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What happens when a footballer who trained alongside Victor Moses, Wilfried Zaha and Sean Scannell doesn’t get the professional contract? For Kieran Kenlock, it became the beginning of something far more powerful.

In Episode 35 of Beyond the Athlete, Coach David sits down with writer, creative director and founder of Good Villains studio, Kieran Kenlock, a man who turned the pain of being released from Crystal Palace’s academy at 18 into a career telling the stories the world hasn’t heard yet.

They go deep on:

🎙️ Growing up and discovering the power of words when you couldn’t put two sentences together.

⚽ Being scouted for Crystal Palace at 13 and what it really takes to go professional.

💡 Finding creativity after football, from Nike Town London to top tier ad agencies.

🎬 Building Good Villains, balancing commercial work with authentic storytelling.

🏆 His film Chasing Shadows and why grassroots stories hit harder than highlight reels.

🤖 The future of creative storytelling, AI, and what the next generation gets right.

🔥 Why consistency always beats perfection

Kieran is the kind of creative who doesn’t just talk about culture, he builds it. From writing for Soccer Bible to working with Nike, FIFA, Jordan Brand and CAF, his journey is a masterclass in pivoting with purpose.

This one is for the athletes who didn’t make it, the creators building something from nothing, and anyone trying to find their lane beyond what the world told them they were.

🎙️ Beyond the Athlete is a platform built to amplify voices, celebrate grassroots culture and explore the life beyond sport.

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