Supporting Champions
Steve Ingham, performance scientist, leader and author, explores the science, art, purpose and origins of high-performance. Steve interviews and discusses these concepts with the people who have been there and done it, whether it’s achieving at the highest level, been the driving force in making remarkable performance happen or those who have explored and researched aspects of human performance in real-depth.
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 19, 2019
038: Tom Waller on the science of feel to optimise performance
Wednesday Jun 19, 2019
Wednesday Jun 19, 2019
In this week’s episode I am joined by Dr. Tom Waller (Senior Vice President Whitespace, Innovation and R&D at lululemon athletica). After completing his PhD at Loughborough University in sports technologies, where I first met Tom, he went on to work at Progressive Sports Technologies and onto Speedo as Head of Aqualab at a time where skinsuits were at their peak at having an impact on world record swimming times. Now at lululemon athletica, Tom heads up a team of innovators and experts inventing their products. Tom shares his philosophies on innovation, how critical it is to engage with user needs, the importance of lateral thinking and what the future might bring with the science of feel.
Show Notes
Steve and Tom begin by discussing the origins of lululemon’s name before delving into Tom’s background and his journey with Progressive Sports Technologies, Speedo and lululemon.
Steve enquiries about Tom’s experiences of being mentored by Professor Mike Caine throughout his PhD at Loughborough University.
Tom discusses the importance of being purpose driven, lateral thinking and connecting diverse dots in generating new innovation and perspective in a radically changing world.
Steve asks how Tom brings technological innovation in lululemon’s products to the mass market. In particular he expands on the differences between meaning and association with a product.
Tom expands on lululemon’s concept ‘the science of feel’, how we require different ‘feels’ in different contexts to perform optimally and gives us an example with the sports bra.
The importance of feel as a sensory feedback source for athletes to optimise performance. The science of feel was an idea conceptualised by LuLuLemon to help manage the dialogue between body and mind.
Tom offers more insight into the culture at lululemon – they’re a team of entrepreneurs who have a strong collective and individual alignment on purpose, vision and goals.
Steve asks Tom, what is next? Follow Dr. Tom Waller online Connect with Tom on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommwaller
Visit LuLuLemon here www.lululemon.co.uk/ www.lululemon.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 Jun 05, 2019
037: Nick Matthew on becoming world squash champion
Wednesday Jun 05, 2019
Wednesday Jun 05, 2019
Nick Matthew is three-time British and three-time World squash champion, as well as being two-time Commonwealth champion and former world number one. In this discussion we explore Nick’s early rise into the sport, particularly the breakthroughs he made through grit and perseverance. We also delve into his insights from finding his ‘super strength’ with the help of Mark Bawden and how he could apply them against his opponents. From the discussion you will also get a sense of the importance of Nick’s support team and the gratitude he shows towards them, none more so than his wife Esme.
Show Notes
Nick and Steve meet down at Hallamshire Squash Club in Sheffield and begin by discussing his squash academy and post-career squash training and competition levels. The conversation moves onto the preparation required to meet the demands of elite level squash.
Nick wishes he was able to identify and develop ‘super strengths’ earlier on his career. In 2008, whilst overcoming injury and working with sport psychologist Mark Bawden, he was able to do this after plateauing in the top ten in the world.
At the age of 19, Nick changed coaches and went back to basics, learning some fundamental technical skills despite being at the top of his game at a youth level on the national and international stage.
Nick highlights the importance of not seeking the magic fix. He gives insight into the confidence he gleamed from the results he began to obtain, the process he was focusing on and the plateau’s and learning curves he faced that accelerated his learning and ranking.
Nick expands on how he used his super strength, his physical abilities and work ethic, to his advantage on the court versus many different styles of play. He details the training regime required to deliver this intense physical style of play.
Steve and Nick explore his breakthrough into the world top ten, focusing on some of the strategies he used to get there. Steve then asks Nick about some of the key challenges and rivalries he faced during this period.
In 2010, Nick became world number one. He shares his experiences and insights with Steve from sustaining performance in this position, including overcoming knee surgery 5 weeks prior to winning Commonwealth gold. Nick shows immense gratitude for his wife and the support staff in the English system.
Steve and Nick round off the conversation by gaining perspective on Nick’s career and discussing the current state of play in squash, the Olympics and future plans. Follow Nick Matthew on Twitter https://twitter.com/nickmatthew Visit Nick's website here http://www.nickmatthew.co.uk/ Tune in to Nick's podcast here https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/holding-court-the-squash-cast-with-nick-matthew/id1439788051
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 May 22, 2019
036: Gareth Sandford on working with the world’s best coaches
Wednesday May 22, 2019
Wednesday May 22, 2019
This week we are joined by Gareth Sandford, exercise physiologist at the Canadian Sports Institute. Gareth is just starting his post-doctoral studies and so in many ways you could say he is at the beginning of his career, having just wrapped up his PhD in New Zealand, but he certainly has some incredible insights to share! Yes, this story is one of studying hard, but the reason why I wanted to talk to Gareth was due to his ability to demonstrate enormous persistence in finding opportunities, creating buy-in and taking leaps of faith. Interestingly, his PhD project has allowed him to carve out a niche in high performance after travelling around the world to work with some of the world’s best running coaches and athletes.
Show Notes
Gareth begins by discussing the early experiences he had in carving out placement opportunities, internships and highlights the importance of persistence, mentoring, curiosity and realising the current state of the sport science job market.
Gareth shares the lessons learnt from this foundational period in his career. His early experiences at Chelsea F.C. with Nick Broad accelerated his ability to problem solve and answer performance questions with impact. He also moved into coaching and discusses the skills learnt here.
After completing an MSc in physiology at Loughborough University, Gareth encountered some setback in the pursuit of landing a role. As a result, he took some time out to travel and work in India, gaining new found outlooks on life and performance.
Gareth begins to discuss his PhD research into the determinants of anaerobic speed reserve in middle distance running. He explains the background and role of the New Zealand institute of sport, how he drove impact and the key findings and applications from the project.
Gareth shares some of the challenges posed in data collection in New Zealand and details how he broke away into other countries through collaborating with other coaches, developing rapport, momentum and buy in with a global community.
Steve asks Gareth to draw on some of the key principles and stats from engaging with a performance community during his PhD project, all of which share a common cause and problem but in very different environments spread across the globe
Follow Gareth Sandford on Twitter https://twitter.com/Gareth_Sandford
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 May 08, 2019
035: Trent Stellingwerff on nutrition and leadership
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Trent Stellingwerff, sports nutritionist is this week's guest. Trent and Steve first met as coaches in Valencia at the 2008 World Indoor Championships and he has since had a glittering career in the sport and exercise sciences. Trent now currently works at the Canadian Sports Institute, leading the track and field nutrition support team and is also the institute’s lead for innovation and research. Trent is undoubtedly one of the leading applied performance practitioners in the world, not only for his technical knowledge and skill but also the holistic manner in which he operates.
Steve and Trent begin by exploring their coaching backgrounds and Trent’s relationship with his wife, Hillary, a Canadian track and field middle distance runner.
Trent emphasises the importance of variability in one’s life and career. Steve and Trent then explore the generalist vs specialist debate, gaining breadth and depth and how Trent has maintained his specialist knowledge across his career.
Trent explores the concept of tacit knowledge and goes on to offer advice for young practitioners. He also begins to explore the variability of training, systematic overloads and the importance of the psychological and social journey.
Trent offers insight into sport science’s state of play in Canada. He covers points around pseudoscience, barriers to entry, demonstrating impact, measuring energy expenditure/intake and relative energy deficiency syndrome.
Steve and Trent highlight the importance of emotion and cultural identity on eating behaviour before examining some dietary trends.
Trent offer lessons learnt from his career to date. These include being more measured, understanding context, minimising noise, holding himself accountable to the highest standards and driving impact in research and applied work.
Lastly, Steve asks Trent what is next?
Follow Trent on Twitter https://twitter.com/TStellingwerff
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 Apr 24, 2019
034: Steve Ingham on developing performance people
Wednesday Apr 24, 2019
Wednesday Apr 24, 2019
Podcast 034
Show Notes – Performance People In this week’s episode, Steve takes the reins on his own as he shares some perspectives about developing the next generation of performance people. Over the last few years Supporting Champions have been applying the lessons learnt in elite sport into other sports, business and education and one of the areas we keep observing/hearing about is the lack of skilled graduates. People and team development has therefore been a major area of work for us and has been for Steve throughout his time at the British Olympic Association and the English Institute of Sport. A significant shift toward this began post-Beijing, focusing not only developing the performance of athletes but that too of the team behind the team. This podcast will focus on these ideas, distilling advice for people in three key early career phases; during study, transitioning out of university and attempting to land a job and after just securing a role.
Show Notes
Steve starts by sharing the “Letter to the 15,000” blog he first published in 2015 which has been read over 300,000 times across the world. The blog highlights the ever-growing concentrated graduate pool and the gaps between the education system and the workplace. Here, Steve offers advice and practical tips to those who are currently studying and preparing for life after university.
Steve starts to explore the transition out of university into the workplace and the hurdles people encounter when applying for jobs, managing online presence, differentiating self from others and the importance of work and personal experience.
So you have got the job? Now what? Steve talks about the chaotic start you will face whilst immersing yourself into your new role and environment. He emphasises the requirements of having to skill up quickly, find role clarity, broaden your network and all of this whilst still being incredibly effective under pressure.
Steve highlights the startling facts behind the university-employment gap widening. and urges you to take action, ownership and responsibility of your career. The world of work is messy, ambiguous, fast moving and pressured.
Find out how we can help you prime your knowledge in this area and get started.
Steve's book How to Support a Champion. https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Support-Champion-applying-science/dp/0995464359/
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 Apr 10, 2019
033: Antony Jinman, Polar Explorer on expeditions with purpose
Wednesday Apr 10, 2019
Wednesday Apr 10, 2019
This week’s guest is polar explorer Antony Jinman, a former naval officer and mountain leader. Antony was the 12th Briton to ski to both the geographic north and south pole. In this interview Antony shares the ups and downs of his career, in particular coping and managing with depression. He shares with us some of the demands of designing, funding and managing an expedition off set against actually doing the training for it too. But if there is one message that comes through loud and clear in this podcast – it is purpose. Antony is completely aligned to why he does these adventures, what he is connected to, who he is connected to and the reason he does what he does.
Show Notes
Steve and Antony begin by exploring Antony’s background and his early interest in nature and exploration.
After school, Antony embarked on a career as a Naval officer and shares the moment he realised naval life wasn’t for him, opening up about his experiences of coping and managing depression.
Antony shares some of the lessons he learnt from this difficult period and the Navy, including the importance of routines and self-care practices.
So what next after the Navy? Antony started working for Explore Worldwide in Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Here he found a passion for travel, learning and people whilst also gaining appropriate expedition qualifications and developing his own school outreach programmes.
Antony begins to explain some of the demands of designing, funding and managing an expedition. It is clear his purpose for completing these expeditions is to inspire, connect and educate others, particularly children in schools.
Antony delves further into the management of expeditions and shares some of the ways he divides his time across physical training and preparing logistically.
Steve asks Antony, what is it like executing an expedition? What does a day look like on a polar expedition? Antony shares the sense of wonder, peace, overwhelming success and of dreams come true when he lands at the poles.
Antony now dreams of connecting professions into schools and the wider community in order to educate, connect and inspire others through his enterprise at www.liketobe.org
Antony is also planning a trip to the Alps and Antarctica for the 6th time in the next few years alongside some other secret plans! He also shares the potential and opportunity in future expeditions and some of the environmental challenges he may face there.
Follow Anthony online Follow Anthony on Twitter https://twitter.com/polaraj Visit Anthony's website https://www.antonyjinman.com https://www.antonyjinman.com Follow LikeToBe Online https://www.liketobe.org
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 Mar 27, 2019
032: Joe Eisenmann on long term athlete development
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Joe Eisenmann joins me on the Supporting Champions podcast this week as we explore the area of long-term athletic development. We discuss his background in physiology, academia and applied practice and start off by discussing some of the fundamental principles of pedagogy and how important that is in academic and practical pursuits. We then delve into some of the research Joe has conducted on lifestyle and health related behaviours and how they relate to markers of physical activity and long-term athlete development, exploring ideas on training regimes, parental inputs and the pressures they are under. It is clear that Joe adopts a holistic, critical thinking approach to help people develop and sustain health and performance across youth and adult life. I very much enjoyed the conversation with Joe as he understands many of the dynamics involved with working in sport, such as being a specialist vs generalist, but it is the centre piece of what he does and being mindful of the development of other humans that I enjoyed most.
Show Notes
Steve and Joe start off by discussing the management of knowledge. Specifically, the translation and implementation of knowledge to ensure academic and practical impact
Steve starts to explore Joe’s journey and his experiences in the field of athlete development. But in particular a focus on Joe’s time studying and working in Carnegie 1 academic institutions, USA Football and in consultancy.
Joe shares his passion for youth sport but tells Steve about the moment he realised his focus would have to shift to health and disease related research - where research funding was being provided.
Joe parts with some of the major insights from his period of study into physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, stress and genetics. Joe then highlights the overlapping concepts from this research and how there is overlap with long term athletic development.
Steve and Joe then discuss how Joe supports athletes holistically. He stresses the importance of psychosocial development and the challenges associated with working as a unit with parents, coaches and athletes.
Steve and Joe chat about doing the fundamentals of performance really well, silver bullet approaches, the specialist vs generalist concept and the important skills required to work in sport.
Joe shares a concept he likes to talk about called ‘the living lab’ and how we collect, process, implement and review information and action. Steve and Joe then unpack the importance of relational and environmental concepts in developing talent.
Joe emphasises the importance of coach education, the coach as a delivery system and the importance of pedagogy no matter the environmental conditions. They are leaders at the centre of an athlete’s sporting experience.
Joe asks all of us, what is your quality of life? He believes this should be one of the most important metrics in life. A good exercise Joe suggests is to think about your ideal day.
What is next for Joe? More of living in the moment, maintaining a good quality of life and making an impact on a daily basis with youth athletes wherever that might be.
Follow Joe online Follow Joe on Twitter https://twitter.com/Joe_Eisenmann Visit Joe's website https://ironmanperformance.org https://ironmanperformance.org
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 Mar 13, 2019
031: Louise Minchin from the BBC Breakfast Sofa to GB Team Triathlete
Wednesday Mar 13, 2019
Wednesday Mar 13, 2019
BBC Breakfast's Louise Minchin on performing in broadcasting and as an age group triathlete for team GB. Louise is a journalist and former radio presenter and is best known as the anchor on BBC1's Breakfast programme - a unique job that welcomes the day in for many people. However, you may not know that Louise has had a sharp rise into competing for Great Britain in the age group Olympic distance triathlon. In this interview Louise shares with us the spark that started this recent foray into competitive sport, how she prepares in training, how she fits this around a demanding day job, how she copes with the contrast of pressure of competing in a swim, bike, run versus the pressure of performing to millions of people every day on camera. Finally, we also discuss her new book "Dare to Tri" which has been written to encourage people to do exactly that and give something a go.
Show Notes
Steve asks Louise that obvious question…What time does she go to sleep and get up?! She then gives us an insight into the discipline required to implement routines and habits to optimise sleep.
Louise tells Steve about what sparked her return to exercise and sport and the need for a space in her life that was hers alone amidst incredible attentional demands at work on the big red sofa.
Steve asks Louise to unpack the incredible demand she performs under in her role as a BBC news presenter.
Louise then shares how she has habituated to nerves and some of the skills she has acquired in order to perform in triathlon and in front of 6 million people every day. But that doesn’t stop her getting ridiculously nervous at the beginning of a race!
In 2012, Louise joined BBC Breakfast and with the help of fellow presenter Bill Turnbull, a velodrome and some endorphins, the spark to return to competitive sport was provided.
Louise tells Steve about her athletic background and in particular her participation in swimming as youngster. Despite her love for the sport, Louise quit because of her perception of having a muscular body image.
As a 50-year-old woman to be strong, muscular and to feel incredible as a result of training, is something Louise is now very proud of.
Steve asks Louise about her book “Dare to Tri” and then asks when was the moment she started to realise she had true ability as an athlete?
Steve and Louise then explore some of the significant moments Louise has acknowledged as particular experiences that have allowed her to develop resilience and confidence as a performing triathlete and the empowerment this brings.
In her book, Louise states the importance of breathing and…jellyfish, when preparing for performance.
Louise shares with us her current level of training, what she is working towards next and delves into her past competitive experiences and the role of her coach, Claire.
Louise embraces the sense of community, taking part without dwelling on success and the feeling of euphoria in competition.
Louise's motivation to inspire people through her book, daring to try, to exceed your own expectation, being willing to fail and to learn in whatever pursuit you may have.
Louise does not define her success by races won but by the experience, the adventure, connecting with the outdoors. They then shift focus to what she is now setting her sights on and reflect back on the experience of racing in Patagonia, Chile.
Follow Louise on Twitter https://twitter.com/louiseminchin Read Louise's book "Dare to Tri" https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/dare-to-tri-9781472961846/ Visit Louise's website https://www.louiseminchin.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 Feb 27, 2019
030: Katelyn Ohashi on finding joy in gymnastics
Wednesday Feb 27, 2019
Wednesday Feb 27, 2019
030: Katelyn Ohashi on finding joy in gymnastics
In this episode I talk to Katelyn Ohashi about that viral routine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ic7RNS4Dfo
Katelyn shares here journey through gymnastics
Body shaming
Writing and poetry
Advice for my daughter
Finding joy once again with Miss Val
The details of her routine and what it meant to her.
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 Feb 20, 2019
029: Miss Val on coaching a positive culture in gymnastics
Wednesday Feb 20, 2019
Wednesday Feb 20, 2019
In Part 1 of this Podcast Special we have Head Coach of UCLA Gymnastics and orchestrator of THAT viral gymnastics' routine by Katelyn Ohashi, Miss Val Kondos Field. Miss Val and I discussed; how she was a ballerina originally but transitioned into coaching in gymnastics, the culture of gymnastics in the United States and how it has gone rotten, we unpacked her philosophies that have been galvanised by real life experiences such as her battle with cancer, her book "Life is Short Don't Wait To Dance" and of course we spoke about Katelyn Ohashi's unbelievable routine. Next week, Katelyn herself will join us on the podcast.
Miss Val had a long and successful career in ballet. She studied classical ballet and piano for 17 years. Her first transition into gymnastics came by first becoming hired to play piano for floor routines before moving into coaching.
Miss Val sees her job much more as a life skills coach, a mentor than a coach.
Coaching is all about motivating change, not dictating change. Coaching from the ego takes the joy out of learning.
Miss Val explains her philosophy, her faith and values and how she believes gymnastics teaches discipline like no other sport.
Using success in sport as a platform to spread a message with impact. Example of the voice that Michael Phelps has now in spreading message about depression.
Miss Val discusses the role of her parents and in particular being brought up without a fear of failure, how this now influences her coaching style and successes.
Initially Miss Val quickly made some lessons in coaching after some mistakes and losses.
The importance of a shared philosophical base with her athletes and fellow staff.
One of Miss Val's lessons in leadership is to surround yourself with people that you trust, rid your ego and when the time is right, allow your team to act and take charge with freedom.
Gymnastics is in recovery and Miss Val states the need to educate coaches and parents
Miss Val speaks of the abuse cases in US gymnastics and offers some of the issues within the US culture and systems.
Miss Val's reports that UCLA alumni all reported that they are stripped of a voice, made into robots and verbally and physically abused.
"The after" - athletes report that after you are no longer able to win medals and money, you are forgotten about and no longer valued as people or as athletes.
Miss Val discusses the conversations she has had with senior figures in changing American culture, not just sport and gymnastics.
Active listening, high performance habits and getting out of the desert so that you can better serve other people.
Gratitude is a critical component to UCLA's gymnastic success and is engrained into their daily practice.
Life is an adventure that requires you to learn, adapt and move fast
Miss Val shares with us the moment she was told she had an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Miss Val shares her insanely positive and infectious outlook on being diagnosed with cancer and of her trips to the chemo spa!
Val describes how she used time at chemo spa to plan for her next ventures including her book "Life is Short Don't Wait To Dance".
Miss Val tries to bring out childlike qualities in her athletes and their routines, first, by helping them find their unique voice. The best performers are joyful, spontaneous and loving in what they do.
Steve and Miss Val discuss Katelyn Ohashi's phenomenal routine that recently went viral
Katelyn's evolution into the woman embodies her journey and pays tribute to significant influences.
Miss Val shares why she believes Katelyn's routine has gone viral.
What is next for Miss Val? Retirement, the transition of her identity, learning and experiencing new things. @officialmissval http://officialmissval.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.