== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == This week's guest is a true pioneer of mixed martial arts. Mark 'the Wizard' Weir etched his name into the history books with the fastest ever knockout on his UFC debut, the first time the promotion came to the UK in 2002. That night, UFC boss Dana white told Mark: ‘Years from now you remember this, you remember what you've done today. You just don't know what you've done yet'. Born and raised in Gloucester, England in 1967, Mark was a double taekwondo world champion by just 20 years old, becoming the youngest fighter to ever win a World Championship. Also an undefeated kickboxer, Mark was once ranked the number 1 mixed martial artist in the UK. Alongside running his gym Range Martial Arts Academy, Mark is the coach of UFC middleweight rising star Christian Leroy Duncan (you can listen to his interview from series one). Christian will be fighting on the main card of UFC 304 in Manchester this coming Saturday. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108 Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com *About The Starting Line Podcast* The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity. Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells. *About me, Rich Leigh* Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. 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 without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Using that influence, I helped 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 conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers. *Follow The Starting Line on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow *Timestamps:*

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==

This week's guest is comedian, poet, performer and one half of BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince.

We talked about everything from his love of books, comedy and science through to his time on tour with Ricky Gervais, working with Professor Brian Cox, his upbringing, family and neurodivergence.

A fun, sprawling conversation, just hours before Robin spoke at Cheltenham Science Festival.

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing wasn't great.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

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 without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.Using that influence, I helped 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 conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow