In this episode of the Sports+Outdoor Mentors Podcast, host Dan Trapp is joined by Johannes Jurecka, CEO of All4Golf, Europe's leading e-commerce golf retailer.

Johannes shares his experience navigating leadership, strategy, and organisational transformation in the sports and outdoor retail space.

We explore what it really takes to drive meaningful change inside organisations, from engaging teams to setting clear direction and staying relentlessly consistent.

Drawing on his leadership journey, including his previous role as Chief Operating Officer at Globetrotter and his retail operations leadership at Foot Locker Europe, Johannes breaks down the real challenges and opportunities leaders face today.

We discuss:

- How to build buy-in and align teams during transformation

- The importance of clarity and communication over buzzword strategy

- Practical approaches to culture change and consistent execution

- Insights from retail and outdoor leadership experience

- Knowing when to pivot or persevere in leadership

Whether you’re leading change or preparing to do so, this conversation offers actionable insights to drive alignment, shape culture, and create real momentum in your organisation.

🎙️ Sports+Outdoor Mentors is a leadership-focused podcast and video series featuring senior voices shaping the future of the sports & outdoor industry.

👉 Please follow us for more leadership perspectives, honest conversations, and industry insight.

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In this episode of Sports+Outdoor Mentors, we sit down with Martin Riebel, CEO of Schwan-STABILO Outdoor, to challenge some long-held assumptions about both digital and physical retail, leadership decision-making, and how the outdoor industry adapts to change.

Martin shares candid reflections on what leaders thought they knew about brick-and-mortar retail and why some of those assumptions no longer hold true. We explore how consumer behaviour, organisational culture, and leadership mindset must evolve, particularly in an industry that often talks about values, purpose, and sustainability.

This conversation goes beyond brand strategy. It’s about:

✳️ Relearning how to listen to customers and teams

✳️ Questioning “industry truths” that no longer serve us

✳️ Leading with clarity, responsibility, and consistency

✳️ Understanding why action matters more than narrative

For leaders in the sports & outdoor industry, this is a timely reminder that transformation doesn’t start with trends; it begins with honest self-assessment and the courage to rethink what we believed was certain.

🎙️ Sports+Outdoor Mentors is a leadership-focused podcast and video series featuring senior voices shaping the future of the sports & outdoor industry.

👉 Please follow us for more leadership perspectives, honest conversations, and industry insight.

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In this episode of Sports+Outdoor Mentors, I sit down with Anthony Owosekun, Founder & CEO of EMPOCA, to explore an essential leadership challenge and opportunity: closing the nature gap and making the outdoors truly accessible.

Anthony shares his personal journey into outdoor leadership and the realities faced by Black children and young people across Europe regarding access to nature, environmental education, and outdoor spaces. We discuss how systemic barriers are created, why representation matters, and what genuine inclusion looks like beyond well-intentioned words.

This conversation goes beyond programmes and policies. It examines leadership responsibility, authenticity, and the growing disconnect between what organisations say about sustainability and belonging—and how they actually show up. Anthony challenges leaders, brands, and institutions to lead by example, act with integrity, and reconnect people not just to nature, but to each other.

This episode is essential listening for leaders, educators, outdoor brands, and anyone who believes that the future of the outdoors must be inclusive, credible, and human-centred.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of the Sports & Outdoor industry.

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What does it really take to become a transformative leader in the sporting goods and outdoor industries?

Join us for a vibrant, honest, and actionable conversation as we sit down with Xavier Le Guen, the inspiring leader behind Salomon's Winter Sports Equipment business and a 16-year veteran of the global outdoor sports industry.

Xavier shares the pivotal moments and bold decisions that defined his journey, from jumping across industries and continents to following a mentor's example and learning through both celebrated wins and tough failures.

Discover his secrets to building high-performing teams, recruiting for true potential, and making career moves with courage and purpose.

We delve into what he has learned about sustaining company culture amid rapid change, why soft skills matter more than ever, and how to strike a balance between swift action and thoughtful adaptation.

You'll find hard-earned wisdom on resilience, sustainability in the face of climate change, global relocation, work-life balance, and building a legacy rooted in human connection.

Memorable moments include:

Xavier's game-changing advice: "If you're convinced about something, do it until somebody stops you. Most of the time, nobody will stop you."

Insights from career transitions spanning pharma, FMCG, and outdoor sports. The real story behind moving from expertise into general management, and the humility it takes to empower a team of experts.

Reflections on failures, including owning mistakes and learning to fight for your convictions.

How industry collaboration, sustainability, and strong values drive lasting impact.

If you're aiming to accelerate your career, lead with authenticity, or love a motivating leadership story from the heart of the sporting world, this episode is for you.

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Armelle Solelhac, a visionary who fearlessly pivoted from law to entrepreneurship, and now, to the competitive world of Venture Capital. In this episode, Armelle takes us on her incredible journey, sharing the raw challenges and exhilarating triumphs that led her to build her own VC fund focused on the French outdoor sports and travel industries.

Discover what it takes to spot the next "unicorn" company. Armelle reveals her unconventional investment philosophy, emphasising that success isn't just about a groundbreaking idea, but the obsessive team behind it.

Brace yourself for her bold perspective: "Old ways won't build unicorns." She challenges traditional thinking, offering fresh insights into market trends, the untapped potential of the "silver economy," and why innovation is non-negotiable for future growth.

Armelle also talks about the ability to exercise your freedom of speech, and that is a true privilege. She explores the leadership skills required to speak your truth, even when it requires courage. Tap into your inner voice so you can express your opinions with confidence and leadership coaching.

Whether you're an aspiring founder, an investor, or simply fascinated by disruptive business stories, Armelle's candid advice on resilience, mentorship, and breaking barriers is a masterclass in modern entrepreneurship. Don't miss her powerful message on trusting your instincts and learning from every setback.

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In this episode, NNormal CEO Sito Luis Salas shares his honest perspective on the outdoor industry's challenges and explains why his brand is taking a different path forward.

From challenging the dominance of other sports brands to building authentic values in a world of marketing hype, ex-Campers, Sito reveals the uncomfortable truths about brand building that most executives won't admit.

Discover why being "normal" is actually radical, how trail running shaped a business philosophy, and the unexpected influence of ultra-running legend Kylian Jornet on building a disruptive outdoor brand.

Plus, the strategic moves behind launching a company that refuses to play by industry rules.

This isn't your typical founder story; it's a masterclass in disruption from someone who's betting everything on doing things differently.

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Get inspired by Laura Ball, Group Marketing Director at Nikwax, as she shares her remarkable journey working with global brands such as Nickelodeon and the Jamie Oliver Group, and her current role as a leader in sustainable outdoor products.

She's a perfect example of what "outside of the industry leaders" can bring to the game!

In this episode, Laura reveals how she has combined high-performance strategies with purpose-driven storytelling to foster authentic brand growth, through leadership, lessons in adaptability and the unique challenges of transitioning between industries.

This episode is perfect for future leaders, marketers, and anyone interested in the ever-evolving outdoor and sports industry!

Please like, comment and subscribe to help us reach more people. 🙏

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Liz Wilson, a pioneering female leader in the sports and outdoor industry.

In this in-depth interview, Liz shares her remarkable journey, spanning 30 years of building world-class products and teams at iconic brands, including Nike and The North Face, and now as the General Manager for Softgoods at the Rossignol Group.

Episode highlights:

✳️ Career ambition and progression

✳️ Leadership Philosophy

✳️ Women's Mentorship

✳️ Industry Challenges

✳️ Advice for Future Leaders

Whether you're interested in leadership, career growth, or the evolving landscape of the sports and outdoor industry, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

Please leave us a review and follow us to help us reach more people. 🙏

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