
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 neve... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 572 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Sports | |||

We start in the Arctic Circle, via the Welsh valleys, where Cath Pendleton has always loved swimming. Born from a childhood playing in the rivers of her home town of Merthyr, all through her life, her time in the water has been a sanctuary from the s... more
Do you ever find yourself thinking back to the good old days, whenever they were, and thinking about someone you've not seen for a while and wondering "What ever happened to" Well this week we hear from four former elite sport stars who are now enjoy... more
Author Dagny Scott Barrios, once wrote “Every run is a work of art, a drawing on each day's canvas. Some runs are shouts and some runs are whispers. Some runs are eulogies and others celebrations. When you're angry, a run can be a sharp slap in the f... more
"It is never too late to be what you might have been" so wrote the Victorian author George Elliot. Having searched the globe for the best stories in sport we have found four people that might just force you to redefine what it is you think can still ... more
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Really great listen with loads of stories I've not heard covered anywhere else. Thoughtful, goes to the heart of sport. Not just scores, but how sport interacts with culture, society and politics
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #88 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #155 | |
Apple Podcasts | #191 | |
Apple Podcasts | #233 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Not by the Playbook delivers inspirational, in-depth conversations with athletes and sports-adjacent figures who have defied odds. Across episodes, conversations center on resilience, adaptation, and human stories behind performance—from endurance feats and late-life reinventions to mental health, leadership, and identity beyond sport. The show tends to blend intimate origin stories with broader themes like mentorship, media dynamics, gender equity in sport, and the role of sport in culture and community. A standout pattern is the host's willingness to go beyond triumphs to explore mindset, recovery, and social impact, making it a compelling listen for brands seeking authentic, values-driven storytelling and for sponsors targeting audiences... more
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Not by the Playbook launched 13 years ago and published 572 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Not by the Playbook include:
1. Joe Balnton
2. Zach Schubert
3. Josh Navidi
4. Faramarz Assef
5. Adrienne Bunn
6. Beatie Deutsch
7. Jenny Mannion
8. Doug (coach)
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