James Cracknell OBE: 'The Olympics was something I did, not who I am'

Aug 27, 2023

James Cracknell, a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and six-time world champion, discusses his incredible athletic career, including rowing the Atlantic and winning The Boat Race for Cambridge. He also shares his road to recovery after a near-fatal accident. Topics covered include performance-enhancing drugs in the Olympics, rowing scholarships in America, memory loss, the importance of wearing a helmet, involvement in politics and public health issues, and James Cracknell's time at Cambridge.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

James Cracknell's Achievements and Charity Work

02:44 • 11min

Performance-enhancing drugs in the Olympics and the ban on Sterilis in American football

13:31 • 2min

Rowing Scholarships in America

15:35 • 18min

Rowing the Atlantic: Challenges and Motivation

33:41 • 5min

Exploring Memory Loss and Cognitive Tests

39:01 • 2min

The Importance of Wearing a Helmet

41:08 • 26min

Involvement in Politics and Addressing Public Health Issues

01:07:35 • 19min

The Political Process of Gaining a Seat and Becoming an MP

01:27:02 • 2min

The Boat Race and Cambridge Decision

01:28:53 • 6min

James Cracknell's Time at Cambridge and Funny Moments

01:35:02 • 3min

The third episode of The Starting Line podcast, with the inspirational James Cracknell OBE.

Two-time Olympic gold medal winner. Six time world champion. Junior world champion.

Add the extensive and impressive list of feats since his Olympic rowing days, which includes rowing the Atlantic with Ben Fogle, finishing as the fastest ever Brit at the time of competing in the gruelling 350km Marathon des Sables and winning The Boat Race for Cambridge as the oldest man to ever compete, and James is undoubtedly one of the most incredible athletes Britain’s ever produced.

James was in a coma for 12 days following a near-fatal and life-changing accident in 2010, when he was hit by a fuel truck driving at 65mph. His road to recovery has been long and continues even today.

Listen to find out more about this one-of-a-kind man.

Follow James on Instagram and Twitter.

About The Starting Line Podcast

From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.

By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and more. Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define your potential.

Join me every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.

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