The Birmingham 2026 Podcast

From a 15-year-old in awe of the Alexander Stadium to the "King of Europe" with a World Record that stood for over a decade. Colin JACKSON is the definitive blueprint for technical perfection in British Athletics.
In this masterclass of an episode, Lloyd Kempson sits down with the hurdles legend to deconstruct what happens when excellence stops being a goal and starts becoming a habit. Colin reveals the psychological weight of being the man everyone is chasing, the 'technical obsession' required to hold a World Record for 13 years, and why Birmingham has been the backdrop for the most pivotal moments of his career.
In this episode, we explore:
The European Dynasty: How Colin peaked so consistently to claim four consecutive European Gold medals and dominated the continent for over a decade.

The Anatomy of 12.91s: A deep dive into the psychological impact of holding a World Record and the feeling of a "perfect" race.

The Art of the Hurdles: Why Colin embraced the "boring" parts of preparation and the ritualistic routines that left zero margin for error.

From Track to Mic: Insights into his 30-year career in the public eye and how his perspective on athlete pressure has shifted from the commentary box.

The Birmingham Heartbeat: Why the Alexander Stadium was the site of his first sub-13-second run and his vision for the atmosphere at Birmingham 2026.

Whether you're looking to shave tenths off your personal best or want to understand the discipline required to stay at the top of the world for 13 years, this conversation with Colin Jackson is essential listening.
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!

Before she was an Olympic Champion and the President of UK Athletics, Dame Denise Lewis was a young girl at Alexander Stadium, fueled by the community of Birchfield Harriers.
In this deeply insightful episode, Lloyd Kempson sits down with the Heptathlon legend to deconstruct the mindset required to master seven events and the resilience needed to lead a sport. From the "Astrid" reset that defined her Sydney 2000 journey to her current mission of shaping the future of British Athletics, Denise shares what it truly means to carry the mantle of a "Golden Girl" and how she’s now passing that torch to the next generation.
In this episode, we explore:
The Birmingham Roots: Early memories of the West Midlands scene and how Birchfield Harriers built the foundation for her greatness.

The Architecture of a Champion: A deep dive into the "Heptathlon Mindset", managing the psychological rollercoaster of multi-event competition and the pressure of being the face of a sport.

The 'Astrid' Reset: An honest look at the Sydney 2000 journey, finding a way to win when the plan falls apart, and the transition from the track to the boardroom.

Birmingham 2026 – The Vision: Why the European Championships are about more than just medals, and what "success" looks like for the city’s identity and its youth.

Life & Legacy: How Denise balances the many hats of motherhood, leadership, and broadcasting, and the lasting impact she hopes to leave on the sport.

Whether you're looking for a masterclass in mental resilience or a behind-the-scenes look at the future of UK track and field, this conversation with Dame Denise Lewis is essential listening.
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!

From bag carriers for legends at London 2012 to standing on the Olympic podium together in Paris. Lina & Laviai Nielsen are the ultimate 'power duo' of British Athletics.
In this high-energy episode, Lloyd Kempson sits down with the world-class sprinting twins to dive deep into a journey that is nothing short of a movie script. They reveal what it’s really like to be identical twins competing for the same relay spots, living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and how they’ve reframed their relationship with their bodies to become faster than ever.
In this episode, we explore:
The Twin Dynamic: How they balance being each other's biggest supporters while remaining locked onto their own separate journey.

The 'Volunteer to Medalist' Arc: Reflections on their journey from 16-year-old bag carriers to Olympic stars.

Resilience Redefined: An honest conversation about navigating elite sport alongside MS and breaking the stigma of "invisible" illness.

The Birmingham Connection: Why a home European Championships in 2026 is the full-circle moment they’ve been waiting for.

Life Beyond the Track: Balancing training with nutrition, yoga, and building a creative brand together.

Whether you're an aspiring athlete or just love a story of incredible human spirit, this episode is a masterclass in showing up when it matters most.
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!