1) How did you first hear about the Glasgow Legacy Programme and what proved the spark of motivation to get involved?

I first heard about the Glasgow Generation 2026 Leadership Programme through MCR Pathways sponsorship. What motivated me most was the opportunity to invest in and commit to my personal development — not only to build leadership skills, but also to contribute to something with real purpose and impact. I was drawn to learning in a way that is practical, community-rooted, and focused on creating positive outcomes.

2) From the outside looking in, this looked like a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tell us more about the broader experience.

It genuinely was a once-in-a-lifetime experience because it combined people, creativity, and community impact in a way I had not experienced before.

Some of the highlights included:

• Conducting interviews and connecting with athletes in a meaningful way — hearing about their journeys, training routines, motivations, and setbacks, while getting to know them not only professionally but also on a human level. What struck me most were the sacrifices required to commit to such a significant goal and major event.
• Co-producing creative work by collaborating as part of a team on music and film production to create an immersive piece in partnership with the Glasgow Caledonian University media team.
• Engaging with senior stakeholders who are shaping major events and the future of the city, including organisations involved in the wider Commonwealth Games ecosystem such as OVO Hydro, Police Scotland, and Glasgow City Council.

What stood out most was how much the programme encouraged us to collaborate and create — not in theory, but in practice.

3) Was there one specific aspect of the experience that proved the highlight?

If I had to choose one highlight, it would be the conversations and interviews with athletes and contributors. Hearing directly from people about what drives them was incredibly inspiring. The resilience in their stories stayed with me and challenged how I think about performance, discipline, and long-term goals.

4) Glasgow is a very special place. Was there anything about the city that you didn’t know before or now observe from a different perspective?

This programme made me see Glasgow even more through the lens of its people. The energy, warmth, and sense of community are things you feel immediately, but the programme helped me understand them more deeply. I now notice more clearly how much of the city’s strength comes from collaboration — different organisations, communities, and individuals working together. It reminded me that Glasgow’s identity is not just about its places; it is about its spirit and shared ambition to make things better.

5) How did the programme influence your understanding of leadership and develop wider career-boosting skills?

The programme reinforced that leadership is as much about how you show up as it is about what you deliver. It encouraged me to reflect on my own motivations, strengths, ambitions, and the areas I want to continue developing, while seeing learning as an ongoing process rather than something you ever truly complete.

It also strengthened practical skills that translate directly into career growth, including:

• Stepping into unfamiliar spaces and building confidence through action.
• Communicating and collaborating with people from different backgrounds.
• Stakeholder management — engaging different groups and perspectives towards a shared outcome.
• Interviewing and storytelling — listening to and communicating people’s journeys in a thoughtful and authentic way.
• Project management — taking ideas from concept to delivery while working to timelines and a shared vision.
• Creating space for others to share ideas, contribute, and learn.

Overall, it helped me connect personal development with real-world impact and reminded me that growth often starts just outside your comfort zone.

6) Were there any speakers, mentors, or visits that had a lasting impact on you?

I find it difficult to choose just one because the impact came from a combination of speakers, mentors, and visits. Each offered a different perspective on leadership and community. What stayed with me most was the consistent message about how you show up — through collaboration, responsibility, and a commitment to outcomes that genuinely benefit others.

7) What are your hopes for the creative outputs generated by the co-production group?

My hope is that the immersive creative piece connects with people beyond the programme and sparks curiosity, conversation, and innovation. Ideally, it will encourage wider audiences to recognise Glasgow’s talent and ambition and to think differently about what is possible when communities, creativity, and leadership come together.