More Than A Name Podcast By More Than A Name cover art

More Than A Name

More Than A Name

By: More Than A Name
Listen for free

More Than A Name explores untold, unfiltered sporting stories. Hosted by former England and Premier League defender Luke Young and sports presenter Max Whittle, each episode sits down with athletes, coaches, and public figures to talk about the side of success we rarely see — identity, pressure, mental health, and the moments they felt most lost. It goes beyond career stats and media clichés to dig into the emotional and mental weight of being in the spotlight — revealing the human behind the headlines.



 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • 13: Jamie Lawrence: From Parkhurst Prison to the Premier League | “I’ve Never Said This On Camera Before” | EP 13

    13: Jamie Lawrence: From Parkhurst Prison to the Premier League | “I’ve Never Said This On Camera Before” | EP 13
    Mar 24 2026

    Jamie Lawrence’s journey is unlike anything you’ve heard before.
    In this raw and emotional episode, Jamie opens up for the first time ever about discovering a life-changing family secret, his upbringing on a tough London estate, and how his path led him into crime and ultimately prison.
    He shares first-hand insight into life inside — including his time at Parkhurst — and the unlikely role football played in turning everything around.
    From playing matches while still incarcerated to making it to the Premier League with Leicester City just 17 months after release, Jamie’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and second chances.
    Now working with young players and mentoring the next generation, Jamie reflects on the lessons learned, the mistakes made, and the purpose he’s found beyond football.
    A must-listen episode about truth, growth, and rewriting your story.
    Get in touch with Max and Luke: morethananamepod@gmail.com
    Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethananamepod/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethananamepod
    Follow Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamielawrence7
    Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@MoreThanANamePodcast
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • 12: Dominic Thiem: The Hidden Pressures of Pro Tennis, Rafa Nadal Battles & Life After the Tour | EP 12

    12: Dominic Thiem: The Hidden Pressures of Pro Tennis, Rafa Nadal Battles & Life After the Tour | EP 12
    Mar 17 2026
    In this episode of More Than A Name, Max Whittle sits down with former US Open champion Dominic Thiem for a deep and honest conversation about life during and after professional tennis.
    Dominic reflects on the relentless pressure of competing at the top of the sport, what it really felt like winning the 2020 US Open, and the emotional toll of a wrist injury that ultimately led to his retirement in 2024.
    The guys also talk about Dominic's new ventures after tennis, including his academy in Austria and his renewable energy project 'Thiem Energy', the mental side of elite sport, social media criticism, and his favourite memories from his epic Roland Garros battles with Rafael Nadal.
    Dominic also opens up about the moments he felt 'empty' despite success, how he is prioritising mental health in retirement, and his passion for breathwork, longevity and personal growth.
    At the end of the conversation, Dominic ranks his top five all-time one-handed backhands in tennis history. This is one of the most reflective conversations Dominic has had since stepping away from the sport.
    ⏱️ Timestamps
    00:00 Intro
    01:23 Life After Tennis — His Academy & Renewable Energy Ventures
    03:06 Growing Up in Vienna & Reaching the Elite Level
    06:20 His Childhood & Total Dedication to Tennis
    11:07 The “Constant Tension” of Being a Professional Player
    15:05 Social Media & How Athletes Are Treated Today
    17:55 The Worst Comments He Received in the Media
    19:24 His Relationship With His Brother Moritz
    24:40 His Spiritual Side & Breathwork
    27:30 His Interest in Longevity & Health Optimisation
    29:35 Why He Struggled to Reflect After Winning the US Open
    31:40 Roland Garros Finals vs Rafael Nadal
    37:50 Tennis During Covid & His Changing Relationship With the Sport
    46:18 Wrist Injuries & Accepting Early Retirement
    52:40 Dinner With Nadal, Federer & Murray
    57:20 The Rollercoaster of Winning the US Open
    58:00 Feeling “Empty” During Certain Moments of His Career
    01:05:20 Reflecting Positively on His Career
    01:06:35 How Tennis Can Help its Players
    01:09:05 Dominic Thiem’s Top 5 One-Handed Backhands Ever
    Follow MTAN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethananamepod
    Follow Max on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxwhittle
    Follow MTAN on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethananamepod
    If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a rating!
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • 11: Darren Bent: Obsessed With Goals, Raised Through Divorce & Priced at a Record Fee | EP 11

    11: Darren Bent: Obsessed With Goals, Raised Through Divorce & Priced at a Record Fee | EP 11
    Feb 3 2026

    On this episode of More Than A Name, we sit down with former England striker Darren Bent for a raw and deeply honest conversation about what it really takes — and costs — to make it at the top, and how life in football evolves after the final whistle.
    Darren opens up about his obsession with scoring goals, and how that single-minded mentality fuelled his career while also shaping how he was judged. He reflects on why his England career never quite matched his club form, lifting the lid on selection, perception and timing at international level.
    He also speaks candidly about his parents managing his youth career while going through a divorce, and how instability away from football affected him during his most formative years. Darren revisits the intense scrutiny that came with being Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing, explaining how expectation, confidence and pressure collided in North London.
    The conversation doesn’t shy away from football’s harsher realities — including dealing with public criticism from fans, being labelled a “flop”, and the long-lasting impact of public narratives. Darren also shares his personal views on racism in football, offering insight shaped by both his playing career and his life beyond it.
    Now a leading voice in the media, Darren discusses his transition into punditry with talkSPORT, how his perspective has changed since retirement, and why he approaches modern football debates differently as a former player who’s lived the pressure he now analyses.
    Honest, reflective and unfiltered, this is Darren Bent beyond the goals, beyond the noise, and truly more than a name.
    Get in touch with Max and Luke: morethananamepod@gmail.com
    Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethananamepod/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethananamepod
    Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@MoreThanANamePodcast
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 23 mins
No reviews yet