5THREAD Podcast

In this episode of the 5THREAD Podcast, I’m joined by Lydia, Sustainability Manager at Edgbaston Stadium.

Lydia joined the club nearly four years ago, stepping into a role that hadn’t existed before. Since then, she’s been building sustainability into the day-to-day operation of a major international sports venue, from energy and water to events, hospitality, data and infrastructure.

What I really wanted to explore in this conversation is what sustainability actually looks like when you’re trying to make change happen inside a busy sporting organisation.

We talk about the importance of taking the jargon out of sustainability, getting people on board, and making changes that work for the organisation rather than simply looking good on paper. Lydia shares the story behind introducing smart plugs across the stadium, the unexpected challenge of a new hotel being built on site, and why sometimes sustainability targets need to be revisited as better data and new information become available.

We also talk about the less visible side of sustainability, stakeholder management, keeping people engaged, and why being willing to say “I don’t know, but I’ll find out” can actually be a strength.

It’s a really honest conversation about making sustainability practical, positive and achievable within sport.

Hannah Cox is the founder of the Better Business Network, a UK membership community for purpose-driven businesses, and betternotstop, a sustainability consultancy.

In May 2024, Hannah started running for the first time. Just 18 months later, she completed an extraordinary challenge: running 100 marathons in 100 days across 4,222km of India. Along the way, she raised more than £106,000 for climate and social justice causes, all while managing scoliosis and an autoimmune disease.

In this episode, we talk about the realities behind such an incredible achievement. Hannah shares the highs, the lows, and everything in between, from the physical and mental challenge of Project Salt Run to balancing an ambitious endurance challenge with the day-to-day realities of running the Better Business Network.

What struck me most was Hannah's honesty. We often see the headline achievement, but this conversation explores what it really takes to build a community, lead a purpose-driven business, and keep moving forward when things don't go to plan.

There are some brilliant takeaways throughout, including the reminder that you can't please everyone all the time, you have to stay true to what you believe is right.

It's an inspiring, honest and refreshingly open conversation, and I hope you enjoy listening.

In this episode, we speak with Clive Michallat, Co-Founder of Action For Sport, a registered charity established in 2020 to tackle one of the hidden barriers preventing children from participating in sport.

With more than 20 years of experience in children's sport, football scouting, education and youth development, Clive has worked as a prison officer, in a secure children's unit, and as a pastoral leader in an inner-city school in Bradford. Alongside fellow co-founder Andrew Kenure, he noticed a concerning trend: children were missing school on PE days.

Digging deeper, they discovered that many families simply could not afford PE kit, trainers or sports boots. For some children, the fear of embarrassment was enough to stop them attending school altogether.

What started as a simple initiative to collect outgrown sports clothing and footwear has grown into a charity that has distributed more than £500,000 worth of kit, diverted over 12 tonnes of textiles from landfill, and helped thousands of young people access sport with dignity and confidence.

In this conversation, we explore:

* The link between access to sports kit, school attendance and participation.
* The hidden challenges facing children and families.
* How reused sportswear can create both social and environmental impact.
* The role schools can play in reducing barriers to sport.
* Action For Sport's plans to launch school-based recycling systems that keep sports kit in circulation.

This is a powerful discussion about inclusion, opportunity and why something as simple as a pair of trainers can make the difference between a child taking part or missing school.
Find out more about Action for Sport via their website https://www.actionforsport.org.uk/

Rose Savidge is a self-leadership coach, Senior Design Manager, and host of The Follow Yourself Experiment podcast.

With over 25 years in the fashion industry, she has led design teams, developed collections, and worked at the intersection of creativity, innovation and responsible product development. Her work brings together strategic thinking, creative direction, and a belief that there is always a better way to build.

Alongside her design leadership career, Rose runs a coaching practice supporting thoughtful, high-performing people through moments of transition - particularly when what they’ve built no longer feels fully aligned.

Her podcast, The Follow Yourself Experiment, sits at the centre of her work. Through conversations with founders, creatives, athletes and change-makers, she explores what it really means to lead yourself and create the life you want.

Across everything she does, Rose’s work is grounded in values-led leadership - helping people reconnect with what matters to them, make clearer decisions, and build a life that genuinely fits.

In this episode, we explore a wide range of themes with Rose, including dyslexia and how it can be a powerful advantage in creative leadership. We also unpack the circular economy—questioning whether it truly comes at a cost, and how to lead in uncertain times.

In this episode of the 5Thread Podcast, I’m joined by Steve Muturi, founder of Ni Wakati Sports Africa. Based in Nairobi, Steve is building opportunities for young people in Kenya through grassroots and emerging sports, from jump rope and dodgeball to esports and freestyle trampolining.

We talk about:
*Why access to play is a right, not a privilege
*How grassroots sport can be more innovative and dynamic than traditional systems
*The challenges and opportunities of second-hand clothing markets in Africa
*Turning denim waste into sustainable dodgeballs
*Creating entrepreneurial and digital skills pathways through sport
*The power of partnerships to scale impact

Steve’s passion is contagious, this episode is a reminder of how powerful grassroots innovation can be in breaking down barriers, creating joy, and opening up career pathways for young people. For more information follow Steve via Linkedin or via Instagram niwakatisports