Not by the Playbook Podcast
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. The Sportshour podcast has become Not by the Playbook.
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.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to 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 gold 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 ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ podcasts.
Episodes to download
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Driven
Sat 14 Jun 2025
Inspirational stories from around the world of people who have the drive to defy the odds
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Paoline Ekambi: Keeping her promise
Sat 7 Jun 2025
A remarkable story of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma.
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We are the champions
Sat 31 May 2025
Mani Djazmi presents a show of champions – including the World’s Strongest Man
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Scratching the surface
Sat 24 May 2025
Katie Smith scours the world’s surface – including diving deeper with Alessia Zecchini
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Trailer: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team
Mon 19 May 2025
Basketball, the Cold War, and rock band The Grateful Dead collide in this true story
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The magic of the cup
Sat 17 May 2025
Katie Smith finds out what it takes to win the FA Cup and how cup stacking went global
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Chess mates
Sat 10 May 2025
How life is like a game of chess including a world record and the most valuable chess set
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What's in a name?
Sat 3 May 2025
Meeting extraordinary women whose names are much more than just something they are called
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Crossing the line
Sat 26 Apr 2025
Inspiring sporting moments of athletes crossing the finishing line at all cost
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The whole kit and caboodle
Sat 19 Apr 2025
Making football kits fashion and art, plus an Olympic rower taking his kit off for cash
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Messing about on the river
Sat 12 Apr 2025
We hear from those who had the courage and fortitude to stay afloat when others floundered
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The Grand Opening
Sat 5 Apr 2025
Inspirational stories from around the world with people defying the odds
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Introducing Not by the Playbook
Thu 3 Apr 2025
The Sportshour podcast is evolving into Not by the Playbook. Starts Saturday 5 April
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The sporting polymath
Sat 29 Mar 2025
We salute those who aren't just great at one sport, they can seemingly do it all!
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Brotherly love
Sat 22 Mar 2025
The Brownlee brothers on how their success and the growth of triathlon intertwined
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The barefoot world record ice runner
Sat 15 Mar 2025
Paweł Durakiewicz holds three barefoot world records, including running on ice and snow
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Bouncing back
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Bryony Page always bounces back, but then she is the reigning Olympic trampoline champion
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The Snowbok arrives!
Sat 1 Mar 2025
Matt Smith to become just the 16th person at a Winter Olympics to represent South Africa
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The solo ocean challenge and Damian King’s return to the waves
Sat 22 Feb 2025
Triple amputee Craig Wood and bodyboarder Damian King talk about their ocean challenges
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Nada Hafez and her ‘baby Olympian'
Sat 15 Feb 2025
The Egyptian fencer speaks to Sportshour about competing in Paris seven months pregnant
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Sportshour at Super Bowl LIX: New Orleans edition
Sat 8 Feb 2025
Sportshour heads to New Orleans to sample the atmosphere and stories ahead of Super Bowl
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Super Bowl LIX X's & O's: Where will the Lombardi Trophy be won?
Sat 8 Feb 2025
Who will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans, and how will it be won?
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Captain Maro
Sat 1 Feb 2025
England's new captain Maro Itoje on rugby and refining his collection of African art
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The woman tackling American Football
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Santia Deck signed a $1m contract to play Women's gridiron but still hasn't played a game
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Chelsea Green: Queen of the ring
Sat 18 Jan 2025
WWE Women's Champion Chelsea Green discusses the women wrestlers making a big impact.
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Game, set and friendship
Sat 11 Jan 2025
A chance meeting with a homeless man and using tennis to help him back on his feet
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Checkmate with Victor Wembanyama
Sat 4 Jan 2025
Find out why the NBA star was playing chess in a New York park
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From Paris with love
Sat 28 Dec 2024
A look back at the biggest sporting event of the year, the Paris Olympics and Paralympics
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Running to freedom and rehabilitation
Sat 21 Dec 2024
How sport helped Rashaan Thomas rehabilitate after 23 years incarcerated for murder