{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/64be83386e75b600105ce645/666580f1db997d001262969e?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"James Forrester: on his rugby career, forced retirement, entrepreneurship and Gloucester-Hartpury","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/64be83386e75b600105ce645/1717926314318-d6b6a2ae825f6c6768beab4067f8ff27.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! ==</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Today's episode is with one of the most exciting and unorthodox talents rugby has ever seen, Gloucester and England backrower James Forrester.</p><p><br></p><p>James is now the CEO of Gloucester-Hartpury - reigning Premier 15s champions.</p><p><br></p><p>Having burst onto the scene for Gloucester, in 2002, at just 21, Forrester made his England debut against the Barbarians, scoring a 65m wonder-try, skimming none other than the great Jonah Lomu.</p><p><br></p><p>James’ rugby career was to come to an eventual end, with a ‘blood curdling’ scream and an injury the operating surgeon said was the worst sporting he’d ever seen, comparing it to someone who’d been in a car crash.</p><p><br></p><p>Olympic gold medal winning Fijian coach, Ben Ryan - who'd coached James at school - said of his retirement: \"The tragedy is we never saw the best of him – he could do things on the field that defied belief. The game is losing a great talent\".</p><p><br></p><p>Enjoy this interview with a true Gloucester and rugby legend, as we talk about his life and career.</p><p><br></p><p>Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108</p><p><br></p><p>Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl</p><p><br></p><p>Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month</p><p><br></p><p>Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com</p><p><br></p><p>Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com</p><p><br></p><p><strong>*About The Starting Line Podcast*</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.</p><p><br></p><p>Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. </p><p><br></p><p>Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>*About me, Rich Leigh*</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Your starting line doesn't have to define you.</p><p><br></p><p>I wouldn't wish our upbringing on anybody.</p><p><br></p><p>But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.</p><p><br></p><p>At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.</p><p><br></p><p>By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.</p><p><br></p><p>Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.</p><p><br></p><p>Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.</p><p><br></p><p>*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*</p><p><br></p><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow  </p><p><br></p><p>Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho</p><p><br></p><p>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow</p><p><br></p><p>Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow</p><p><br></p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow</p>","author_name":"Rich Leigh"}