Today we’re flipping the script on traditional childhood education and fitness. Andy Hicks sits down with Amanda Frolich, affectionately known as Action Amanda, the spirited advocate championing active play for kids. With over three decades of experience under her belt, Amanda has built a movement through Amanda’s Action Club, where infectious music, creative props (think maracas and bunny ears!), and Amanda’s energy get kids to move, laugh, and learn the joy of fitness. She’s on a mission to tackle childhood obesity and was recently named a Children’s Champion in the UK Parliament.

Amanda’s impact extends beyond her classes. She’s a Children’s Champion with the UK’s Children’s Alliance, advocating for healthier policies for young kids. She is also the creative mastermind behind the upcoming animated series, Coach Amanda and the Actimates, set to make waves globally in 2025. Whether it is energizing workplaces with her lively sessions or creating chart-topping children’s music, Amanda’s mission is clear: inspire a lifetime love for movement and tackle childhood obesity from the earliest years.

In a nutshell, Andy and Amanda talk about:

- Amanda’s journey and her unique, kid-approved teaching style

-Why early childhood is the critical time to instill healthy habits

- Her high-energy, fun-first approach using pom-poms, maracas, parachutes, and music to engage preschoolers

- The science and passion fueling her mission to reduce childhood obesity

- A sneak peek into Coach Amanda and the Actimates, her upcoming animated series that’ll get kids moving worldwide

- How Amanda transforms every setback into a stepping stone for her vision

- Stories of her success in bringing fun physical activity into workplaces and its benefits for adults, too!

- Her plans to take the programs to global platforms and her call for brand partnerships with giants like Nike and Adidas to amplify her impact

…and so much more!

Connect with Amanda:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-frolich-592834b

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

X: https://x.com/amandafrolich

Check Out Amanda’s Action Club:

Website: https://amandasactionclub.co.uk/about/

https://www.amandafrolichthrive.co.uk/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amandas-action-club/

Connect with James:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coordinatesport/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-moore-uk

Coordinate Sport: https://coordinate.cloud/

Today’s episode sees Andrew Hicks stepping in for James to welcome back a special guest, Gary Laybourne, the CEO of Coach Core. Known for his signature mix of humor, insight, and a true passion for social change, Gary shares his journey and his vision for transforming communities through sport. His dedication goes beyond building careers; he’s redefining what it means to make a difference and reshaping communities across the UK.

Founded in 2012, Coach Core isn’t an average apprenticeship program. It’s a groundbreaking charity focused on providing young people from challenging backgrounds with a pathway to employment through sports, mentorship, and community leadership. Unlike traditional apprenticeships, Coach Core emphasizes personal development, pairing skill-building with mentorship and connecting apprentices with their communities as role models. What began with 20 young Londoners has grown to a national movement with over a thousand apprentices, changing lives and inspiring communities alongside local partners who believe in the power of sports to drive positive change.

In this episode, Gary discusses Coach Core’s ambitious vision for growth and invites listeners to explore how they can help shape the future with him. Don’t miss this must-listen episode if you’re passionate about social impact, sports, and youth development!

Tune in to learn more about:

- The art of building socially impactful ventures that balance purpose with financial sustainability.

- Coach Core’s inspiring journey and evolution from a local initiative to a national movement, impacted thousands of apprentices and millions in communities.

- How Coach Core marries business insight with a deep commitment to social change, offering young people vital tools for resilience and community connection.

- Why apprenticeships are crucial pathways for youth from marginalized backgrounds, and how Coach Core’s unique model of support, training, and mentorship sets them up for success.

- Gary’s challenge to conventional views of “a good job,” advocating for careers rooted in purpose and fulfillment.

- Key insights on leveraging sports as a powerful vehicle for social transformation.

…and so much more!

Connect with Gary:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-laybourne

Gary Laybourne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-laybourne-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gazlaybourne?igsh

Check Out Coach Core:

Website: https://www.coachcore.org.uk

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/wearecoachcoreuk?igsh

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-core-foundation/

Connect with James:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coordinatesport/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-moore-uk

Coordinate Sport: https://coordinate.cloud/

In this episode, James Moore is joined by Anne-Marie Martin, the founder and franchisor of diddi dance, a revolutionary preschool dance franchise that’s captured the imaginations of babies and toddlers across the UK. Drawing from her experience as a professional dancer, Anne-Marie transformed her passion for movement into a thriving business. Through her innovative and fun approach, diddi dance has introduced toddlers to the joys of dance, inspiring a love of movement that lasts a lifetime.

As a board member of the CAA, she is a focal member of an organisation, offering activity providers the opportunity to raise standards and support them with business operations and accreditation. She has a wealth of experience in the activities sector, starting off as a single funky preschool dance class that has blossomed into a movement, with over 40 franchises nationwide.

In a nutshell James and Anne-Marie talk about:

- Her transition from professional dancer to entrepreneur, and how diddi dance was born from a gap in the toddler activity market.
-How a gap in the market for non-traditional toddler dance classes sparked the creation of a national franchise that has now introduced thousands of children to the joys of movement.
-The rise of diddi dance, from local classes to a national franchise while staying true to its joyful, inclusive ethos.
-The importance of fostering early childhood movement in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
-Insight into the Children’s Activities Association and how Anne-Marie’s leadership is shaping the children’s activities sector.
-Tips for business owners on trusting the process and focusing on strengths.
-The highs and lows of her journey and how she danced through the challenges in the children’s activities sector.…and so much more!

Connect with Anne-Marie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-martin-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originaldiddidancer?

Check out diddi dance:
Website: https://www.diddidance.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diddidancecrew

Connect with James:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_ventures
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coordinatesport/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-moore-uk
Coordinate Sport: https://coordinate.cloud/