a player's journey

Entrepreneurship & the Athlete Mindset:

• How did he balance building The Turmeric Co. while still playing professionally
• Why sports people make the best entrepreneurs
• Why resilience, discipline, and recovery matter just as much in business as in elite sport
• Building a brand off the back of a sporting career
• The mindset of training like every game could be your last and how that mentality translated to startup life
• What made Hal believe a turmeric shot could replace surgery

Footballing Legacy

• Why careers aren’t defined by stats, but by moments.
• The magic of the Euro 2016 tournament and how it reshaped Hal’s legacy
• How can players prepare emotionally and financially for retirement
• Mentoring the next generation: what young footballers need to hear now.

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show:

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