The Assist Podcast

Ep8: Failures, setbacks and growing forward with Laurie Walker

On this week's episode we speak with Laurie Walker, Goalkeeper at Solihull Moors. We discuss family dynamics and the impact it had on his career and personal life growing up. Football was a great escape but it didnt come without its challenges some of which were the most extraordinary experiences we’ve heard in a while. A real feel good story from being let go at a club in your teens to then making your debut for the same club a decade on. A ‘you’ll never be good enough’ comment left Laurie striving to prove them wrong and more himself right this episode will showcase how one simple comment can carry such an incredible impact and burden on someone’s life. Listening to Laurie talk about his time at Kettering and how they didn’t get paid for months and months will give you an insight to how strong his desire was to succeed at being a footballer. When going through his tough times he highlighted how important it is to have a partner alongside you that can help guide you the testing moments and in Lauries case how his partner help him to find purpose outside of football and find himself again. This episode has highs and lows, twists and turns but highlights Lauries resilience in tough situations and his desire to not allow past comments to dictate what he can achieve

Ep7: The Drive Behind the Player – Aaron McLean Unfiltered

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by former professional footballer Aaron McLean. From the very start of the episode, it becomes clear that a central theme in Aaron’s journey is how embarrassment and early setbacks shaped his drive and decision-making. He opens up about his formative years at Chelsea, the unexpected release from the club, and the deep sense of shame that followed. Looking back, Aaron reflects on how that early disappointment became a powerful motivator—fueling a successful career both on and off the pitch. Aaron also speaks candidly about his experiences with racism throughout his career, both as a player and now as a broadcaster. His openness, resilience, and perspective on life, football, and personal growth are truly inspiring. It's a remarkable conversation with someone who continues to be a powerful role model on and off our screens. Please Like, Subscribe and get involved below in the comments! Follow us on socials @assistpodcastuk Let's connect Follow @jimburnside13 Follow @craig_mackail_smith

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EP 5 The Journey of Support with Guest John Bitting MK DonsEp 5 dons guy

Todays guest joining Craig Mackail-Smith and Jim Burnside is John Bitting whose current role is at MK Dons as PDA Academy lead and interim manager of the ladies team who is an ex player and strives to improve the wellbeing and productivity of young players. JB has played an incredible part in some players progression into their professional careers whilst not forgetting some who haven’t been able to go as far as they would have hoped. JBs approach and bespoke model to this has been packaged for each individual players wants and needs in terms of support. JB came into football aged 11 and started playing for the year above teams). After turning 16 and being in some football programmes he found he enjoyed the coaching aspects. He shares his journey with dyslexia and the support he had by teachers & coaches. He started his coaching qualification at 15 and that lead him to getting B License at 19, working in schools & learning how to adapt and delegate in different scenarios such as dance routines! Going back to the college JB played at, he then made his way through grassroots, non league. In his mid 20s he suffered 2 ACL injuries as well as a few other injuries but he spent a long time coaching, gathering his badges at MK Dons and some other football clubs gaining so much experience. As JB had a front row seat watching the coaches facilitate the progression the likes of Dele Ali and the other team members go through and how they brought out a different side of the players positively. Jim Burnside and JB meet each other at a step 5 team and Jim recalls how he was mesmerised by how JB held the training session as a coach even with Jims lack of attention! Putting the players needs and requirements have been at the forefront of training sessions and Craig Mackail-Smith, Jim and JB talk about how coaches have different styles of how they session plan and how much there really is to learn when putting ego to the side. JB likes to take a different approach to getting a response from players and management. It hasn’t always been right but it does get noticed and results follow! Learning to listen to players and coaches enabled a new level of care into his career by understanding players levels and expectations. JB shared that he came back from injuries quicker than he should have done and how it impacted his confidence and how he felt with football. Signing up for marathons or ultra marathons helps him find his inner strength of going into thoughts and feelings that he may not have experienced. 2021 prompted JB to ask himself what direction he saw his career going in and if he was happy about it. He talks about a particular moment where he just couldn’t continue doing his job how he handled taking some personal time out and how it impacted his son, partner Carly and those around him. In a strange twist of circumstances JB saved a family members life and he found his purpose of how he wanted to moved forward. Question Time - A follower of the show asks JB How he prioritises progression over winning which takes Craig, Jim and JB on a journey of discussing supporting the player, their family and the club through grassroots. Academy and through the ranks and what is actually really important.

Ep3: Authenticity

Craig and Jim have a review of how well the podcast has been received and what responses they have had which has left them with moments of imposter syndrome. They both go on a journey sharing stories of how they have had good moments but expecting something bad to follow - is this normal/common? Exhausting pre game rituals, knowing it’s ok to have highs and lows. Exploring how recovery and recharge looks to their bodies when they allow themselves to be ‘rewarded’ for working hard or reaching an achievement. In a world full of unpredictables and a sport with many unknowns to, Jim and Craig talk about trying to control the outcomes and how this takes them away from reaching Flow state which is where the magic happens in performance and life. Authenticity becomes the main conversation point towards the end of the episode and explored in depth when Craig talks about his time at Wycombe and how the individuals were championed at being their authentic self which ultimately made the team and players more successful. Leading Wycombe to achieve 2 portions in 3 years from league 2 to the Championship. Trigger Warning - this is an open, raw conversation that goes in every direction possible. Jim, Craig and Barry openly share and discuss aspects around suicide thoughts & attempts, drugs, alcohol, gambling, addiction, seeking mental health support (and at times not seeking support). Want to connect with the lads? Instagram: Craig @craig_mackail_smith Jim @jimburnside13 Twitter: Craig @12CMS12 Jim @Jimburnside10 Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Drop us a message info@assist-uk.co.uk [info@assist-uk.co.uk]