The Game Changers

"I hate mediocrity. As soon as it feels like we’re sitting in the status quo, I feel like I’m failing."

In this brilliant episode of The Game Changers, Sue Anstiss is joined by Jess Thirlby, Head Coach of the Vitality Roses and one of the most respected leaders in world netball.

From growing up in a deeply sporting family in the South West to representing England at the Commonwealth Games and ultimately leading the national...

Lucy Wray: Building Culture, Driving Change and Backing Women’s Sport

"Sport is this incredible rollercoaster of winning, losing, learning and bonding — I don’t think anything else creates that kind of magic."

This week on The Game Changers, Sue Anstiss is joined by Lucy Wray – an inspiring and influential leader in sport whose journey spans elite performance, business innovation and transformative change.

A former Wales lac...

“When the world forgets Afghanistan, we keep speaking. We are the voices of the women who can no longer be heard.”

What would you risk for the right to play sport? For Khalida Popal, the answer is everything.

This powerful episode of The Game Changers tells the extraordinary story of a woman who defied the Taliban, challenged a corrupt sporting system and used football to fight for the lives and freedoms of women and girls across the...

"I’ve become the person I needed when I was younger – and that’s the greatest gift I can offer the athletes I coach today."

Jenny Meadows is a former world-class middle-distance runner and now one of Britain’s most respected athletics coaches. Recently honoured – alongside her husband – as BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year, Jenny is a European and World medallist whose success was forged through resilience, grit and...

“Women’s physiology isn’t a problem to be solved - it’s an opportunity to innovate.”

In this fascinating episode of The Game Changers podcast, I speak with Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, one of the world’s leading researchers in female physiology, about the critical need for women-focused sports science.

From her unconventional journey into the field, to leading ground-breaking research, Kirsty challenges outdated...

What does it take to lead some of the biggest sporting events in the world? 

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Massey, Managing Director of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, to uncover the strategy, ambition and passion behind running global sports championships.

With over 30 years of experience, Sarah has played pivotal roles in organising major sporting events, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games and World Champions...

"Women’s sport has come so far, but there’s still a long way to go in terms of investment and opportunity."

In this fascinating episode of The Game Changers, host Sue Anstiss sits down with Dame Tracey Crouch, an influential figure in both sports and politics. 

Tracey shares her personal journey from growing up as a passionate sports enthusiast to serving as the UK's Minister for Sport. Her political career was defined...

Hello and welcome back to The Game Changers, the podcast where you'll hear from trailblazing women in sport who are challenging the status quo for women and girls everywhere. What can we learn from their stories as we explore equality in sport and beyond.

This is the 19th series of The Game Changers and what an incredible range of guests we have. Talented, inspiring women who are changing the game in sport.

With new episodes lau...

“Anyone can get abused. Smart people, really intelligent people, old people, young people, beautiful people, average looking people. It doesn't matter who you are, you're not like exempt because of any characteristics that you have.”
Mhairi Maclennan, Kyniska Advocacy 

Today’s episode of The Game Changers podcast could be the most important ever. 

Over the past five years it’s been a privilege to share the stories of 15...

Our guest today is Mel Bound the founder of This Woman Runs (formerly This Mum Runs), the world's largest digital and in-person running community for women. 

Mel is driven by her vision to inspire women everywhere to enjoy the life-changing benefits of being active and in this inspiring episode shares her journey from a chronically asthmatic child to a successful entrepreneur.

We explore how what started as a local women's ...

Our guest today is Laura Youngson, the co-founder of Ida Sports, the world’s leading female sports footwear brand that recently received $2M in investment funding.

Laura is a huge advocate for gender equality and in 2017, led a group of women to the top of Kilimanjaro to play a record-breaking football match with Equal Playing Field. 

The trip highlighted a common problem facing female players all over the world: their boot...

Lucy Horsell is a woman on a mission to empower female athletes at all levels as the co-founder of PeBe Sports Bras, a company that is transforming the sports bra market. 

This episode tracks Lucy’s journey from losing her way in formal education at school to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

With a passion for education, science and product, Lucy's journey to merge these worlds into one innovative venture was kickst...

Our guest today is Danielle Sellwood, a former sportswear designer, trend forecaster and women’s sport publisher who now shares diverse stories of sport and adventure through powerful documentaries made by her company Find It Film.

In 2008 Danielle co-founded Sportsister, a trail-blazing sports website and magazine for women, and from 2012 she directed visual campaigns at Women's Sport Trust (WST) helping create lasting change ...

Our guest today is Yvette Curtis, founder of Wave Wahines, a female surfing club dedicated to empowering women and girls in the sport.

We discuss Yvette's journey from her childhood in Bristol to her current work in North Devon, the importance of fun and non-competitive environments in sports, and the challenges of promoting diversity and inclusion in surfing. 

Yvette shares her experiences of the backlash she faced wh...

Kelly Newton is the founder of NIXI Body - absorbent & discreet underwear for periods and little bladder leaks. Nixi body has a focused mission – to keep women moving through menstruation, motherhood and menopause. 

Kelly is doing so much to open up the taboo conversation around female incontinence and is an expert on stress and urge incontinence in women – a topic which is incredibly relevant in sport.

A desire to stay active wa...

Baz Moffat is having an extraordinary impact in the world of women’s health.

A former GB Rower, Baz co-founded The Well HQ, an organisation that educates and empowers women to understand their bodies and use that knowledge to thrive in sport, health and life. 

Baz was in the GB Rowing team from 2005-2008 – medalling at the World Championships in 2007. With degrees in Sports Science and Health Related Behaviour Change, Baz ran persona...

In this, the 18th series of The Game Changers I’m talking to founders and entrepreneurs. These are the women who have set up organisations that help change the landscape for all women and girls across sport. 

There’s so much we can learn from their journeys as they openly share the challenges and joys in establishing new brands, finding investment and building businesses.

With new episodes launching every Tuesday this autumn the gues...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Director of Sport, British Paralympic Association Penny Briscoe,
which was first released on June 27, 2023.

Our guest in this episode has been instrumental in the success of the British Paralympic team, helping them to achieve record-breaking medal hauls at 10 Paralympic Summer and Winter Games.

Penny Briscoe competed for ...

As we look forward to the Paralympics at Paris 2024, we're sharing this previous episode with Jodie Ounsley, who will be presenting at the games, which was first released on May 30, 2023.

Today’s guest is Jodie Ounsley – a professional rugby player and Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport, who will also be a Gladiator in the new series that returns to the BBC later this year.

Jodie is a powerful role model for women and...