Matthew Hoggard discusses his transition from cricket to culinary endeavors
Sports legend Matthew Hoggard opened up about his journey since putting down the cricket bat back in 2013 during an interview with presenter Lee Anderson. The former England bowler shared his experiences of turning his passion for cricket into a new venture centered around barbecue cuisine, reports BritPanorama.
Hoggard, a key figure in England’s successful Ashes campaigns, recounted his initial struggles post-retirement. He ventured into insurance and foreign currency but found neither path fulfilling. Realizing the need for a change, he embraced his love for food and established a barbecue school called “Hoggy’s Grill”.
“I finished cricket in 2013. I didn’t know what to do, so I went into insurance. I went into foreign currency and didn’t like any of it,” he admitted during the conversation. Encouraged by his wife to pursue something he was passionate about, Hoggard soon found himself experimenting with barbecue.
He explained how he learned the craft: “You go on lots of different courses. You go around different manufacturers of barbecues and you trial and error. You learn from other people, you do everything.” This hands-on approach reflects his dedication to mastering his new passion.
Hoggard also addressed the challenges of maintaining an active lifestyle amidst his culinary pursuits. He noted, “For the last 12 years, I’ve been putting things in and not burning them off. So that’s why I’m now maybe four stone overweight or more, and it’s time to take it off.” This candid admission highlights the difficulties many face when transitioning out of highly active professions.
Reflecting on his early days as a cricketer, Hoggard mentioned how a “big piece of luck” led to his rise in the sport when he was added to the first team by ex-Yorkshire captain Phil Carrick. He described his initial journey through cricket, which evolved from playing football and rugby during his school years.
As well as running Hoggy’s Grill, Matthew Hoggard is now a UK-leading motivational speaker with the Champions Speakers Agency, sharing insights from his diverse career paths and encouraging others to pursue their passions.
In many ways, Hoggard’s narrative serves as a reminder that the shift from one passion to another can be fraught with challenges yet filled with opportunities. In a landscape where sporting accolades often define individuals, his evolution reminds us that second acts, especially in realms of personal passion, can lead to rediscovered purpose and joy.
