BEYOND THE GAME

About BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond The Game explores the mindset, resilience, and high-performance habits of elite athletes, expert coaches, and experienced business leaders from the world of high performance sport. Hosted by Paul Cahill and Jonny Holland, each episode examines the success and the struggles—revealing lessons learned along the way that have allowed our guests find success within their professional and personal lives. Expect conversations and applicable learnings on: Resilience – Overcoming setbacks & staying mentally strong Mindset – The psychology behind peak performance Leadership – Lessons from sport that apply to business & life Winning Habits – The routines & discipline that drive success The principles and tools of leadership, resilience, and high performance don’t just belong in sport—they belong everywhere. New episodes every fortnight. Listen, learn, and level up.

Publisher

Beyond The Game Podcast Paul Cahill & Jonny Holland

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Feb 2025

Latest episode

18 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Feb 2026

   Episode 12 : Ger canning talks Consistency, Craft & Confidence : A journey to becoming the voice of Irish Sport.

   What does it take to perform under pressure - live, unscripted, for decades? In this episode of Beyond The Game, we sit down with legendary Irish sports broadcaster Ger Canning - a voice synonymous with some of the most iconic moments in Irish sport. Across four decades behind the microphone, Ger has commentated on All-Ireland finals, Olympic Games, World Cups and historic sporting milestones. But beyond the big calls and famous phrases lies a masterclass in preparation, resilience, focus, and high-performance communication. From managing pressure in live broadcasting to sustaining excellence over a lifetime in sport, Ger shares the mindset, habits and leadership lessons that have allowed him to stay sharp, relevant and energised in an ever-evolving media landscape. This is a conversation about composure in chaos, longevity in performance, and the power of storytelling to connect, inspire and lead. Topics Covered: Performing under pressure in live, high-stakes environments The preparation habits behind confident communication Lessons in resilience from decades in elite sport Leadership, observation & reading momentum Adapting to change in a rapidly evolving media world Purpose, legacy & what truly matters beyond the big moments Whether you’re a leader, communicator, coach, entrepreneur, or sports fan, this episode is packed with practical insights on resilience, high performance and the mindset required to sustain excellence over time. For powerful conversations with athletes, coaches and leaders from the world of high-performance sport and the lessons that apply far beyond the game - listen and subscribe to Beyond The Game on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms. Sound and post production by Elaine Smith -Elaine Smith on Linked In

2. 

   26 Jan 2026

   Pressure, Preparation, Performance: Bernard Jackman on Building Resilient Cultures in High-Stakes Environments.

   Bernard Jackman, leadership consultant and former rugby player, discusses how culture, accountability, and adaptability drive high performance in both sports and business in an interview.

3. 

   5 Nov 2025

   Episode 10 - James Cronin: Set pieces, Scrutiny & Success At The Highest Level

   Former rugby prop James Cronin discusses maintaining elite performance, managing setbacks, and transitioning from player to coach, offering insights into resilience and leadership in this interview.

4. 

   15 Oct 2025

   TJ Dillishaw: Resilience, Reinvention & Running a Business. TJ’s journey from the Octagon to Entrepreneurship & Wild Society Nutrition.

   Two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw discusses resilience, reinvention, and applying lessons from the Octagon to entrepreneurship with his new venture, Wild Society Nutrition, in this interview.

5. 

   10 Jun 2025

   Episode 8 - Jonny Holland: Reinvention, Resilience & The Mindset to Move Forward

   Jonny Holland shares his journey of reinvention and resilience after a career-ending injury, detailing the mindset shifts that helped him transition into performance nutrition and coaching in this interview episode.

6. 

   20 May 2025

   Episode 7 - Ciarán Sheehan: Passion, Pressure and Pushing Through

   What does it take to leave behind everything familiar and start again on the other side of the world - professionally, personally, and mentally? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Ciarán Sheehan shares his remarkable journey from All Ireland winning Cork GAA star to professional AFL player with Carlton Football Club in Melbourne. Ciarán reflects on his early love for sport, the joy of playing multiple codes, and the shift from community-driven GAA to the high-pressure environment of professional sport. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of injury setbacks, how he navigated change, and the identity challenges that come with life after elite sport. Taking his knowledge from working in player welfare and development role, Ciarán now leads people at Green rebel one of Ireland's biggest green energy suppliers bringing thoughtful insight into working with people, supporting others through transition, and the lessons he’s carried with him from sport into real life. Topics Covered: - Transitioning from Cork GAA to professional AFL- Managing injury setbacks - physically and mentally- Adjusting to a new culture and professional system- Supporting others through change and personal development- Balancing performance, wellbeing, and staying grounded in joy 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

7. 

   29 Apr 2025

   Episode 6 - Derval O'Rourke: Life After The Finish Line

   How do you transition from the intense world of high-performance sport to leading a business, raising a family, and building a new identity? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Derval O'Rourke - World Champion hurdler, three-time Olympian, successful entrepreneur, and proud mum of two - shares her honest journey of moving beyond elite athletics. Derval opens up about the challenging transition away from the structured world of sport, how long it truly took to settle into "normal life," and the mindset shifts she had to make to thrive in business leadership. She also reflects on parenting lessons, including how she’s learned to park her competitive instincts when it comes to raising her children—and why redefining success matters more now than ever. Topics Covered: The emotional transition away from elite sport Mindset shifts from individual sport to business leadership Balancing ambition with parenting and real life Building resilience and patience beyond competition Redefining success beyond medals and titles 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

8. 

   15 Apr 2025

   Episode 5 - Paul Kerrigan: Championship Mindset, Legacy & the Psychology of Performance

   What does it take to carry the weight of a family legacy, help your county to All-Ireland glory, and stay driven through over a decade of elite-level sport? In this episode of Beyond The Game, All-Ireland winner and Cork football legend Paul Kerrigan opens up about the mindset that drove his success, the pressure and pride of living up to his name, and the role of reflective practice and psychology in building resilience both on and off the pitch. Now a qualified sports psychologist, Paul shares the powerful tools and strategies that apply far beyond sport—into business, leadership, and everyday life. Topics Covered: Developing a relentless, championship-winning mindset Embracing pressure and honouring a proud family legacy Leadership from the pitch to life’s bigger arenas Reflective practice as a driver for growth Mental tools that fuel performance in sport, business, and life 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

9. 

   1 Apr 2025

   Episode 4 - Dermot Usher: Business, Belief & Building Something Bigger

   In this episode of Beyond The Game, Dermot Usher shares the lessons he’s learned applying business principles to sport, the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks, and the deep belief that football clubs can be a powerful force for connection and community. From navigating the challenge of relegation to building a trusted support network and laying the foundation for Cork City FC’s return to the top, Dermot reflects on leadership, adversity, and the strength it takes to stay the course.

10. 

    18 Mar 2025

    Episode 3: Full Speed Ahead: Phil Healy on Balancing Sport, STEM & Striving for Success

    Topics Covered: - How to stay motivated & disciplined over long periods of time - Tools & strategies to push through tough days - Balancing elite sport with a full-time career in STEM - Overcoming injuries & autoimmune challenges - Championing young women to enter male-dominated industries - The importance of having fun—even in high-pressure environments

11. 

    3 Mar 2025

    Episode 2 - Patrick Horgan On Mindset, Motivation and What Really Matters.

    What does it take to sustain elite performance for almost two decades? In this episode of Beyond The Game, Patrick Horgan gives a rare insight into the mental toughness, discipline, and obsession with improvement that have made him one of hurling’s all-time greats. From the heartbreak of All-Ireland final defeats to the relentless drive to keep coming back stronger, Hoggie shares how he stays motivated, managing his mindset over time and what wearing the Cork jersey truly means to him. Topics Covered: - The elite mindset—how to stay at the top for over a decade.- Leadership in the face of setbacks & finding motivation again.- The power of knowing your ‘why’ in sport & life.- How resilience & reflection fuel long-term success.- Cork pride, passion & what it really means to wear the jersey. Listen and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for unique insights into the mindsets, resilience and habits of athletes, coaches and business leaders from the world of high performance sports.

12. 

    17 Feb 2025

    Episode 1 - Simon Zebo: Rugby, Business & The Struggles Beyond The Smile.

    In this exclusive and unfiltered episode of Beyond The Game, Simon Zebo opens up like never before. From the pressures of elite sport to the hidden struggles behind his signature smile, he shares how family support, resilience, and mindset shifts helped him navigate career transitions, missed selections, and injuries. Now, stepping into entrepreneurship with Black Emerald Irish Whiskey, Zebo reveals the high-performance habits and transferable skills that drive his success beyond rugby. Topics Covered: How sport shapes character and fuels long-term success The high-performance habits that fuelled Simon Zebos’ success. The realities of professional sport—beyond the fanfare and smiles. How transferable skills from rugby apply to business and leadership The mental resilience needed to handle setbacks like missed selections & injuries Listen and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for unique insights into the mindsets, resilience and habits of high performance athletes, coaches and business leaders from the world of high performance sports.

Who has been a guest on BEYOND THE GAME

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Bernard Jackman
• James Cronin
• TJ Dillashaw
• Jonny Holland

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

606,154

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

20 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

24

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

51

Contact BEYOND THE GAME

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.