{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"James Croker on Leadership, Belonging and the Power of Sport","description":"On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with James Croker, Commercial Director at Bournemouth Rugby Club. Many know James as the energetic, passionate force behind the club\u2019s growth in recent years, but few know the full story that shaped him. James takes us from his early sporting childhood, through a 15-year career in the Royal Air Force, to the devastating series of heart attacks in his early thirties that abruptly ended both his military career and his playing days. He speaks openly about the mental health battle that followed, the loss, the darkness and ultimately the community that helped pull him back up. We explore how rugby\u2019s core values have shaped James\u2019s leadership philosophy, the commercial transformation at Bournemouth Rugby and his mission to build a true sense of belonging in the local business community. This conversation is a blend of raw honesty, practical wisdom and heartfelt passion for sport and people. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show. This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers\u2026   How sport shaped James\u2019s early life   Why he joined the Royal Air Force   The sudden heart condition that ended his military career   How he battled depression and rebuilt his life   Transitioning into coaching and returning to Bournemouth Rugby   Building commercial sustainability and community connection   Creating belonging and meaningful values in organisations   Why role modelling matters in sport and business   The importance of resilience and support networks   James\u2019s ambitions for Bournemouth Rugby Club   Soundbites \u201cSport always gave me purpose, even when nothing else made sense.\u201d \u201cYou learn from great leaders, but you learn even more from the bad ones.\u201d \u201cCommunity saved me. Without it, I don\u2019t know where I\u2019d be.\u201d \u201cThe military took my structure away overnight. That\u2019s when life really hit me.\u201d \u201cGood rugby players aren\u2019t always good people. We want good people first.\u201d \u201cYou can\u2019t just put your values on a wall. You have to live them.\u201d \u201cIf you want to build community, create a sense of belonging and safety first.\u201d \u201cMake your bed. Do one thing. One step leads to the next.\u201d &amp;nbsp; Chapters 00:00 \u2013 Intro 01:00 \u2013 James\u2019 early years 03:20 \u2013 Military career 10:30 \u2013 Heart attacks 17:40 \u2013 Navigating depression and rebuilding life 21:45 \u2013 Bournemouth Rugby 25:30 \u2013 Building community through sport 36:00 \u2013 Rugby values 49:10 \u2013 Future of Bournemouth Rugby 55:20 \u2013 Final reflections &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Evolve to Succeed","author_url":"http:\/\/evolvetosucceed.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39307560\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/196272955"}