Not by the Playbook Podcast
The podcast which seeks out the most incredible and inspirational stories from sportspeople and athletes around the world.
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Episodes to download
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How Inclusive is Football?
Sat 27 Feb 2021
As part of LGBT+ History Month, Sportshour looks at how inclusive the sport really is.
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'You eventually come out and the next day the sun rises'
Sat 20 Feb 2021
In a show of firsts, we hear from Dan Palmer, the first Wallabies player to come out gay
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Sportshour at the Super Bowl
Sat 6 Feb 2021
It's Super Bowl LV as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
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“Racism strips you entirely of your dignity'
Sat 30 Jan 2021
Former Newcastle United and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop on racist abuse
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Basketball’s forgotten stars living in poverty
Sat 23 Jan 2021
Why some of the biggest stars of their times are dying in poverty
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When Donald Trump bought a football team
Sat 16 Jan 2021
When Donald Trump became the owner of the New Jersey Generals of the now defunct USFL.
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FA Cup third round: Dare to dream
Sat 9 Jan 2021
We preview some of the biggest ties in the third round of the FA Cup
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The Jim Thorpe Story
Boxing Day 2020
We explore the life of the American Indian who was the star of the 1912 Olympics.
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“It’s much more than being a race car driver” – Nascar racer Bubba Wallace on finding his voice
Sat 19 Dec 2020
Bubba Wallace on a turbulent 2020 & racing for the Michael Jordan owned team in 2021
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Tiara Brown on quitting the police: 'Enough was enough'
Sat 12 Dec 2020
Unbeaten professional boxer Tiara Brown on her decision to resign from the police.
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“At some point you start sinking like a rock” – Alenka Artnik
Sat 5 Dec 2020
Alenka Artnik set a new world record by freediving 374 feet below the Red Sea surface
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Memories of the magical Maradona
Sat 28 Nov 2020
We hear some very special memories of Diego Maradona - who has passed away aged 60.
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The man behind the hat: Meet Cam Newton's headwear designer
Sat 21 Nov 2020
We talk to the designer behind New England Patriots Quarterback Cam Newton's iconic hats
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'The business of boxing is systematically built against females' – Heather Hardy
Sat 14 Nov 2020
Former world champion Heather Hardy reveals the realities of making a living from boxing
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“I 100% believe there are more people that want to see us unite than there are to divide” – Seth Gottesdiener
Sat 7 Nov 2020
Seth Gottesdiener has been cycling across the USA to gauge the mood of his nation in 2020
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'There are a lot of moments where this is still terrifying' – Danell Leyva
Sat 31 Oct 2020
Former gymnast Danell Leyva on how he revealed his sexuality on National Coming Out Day
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Australia Grand Final Weekend
Sat 24 Oct 2020
We hear about both the men's and women's NRL Grand Finals.
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“You may end up being killed” – Kenyan footballer on defying drug gangs
Sat 17 Oct 2020
Jacob Viera was almost killed by a Tanzanian gang after he refused to be a drugs mule.
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'It's not about hitting new milestones as a female' – Joy Neville on making history
Sat 10 Oct 2020
Live Saturday morning global sports show with reports, debate and humour.
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“America is divided because Americans think it’s divided” – Seth Gottesdiener
Sat 3 Oct 2020
LA gym owner Seth Gottesdiener is cycling across America to assess the mood of his nation
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Madison Hammond: I didn’t think I’d be the first anything in sport
Sat 26 Sep 2020
She is the first Native American woman to sign a professional contract with a NWSL club
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Tiara Brown: No one in my family wanted me to be a police officer
Sat 19 Sep 2020
Tiara Brown discusses balancing life as a black athlete and police officer in the USA.
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What is life like in a sporting bio-bubble?
Sat 12 Sep 2020
Elly Oldroyd presents the programme from inside the cricket bio-bubble at Old Trafford.
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American Football and the Women's Super League returns
Sat 5 Sep 2020
We speak to Manchester City player Janine Beckie about the start of the WSL.
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The week the sporting world took action
Sat 29 Aug 2020
This week on Sportshour, we take a look at the boycott of sports in the US.
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"I cried watching the film” – McFadden on Rising Phoenix
Sat 22 Aug 2020
17 time Paralympic medallist Tatyana McFadden on a new documentary on the Games.
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Will there be any college football this fall?
Sat 15 Aug 2020
Sportshour talks college football after two of the game's major conferences are cancelled
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"I asked myself ‘if it’s not me, then who is it?’”
Sat 8 Aug 2020
Farid Noori's hopes of being the first Afghanistan mountain biker at the Olympics.
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The NBA returns with LeBron James looking 'in his prime'
Sat 1 Aug 2020
London Lions star DeAndre Liggins on the return of the NBA and his friend LeBron James
