Running The Business with Matthew Wood

Running The Business is a podcast about what it really takes to run it — whether that’s a business, a brand, a sport, or yourself. Hosted by Matt Wood , co-founder of RunThrough - the worlds largest running event organiser - the show features conversations with people operating at the sharp end of sport, marketing, brand, and leadership - from elite athletes and founders to CMOs, CEOs, and community builders. Across each episode, Matt explores the journeys behind the outcomes: how people build participation pathways, create brand love through sport, scale communities, and perform under pressure — on the track, in the boardroom, and beyond. Some episodes focus on Running the Business , others on Running the Sport or Running the Performance — but all are rooted in the same question: How do you build something that lasts? Whether you’re an

Running The Business with Matthew Wood is a business podcast hosted by Matt Wood, with 13 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Matt Wood hosts Running The Business with Matthew Wood, a business show with 13 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Running The Business with Matthew Wood

  Sport business in 90 seconds | 23 Aug 2026

  Aug 23, 20262 min

  Four signals from sport business this week. Who is paying, for what, and how long does that money last. 1. Premier League front-of-shirt gambling ban from 2026/27 (~80m gap; sleeves still open) 2. Saudi capital getting picky — PIF out of LIV after 2026, combat stays funded 3. Vitality × RunThrough Stockport 10K — community title deals that work 4. HUMAIN × Al Nassr — AI as the primary shirt, not a logo sticker Full write-up (draft on site): https://runningthebusiness.show/articles/what-sponsors-are-actually-buying-this-week Sources: • https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/13/premier-league-clubs-ban-gambling-sponsors-on-front-of-shirts-from-2026-27 • https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/21/premier-league-gambling-shirt-sponsors.html • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/international-sports/after-liv-golf-withdrawal-saudi-pif-confirms-future-fate-of-ufc-wwe-and-global-boxing-investments/articleshow/130900534.cms • https://endurance.biz/2026/industry-news/vitality-partners-with-runthroughs-inaugural-stockport-10k/ • https://themanc.com/sport/vitality-stockport-10k-run-edgeley-park-runthrough-race/ • https://www.semafor.com/article/07/28/2026/saudi-ai-champion-humain-sponsors-ronaldos-al-nassr Running The Business — industry notes. https://runningthebusiness.show

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  Running The Business with Matthew Wood

  Why Some Fitness Brands Scale Globally and Others Don’t - Robert Sawhney – CCO, CEO, Watson Gym Equipment

  Jun 11, 202626 min

  Why do some fitness brands scale globally while others struggle to break into new markets? In this episode, we explore what it really takes to expand a fitness brand internationally, with a particular focus on Asia. From common misconceptions about the region to the importance of local market adaptation, premium positioning, and strong distribution partnerships, this conversation highlights the key lessons fitness brands need to understand before entering new territories. Asia is often treated as one market, but in reality, it is made up of highly diverse countries with different cultures, economies, consumer behaviours, pricing expectations, and levels of fitness industry maturity. We discuss why brands cannot simply copy and paste what worked in their home market and expect the same results elsewhere. You’ll learn why consumer sophistication in Asia is often underestimated, how premium fitness offerings can stand out, why local distributors are essential, and what mistakes brands should avoid when planning international growth. Whether you’re a fitness entrepreneur, equipment supplier, boutique studio operator, gym owner, or brand looking to expand globally, this episode offers practical insights into scaling successfully across complex international markets. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Why some fitness brands scale globally 01:20 – The biggest misconceptions about expanding into Asia 03:05 – Why Asia is not one single fitness market 05:10 – Understanding different economies, cultures, and consumer behaviours 07:00 – How quickly Western fitness trends reach Asian markets 08:45 – Why consumer sophistication is often underestimated 10:20 – Pricing, purchasing power, and premium fitness positioning 12:15 – Why brands must adapt to each local market 14:00 – Cultural nuances and local fitness preferences 15:45 – Building a premium service and experience-led offering 17:30 – Standing out from local competitors 19:10 – The importance of customisation and differentiation 20:50 – Why strong distribution networks matter 22:30 – Choosing the right local partners and distributors 24:15 – Common mistakes brands make when entering Asia 26:00 – Why success at home does not guarantee success abroad 27:40 – Key takeaways for fitness brands looking to scale globally 29:00 – Final thoughts on international fitness expansion

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  Running The Business with Matthew Wood

  The Commercial Value of Talent - Mark Middlemas, CEO – The Athlete Media Group

  Jun 4, 202627 minS0

  <p>Is the commercial value of talent shifting? Mark Middlemas, CEO of The Athlete Media Group spoke to Matt about the evolving role of athletes in branding.</p><p><br/></p><p>In the past, brands saw talent as mere figures to endorse products. But now, it’s about weaving authentic stories that resonate. The world of creators, influencers and elite athletes has exploded, creating a blend that offers brands unique opportunities. </p><p>Athletes today are more than just faces; they’re relatable stories that connect deeply with audiences. This authenticity is what brands crave. It’s about finding the rig...

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  Running The Business with Matthew Wood

  Turning Global Sport into Local Commercial Moments | Joe Pattison - Vice President, EMW Global

  Apr 23, 202629 minS0

  <p>In this episode, Matt Wood sits down with Joe Pattison of EMW Global to unpack the evolving world of global sports marketing. From his journey through media and international markets to working at the intersection of brands, athletes and rights holders, Joe shares a behind-the-scenes look at how modern sports partnerships are built.</p><p>They dive into the balance between global reach and local relevance, why athletes are becoming powerful brands in their own right, and how cultural nuance shapes deals across regions like Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Joe also breaks down EMW’s end-to-end pr...

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  Running The Business with Matthew Wood

  Building Partnerships That Actually Drive Growth - Tom Gilding - HYROX

  Apr 9, 202627 minS0

  <p>In this episode, Matt Wood sits down with Tom Gilding (HYROX, ex-Runna) to break down what separates great partnerships from the ones that fall flat.</p><p>From identifying untapped opportunities in the athlete journey, to why leading with value beats hard selling every time, Tom shares real-world insights from working with global brands, major race events and community-driven activations.</p><p>They dive into:</p>How to build partnerships that genuinely enhance the athlete experienceWhy most partnerships fail by focusing on inventory over outcomesThe power of community, ambassadors, and authentic brand alignmentWhat brands like Tinder, Lululemon and Runna...

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