The Birmingham 2026 Podcast

Episode 8. Phil Sesemann. The Marathon Doctor.

From the NHS wards to the Olympic start line. Phil Sesemann is the embodiment of clinical consistency and the ultimate proof that the long game always pays off. In this insightful episode, Lloyd sits down with the 2:07 marathoner from his home in Yorkshire to deconstruct a career built on intelligence, longevity, and a refusal to skip the steps. Phil opens up about the years of quiet grind at Leeds City AC, the mental shift required to balance life as a junior doctor with 100-mile training weeks, and the technical focus that led to his stunning marathon breakthrough in London. Whether he’s scoring points in a club race or fighting for position in an Olympic final, Phil’s approach remains the same: show up, do the work, and stay the course. In this episode, we explore: * The Double Life: How the high-stakes environment of the hospital wards provided the perfect psychological prep for the pressure of elite marathoning. * Club Roots & Loyalty: Why Phil remains a fierce advocate for the British club system and how Leeds City AC shaped his journey from junior to Olympian. * The Science of a 2:07: A deep dive into the methods required to build a world-class engine and why Phil believes longevity is an athlete's greatest weapon. * The Marathon Mindset: How he manages deep focus over the 26.2-mile puzzle and his advice for staying healthy while pushing the absolute limit. * Birmingham 2026: Why the home crowds and the city-centre marathon course will be a game-changer for the British distance squad this summer. Whether you’re a club runner looking for your next gear or a fan of the blue-collar pro, this episode is a masterclass in discipline, patience, and the power of the long game. Follow the Journey:  Instagram: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ TikTok: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ Facebook: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ Tickets: ⁠birmingham2026.com⁠ Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a review if you enjoyed the show!

Episode 7. Kelly Sotherton MBE. Tactics, Truth, and the Track.

From the technical chess game of the heptathlon to becoming a leader in the boardroom. Kelly Sotherton is a true Birmingham icon and one of the most respected truth-tellers in British athletics history. In this insightful episode, Lloyd sits down with the triple Olympic medalist and Birchfield Harriers legend to explore a career built on honesty, longevity, and tactical brilliance. Kelly opens up about her deep roots at the Alexander Stadium, the psychological weight of competing across seven gruelling events, and her unique experience of receiving Olympic medals years after the finish line. Now, as CEO of the British Elite Athletes Association, she provides a vital perspective on the system and how she is fighting for the next generation of stars. In this episode, we explore: * The Birchfield Heart: How growing up at the Alexander Stadium shaped her identity and why the club remains the undisputed heartbeat of the sport. * The Heptathlon Chess Game: Managing the immense mental load of the multi-events, from navigating the highs and lows of day one to the technical demands of the field. * Fighting for Justice: A candid look at the Athens breakthrough versus her Beijing medal upgrades, and what it’s really like to seek justice in a 'clean' sport. * From Track to Boardroom: Why she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and how she has transitioned her no-nonsense athlete mindset into her role as CEO of the BEAA. * The Birmingham Vision: What hosting the European Championships means for the city’s identity and her advice for the athletes stepping out in 2026. Whether you're a multi-eventer looking for a tactical edge or simply want to hear from one of the most authentic voices in the game, this episode is a masterclass in integrity and resilience. Follow the Journey:  Instagram: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ TikTok: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ Facebook: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ Tickets: ⁠birmingham2026.com⁠ Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a review if you enjoyed the show!

Episode 6: Dean Macey. The Last Man Standing.

From the brutal grit of the Decathlon to becoming the ultimate 'Last Man Standing' of British sport. Dean Macey is the embodiment of raw resilience and the warrior spirit. In this high-energy episode, Lloyd sits down with the multi-event legend to deconstruct a career defined by incredible breakthroughs and legendary resurrections. Dean opens up about the dark places an athlete must go to over ten gruelling events, the mental steel required to fight back from years of injury to claim Commonwealth Gold in 2006, and why he brought the same Olympic intensity to destroying the Total Wipeout course. In this episode, we explore: * The Decathlon Warrior: A deep dive into the 1999 Seville breakthrough and the psychological toll of being an elite multi-eventer. * The 2006 Resurrection: Reflections on that iconic Commonwealth Gold and the moment of total vindication after a career-long battle with his own body. * The Deanator Mindset: Why he treated an obstacle course TV show like an Olympic final and why that 'all-in' attitude resonates with fans to this day. * Life Beyond the Track: How Dean found a new kind of calm on the riverbank and successfully transitioned from the stadium lights to becoming a leading face in the world of angling. * The Birmingham Roar: What makes a British athletics crowd unique and his vision for the next generation of warriors stepping out at the Alexander Stadium in 2026. Whether you're looking for the motivation to push through your own dark places or want to hear from one of the most honest and high-octane characters in sporting history, this episode is a masterclass in never giving up. Follow the Journey:  Instagram: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ TikTok: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ Facebook: ⁠@Birmingham2026⁠ Tickets: ⁠birmingham2026.com⁠ Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a review if you enjoyed the show!

Episode 5: Sally Gunnell OBE. Winning It All

From the rhythmic precision of the 400m hurdles to becoming the only woman in history to hold the Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth titles simultaneously. Sally Gunnell  is the ultimate blueprint for peak performance and the enduring face of British athletics excellence. In this episode, Lloyd sits down with the track legend to explore a career built on mental mastery and unparalleled consistency. Sally opens up about the immense pressure of being the favourite on the global stage, her iconic world record-breaking run in Stuttgart, and why she believes the atmosphere at Birmingham 2026 will be the defining spark for the next generation of British icons. In this episode, we explore: * The Grand Slam Mindset: A breakdown of the psychological fortitude required to hold all four major titles at once and the relentless drive to stay at the top. * The Stuttgart Breakthrough: Reflections on that historic 1993 World Championship gold and the technical perfection needed to shatter the World Record in 52.74 seconds. * The Home Advantage: Why a British crowd provides a "tenth gear" for athletes and how the Alexander Stadium will transform the European Championships into a career-defining experience. * A Legacy of Wellbeing: An honest look at Sally's transition from the podium to becoming a leading voice in health and fitness, advocating for a holistic approach to life after sport. * The Evolution of the Hurdles: How the event has changed since her era and which rising stars she expects to dominate the track in Birmingham this August. Whether you're an athlete looking for the mental edge to cross the finish line first or a fan eager to hear from a true pioneer of the sport, this episode is a masterclass in overcoming nerves and achieving legendary status. Follow the Journey:  Instagram: @Birmingham2026 [https://www.instagram.com/birmingham2026]  TikTok: @Birmingham2026 [https://www.tiktok.com/@birmingham2026]  Facebook: @Birmingham2026 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.facebook.com/birmingham2026] Tickets: birmingham2026.com [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.birmingham2026.com] Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a review if you enjoyed the show!

Episode 4: Hannah England. The Art of the 1500m.

From the tactical chess game of the 1500m to becoming one of the most influential voices in modern British sport. Hannah England is the ultimate example of how intelligence and grit combine to create a world-class legacy. In this episode, Lloyd sits down with the world 1500m silver medalist and Birmingham favourite to explore a career built on strategy and community. Hannah opens up about the split-second decisions that defined her 2011 World Championship podium finish, her transition from the track to the commentary gantry, and her unwavering commitment to making Birmingham 2026 a landmark moment for the next generation of athletes. In this episode, we explore: * The anatomy of the kick: A breakdown of the tactical intelligence required to navigate the chaos of middle-distance racing and that iconic silver medal in Daegu. * The university to podium pipeline: Reflections on her time at the University of Birmingham and how the city’s unique athletics culture laid the foundation for her global success. * The athlete’s voice: An honest look at Hannah's transition into broadcasting, and why advocating for athletes is her new finish line. * The Birmingham homecoming: Why the 2026 European Championships represent a full-circle moment for the city that raised her as an athlete. * Managing the transition: The psychological shift from being a competitor to a mentor, and how she balances her various roles within the sport today. Whether you're a middle-distance runner looking for a tactical edge or a fan of the sport interested in the future of British Athletics, this episode is a masterclass in staying calm under pressure and leading with purpose. Follow the Journey:  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@Birmingham2026⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/birmingham2026/?hl=en] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@Birmingham2026⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@birmingham2026] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠@Birmingham2026⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBirmingham2026] Tickets: ⁠⁠⁠birmingham2026.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://tickets.birmingham26.com] Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a review if you enjoyed the show!