This episode is an introduction to the Team Talk podcast in which I explore what really makes teams perform at their best, using lessons learned from the world of sport.
Listen to the podcast here:
Episode 1: Introduction
Hi, my name is Sherry Bevan, and I’m the host of Team Talk.
Team Talk is a podcast I’m incredibly excited to create. It’s where we explore what makes high-performing teams work – what leaders, athletes, and sports teams do differently – and how we can apply those lessons to our own teams.
I’ll be talking to people who’ve been there and done it, so that we can learn from the best in sport and leadership.
I created this podcast because I want to share stories of teamwork, leadership, resilience, and human connection. But before I tell you more about that, let me give you a little of my own sporting background.
I’ve been a lifelong Spurs fan. It wasn’t inherited – my dad doesn’t even watch football – but I’ve always supported Spurs, and I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe, as a child, there was a favourite player who struck a chord with me.
My biggest passion in sport, though, is cycling. At one point, I was completely obsessed with Laurent Jalabert. Bizarrely, I felt like I had a personal connection with him. Some of you may remember the horrific sprinter’s crash at Armentières in the Tour de France in 1994. Just a couple of weeks earlier, I’d had my own crash at Eastway while racing, which resulted in a serious head injury. Watching his recovery pulled me in, and that’s where the obsession really grew.
My current cycling heroes are Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, and Mathieu van der Poel – all incredible cyclists.
I raced for Catford Cycling Club for several years and even became its president. I don’t belong to a cycling club anymore, and if I’m honest, I don’t get on my bike as much as I used to. But I still run regularly with my running club, Petts Wood Runners.
Alongside sport, I’ve spent years helping teams perform at their best — in businesses, charities, and sports organisations. And I’ve seen one thing again and again: culture matters.
Watching athletes and coaches operate at the highest level has taught me lessons you simply can’t learn from a book. That’s why I wanted to create this podcast — a space to share those stories. Because the things that make elite teams work can help all of us, whatever size or type of team we lead.
I’ve already spoken to some incredible guests, and I can’t wait to share their stories with you — including Scott Drawer from INEOS Grenadiers, Doug Ryder from Q36.5, and Matt Hall from Bromley Football Club, with many more to come.
A bit more about my background: I work with leaders and teams across multiple sectors to help them perform at their best, particularly when they’re forming new teams or navigating change. I deliver workshops, coaching, and team development programmes. Before that, I spent over 20 years working in technology and law firms, and I’ve also worked extensively in the charity sector. I’ve seen teams at every stage of development.
I love being outdoors. I love cycling. I love watching football and athletics. And I try to bring that same curiosity and energy into my work every day. This podcast is really an extension of that curiosity — learning from the best and sharing it with you.
So what can you expect from Team Talk? Honest, practical insights. Not theory. Not buzzwords. We’ll explore culture, leadership, communication, resilience, and performance through real stories.
Every episode is a chance to get inside the minds of people who make teams thrive at the highest level — and to pick up lessons you can apply straight away. It’s about learning from those who’ve made mistakes, who’ve succeeded, and who’ve built something remarkable.
I’ve already had the chance to spend time with Doug Ryder, whose story of building the first African team and taking them to the Tour de France is extraordinary. Matt Hall shares the journey of Bromley Football Club from non-league to the Football League, with powerful insights into leadership, culture, and community. And Scott Drawer talks about the importance of culture and creating a true sense of belonging.
There’s much more to come.
This podcast isn’t just about winning – on the pitch, on the road, or on the scoreboard. It’s about what happens in the teams behind the team. Trust. Relationships. Shared values. And how small actions can make a big difference. That human-to-human connection really matters when we’re building strong teams, and that’s what this podcast is about.
If you like what you hear, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. I’d love to hear from you – connect with me on LinkedIn, send me your thoughts or questions, or let me know who you’d like me to interview or what topics you’d like me to cover.
As I sign off, I’m genuinely excited to start this journey with you. I’ve got some amazing stories lined up, and I can’t wait to share them.
Thank you so much for listening, and I hope you’ll join me for the next episode.
About your host: Sherry Bevan
Sherry Bevan helps teams in transition perform at their best – without the fluff. A former Global Head of IT Service in an international law firm, she now works across technology, professional services and the charity sector. Through her Team Kickoff Accelerator, Sherry supports new and changing teams to build trust, strengthen collaboration and set the foundations for high performance. A former grassroots cyclist and still a runner, Sherry is fascinated by what sport can teach us about teamwork, leadership and sustainable performance – and it’s these ideas she explores with leaders and experts on Team Talk.
Connect with Sherry
- Sign up for news and updates.
- Apply to join the Team Culture Club.
- Connect on LinkedIn.