The Active Code

Paul Griffiths and Luke Johnson

Through this podcast series, Paul Griffiths and Luke Johnson from Aspire Active Partnerships aim to discover The Active Code. What is takes to be a successful leader and leading organisations towards combatting inactivity to help more children, be more active, more often. We are not alone through this journey – we are joined by business owners and leaders from in and outside of the sports coaching and children's activity sector who share what physical activity means to them, how they lead their organisation to achieve their company mission, and what they believe is The Active Code. read less
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Episodes

The Active Code Podcast #44| Igniting the spark in physical activity - Adam Holland
Jun 3 2024
The Active Code Podcast #44| Igniting the spark in physical activity - Adam Holland
Who is our guest? Adam Holland is a visionary leader in the children's physical activity sector, having devoted over nine years to managing Progressive Sports in Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Chesterfield. His journey, unconventional in the beginning, started right after high school when he dived into a sports coaching apprenticeship with Port Vale. Despite the early end of his tenure due to financial constraints, Adam’s passion never wavered. He quickly found a new beginning with Progressive Sports, where through dedication, learning, and genuine care for community wellbeing, he has significantly expanded the organisation's reach across the East Midlands. With a focus on making sports accessible and enjoyable for children, Adam has introduced innovative methods such as glow-in-the-dark activities to engage young people and has tirelessly worked towards breaking down barriers to physical activity. His leadership is not only transformative but also inclusive, pushing for high-quality services that raise enjoyment levels and physical activity among children. His efforts extend beyond the field; his strategic use of PR and marketing has notably increased Progressive Sports' visibility and impact. Adam's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the importance of leadership at all levels of an organisation. What do we discuss? ·       A Journey in activating community activity·       Adam's early career and the path to Progressive Sports ·       The power of physical activity: Adam's insights·        Innovative approaches to engaging children in physical activity·       Adam's proudest moments and inspirational leaders ·       Leadership insights and business coaching ·       The power of measurement in business improvement·       Personal leadership style and team management·       Developing leaders within the organisation·       Challenges and strategies in leadership development·       Addressing leadership perceptions in the sports sector·       Recommendations for enhancing leadership skills·       Creating opportunities and overcoming barriers·       The importance of reflection and continuous improvement
The Active Code Podcast #43| Empowering the Next Generation -  Andrea Springthrope
May 13 2024
The Active Code Podcast #43| Empowering the Next Generation - Andrea Springthrope
Who is our guest? Andrea Springthorpe is an inspiring figure with a multifaceted professional journey deeply rooted in physical activity and fitness. Starting her career in sales and marketing, Andrea found herself unfulfilled and longing for a change. At 28, she took a bold step by quitting her job to pursue a degree in Exercise, Physical Activity, and Health as a mature student at the University of Huddersfield. This decision was a turning point, leading her to explore various domains of physical fitness but ultimately recognising that her heart was not in becoming a PE teacher. Instead, Andrea embarked on an entrepreneurial path and established 'Fit for Force,' a boot camp business aimed at preparing individuals for the physical assessments required in the forces. Her venture was born out of a desire to fill a gap in the fitness preparation for those entering the forces, and it has been successful and ongoing since 2011. Beyond running boot camps, Andrea's journey took another significant turn when she joined Legacy Sport, where she climbed up to become one of the directors. In her role at Legacy, she handles a mix of finance, operations, sales, and marketing, drawing from her rich background to bring value to the organisation. On a personal level, Andrea places immense value on physical activity, not just for its physical benefits but for its mental health benefits as well. As a mother, she views herself as a role model to her daughter, Sophia, emphasising the importance of being active and healthy. Through her journey, Andrea exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion, making her a compelling character in the narrative of fitness and personal growth.  What do we discuss? ·       Andrea's Unique Journey into Fitness·       The Birth of Fit for Force and Transition to Legacy Sport·       A Day in the Life at Legacy: Roles and Responsibilities·       Leveraging Sales and Marketing Skills in the Fitness Sector·       Challenges and Changes in the School Fitness Sector·       The Personal Significance of Physical Activity·       Promoting Physical Activity Among Children and Parents·       Inspirational Role Models and Leadership in the Sector·       The Power of Collaboration and Networking·       Leadership Style and Development at Legacy·       Challenges and Achievements: A Reflection·       Improving Activity Levels: Insights and Recommendations
The Active Code #42: Play Beyond Boundaries- LUSU
Apr 22 2024
The Active Code #42: Play Beyond Boundaries- LUSU
Who are our guests? With over 25 years of experience in fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement in sports, Louise Assioun and Sue Morrison stand out as true champions of making physical activity accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Louise, with her rich background in physical education and a level 4 tennis coaching accreditation, spearheads the Team GB Visually Impaired Tennis team, offers invaluable expertise to the Battle Back program, and consults on various projects, including content creation for the LTA’s Coach Education department. Her dedication shines in her work to inspire and develop skills in others, ensuring physical activities are a source of joy and camaraderie for all. Similarly, Sue Morrison’s journey in coaching across a plethora of sports, from tennis to multisport, especially for children and those with disabilities, reflects her deep-seated commitment to nurturing a lifelong love for sports. Her innovative approach in creating activity programs and designing equipment highlights her dedication to broadening the reach of sports, making it possible for individuals from different backgrounds and abilities to find delight and fulfilment in being active. Together, Louise and Sue embody the spirit of inclusivity and passion for sports, making significant strides in bringing the joy and benefits of physical activity to everyone. What do we discuss? ·       Louise's Journey: From PE Teacher to Disability Sports Coach·       Sue's Path: 40 Years of Coaching and Inclusion·       The Power of Sport: Personal Stories of Impact·       Championing Activity: Strategies for Inclusion and Engagement·       Overcoming Barriers: Ensuring Access to Physical Activity for All·       The Journey to Support and Innovation in Inclusive Sports·       Introducing Innovative Training Workshops for Schools·       Creative Solutions for Inclusive Physical Education·       Adapting to Lockdown: Virtual Support and Community Engagement·       LUSU TV: A Resource Hub for Inclusive Activities·       Harnessing Creativity for Inclusive Sports Activities·       Empowering Educators with Inclusive Training Techniques·       Recommendations for Further Learning and Inclusion
The Active Code Podcast #41| Creating an unstoppable team- Mike Michalowicz
Apr 1 2024
The Active Code Podcast #41| Creating an unstoppable team- Mike Michalowicz
Who’s our guest? Mike Michalowicz is the entrepreneur behind three multimillion-dollar companies and is the author of several business books, including Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan and his newest book, All In. Mike is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and a business makeover expert for MSNBC. He regularly travels the globe as an entrepreneurial advocate.Mike is a dynamic, energetic and passionate individual, often described as a source of inspiration by his peers. As a business leader, author and speaker, he is dedicated to eradicating entrepreneurial poverty and helping small businesses thrive. He understands the hard work and dedication that goes into running a business and the importance of physical health in maintaining balance. Mike is an advocate of regular exercise, not just for its physical benefits, but also for the positive impact it has on mental well-being. An approachable and engaging personality, Mike believes in the power of people and constantly works towards enabling others to reach their full potential. His daily practices revolve around contributing to his personal growth as well as the growth of others. He is highly focused on bringing about change and improvement in any environment he is a part of. What do we discuss?   ·       The importance of physical activity·       Physical activity and business leadership·       Promoting physical activity in teams ·       The impact of flexibility and health on business·       The power of training camps: A new approach to recruitment·       The importance of education in recruitment·       The power of measurement: Scorecards and improvement·       The art of caring: Transforming underperformers into top performers·       Top tips for small business leaders
The Active Code #39: Navigating the challenges and opportunities of physical activity for the youth, Kay Batkin, Youth Sport Trust
Feb 19 2024
The Active Code #39: Navigating the challenges and opportunities of physical activity for the youth, Kay Batkin, Youth Sport Trust
Who’s our guest?Kay Batkin is the Network Director at Youth Sport Trust. Inspired from an early age to work in sports education, her professional journey began with the aspiration of becoming a PE teacher. However, after a chance conversation with her own PE teacher, she decided to broaden her horizons and studied Sport and Recreation Development at Leeds Beckett University. After graduation, she found herself thrown into local authority roles managing school improvement and sports development. Within her career, her leadership roles have taken her from managing pivotal sports programmes and competitions to building communities and networks within educational landscapes. In her 14 years at Youth Sport Trust, she has contributed significantly to programmes, where she shares her passion for transforming children's lives through sports and talks about Youth Sport Trust's long-term strategy for using physical activity as a key facet of child education. Beyond her role as an executive, she is also a fierce advocate for the benefits of physical activity and good health. She strongly supports the idea of schools leading the way in instilling a culture of physical health through initiatives like fitness-based after-school programmes. She believes in the power of sport not just as a competitive platform, but also as a tool for positive social change.Stay tuned for more such engaging conversations on the Active Code Podcast!What do we chat about? Kay Batkin's Professional JourneyKay's Role at Youth Sport TrustThe Current Landscape for Children and Young PeopleThe Impact of Physical Activity on Kay's LifeThe Future of Youth Sport TrustThe Evolution of Health Issues and the Role of Physical ActivityThe Long-term Goal: Daily Physical Activity for AllThe Challenge: How to Implement the GoalThe Collaborative Approach to Policy MakingThe Manifesto: Key Asks for Youth WellbeingThe Importance of Physical Education in SchoolsThe Need for Accessible Play Opportunities for Young PeopleThe Role of Activity Providers in the StrategyThe Importance of Collaboration in the SectorThe Impact of School Games on Youth EngagementThe Upcoming YST Conference: Change Their Score, Change Their Future
The Active Code #38- Navigating the Business Landscape with Chris Michaelides, CMXSC
Jan 22 2024
The Active Code #38- Navigating the Business Landscape with Chris Michaelides, CMXSC
Our latest Active Code Podcast had the pleasure of hosting CMXSC’s Founder and Director, Chris Michaelides, a passionate entrepreneur with a deep-seated love for sports.Chris shared insights on his personal and professional journey, revealing how he navigates the challenges of being a business owner while emphasising the transferable skills he absorbed from his passion – sports.Who is our guest?Chris is a passionate director who strives to positively impact and engage as many children as possible through physical activity. He is the founder and director of CMXSC Ltd, a company that provides specialist primary physical education, Ofsted registered childcare in the form of wraparound care provision and active holiday camps for children and consulting services in sports and education.Stay tuned for more such engaging conversations on the Active Code Podcast!What do we chat about?During the episode, we dive into:Chris’ professional journey and love for sportsImportance of physical activity and sportsBalancing family life and physical activityChris’ fitness routineLessons from sports translated into business leadershipThe competitive nature of leadershipInspirational leaders and their impactRapid growth and challenges in businessUnderstanding the power of saying ‘Yes’ and ‘No’Self-reflection and improvement as a leaderThe importance of communication and presenceThe art of listening and understandingDeveloping leaders within your organisationOvercoming challenges as a business ownerProudest moments in life and businessRecommendations for enhancing leadership skills Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
The Active Code Podcast #37| Invest in people that put children’s needs first and business needs second. -Matt Ogle
Jul 17 2023
The Active Code Podcast #37| Invest in people that put children’s needs first and business needs second. -Matt Ogle
The Active Code: “Invest in people that put children’s needs first and business needs second”.We’re excited to welcome Matt Ogle, Founder and Director of S4A, to The Active Code. Matt set up S4A when he was just 15 years old and has sent led his passionate team to help inspire children through creativity, sports, and play. As a leading provider in the Buckingham, Northampton and Oxfordshire regions, Matt is perfectly positioned to offer advice and support to leaders during this episode. Matt Grew up being predominantly sports centred at the start of his journey and has evolved over the years into an Ofsted-accredited, trusted, well-established care provider offering a range of services, including wraparound care in many schools, PE lessons, holiday clubs, the HAF programme, SEN support, our football development centre.  Who is Matt Ogle?  S4A (Sports4All) are specialists in active and creative childcare, providing wrap-around care and clubs as well as holiday clubs. Their aim is to provide an environment for children that allows them to pursue their interests, with a key focus on sport. The company works with the county council to provide support for schools, as well as directly with parents, where they operate primarily as an e-commerce business, relying on online bookings to take on new customers. Matt Ogle is the founder and director of S4A, and is one of the creative, business minds behind S4A’s success, having created the organisation at the young age of 15. Matt has grown the company from humble beginnings, with the primary focus always being on giving the best care out there. Over the years, Matt has been presented with a range of huge growth opportunities for the business since 2007 which has allowed him to keep investing in his business for long-term growth and reward. What do we chat about in the episode?  During the episode, we dive into: ·       How Matt started his business at the young of 15.·       The impact flexible working hours and timetables can have.·       How to employ and develop the right people.·       The struggles and solutions to running a successful childcare service.·       How to differentiate yourself from the competition.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
The Active Code #36: Stop expecting people to be active- Rafe Turner, CIMSPA
Jun 26 2023
The Active Code #36: Stop expecting people to be active- Rafe Turner, CIMSPA
We’re excited to welcome Rafe Turner, Partnership Executive at CIMPSA, to The Active Code. As the sector’s chartered professional body, CIMSPA works on behalf of the whole sport and physical activity sector – supporting, developing, and enabling professionals to succeed and, as a result, inspiring our nation to be more active.CIMSPA helps to nurture talent, develop careers, inspire professionalism, and set clear regulatory standards for success, continuing the development of a modern, prosperous and respected sport and physical activity sector.  Who is Rafe Turner?  Rafe Turner has more than enough experience as he is a Partnership Executive and Skills Hub Manager, with prior experience fostering relationships with partner organisations. Additionally, Rafe has over 10 years in the Sport and Fitness sector, making him a knowledgeable individual. Rafe is an evolving leader, driven to enhance society and develop personally to make a positive difference for individuals, groups and communities.Rafe’s role with CIMSPA has been instrumental in supporting thousands of coaches receive training, guidance and support to succeed in a sector that has previously struggled to keep it’s best people.Rafe isn’t a stranger to strategic operations within organisations. He led a national team of 15 to design and deliver projects that contributed to organisational strategic objectives while serving out a national network of youth volunteers, using the diversity of strengths and perspectives in the group to drive high performance.Since his recent promotion to Skills Hub Manager, Rafe has been organising and creating Sport & Physical Activity Skills Hub in Worcestershire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire.  What do we chat about in the episode?  As an avid reader of personal development books, Rafe not only recommends some top reads on this episode, he also shares top tips and vulnerabilities on: ·       Work-life balance·       Traits of a great leader·       Supporting team development pathways·       The struggles during his career so far·       How CIMSPA are putting the workforce and sector on the map Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
The Active Code Podcast #35 | Fox Cycling gives your organisation a point of difference- Dave Thomas, Fox Cycling
Jun 5 2023
The Active Code Podcast #35 | Fox Cycling gives your organisation a point of difference- Dave Thomas, Fox Cycling
We’re excited to welcome both Dave Thomas, Director of Business Development at Fox Cycling, to The Active Code. Since 2010, Fox Cycling has taught thousands of children to cycle so families can ride together; the fun, progressive instruction has been further refined and developed over time.We all know that the current generation of kids spends way too much time indoors, leading sedentary lifestyles, and cycling is the perfect antidote to this problem. But, as we all know, learning to ride a bike can be tough, especially when the bikes are too heavy, or those pesky stabilisers are involved. Luckily, Fox Cycling is here to save the day, offering a brilliant license program that enables sports coaching companies to deliver top-quality cycling provisions to children all over the country. Who is Dave Thomas? Dave Thomas has more than enough experience as he is the Director of Business Developments, with prior experience driving sales and performance of the group of franchisees under his leadership. Coaching, motivating, and developing his team to achieve and exceed set quarterly targets, which includes supporting his team through close and frequent communication to drive success.Fox Cycling recognises there are three main barriers to children not cycling, so they designed a fun activity-based methodology to get kids cycling safely in an hour.  Utilising this gap in the child development and family health sector, Dave manages and organises Fox Cycling’s licensees and franchisees. Since 2010, Fox Cycling has taught thousands of children to cycle so many more families can ride together; the fun, progressive learning system has been further refined and developed over time. What do we chat about in the episode?  During the episode, Dave discusses:   ·       Why is learning to ride vital for children?·       The current barriers to children learning to ride·       How organisations can help children develop a life-long love for cycling·       The different licencing opportunities available for coaching providers around the UK·       How sports coaching providers can make up to £450 per coach, per day with Fox Cycling
The Active Code Podcast #34| Without great people, you don’t have a business- Adam Hampson and Karl Andrade
May 15 2023
The Active Code Podcast #34| Without great people, you don’t have a business- Adam Hampson and Karl Andrade
We’re excited to welcome both Karl Andrade and Adam Hampton, Directors at Essex Professional Coaching, to The Active Code.  Karl Andrade and Adam Hampson hold Director positions at Essex Professional Coaching and are recognised for their immense passion within the AAP network. Essex Professional Coaching is committed to fostering personal development, motivation, and inspiration through sports and physical education. Their core values of enthusiasm, passion, and care are deeply ingrained in their approach to coaching.  Who are Karl and Adam?  Karl and Adam are the Directors of Essex Professional Coaching, which is an independent sports coaching company that offers a wide range of coaching services. Their main objective is to provide expert guidance and support to individuals, helping them achieve their sporting goals while fostering personal growth and development. Their experienced coaches are dedicated to delivering the highest quality coaching across a variety of sporting activities. Karl and Adam believe in tailoring their services to meet the specific needs of each individual, and they are committed to promoting an environment that inspires and motivates their clients to reach their full potential. Their passion for sports coaching is reflected in their comprehensive approach, and they take pride in helping individuals achieve success both on and off the field. What do we chat about in the episode?  During the episode, Karl and Adam open up in an honest and transparent way about:  ·       Their journey from childhood friends to owning a business, and the steep learning curves throughout the process.·       The importance of offering a wide variety of opportunities to children.·       How a customer care focus has helped their business grow.·       EPC’s mission, vision, and values.·       How being accountable owners drive successful teams.·       The amazing highs, and tough lows of being business owners.    Listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Watch on YouTube [link to YouTube video]
The Active Code Podcast #33| Turn heads towards a career with your organisation - Tom Trout
Apr 24 2023
The Active Code Podcast #33| Turn heads towards a career with your organisation - Tom Trout
We’re excited to welcome Tom Trout, an expert in Nursery, Childcare, Wraparound care, and Sports Coaching Recruitment, to The Active Code. Tom is the Managing Director of Love Recruitment, which specialises in recruiting care staff for companies across the UK. They recruit for all departments within the childcare sector, from senior operations to front-line teams. Their services include providing staff for wrap-around care, sports camps, and childcare environments. Love Care Recruitment's focus is on providing outstanding service and delivery while continuously innovating to ensure their clients make the right decisions. Who is Tom Trout?  As the Recruitment Director of a specialist fitness recruitment agency based in Southeast London, Tom leads a team of consultants to deliver exceptional service to both clients and candidates. His agency recruits for health and fitness jobs across various sectors, including franchise, private, public, and commercial. We aim to save our clients time and act as their agents to find the best candidates, resulting in a long-term and effective return on investment. Their approach is focused on building strong partnerships with our clients and becoming their account managers. Tom and his team have supported over a thousand candidates to find their perfect roles, and are specialists in nursery, child, and adult care.A few of his achievements involve successfully account managing his client’s business to become one of the most profitable accounts since taking over as Recruitment Director. Additionally, he is sharing this extensive expertise with the new generation of workers as he’s recruited and trained new consultants to achieve their targets. What do we chat about in the episode?  During the episode, Tom shares:  • How Love Care do things differently.• Why putting their clients and applicants at the heart of everything builds trust and leads to better results.• The current recruitment trends in the children’s activity sector.• Why so many job adverts don’t work.• Since the pandemic, what people look for in a job advert.• How employers must adapt to a new generation of applicants.• The results of an industry-wide survey of applicants.
Children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates, Stuart Armstrong
Apr 3 2023
Children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates, Stuart Armstrong
We’re excited to welcome Stuart Armstrong, a strategic sports development professional, to The Active Code.  Stuart has been involved with some of the biggest names in the industry.  Some of which include The Golf Foundation, UK Coaching, The RFU as Head of Player Pathways, and Development & Rugby Growth. Stuart’s most recent role with Sport England as Head of Coaching & Strategic Lead for Workforce Transformation. Using his extensive experience within the industry, Stuart shares the current challenges with physical activity initiatives.  Who is Stuart Armstrong?  Stuart Armstrong is a dynamic, and innovative sports development professional with a proven track record of leading transformational change initiatives across multiple sporting domains. He is currently developing the sport and physical activity workforce to better meet the needs of a broader range of participants.  His specialities include but aren’t limited to Coach Development, Coach Education, Talent Academies, apprenticeships, and Sourcing External Funding.  What do we chat about in the episode?  During the episode, Stuart shares:  ·       The challenges with current physical activity initiatives. ·       Lack of autonomy in the delivery of physical activity. ·       Why children’s activity levels are low.·       The vital role people play in engaging children and young people. ·       Ideas on developing the sector’s workforce.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts.