Supporting Champions

146: Mark England on Leading at the Olympics

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, we sit down with Mark England, Director of Sport Services at the British Olympic Association and Chef de Mission for Team GB across multiple Olympic Games. With a storied career that includes leading Britain to historic successes at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games, Mark shares his extensive experience in Olympic leadership and team preparation.
Show Notes:
Introduction to Mark England: Introduction to Mark’s role with the British Olympic Association and his impact on Team GB’s success over multiple Olympic cycles.
Journey to the Olympics: Mark discusses how he first got involved with the Olympics and his initial roles within the organization.
Evolution of Roles: An exploration of how Mark’s responsibilities have evolved over the years and how he has shaped his leadership style to meet the changing dynamics of Olympic competition.
Impact of Hosting the Games: Insight into how hosting the Olympics in London 2012 changed the landscape of British sports and influenced Mark's work leading up to subsequent games.
Leadership as Chef de Mission: Mark details his approach to leading Team GB, including how he supports the team and starts the preparation process for the Olympics.
Leadership Observations: Reflections on the qualities of effective leaders during the Olympic cycle and the unique pressures of the Games.
Coaching Insights: Mark shares his observations on what makes an outstanding Olympic coach and how the best coaches extract peak performances from their athletes.
Future of the Olympics: Mark offers his thoughts on how the Olympics might evolve in the coming years and the potential impacts on how nations prepare for the Games.
Mark England's leadership has been pivotal in navigating Team GB through the highs and lows of Olympic competition. His insights provide valuable lessons not just for those in sports but for anyone interested in leadership and team dynamics under pressure.

145: Geir Jordet on the pressure and performance of penalty shoot-outs

Today, I’m joined by Geir Jordet, the world's leading expert on the psychology of penalties and author of "Pressure: Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout." Geir brings an extensive background in sports psychology, with a focus on high-pressure performances in football. He has studied and published analyses on every major penalty shootout in soccer since 1976, so is ideally placed to  offer insights into the critical moments that define sports outcomes, and how these insights apply across different sports and high-stress professions.
Show Notes:
Introduction to Geir Jordet: Learn about Geir's extensive background in sports psychology, focusing on high-pressure performances in football, and how it applies across various high-stress fields.
Euros Enthusiasm: Geir shares his thoughts on the ongoing Euros competition and his personal enjoyment of the games.
Origin of Interest: Discover how Geir's fascination with penalty shootouts began and what drove him to focus his career on this niche.
Understanding the Psychobiological Model: Geir explains the cognitive and emotional interactions that occur during high-pressure penalty shootouts and how these can affect performance.
Research Revelations: Insights from analyzing over 700 penalty kicks, highlighting surprising patterns and findings from historical data.
From Theory to Practice: How Geir’s research has been translated into practical strategies for coaches and athletes preparing for penalty shootouts.
Historical Impacts: Discussion on instances where psychological factors have decisively influenced the outcomes of penalty shootouts.
The Role of Mental Fatigue: An in-depth look at how mental fatigue can impair players during the crucial moments of a shootout.
Addressing Critiques: Geir responds to critiques about the limitations of theorizing human behavior in unpredictable high-pressure situations.
Future of Sports Psychology: Geir's perspective on the next advancements in sports psychology, especially concerning high-pressure scenarios.
Technology in Training: How virtual reality and biometric monitoring could revolutionize training for high-pressure situations.
Cultural Variations: Exploration of how athletes from different cultures perceive and manage the pressures of penalty shootouts.
Anecdotal Evidence: Geir shares a personal story illustrating the significant impact that understanding psychological pressure can have on athletic performance.
Misconceptions in Training: Geir discusses common misconceptions coaches and players have about preparing for high-pressure situations and what the research really says.
Challenging Training Norms: A critical look at whether current training practices adequately address the psychological aspects of sports performance and what improvements are needed.
Connect with Geir Jordet:
Geir's book, https://www.geirjordet.com/book
https://twitter.com/GeirJordet
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=IZOfHx8AAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.geirjordet.com/
Hi, I'm Steve Ingham Sports and Performance Scientist co-founder at Supporting Champions. I have the privilege of supporting over 1000 athletes of which over 200 have gone on to win World or Olympic medals. For the last 25 years I've been fascinated by, researched and applied innovative ideas to help people succeed  and now I want to share those performance strategies with you. 
I help aspiring and professional Performance Science and Support Staff improve their skills, experience and mindset for working with sports performers through a range of online courses and an exclusive community hub https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse
If you're working in sports performance or business and want to get support to develop your team and systems - take a look at what I offer here - https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/speaking/
Listen to the podcast https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/category/podcast/
Linkshttps://x.com/ingham_stevehttps://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampionswww.x.com/support_champswww.linkedin.com/company/supporting-championshttps://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/

144: Tim Jones on performance coaching and leadership

In this insightful episode I speak to with Tim Jones, the Associate Performance Director at British Swimming. A former Olympic athlete in the grueling 200m butterfly, Tim has transitioned from elite swimming to coaching, and now to a leadership role that spans multiple sports disciplines. With extensive experience across swimming, athletics, and gymnastics, Tim discusses his journey and the critical elements of leading high-performance teams in today’s competitive sports environment.
Show Notes:
Introduction: Overview of Tim Jones’ background as an Olympic swimmer and his roles across various sports.
Athlete to Leader Transition: Tim shares how his experiences as an athlete informed his approach to leadership and the motivations behind his career transition.
Leadership across Disciplines: Insights into the universal leadership principles Tim has applied across different sports and the unique challenges of managing diverse teams.
Philosophical Shifts: Discussion on how Tim’s personal philosophy has evolved from his time as an athlete to his current role.
Programme Development: An exploration of the strategic changes Tim has implemented in British Swimming and how these align with both new trends and traditional practices.
Key Performance Factors: Tim outlines the essential elements of a successful performance programme and his approach to balancing innovation with proven methodologies.
Balancing Act: Strategies for managing the pressures of high-performance sports while supporting athlete well-being.
Looking to Paris 2024: Tim’s focuses and goals for the upcoming Paris Olympics and the preparations underway to ensure peak performance and team resilience.
Legacy and Impact: A look into the legacy Tim hopes to leave and the impact measures he values most.
Hi, I'm Steve Ingham Sports and Performance Scientist co-founder at Supporting Champions. I have the privilege of supporting over 1000 athletes of which over 200 have gone on to win World or Olympic medals. For the last 25 years I've been fascinated by, researched and applied innovative ideas to help people succeed and now I want to share those performance strategies with you. I help aspiring and professional Performance Science and Support Staff improve their skills, experience and mindset for working with sports performers through a range of online courses and an exclusive community hub https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse If you're working in sports performance or business and want to get support to develop your team and systems - take a look at what I offer here -
https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/speaking/ Listen to the podcast
https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/category/podcast/
 
Links
https://x.com/ingham_steve
https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions
www.x.com/support_champs
www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
 

143: Sam Marcora on the psychobiology of fatigue and perception of effort

Welcome to the Supporting Champions podcast, hosted by performance scientist Dr Steve Ingham. In this episode, Steve is joined by Professor Sam Marcora, a leading researcher whose psychobiological model has revolutionized our understanding of training and performance.
Together, they delve into the fascinating intersection of psychology and physiology, focusing on how mental fatigue impacts physical performance. Sam shares groundbreaking insights into the role of perception of effort and how both physiological and psychological factors can alter it.
The discussion explores innovative research, including the effects of subliminal cues on endurance and the importance of motivation, especially during training. The episode also pays tribute to Professor Roger Eston and his contributions to the field.
In our discussions, Sam acknowledged the great influence of Professor Roger Eston and his work on the ratings of perceived exertion. Shortly after recording the episode we heard the sad news that Roger had passed away. We both want to send our best wishes to Roger’s family and dedicate this episode to him!
For those interested in exploring Professor Marcora's work further, you can follow him on his social media and review his research on Google Scholar.
https://x.com/SamueleMarcora https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=6xZXMqAAAAAJ&hl=en
If you're interested in the science behind high performance and the subtle yet powerful ways the mind influences athletic output, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform to stay updated with future episodes.
Links Practitioners looking for a place to be found, sports and athletes looking for expert practitioners? Sign up to AthleteNow https://theathletenow.com/ Links https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8W3kvAsvtDDsEayex-1i5A
https://twitter.com/ingham_steve
https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions
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www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/

142: Iñigo Mujika on peaking, tapering and working in different systems

In today’s episode I’m delighted host Iñigo Mujika. It is no exaggeration to say that Inigo is one of the World’s leading applied physiologists with a particular specialism in endurance training, tapering, and peaking strategies and has an extensive background working with elite athletes across various sports.
In this episode, Iñigo shares insights from his career, discussing the characteristics of effective and less effective teams he's been a part of and his approach to balancing real-time data with in-depth monitoring and research. We'll also dive into his specialization in tapering and peaking, exploring how these practices vary across different sports and how teams prepare for pinnacle events like the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Additionally, we'll discuss Iñigo's latest publication, 'Endurance Training - Science and Practice,' now in its second edition, and how his research informs practical strategies for athlete preparation. We'll wrap up by considering the future of sports science and what needs to be done to further develop the profession of performance staff.
Whether you’re involved in sports professionally or simply passionate about athletic performance, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.
 
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Links
https://www.inigomujika.com/en/books/endurance-training-science-and-practice-2-edicion/
https://x.com/inigomujika_en
https://www.sportsoracle.com/course/ioc-diploma-in-strength-and-conditioning/
Practitioners looking for a place to be found, sports and athletes looking for expert practitioners? Sign up to Athlete now
https://theathletenow.com/
 
Links
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8W3kvAsvtDDsEayex-1i5A
https://twitter.com/ingham_steve
https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions
www.twitter.com/support_champs
www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
 

141: Stephen Seiler on the future of sport science

Today, I’m joined by Stephen Seiler, a renowned expert in sports science, to explore the integration of technology in sports performance, education, and health. Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive research into the physiological aspects of endurance training and his insights into the optimal use of technology in enhancing athlete performance.
In our conversation, we discuss the double-edged sword of technological advancements in sports. We cover how wearable devices and artificial intelligence can profoundly impact training effectiveness and sleep efficiency, but also the risks they pose, such as overtraining and potential injuries. Stephen and I delve into the importance of maintaining a balance between high-tech solutions and traditional coaching methods to achieve the best outcomes for athletes.
We also touch on broader topics, such as the implications of digital technology on learning and the critical role of understanding both physiology and technology to apply them effectively in sports. Stephen shares his perspective on the potential of AI to personalize training interventions and its integration with physiological data to enhance performance and prevent injuries.
 
Links
Follow Stephen on Twitter https://twitter.com/StephenSeiler
Spotify Playlist mentioned by Steve
Physiology https://open.spotify.com/playlist/38rCXTukPgm0OteNKn2UcK?si=57ae445ce6b04758
Links Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/

140: Mehdi Kordi on focussing on what matters

In this episode, we spotlight the journey and insights of Mehdi Kordi. With a rich and varied background, from biomedical science, to aerospace physiology, to accountancy, to mice in the Andes (yes you heard me correctly), then ultimately into a career in sports science and eventually coaching at the elite end of cycling. First Mehdi was at British Cycling as the sports scientist and hen coach at British Cycling, working with the Para team to Tokyo Games. 
Then Mehdi moved onto the Dutch National Cycling Federation and is currently creating outstanding success, in his role success as Head Coach (Track Sprint). When I say outstanding success, Mehdi truly encapsulates getting bang for the buck, that is in sports like cycling a mix of technology and human performance, generally the more money yoo put in the better your results. 
Mehdi and his small team have created disproportionate success by focusing on what matters most. Think ‘Massive Gains’ rather than ‘Marginal Gains’. Mehdi's experiences offer a rare glimpse into the high-performance delivered with imagination, creativity, priority and constraints led innovation. 
So, irrespective of whether you like cycling or not, and if you do there is some juicy detail about riding a kilometer very fast, Mehdi’s insights are more about a way of thinking and working, that breaks the mould, of more is better, that could be applied to a range of systems, teams and pursuits.
 
 

139: Paul Z Jackson on solutions focus

Welcome back to the Supporting Champions Podcast. Today, we're exploring the transformative power of focusing on solutions, not problems, with the insightful Paul Z Jackson. From his early days as a comedy writer and improvisation teacher to becoming a pivotal figure in the world of applied improvisation, Paul's journey is as fascinating as it is varied. His work, especially the acclaimed book 'The Solutions Focus,' co-authored with Mark McKergow, has been a beacon for many, including myself, since its first impact on me back in 2011.
Paul's approach is simple yet revolutionary: Don’t fix what isn’t broken, find what works and do more of it, and if something doesn’t work, try something else. It’s about making positive changes by identifying and amplifying useful change, recognizing that detailed problem analysis often doesn’t lead to solutions. This mindset shift from a problem focus to a solutions focus can stir optimism, hope, and ambition, changing the way we tackle challenges in sports, business, and life.
In our discussion, Paul delves into how this approach applies across various contexts, from coaching athletes to enhancing team dynamics. He shares insights on how to help people improvise and adapt, drawing on his extensive background in comedy and improvisation. We also touch on the importance of recognizing the small changes that signal big progress and staying 'solutions focused' rather than 'solutions forced.'
Paul's work with the Applied Improvisation Network and The Improvisation Academy further underscores his belief in the power of improvisation as a skill for life and business, teaching us to make use of what’s there and to embrace the possibilities of the past, present, and future.
Follow Paul’s work;
https://impro.org.uk/
Buy The Solutions Focus
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solutions-Focus-3rd-Transforming-consultants/dp/1399816527/
https://www.amazon.com/Solutions-Focus-3rd-Transforming-consultants/dp/1399816527/
 
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https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/060-andrea-furst-on-change-and-uncertainty/
 
Hi, I'm Steve Ingham Sports and Performance Scientist co-founder at Supporting Champions. I have the privilege of supporting over 1000 athletes of which over 200 have gone on to win World or Olympic medals. For the last 25 years I've been fascinated by, researched and applied innovative ideas to help people succeed and now I want to share those performance strategies with you. I help aspiring and professional Performance Science and Support Staff improve their skills, experience and mindset for working with sports performers through a range of online courses and an exclusive community hub https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse If you're working in sports performance or business and want to get support to develop your team and systems - take a look at what I offer here - https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/speaking/ Listen to the podcast https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/category/podcast/ Links Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/
 

138: Meike Bartels on Wellbeing

In this episode I speak to Meike Bartels, a renowned researcher in wellbeing and happiness. Meike's research work uncovers the layers that contribute to our sense of fulfilment, exploring how genetics, environment, and personal habits intertwine to shape our happiness.
In our conversation, Meike highlights that wellbeing is an evolving state, influenced by positive surroundings and actions. We discuss the differences between eudemonic and hedonic wellbeing, the genetic basis of happiness, and the essential balance between work and life for maintaining our wellbeing.
Meike provides intriguing insights into the genetic factors that account for about 40% of the variation in happiness across populations, opening up discussions about personalised approaches to enhancing wellbeing. We also cover the 'exposome' concept, illustrating how a wide range of external factors from birth affects our growth and happiness.
A key focus of our discussion is the significance of acknowledging individual preferences in both life and work. Meike advocates for environments that cater to personal genetic makeup for better wellbeing and stresses the importance of adapting work settings to meet employees' unique needs.
We also explore the role of physical activity in mental health, discussing the benefits of finding enjoyable physical activities and the concepts of 'effort forcing' and achieving a flow state for optimal performance and satisfaction.
I really enjoyed the conversation. Meike is not surprisingly a sunny person, but at the same time straightforward in her advice about making active choices in our lives to enhance our happiness.
Follow Meike on:
X - https: //twitter.com/Meike_Bartels
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/meike-bartels/
-
Hi, I'm Steve Ingham Sports and Performance Scientist co-founder at Supporting Champions. I have the privilege of supporting over 1000 athletes of which over 200 have gone on to win World or Olympic medals. For the last 25 years I've been fascinated by, researched and applied innovative ideas to help people succeed and now I want to share those performance strategies with you. I help aspiring and professional Performance Science and Support Staff improve their skills, experience and mindset for working with sports performers through a range of online courses and an exclusive community hub https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk... If you're working in sports performance or business and want to get support to develop your team and systems - take a look at what I offer here - https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk... Listen to the podcast https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk... Links Twitter at   / ingham_steve     / supportingchampions   Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions   / supportingchampions  
 

137: Stuart Biddle on Exercise and Mental Health

In this episode, we're joined by Prof Stuart Biddle, a leading figure in the psychology of physical activity, based at the University of Southern Queensland.
Stuart's extensive work in exercise science and psychology provides groundbreaking insights into how exercise impacts our wellbeing.
Our discussion today spans Stuart's illustrious career, from his early days contributing to the foundational layers of exercise science to his current work, which includes a significant focus on the mental health benefits of physical activity. We delve into his latest collaborative research, which offers new insights into exercise as a potent intervention for depression, examining the effectiveness of various forms of physical activity and their impact on mental health.
As we get into the research and the implications, we inevitably go off on a few important tangents
What type of exercise is most effective for depressive states?
Is one type of exercise more beneficial for men vs women?
Is moderate or intense exercise more effective?
How do you coach people to start and sustain exercise?
And importantly how do you get children to eat more fruit and vegetables?
Stuart’s knowledge of this landscape is vast, but it is clear, conditional, nuanced and specific. It is little wonder he advises the World health organisation on physical activity policy. But also listen in as we take this digression from our more traditional focus on performance, this discussion is littered with advice about how we encourage, coach and make an impact on others.
The cherry on top of the cake is a just the best quote about physical activity ever from the one and only Per Olof Astrand!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10870815/
https://twitter.com/stuart_biddle
https://staffprofile.unisq.edu.au/Profile/Stuart-Biddle
https://www.routledge.com/Psychology-of-Physical-Activity-Determinants-Well-Being-and-Interventions/Biddle-Mutrie-Gorely-Faulkner/p/book/9781032172033