Sigma Sports Podcast Archive

Episodes 11 to 20

Episodes 11 to 20 of Sigma Sports Presents Matt Stephens Unplugged saw some really memorable guests chat to Matt. From Rahsaan Bahati on fitting in, to the cycling GK Ben Foster on the buzz he gets from Zwift Racing to Orla Chennaoui on the importance of equality in sport - there's something for everyone.

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Episode Eleven

Matt Stephens and Pavel Sivakov discuss languages, culture and the benefits of having Chris Froome as your domestique.

Pavel Sivakov chats to Matt Stephens about the new era of young professional riders, and how he tried lots of sports before taking to cycling like a fish to water, or more accurately, like the child of two professional cyclists to cycling. Also, guess that snack is back! But how will Mr International get on in our relatively localised corn and potato-based snack trivia game?

Listen to episode eleven below.

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Episode Twelve

Matt Stephens and Rahsaan Bahati talk about psyching out rivals at bike races and inspiring inner-city kids through education, music and sport.

Rahsaan Bahati talks to Matt about how his passion grew from punishment, finding the line between fitting in and doing what you need to, and why it’s so important to teach your kids about history. They discuss The Bahati Foundation, now helping inner-city kids for ten years, and what needs to be done to affect change. Also, #AskMatt is back! - With more weird and wonderful random questions from the bowels of social media.

Listen to episode twelve below.

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Episode Thirteen

Matt Stephens discovers how Chloe Dygert’s competitive attitude runs deep, and if coach Kristin Armstrong tells her to jump off a bridge, she’ll do it.

Chloe Dygert and Matt Stephens discuss injury setbacks and how they can help you grow as an athlete, the benefits of using Zwift racing to sharpen your instincts, and how she sees riding a bike as a job, not a hobby. Plus, The Grand Chores are back! This time, Matt is giving his living room a good dusting-down.

Listen to episode thirteen below.

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Episode Fourteen

Matt Stephens gets the hairdryer treatment from one of the best goalkeepers in the game when Ben Foster releases his passion for cycling.

Ben Foster explains to Matt Stephens how bike riding always brings a smile to his face, and there’s nothing quite like the buzz of winning a Zwift race. In a first for the pod, Matt’s up against a total expert in Guess That Snack; a man who rides his bike hard so he can grow his snack knowledge, guilt-free!

Listen to episode fourteen below.

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Episode Fifteen

Matt Stephens chats to top broadcaster and cycling journalist Orla Chennaoui about finding her voice and using it to fight.

Orla Chennaoui describes her version of heaven to Matt Stephens, which involves an elevator, reliable wifi and the freedom to chat ad nauseam. She shares her inspiring attitude to the difficulties of life and explains how hope trumps despair. But can she deliver a shockwave to the Guess That Snack leaderboard?

Listen to episode fifteen below.

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Episode Sixteen

Matt Stephens chats to Cal Crutchlow about finding his competitive edge through road cycling.

Cal Crutchlow tells Matt Stephens all about exceeding the limits of adhesion, running out of talent and taking a gravel bath. The MotoGP legend has some shocking average heart rate figures. We also find out when it comes to getting race fit, Cal does it on two wheels of another variety. At a pivotal moment in his career, Cal talks candidly about what matters most in life, his heroes, and feeling like a Gladiator in the paddock.

Listen to episode sixteen below.

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Episode Seventeen

Matt Stephens learns how Justin Williams created a new home for cyclists who want to do things differently.

Justin Williams tells Matt Stephens all about growing up in LA to a family of black cyclists, how his dad left him at the roadside for wearing boxers under his bibs, and how his L39ion of Los Angeles Team aims to spark curiosity and hope. But perhaps even more importantly than that, Matt’s keen to find out if Justin wears his socks over or under his leg warmers?

Listen to episode seventeen below.

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Episode Eighteen

Matt Stephens and Austin Healey share their experiences of growing up with freedom, overcoming injury, and the joy of a really good cardigan.

Autsin Healey and Matt Stephens have plenty in common; both are former professional sportspersons of the highest level, both are now successful commentators, and of course, both love a good cardigan. From an international rugby player to a competitive amateur cyclist, Austin’s journey has seen him take the reins of ITV game show ‘The Fuse’ and almost podium as a contestant on BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. But, looking back, is there anything he’d do differently? Tune in to find out

Listen to episode eighteen below.

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Episode nineteen

Matt Stephens chats to Sepp Kuss about his meteoric rise to becoming one of the best climbers in the peloton.

Sepp Kuss explains to Matt Stephens how growing up at altitude has helped him race in the mountains, and how his tongue usually only falls out of his mouth when faced with crosswinded flat sections. But can he use his famous poker face to cause an upset in the Guess That Snack leaderboard?

Listen to episode nineteen below.

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Episode twenty

Matt Stephens chats to Cherie Pridham about getting knocked down, getting back up again, and sending the right email at the right time!

Cherie Pridham tells Matt Stephens all about her excitement at becoming the first woman to manage a cycling team at WorldTour level, inspiring the next generation, and how hard work always pays off... eventually. But where will she place on the Guess That Snack leaderboard?

Listen to episode twenty below.

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