Sports + Outdoor Mentors

Join our community as we build the definitive content source to inspire and motivate sports and outdoor industry leaders, providing practical career and business insights. We started with a podcast and YouTube channel, and in 2025, we’ll be adding the following: ✳️ Webinars ✳️ Newsletters ✳️ And much more! Click the follow button to keep updated and join the community. You can watch the podcast on YouTube and Spotify or listen to it on your favourite podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify. Thanks for your support, and see you soon. 🙏

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Episodes

Sunday Jun 22, 2025

In this episode, Cedric Georges, CEO of North Action Sports Group, recounts his impactful career trajectory, beginning with 12 foundational years at Procter & Gamble, followed by his transition to Odlo.
He details how these experiences instilled critical sales, management, and leadership skills, emphasising the importance of continuous learning and embracing challenges.
He also reminds us of the importance of incorporating external perspectives and his commitment to giving back through his leadership role at Outdoor Sports Valley (OSV).
He discusses his hands-on approach to leadership, emphasising the importance of setting a clear vision, executing effective strategies, and fostering a supportive team environment.
According to Cedric, anyone can be a "CEO of their job" by taking ownership and continuously striving for excellence.
If you want to find out how he did it, you must listen to this episode! 📺
Follow Cedric Georges https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-georges-b2b9115
Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday May 25, 2025

Step into the inspiring journey of Richard Leedham, CEO of Equip Outdoor Technologies, home to iconic brands RAB and Lowe Alpine.
From his humble beginnings as a sales rep to becoming a leader in the outdoor industry, Richard shares invaluable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of loving what you do.
In this engaging conversation, Richard discusses:
✅ The importance of embracing discomfort for growth
✅ How finding your "tribe" transforms your career
✅ Balancing passion, sustainability, and business success
Whether you're looking to navigate your career, lead a team, or find inspiration to fuel your passion, this is a must-watch for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike.
🎧 Listen now to learn from one of the industry's most respected leaders!
Follow Richard Leedham https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-leedham
Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1
 
 #sportsandoutdoormentors

Saturday Apr 26, 2025

Are you tired of hearing the word "sustainable" thrown around without real meaning?
 
Matt Creighton, founder of Irish Outdoor Lifestyle brand, Bleubird, is too!
 
In this new episode of Sports & Outdoor Mentors, Matt gets honest about why Bluebird stopped using the word "sustainable" and what they're doing instead to be truly eco-conscious.
 
Matt chats about the challenges and triumphs of building an integrity-based brand, sharing valuable lessons on the problem with "Sustainable," and much more.
 
If you’re an entrepreneur, a brand builder, or someone who cares deeply about the outdoors and responsible business practices, this episode should not be missed!
 
Get ready for transformative insights and actionable strategies that will challenge your perception of "sustainability" and empower you to create a brand with a meaningful impact.
 
Follow Matt Creighton https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcreighton/
 
Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
 
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
 
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1
 
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday Mar 09, 2025

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rich, founder of Passenger Clothing, as he shares his remarkable journey from electrician to founding a £100M+ outdoor brand. Discover how passion, humility, and the right team transformed a small startup into a global success story.
 
Key highlights:
The pivotal transition from tradesman to brand founder
Building an authentic outdoor brand focused on escapism
Managing 80%+ year-on-year growth for 5+ years
The importance of controlling ego and embracing team expertise
Sustainable practices and responsible business growth
Challenges of international expansion
Building and maintaining company culture during explosive growth
 
Rich shares candid insights about:
The role of self-awareness in leadership
Making tough decisions about bringing in experienced leadership
Balancing family life with entrepreneurship
Key lessons learned over 13 years of brand building
The evolution from UK-focused to global omnichannel business
 
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, brand builder, or business leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on scaling a business while staying true to your core values.
 
Follow Richard Sutcliffe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sutcliffe-9702b554/
 
Follow Passenger
https://www.linkedin.com/company/passengerclothing/
 
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
 
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
 
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1
 
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday Feb 16, 2025

Discover how Houdini's Former CEO, Eva Karlsson, has been revolutionizing the outdoor apparel industry for over twenty years by pioneering circular business models and driving sustainable innovation.
 
In this insightful episode, we delve into how Houdini balances environmental responsibility with cutting-edge product design, creating a blueprint for businesses to thrive in the age of sustainability.
 
Learn about Houdini's journey from implementing rental, reuse, and repair systems to embracing a regenerative framework that redefines success in modern business.
 
Whether you're an entrepreneur, sustainability advocate, or outdoor enthusiast, this conversation offers invaluable lessons on bold leadership, creative problem-solving, and building a better future for our planet.
 
If you enjoyed this or any of our other episodes, please hit the follow button on your podcast platform of choice.
 
Follow Eva Karlsson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-karlsson-5b5b9326/ 
 
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
 
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
 
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1
 
#sportsandoutdoormentors #S+OM

Sunday Jan 26, 2025

Join us for an open and honest conversation with Will Hayler, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Earth Summit, as he shares his journey from teaching surfing in Cornwall to leading one of the most innovative sustainability platforms in the business world.
Key moments in this episode:
How Will built his first business, Tickets to Ride, from surf lessons to a global adventure sports company
The art (or not!) of business acquisitions and mergers in your 20s
Creating Blue Earth Summit and its mission to transform how the world works
Balancing entrepreneurship with family life and surfing
Leadership insights on building and managing successful teams
Will shares candid insights about:
The relationship between the outdoor industry and sustainability
Building purpose-driven businesses
The future of sustainable innovation
If you enjoyed this or any of our other episodes, please hit the follow button on your podcast platform of choice.
Follow Will Hayler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhayler/
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday Jan 12, 2025

Learn practical leadership skills from Tim Selby, Merrell's EMEA VP & GM, in this episode of Sports+Outdoor Mentors! 
Key takeaways include:- The power of vulnerability in leadership- Building high-performing teams through empowerment- Overcoming obstacles and achieving ambitious goals- Strategies for navigating the evolving outdoor industry landscape
Tim shares his personal and professional experiences, offering valuable insights for aspiring and current leaders in the Sports and Outdoor industry. 
Subscribe now! 
#outdoorcareers #leadershipcoaching #businessgrowth #outdoorretail #merrellfootwear
Follow Timhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-selby-54712a1b
Follow Danhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp 
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentorshttps://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin 
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentorshttps://youtu.be/3t4crSqAl6k
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday Dec 29, 2024

In Episode 38 of the Sports & Outdoor Mentors podcast, we sit down with Dave Bunting MBE, a leader who has pushed boundaries on and off the mountains. From leading a groundbreaking expedition to the West Ridge of Everest to building high-performance teams in the business world, Dave’s journey is packed with life lessons and inspirational stories.
 
What you’ll discover in this episode:
 
✳️ The leadership insights Dave gained from 24 years in the British Army.
✳️ Behind-the-scenes challenges of a 3-year Everest expedition.
✳️ How to build and lead high-performing teams, even in life-or-death situations.
✳️ Lessons from turning failure into opportunity in business and life.
 
Whether you’re a corporate leader, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for inspiration to push beyond your limits, this episode is for you!
 
👉 Don’t forget to follow us for more incredible stories from sports and outdoor industry leaders!
 
Follow Dave
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bunting-mbe-640b8a3
 
Follow Dan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
 
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
 
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3t4crSqAl6k
 
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday Dec 15, 2024

“You need to know everything; this is bullshit.”
Markus Hupach, CEO of ARION, doesn’t hold back in this episode of Sports+Outdoor Mentors.  
Filmed live on the ISPO Munich main stage, we explore the leadership strategies every modern leader needs to succeed in today’s volatile world.  
🚀 **What You’ll Learn in This Episode:**
Why trust-based leadership outperforms command-and-control styles.  
How to empower your team while making fast, effective decisions.  
The surprising impact of psychological safety on productivity and profits.  
Actionable insights to build resilient, diverse, and agile teams.  
The truth about lifelong learning and why vulnerability builds trust.
Markus shares real-world examples and proven tactics that will inspire leaders at every level.
Whether managing a small team or leading an international business, this episode is packed with tips to help you thrive.
💡 Don’t miss this game-changing conversation—follow us now and level up your leadership!  
 
#Leadership #TeamBuilding #BusinessGrowth #Podcast #SportsAndOutdoors 
 
Follow Markushttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mhupach
Follow Danhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentorshttps://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
Watch Sports + Outdoor MentorsYouTube: https://youtu.be/sOF3snCkn_g
#sportsandoutdoormentors

Sunday Dec 01, 2024

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kim Scholze, a professional with 25 years of experience in the outdoor and sports industry. Kim has seen everything from working with iconic brands like Salomon and Nytro to other roles at ISPO and Sympatex. Her expertise covers sales, marketing, and product creation, but today, her mission is clear: driving sustainability in the industry she's passionate about.
Join us as Kim shares her career journey, lessons, and vision for a more sustainable future in outdoor and sports markets. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an industry professional, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!
Follow Kim Scholzehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-scholze/
Follow Dan Trapphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentorshttps://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EqC5kCKjm4
#sportsandoutdoormentors

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