Football doesn’t always end how you imagine.

Injury. Identity. Starting again.

In this episode, Sami opens up about his journey through football — moving between Spain and England, battling long-term injury, and navigating the uncertainty that comes when the game stops.

This conversation captures exactly what Life Through Ball is about: the parts of football we don’t prepare players for, and the resilience it takes to build a life beyond the pitch.

Follow us on all platforms:

https://beacons.ai/lifethroughball?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAPjQtRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAacc3YnHWXhEeZtq3pWygS7PVA8VX3Db8IpecRpZa2VuGxRZ9Rtotec6XcbM5Q_aem_w1L4hVL8oeGgworWzYnxdw

In this episode of Life Through Ball, Tarek sits down with Kraig McLeod to talk about the realities of football that often get laughed off but rarely spoken about properly. Kraig shares his journey through academy football at QPR and Norwich, the transition into non-leaguee, and the moments that forced him to rethink his relationship with the game. We explore what it really feels like to be released, the identity shift that follows, and how humour became a way to process the harder parts of football life. Now known for his football skits and content that resonate with players who have been or are still on that same journey, Kraig explains why laughing through it all became his coping mechanism and creative outlet. This conversation goes beyond football careers and into identity, resilience, mental health and finding your voice when the game does not go to plan. A real and honest conversation about life through football.

Follow Kraig:

https://www.instagram.com/_1kmac?igsh=ZzJ5NnVveG82MTdt

https://www.tiktok.com/@1kmac_?_r=1&_t=ZN-93EwYngBjFO

Follow Life Through Ball on all platforms:

https://beacons.ai/lifethroughball

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the gap for audio listeners and say thank you for your patience. Life happens, growth takes time, and I really appreciate everyone who has stayed connected during this period.

Welcome to the Season 2 finale of Life Through Ball.

This season has been a journey. We explored the game beyond the pitch through conversations around player care, coaching, media, analysis, identity, and the human stories that sit behind football. It’s taken the platform deeper than ever into the lives of the people who shape the game, often away from the spotlight.

In this episode, I reflect on the defining moments, lessons, and themes that shaped Season 2, and share why now feels like the right time to close this chapter.

This finale also marks an important transition.

Life Through Ball represents an evolution of the platform. A return to the heart of why this started in the first place: using football as a lens to explore life, identity, culture, and personal journeys. The game remains the constant, but the conversations are widening.

Season 3 builds on everything that’s come before, with a clearer focus, deeper storytelling, and voices that reflect football in all its complexity.

Thank you for being part of the journey so far. Season 3 is just getting started, and there’s a lot more to come.

https://www.youtube.com/@lifethroughball

In this episode, I sit down with Theo Brown — former academy footballer turned entrepreneur — to talk about his journey through football, resilience, and finding purpose beyond the game. From chasing the dream as a young player to building his own business, Theo shares honest insights about life in and after football, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how the mindset developed in sport can fuel success in any field. This is a real and reflective conversation about transition, growth, and redefining what “making it” means.

Check out our guest:

• https://www.theobrownonline.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/theo-brow...

#LifeInSport #entrepreneur #tech #business #football #footballshorts #PersonalGrowth #Podcast

S2 EP8 | Beyond Grenfell: How Football Became a Beacon of Hope ft Paul Menacer Our most personal episode yet. Paul Menacer — manager of Grenfell Athletic and survivor of the Grenfell fire — opens up about loss, resilience, and how football and community helped him rebuild. Paul’s story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way forward. 🎧 Watch / Listen / Connect 👉 Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or just curious about the hidden side of sport, this conversation is packed with insight. Check out our guest:

• https://grenfellathletic.co.uk/
• https://www.instagram.com/p.menacer?i...
• https://www.instagram.com/grenfellath...

DOCUMENTARY

• https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/en/m...

Transcript

🎙️ Sam Holden | Life in Sport Podcast From the academy system at Manchester United to building his own sports psychology company, Sam Holden has experienced both the highs and challenges of life in football. In this episode, Sam opens up about his academy journey, the mental battles players face, and why he created Unlock Performance — a platform making sports psychology more affordable and accessible for athletes at every level. We talk about identity, resilience, and the lessons Sam has carried from his playing days into his career as a founder supporting others. 👉 Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or just curious about the hidden side of sport, this conversation is packed with insight. Check out our guest:

https://www.unlockperformance.app/about-us

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampholden/

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After a long time without an upload T comes to talk by himself addressing some changes made to the LIS Podcast as well as some other chit chat about the podcast and life in this shorter episode.

In this episode, I sat down with Temisan Williams, an experienced academy coach who’s worked with some of London’s biggest clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Fulham, and Southend United. With over 700 elite academy players coached, Temisan brings a wealth of insight and experience into youth development.

He’s also the founder of the Coach Accelerator Community, where he supports coaches across the world in breaking into the professional game through proven development strategies and personal growth.

We spoke about:

✅ His journey into coaching

✅ Key lessons from working in elite academies

✅ Building your coaching identity

✅ How to support players beyond the pitch

✅ The power of clarity, consistency, and coaching communities

This one’s full of wisdom for anyone interested in coaching, personal development, or making a real impact in sport.

Check out our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/temisan-williams-msc-bsc-83a40931?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

https://x.com/Coach_Temisan?t=Zjh6UjIg1EhssniibCVFzw&s=08

https://www.instagram.com/coach_temisan?igsh=anJsbmkyNmdqdGU5

#LifeInSport #CoachingJourney #YouthDevelopment #FootballCoaching #AcademyLife #CoachSupport #PersonalGrowth #Podcast #SportsEducation