The Coaches Who Shaped Us: Feedback, Mentors and Growing Under Pressure with Barrie McDermott, Adrian Morley & Shaun Lunt

We’re back in the Changing Rooms for the final episode of the series, and this week it’s all about the people who shape you long before you realise it.

In this episode, Barrie McDermott is joined once again by Adrian Morley and Shaun Lunt to reflect on the coaches, mentors and leaders who left their mark on them - for better and, at times, for worse.

From “hairdryer moments” and brutal half-time call-outs to quiet words of belief that changed careers, the lads share the lessons that stuck. They revisit the coaches who understood how to get the best out of them, the tough love that built resilience, and the mentors who saw potential before they could see it themselves.

The conversation goes beyond rugby. What makes a great leader? When does an arm around the shoulder work better than a kick up the backside? How do you handle criticism without taking it personally? And what does it really mean to grow under pressure - whether that’s on the pitch, in the workplace, or at home?

With stories of legendary tacticians, honest reflections on mistakes, and the values that still guide them today, this episode explores how feedback, mentorship and strong leadership can shape not just players - but people.

The takeaway?

We’re all coached by someone - in sport, in work, or in life. The key is learning to listen, building a thick skin without losing your heart, and taking the best lessons forward.

Subscribe, have a listen, and thanks for being part of Series One of Changing Rooms.