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Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Sue Backhouse, Professor of psychology and nutrition at Leeds Beckett University is this week's guest. Sue is an expert in the complexity around two huge areas – eating and cheating. Everyone’s a nutritionist these days, everyone’s a psychologist and everyone has an opinion on the issue of doping. Three emotive, convoluted and noisy areas for Sue to tackle.
What Sue’s research does is something quite unique, particularly so compared with a lot of reductionist studies that pare back all confounding variables to a level of control almost sterility. Of course, you need that level of meticulous control for some research but often important areas get neglected by researchers because they’re too messy. Equally what Sue is able to do is see through the clatter, the jumble and offer illuminating yet grounded findings and advice.
We explore the hows and whys of influencing athletes to adopt certain dietary practices and how underpinning motivation and behaviour are essential for change. Then we get into a rich discussion about why people dope, the context, knowledge, social norms, group think, can all be factors in people taking or not taking that step into violating rules and how people reconcile their minds that what they’re doing is ok. A fascinating area, one that I have spent my life staunchly and adamantly against and working to support athletes in an ethical and legal way. At the end of the conversation I felt more aware and understanding and perhaps slightly more empathetic towards a doper – NOT that I have lowered my stance – but by better understanding why people cheat I feel I might be able to help someone choose not to.
Show notes:
Sue’s formative years leading to her career in sport.
Resetting ambitions and dealing with rejection and disappointment and how this has turned into an advantage.
Complexity of behaviour on multiple levels towards food and nutrition.
The role of emotions and how it drives behaviour, decision making and the support required to be sensitive to.
Capability Opportunity Motivation model of behaviour (COM-B); a behaviour change model recognise that in order to bring about change one needs a capability i.e. education, training and skills.
Having difficult conversations and making sure everyone is on the same page with the same expectations.
Just telling!
Barriers towards nutritional adherence
What are the unintended consequences of some of these short term solutions?
Doping, “I just did what I was told…”
Social norms of dysfunction, the power of the group.
Unravelling the complexities of doping, the vulnerability, the goal directed behaviours, the protection of health, athlete identity and winning at all costs.
Differences in doping violations, team versus individual approach
Therapeutic exemption and the knock-on effect of the negativity surrounding doping
Fearless organisations and having difficult conversations
Links:
Sue on Twitter https://twitter.com/susanbackhouse
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/professor-susan-backhouse/
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/carnegie-school-of-sport/research/research-centres/human-performance/respect/
http://theconversation.com/whistleblowing-athletes-shouldnt-have-to-choose-between-their-careers-and-the-truth-112349
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Jan 15, 2020
Wednesday Jan 15, 2020
This year we have the Olympic games – the World’s biggest sporting event. But in quick succession is the Paralympics, now the third largest sporting event. Some quip that the Olympics is the warm-up or the test event for the Paralympics. Well this week’s guest is one of the greatest stalwarts and servant of the Paralympics, my good friend and close colleague Nik Diaper. It’s difficult to overstate the impact that Nik has had on the domain of disabled sport, from the days when frankly very few people were interested, through to it becoming not only respected, but revered.
In this interview I discuss with Nik what drew him to parasport, what resonated with him and what has endured. Nik shares his perspectives on why disability sport has caught the imagination of sports fans, general public and global audiences alike. He shares his search for meaning amongst some of life’s broader questions and why what he does can add value to society.
Now I cycle most weekends with Nik and he is a quality athlete, which I know to my suffering. This interview was in many ways like how he rides – unfussy, humble, deliberate in delivering a powerful effect.
Show notes:
Nik discusses his sporting history in Kenya
Moving to the US to pursue his swimming dream
The move to Manchester
Nik had no intention of pursuing a career in Paralympic sport
Entering Para sport and feeling completely out of his depth
Accessibility
The Paralympics 2020 and the step change in perception for disability sport
What made London so successful and it’s legacy?
What does it mean to be disabled? - the debate!
What were the reasons for sticking with Paralympic sport if it wasn’t your first choice?
Stand out para moments for Nik
Technological advances in para-sport and the ramificationsTokyo 2020
What more needs to be done and Nik’s hopes and ambitions?
Links:
Nik on Twitter
https://twitter.com/nik_diaper
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019
This week’s guest is business consultant James Glover. James is a world champion white-water rafter, former performance lifestyle practitioner and head of support for the sport of triathlon in Britain. In these sporting support roles James began to explore and research some deeper concepts of human performance and found himself drawing upon some emerging and quite powerful principles being applied to business people around the world in the area of well-being, sustaining our energy and achieving greater productivity and human vibrancy.In this episode we explore his early experiences, a supportive family home, how he felt so disconnected through his university education, becoming world champion, making the transition to working in elite sport and then sensing an opportunity to take the step to the business world and the key lessons he has learnt from both arenas.
Show notes
How are you feeling?…the vulnerability behind the question
James’ background
The predictability of career path is a turn off
Taking leaps of faith which pay off
Disengagement from the learning environment
The qualities required to be a world champion white water rafter
The human experience and contributions people make
Performance lifestyle and athlete support
Business demands and reflections
Extreme performance, stress being a stimulant for adaptation and growth for athletes but also other aspects of our lives
The transition between stress and distress
The leap taken towards The Energy Project
The reverence in business for sport and the power of human endeavour expressed through sport
Links
James on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-glover-1180b2a1/
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Dec 04, 2019
Wednesday Dec 04, 2019
Welcome to episode 50, a mini milestone for us and not long ago we've ticked over 50,000 downloads so thank you to all for tuning in and sharing what you've learnt from each episode - it encourages to keep producing more content for you.
While we've hit some mini milestones, this week's guests has been part of some projects that have grown to become phenomenally successful. Tom Williams is Parkrun's Global Chief Operating Officer the incredible successful charity that provides free timed 5km runs for people around the world. At the time of recording Parkrun has had 60 million interactions of participants or volunteers with an average of 200 people in each event each week, supporting people to run over 200 million kms in total. Tom shares with us the spirit, culture and ethos of inspiring people to exercise through Parkruns.
Tom is also co-host of Marathon Talk with Martin Yelling, the incredibly successful podcast that has just had it's 500th episode - a feat of stamina in itself.
It was fascinating to hear how with both Parkrun and Marathon Talk how these projects started because if you look at those statistics of achievements it can be quite intimidating. But that idea you've got, that we've got, has to start somewhere, they have to start at zero.
Show notes;
How did Marathon Talk podcast come to fruition?
Being authentic on the podcast for both Martin and Tom
Introversion, lack of structure and a small group of people can be difficult however standing up in from of 500 people can feel fantastic. The barrier between
The beauty of running and talking
What has Tom learnt from running the Marathon Talk podcast
Tom’s observation of the increasing uptake of marathon running
Parkrun - a social intervention for a lonely bloke!!
Paul was lacking in real social interaction and to all intents and purposes lonely despite having loads of ‘friends’ the original ‘Parkrun’ was set up to rectify this situation with friends.
Parkrun isn’t about the running, it’s about sharing the experience
Ironman qualification
The danger of focussing on outcomes rather than our values, what is the essence of sport what it the essence of performance?
60 million instances in participation in the first 15 years
The future of Parkrun - 900 million instance in participation in the next 15 years
Follow Tom on Twitter
https://twitter.com/tomwilliams1974
Parkrun
https://www.parkrun.com/
Marathon talk
https://marathontalk.com/
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
Jason Laird has worked in Premiership football, ballet, judo and now gymnastics and as such is one of the most experienced physiotherapists in the UK.What I have always admired about Jason is his ability to get to the crux of a matter and begin to explore it, develop solutions and adapt.In this interview you’ll hear about Jason’s early passion for physiotherapy, we talk about doing the hard yards of professional experience, helping aspiring physios learn from his experience and mistakes, but above all what came through was a concept that so often gets overlooked - the value he puts on working with people.
Show notes:
How and why did Jason choose to get into physiotherapy?
Routes into physiotherapy
Making mistakes, trialling, working creatively and learning
Broad general physiotherapy practice to Chelsea football academy, how did that happen?
Juggling roles, different environments and energy levels
Working in the Royal Ballet, thinking differently, asking ‘stupid’ questions and being open to not knowing
Judo to gymnastics – it’s all about the variety and the challenge
How do you deal and prepare for trauma
The balance of pushing through recovery and getting back to play, risk management and decision making
Physio chat!
Not creating dependency and building your client base
Supporting the next generation, developing and growing practitioner skills beyond the knowledge of physiology and sport
Jason lists the practitioner skills he feels are most important
Follow Jason on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PhysioReel
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/physioreel/
His website:
http://www.jasonlairdphysio.com/
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Nov 06, 2019
Wednesday Nov 06, 2019
Dave Smith, Paralympic champion shares his emotional story intertwining sporting pursuit and cancer survival. This interview is a deep one, it’s a full existential exploration of what is important, how and what we pursue and the focus on what really matters in our lives. I had the truly humbling, moving and inspirational experience of speaking to Dave Smith to tell his utterly remarkable story of sporting endeavour, fighting cancer and choosing to live life.
Show notes:
Living with purpose, the benefits and negatives of social media and the way in which the world can rapidly change
External and internal effects of spinal tumour
Reaching out for help
Regaining control better sleep, better nutrition, better exercise, reconnecting with passions and support of friends and mentors
Dave’s story form the beginning
Foot deformity from birth
Tumour symptoms from 17
Overtraining and pushing too hard
Bobsleigh challenge
Classifying for Paralympic sport
2009 joining a supported rowing programme
Rowing support and investigation saved Dave’s life and identified the tumour
2010 tumour diagnosis, life changed but sport was the coping mechanism
Re-diagnosis
Cancer diagnosis and the way in which you deal with it is very individual, use what works for you, Dave chose to use it as a battle and threw himself into sport.
The difference between the ‘have to’ and ‘want to’ goals
Who are you and what defines you, what is your purpose?
Links
Dave's website
https://davidsmithathlete.com/
Dave's blog
https://davidsmithathlete.com/vblog
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
Performance psychologist Dr Josie Perry is this episode's guest. Josie has a successful consultancy service supporting endurance athletes, golfers tennis players, but she also has a rich background in communications. Originally a journalist, director of communications and public relations. Josie converted to psychology but what was fascinating about this interview was about the fusion of the two subjects of psychology and with that human behaviour, influencing and development, with the principles of communication and with that human behaviour, influencing and development. I caught up with Josie just a few days after the launch of her book Performing under pressure, which we also dive into.
Show notes
Background and journey to sport psychology, Monica Lewinsky, a PhD and working within communication
When delivering information, who is your audience?
How to frame a difficult conversation in a way that works for the other person.
Bridging from being a journalist on CBS new to being a sport psychologist
Having a brave list
The having a baby, ironman, running a business and stage 2 training juggle!
Clarity and brevity of communication and the shift in communication style due to social media
Stories are powerful. What problem are you trying to solve and how can you utilise stories to enable your message?
Perfectionism
Josie’s book - The nine most common reasons athletes come to see me.
Start with what and then why?
Taking time, growing your business and being brave
The different elements of Josie’s consultancy which provide stability 1:1 work, writing and media training
Mantra that work, Josie’s mantra, “Make Hattie proud”
Josie’s lesson to her younger self
You can follow Josie on twitter at https://twitter.com/Josephineperry
www.performanceinmind.co.uk
Take a look at her new book Performing under pressure
https://performanceinmind.co.uk/performing-under-pressure/
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Oct 09, 2019
Wednesday Oct 09, 2019
Dawn Scott, High Performance Coach to the USA women’s national football team, who happen to have won two successive World cup titles and Olympic gold in 2012, is this episode's guest.In this interview you’ll hear about Dawn’s journey from her early days grafting away with women’s football, taking a lead role at the English FA and then taking the leap to working with the US team. Critically you’ll hear how it has been for Dawn under the spotlight of supporting the team under the big moments of the numerous finals the team have competed in. You’ll also hear about how it has felt growing with a sport that has emerged from obscurity to global prominenceThe conversation was rich with insight about the pivotal moments when it all felt really fragile, when results and the outcome have felt like they’ve hung over everything, the team’s future, the coaching staff’s future and with that the prospects of the game.
Show notes
Dawn Scott background, education and route into Sport Science
World Cup win with the USA team, back to reality and training, nutrition and appropriate recovery
Overview of Dawn’s background and career progression
Applied jobs in sport science weren’t the norm!
Basic applied sport science, paper and pencil wellness and basic heart rate monitoring
The USA approached Dawn and she moved out in 2010
Dawn’s football background and being a Newcastle fan with her Dad
What got Dawn the job at a national level…?
Sharing your knowledge, understanding the process, what is your role in camp how do your define your role, find your niche and start to integrate your ideas?
It always has to be about the player, to impact them and their performance
Dawn discusses support team and individual temperament, what is required during match performances
Individualisation, knowing the players and how best to equip them for matches and for recovery. Going the extra mile.
Follow Dawn on twitter
https://twitter.com/DawnScott06
Follow us on line
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2019
Wednesday Sep 25, 2019
Nick Grantham, performance enhancement specialist and consultant, is this week's guest. Nick and I go way back to the mid 1990s and have worked alongside each other in the sphere of sports performance. Nick has worked with a range of elite teams, netball, gymnastics, basketball, premiership football, downhill mountain biking to name a few. Nick is also a leading light in taking an active role in developing content and advice for aspiring professionals and we’ve been increasingly aware that we share this as a motivation and a driver. So it was a great conversation, where we found there was some real overlap in our thoughts and perspectives, but as expected when I speak to Nick I find my thoughts and perspectives developed even further.
Show notes:
Nick’s background, education, short lived rubbish career in banking, night school and university.
Early career in Sport Science and the small community of like-minded people delivering applied work in the field.
Having experienced a career in banking it gave Nick the determination to be tenacious in the pursuit of opportunities at university.
Working at Lilleshall, gymnastic team, and the first strength and conditioning netball team role.
Investment in the non-technical career skills, balancing work loads, management, income sources and side hustles
Everybody is expendable and you will be replaced
The reasons Nick left the English Institute of Sport
The rewards of working with the general population and learning humility
Consultancy and the balance of selling yourself and the development of confidence in his own abilities, experience and skillset.
The motivation to write ‘You’re Hired’
Making personal connections
Being comfortable with being a specialist generalist, having a depth of knowledge and being able to work with diversity and making an impact, but know when you need to refer out
Career highlights
The one thing to change: the Negatrons!
Follow Nick online
https://twitter.com/coachnickg
https://www.instagram.com/zer0226/
http://nickgrantham.com/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Hired-Nick-Grantham-ebook/dp/B00MENQMEE
Follow us on line
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
Neil Chugani was a coxswain and a good one too. He coxed the Oxford crew to success in the boat race in 1991, he was World Champion in the coxed pairs in 2001, where I met Neil for the first time as Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell went for the double, double, both the coxed pairs followed by coxless pairs world championship finals in the space of two hours – a story I feature in my book How to Support a Champion. Neil shares the insight behind successfully leading, coaching, supporting a crew from within a boat and offers some perceptive advice about the dynamics that he had to manage in a unique role where he is in it, he is involved but not pulling on an oar. Neil has also held a number of prominent leadership positions, at BBC, Sky Broadcasting, a board member of UK Sport, interim CEO of British Rowing, Steward at Henley Royal Regatta and currently Chief Financial officer for Google in Europe Middle East and Africa. So what Neil hasn’t experienced about leadership in sports and business is probably not worth knowing about. What you will hear and what particularly stood out from this interview though is the level of thought, intentionality and consideration that Neil demonstrated in his views and actions, I wonder if this has developed through the roles he has held and the experiences he has had, or whether the wisdom he carries is the reason he has led at the very top.
Show notes
The physical requirements of a coxswain, personal characteristics and waterman ship
How do you learn to be a cox?
Cox heart rates, decision making and keeping a cool calm head
The Double-Double 2001 -managing Matthew Pinsent & James Cracknell and balancing the events Neil’s two careers, one in rowing and the second in finance ….. and technology
Sporting applications into business for Neil are clarity of thought and, clarity of purpose and review of performance relative to intent
The myriad of individual objectives in business makes it difficult to create alignment between people in business which differs from a sporting world
Leadership roles in business and decision making
Decision making at the board level, understanding the perspectives of others, diversity
Management of decision making, balancing opportunities versus risk: focussing on the climate rather than the weather
Henley Royal Regatta – changes reflecting the nature of the sport today, live streaming etc
Self-belief: belief in your own potential
If you want to follow Neil you can do so on Twitter and Instagram at https://twitter.com/neilchugani
https://www.instagram.com/neilchugani
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/
If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/
or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.