Ep 318 Interview Sessions with Bethan Laker & Joni Harding | The Leisure Experts - Leading With Heart - A real-life case study in heart-centred business

2026-01-21

Bethan Laker and Joni Harding are the Directors of The Leisure Experts — a consultancy and education business serving the leisure, aquatics and physical activity industry across the UK and Ireland.The Leisure Experts was born from a deep care for the industry and a belief that it deserves better — better leadership, better support, and better experiences for both people and communities. They work alongside operators, teams and organisations to deliver consultancy, training, operational support and transformation, always grounded in ...

Bethan Laker and Joni Harding are the Directors of The Leisure Experts — a consultancy and education business serving the leisure, aquatics and physical activity industry across the UK and Ireland.

The Leisure Experts was born from a deep care for the industry and a belief that it deserves better — better leadership, better support, and better experiences for both people and communities. They work alongside operators, teams and organisations to deliver consultancy, training, operational support and transformation, always grounded in real-world experience and practical impact.

At their core, Bethan and Joni are committed to creating positive, meaningful experiences in and around water — experiences that save lives, build confidence, and open access to opportunity. They believe this happens not through fear-based systems, hierarchy or box-ticking, but through heart-centred leadership, culture, trust and human connection.

This episode is a real-life case study of what it looks like to live and lead the heart-centred way — building a business from purpose, integrity and courage, while walking alongside an industry they genuinely love.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How The Leisure Experts was born from heartache, purpose and a deep love for the leisure and aquatics industry

• What it really looks like to lead and build a business the heart-centred way — beyond theory and into lived experience

• Why creating positive experiences in and around water is about joy, belonging and opportunity, not fear

• How Bethan and Joni build culture, trust and teams by putting people before policy and humanity before hierarchy

• The courage required to do business differently — and the unexpected “miracles” that emerge when you do

Those with ears, let them hear.

Always love,

Ryan

Connect with The Leisure Experts

Website: https://theleisureexperts.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theleisureexperts