Five-Time British Judo Champion Bobby Rich on High Performance and Redefining Pain

I’m Fine hosted by Jean Campbell meets Bobby Rich Judo Champion and one of the most respected elite coaches in UK combat sports. In this episode Bobby discusses a life shaped prepping for tournaments, training, stamina, discipline, discomfort and redefining pain. Aged five he started Judo - and went on to compete at youth and senior levels right up to being competitor level for Team GB, 2008 Olympic reserve. In this conversation Bobby looks back on his experience, the demands of high-performance, finding success beyond medals and how pain — physically, mentally, emotionally — and your own identity becomes intertwined with athletic performance. From success to sacrifice, injury, relationships, burnout, and the quiet reckoning and reinvention that comes with ‘retirement’ when the question becomes: who am I without this? we discuss the importance of communication, intuition, recovery, and why sustainability and self-awareness is the true mark of strength.

Bobby Rich is the London-based performance coach, entrepreneur and former elite athlete with over two decades of experience in high-level sport and fitness. A former international Judo competitor for Team GB, 2008 Olympic reserve, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Bobby now works across the worlds of performance, wellness and brand consultancy. Bobby is the founder of ONUS – a consultancy that designs and builds fitness brands and high-performance training spaces, and as a coach trusted by cultural icons to competitive athletes. He aims to help people feel stronger, live with purpose and above all is a proud father, shaping a life that thrives.

About I’m Fine:

“I’m Fine is more than a Podcast — it’s a service. A space for the millions of people navigating pain in silence, often without the resources or language we all deserve. The world isn’t set up to support people in pain and we want to help change that.” Jean Campbell.

I’m Fine is a Podcast hosted by Model, Writer and Mental Health Advocate Jean Campbell it’s a safe space and platform where high-performance people talk honestly, often humorously, about their life experiences and healing as Jean explores the inner world behind their outward success. Jean has navigated chronic pain since she was 12 years old, this experience inspired her to create I’m Fine to help reshape the stigma around pain - emotional, physical, and mental - to give a voice to the many who hide behind the words: ‘I’m Fine’.

With Very Special Thanks to Bobby Rich

Filmed by Podshop

Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Productions

Technical Production by Copperbeach

Social Media Ruby Fern

Creative Production Patrick Armstrong of Sidekick Productions

Series Producer Camilla Morton

Founder and Executive Producer Jean Campbell