Culture That Made Me: Rob Heffernan on Bruce Lee, Christy Moore and The Sopranos

The ex-athlete and current podcast host also selects The Sopranos, Roy Keane, and Icarus among his touchstones 

Former athlete Rob Heffernan now has his own podcast. Picture: Denis Minihane

Rob Heffernan, 46, grew up in Turner’s Cross, Cork. In 2000, he competed in Sydney in the first of five Olympic Games. In 2012, he won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in the 50 km walk. In 2013, he won gold in the World Championships in Moscow. He’s co-host of the weekly Red Raw podcast along with stand-up comedian Laura O’Mahony. His wife Marian is also an Olympic athlete. Both their son, Cathal, and daughter, Meghan, have represented the Republic of Ireland at under-age international level in soccer.

Culture of sport