Charlie Webster: "I trained in Muay Thai in the Singapore Army Base"

Charlie Webster is a woman of many talents. 

As a broadcaster, she's covered everything from Wimbledon to the Olympics, and in 2014 became the first female presenter of a heavyweight world title fight. (Wladimir Klitschko stopped Alex Lepai in the fifth.)

As a campaigner, she has run the London Marathon for several charities – including the Bobby Moore Fund and Woman's Aid – and worked tirelessly to increase awareness of domestic abuse among football fans. 

Then there's her mental health activism through both a new podcast and an ongoing Twitter support group. 

Oh, and she knows Muay Thai.

Not many would be able to hold their own with Muhammad Ali in lockdown but we think Webster could manage it.

We can't give a higher compliment than that. 

Life 

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

I'm excited first and foremost to see my friends and family and go on a few mad adventures.

I'm hoping that the Philadelphia marathon will be going ahead because I signed up with my best mate for my birthday, we can't wait to run up the Rocky steps if we can still move after the marathon.

I've been working on a new podcast called My Sporting Mind so I'm really excited about people listening to it and resonating with some of the encouraging and compelling stories from sports stars. I want to show mental health as a normal conversation that is something we all in some way can relate to.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

This question made me smile, it's so important to look back at these, I sometimes get so headstrong in the goals I'm working towards rather than taking a moment to appreciate some of the things I've done.

Broadcasting perspective I'd say presenting on the 2012 Olympics and achieving the first female to host a heavyweight world title fight especially because I initially got told 'the audience aren't ready for a female in boxing.'

The other was creating a campaign to open up the conversation about domestic abuse amongst football fans and as part of that I ran 250 miles to and from 40 football clubs.

If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?

That's a hard one, I don't think I would because everything I've done I've grown and learnt from. And anything I wanted to change I did and anything I want to change now I am doing. I listened to myself and what I wanted to do, not what people wanted of me.

I think I would definitely give myself loads of advice if I could like believing in myself mainly and also to stand up for myself in some of the crap I've had but then maybe if I knew what I do now then I wouldn't have grown as much.

What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?

Lots!!!!!!!!! I love learning and developing. I'm really enjoying writing, producing and I'm looking at potential directing opportunities in the factual field. My passion is storytelling and I would love to have the opportunity to direct a documentary or film.

I also want to see some changes in the campaigning work I've been doing, I'm determined to make sure children from underprivileged backgrounds and abusive homes are heard, recognised and helped to heal and achieve their potential.

Right now this doesn't happen, kids who have suffered severe trauma are just expected to be healthy function adults, we are quick to vilify them without even bothering to look at what pain they are in and what has caused this.

Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?

I was just about to say my Grandad but then realised it said outside my family.

I'd say now my biggest inspiration are my friends, they encourage me and believe in me, having them means everything. They are to me and my family.

My biggest idol I'd say was Muhammad Ali, I read all his books when I was a teenager. Oh I recommend the recent documentary What's My Name: Muhammad Ali.

Tell us something nobody knows about you…

I trained in Muay Thai in the Singapore Army Base when I lived over in Singapore in my mid twenties when I was presenting football for ESPN. We used to skip bare feet on the concrete. It was hardcore but I loved it and the people I trained with.

Lockdown

How are you finding lockdown?

Up and down! I think I'm a complete mix, sometimes I'm frustrated because a lot of things I was working on are on 'hold' and I'm a real outdoor, travel, always doing something type of person so I'm not the best at being indoors, as I bounce off the walls and I don't like many have a garden.

At the same time I've met new people through the volunteering I've been doing, I spent three hours serving mashed potato the other day and I've learnt a new skill, and redecorated my kitchen so now I fancy myself as a bit of a decorator!

I've also started a mental health support group on my twitter called #mindtalk. So there are lots of positives.

And of course I'm running loads which I'm really appreciating. We're all different but for me I have to keep my mind active.

Best thing about lockdown?

I've watched some boxsets with my mum which I would never have done before as I normally can't sit still. We had a laugh watching Ozark. She's staying with me at the moment.

Worst thing about lockdown?

Not being able to see my friends. I'm grateful to stare at them through a screen but that's nothing compared to hanging with them in person.

Top tip for surviving lockdown?

Look at each day a time, break things down into small manageable steps, looking too far ahead can be overwhelming and really cause a lot of anxiety with the uncertainties.

Try and find things that you can control yourself, even if it's the smallest things, focusing on things that are out of our control right now causes helpless feeling.

If you could be locked down with one person, alive or dead, who would it be?

Muhammad Ali, we could train together in his training camp surrounded by stunning remote forest and then chat and I can learn all his witty sayings. 'I can drown a drink of water and can kill a dead tree. Don't mess with Muhammad Ali.'

What are you most looking forward to doing once lockdown is over?

Dancing my head off for hours singing and laughing to house music in a big club somewhere with my friends!!!

For more info, see charliewebster.com