'Ready, Set, Glasgow' podcast series launch ahead of Commonwealth Games
The England Athletics Podcast has relaunched with a new series called "Ready, Set, Glasgow", inspired by the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Filmed at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, the show is newly available to watch on YouTube, while also being on audio platforms Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.
Two-time Paralympic javelin champion and F13 world record holder Dan Pembroke joins regular host and athletics commentator Alex Seftel as a co-presenter for the series, which includes athlete guests Adam Gemili, Emily Newnham, Dan Greaves and Scott Beattie.
In the introductory episode, out now, Pembroke explains how he was diagnosed with a rare condition called retinitis pigmentosa as a child, which led to the deterioration of his eyesight. As a young athlete, he was a rising talent in javelin, until a serious ligament injury hampered his ambition to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games,
"That was an absolutely gut-wrenching time in my life, because that was all I wanted to do and I had all my eggs in one basket," says Dan. "It also led me to reevaluate my life goals. I told my dad I was finishing athletics, that was the end of it."
Unsure of how much time he would have left to see the world, Pembroke went travelling, taking on backpacker jobs abroad like working on farms. When he returned to the UK, he worked as a sports massage therapist, but the javelin itch returned.
"I started going to the local track and picking up these old rusty javelins," he recalls. "I didn't know if I could get into being a para athlete because I didn't know how bad my eyesight was. Going to Tokyo was amazing, I was blown away. My nerves were all over the place, but I managed to come away with a Paralympic record."
Dan felt that being a para athlete gave him a second chance to fulfil his dream. But a hamstring injury on New Year's Day in 2024, before a further muscle tear later in the year, left Dan feeling down and uncertain about retaining his title. But Steve Backley's former coach John Trower helped to reaffirm his belief in his ability, with visualisation sessions a key part of his training.
"I'll be laying on the ground, thinking about this competition, going through six throws, imagining the people I'm competing against, the smells of the track. So, when I walked out of those gates, out of the call room, everything felt like déjà vu, I was able to relax."
In the last two years since his Paralympic title, Pembroke has started brewing his own beer called Paris Gold. He has also become a dad for the first time.
"The news of Martina, my wife, being pregnant made me feel fulfilled. My son was born in November last year, just after the World Championships, and he's just an absolute light of my life. But it is difficult to train and be a dad at the same time!"
Where to listen
Use the links below to watch or listen to the podcast and keep an eye out for new episode releases over the coming weeks.