Manc 02: Diane Modahl MBE - The Athlete With Manchester In Her Bones

26/03/2020 54 min
Manc 02: Diane Modahl MBE - The Athlete With Manchester In Her Bones

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Episode Synopsis

From a working-class Manchester home to Olympic running tracks, Diane Modahl MBE tells Lisa Morton her incredible story. Hear how she was able to chase her dream, how she won a battle she never thought she’d ever have to fight and the young people she helps now. 



This episode was recorded in early 2020 before Corona Virus spread across the world. It is as relevant now as it was when we recorded it. Diane talks about Manchester and the relationships here that helped her through her highs and her lows. Now her Foundation helps Manchester’s young people to thrive in the same way.  


This podcast series will be delving into purposeful relationships that built the greatest city on earth, Manchester.

In this episode of We Built This City Lisa hears how Diane was given the opportunity to flourish as a young runner, since falling in love with the track Diane’s career has taken her many unexpected places. 


Growing up in Longsight, attending high school in Moss Side, Diane says she was truly made in Manchester. Coming from a working-class household, Diane thanks her family network for allowing her to succeed as an athlete - her parents showed her true hard work ethic and she was able to use this mindset on the track.


The pair discuss her many achievements including setting up The Diane Modahl Sports Foundation which is striving to provide children growing up in social deprivation, the same opportunity that she had growing up allowing young talent and potential to be nurtured around the city.


And Lisa hears about the false doping claim that pulled Diane’s professional running career from under feet and the battle that followed for herself and her husband to clear her name. Diane’s success at this time has changed the way samples are taken.



Your host Lisa Morton set up PR company, Roland Dransfield, one month after the fateful IRA Bomb that tore apart the city’s centre. Since then as a company they have helped to rebuild the city from its infrastructure to the arts. To celebrate more the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering great Mancunian icons  - born, bred or adopted - and through each episode, she will be exploring how they have created business, careers, relationships, communities and the stories they have to tell from along the way.





Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:



Via Phone: 0161 2361122
Via their website
On Instagram

On Twitter 



Connect with Diane:
On Twitter

Via her Website



Mentioned in this episode: We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan UniversityOn this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.
Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further.

Visit https://www.mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.Manchester Met

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