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Episodes
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
This week I speak to Kevin Dutton Professor of Psychology at Oxford University, who specialises in psychopaths. Kevin has written several books on the topic, for example The Wisdom of Psychopaths, Flipnosis, The Good Psychopaths Guide to Success and his recent book, Black and White Thinking all of which are illuminating because they unveil a world that is for many of us so alien, so peculiar, so grotesque, yet so close, so relevant and in some cases so familiar.
Because as Kevin explains, many of the characteristics that we associate with malice, danger and evil - if dialled differently are definitely determinants of personal success.
This was such a fascinating conversation not least because Kevin turns his evaluation measure onto me to find out if I have psychopathic tendencies with interesting results, somewhat surprising.
If you grab a piece of paper you can take the test along with me.
Notes
Steve and Kevin chat about why Kevin’s jaw hurt after a VO2max test?
Are you allowed to be not as tough as you used to be
Steve’s dislike of glib sport commentary
What are the three components for success in all works of life
What are the messages you are sending out to other people and more importantly yourself
The psychopathic mindset
You need the right mind for the right context
The taxi driver bias
Dissociation in performance
Is Steve a psychopath...he takes Kevin’s test
Distilling DNA of being successful - the ability to do what you have to when you don’t want
Jumpers versus splashers
The use of metaphor
Mantras
Yes to less
Disruptive team members
The psychology of teams
Links
There’s still time to sign up to our Applied Pro Practitioner Skills Courses to develop your impact and skills!
https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/
Check out Kevin’s books, The Wisdom of Psychopaths, Flipnosis, The Good Psychopaths Guide to Success and his recent book, Black and White Thinking.
Kevin Dutton on Twitter https://twitter.com/therealdrkev
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
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 07, 2021
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
This week’s guest is Chris Thompson, who at the age of 39 has qualified for the Tokyo Olympic marathon for Team GB. 'Thommo' as he is known didn’t suddenly spring to the top in a freak qualification, he has been knocking on the door for 20 years , keeping going, persisting, persevering, through a career full of challenges. Thommo crossed the line a Kew Garden’s in the qualification event with an outpouring of emotion, celebration and joy and in response the athletics community. Not only has Thommo been on the scene, numerous teams, flights, training camps, competitions with so many athletes over the years - but he is one of those people that just adds life into groups and this, I’m certain, is part of reason why there has been this response.
To cap it all off, in the same week that Thommo made the plane to Tokyo his wife Jemma Simpson, now Jemma Thompson had their first child, a young boy Theo. Now if any of you have children, you’ll remember the whirlwind of a child entering your life.
It was great fun catching up with Thommo, moving at times, and a reminder about the cost and the meaning of pursuing personal goals.
In this conversation we explore;
Enjoying the moment
Chris’s massive engine but struck my injury and over training
A 26 year year athletic career
Chris discusses his early career and his early approach to training, his lack of responsibility
Chris’s partnership with Gemma Simpson and a change in attitude
Chris lost his off switch.
Achilles and broken sacrum
Paying less attention to times and focussing on feeling, taking each session at a time and assessing
A crushed hand puts the marathon qualifier in jeopardy
Questioning immaturity
Links
Follow thommo on twitter https://twitter.com/Thommo10k
https://www.instagram.com/thommo26.2
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
Take a look at our Applied Pro Practitioner Skills Courses to develop your impact and skills
https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
This week’s guest is Alistair Brownlee. Alistair is a two time Olympic Champion, four time World and four time European Champion amongst many other honours in triathlon. But quite simply Alistair is one of the greatest racers in the history of the sport and probably across any sport in his generation.
After the Rio Olympics Alistair began racing over half and then full ironman triathlon distance. For those of you who need a reminder of the distance that’s 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run, raced in that order.
Alistair has set out the goal of a full Ironman in under 7 hours. To put the performance into perspective the current best time is 7:35.
Speaking to Alistair was extraordinary. Many athletes have physical abilities, many have the will to win, but Alistair has these in bucket loads. A lot of athletes are invested in the process of preparing and performing, interested to know how they can get better, but many of the best just need to stay out of the details, leave that to the coach, the support team. Often overthinking the details can lead to a negative spiral where people become increasingly wound up about minutiae.
But what was evident from this conversation was the Alistair’s extraordinary capacity to delve into the science, the rigour, the possibilities, the innovation, the deep understanding and testing of what works for him. His appetite, his command and his acumen to pioneer across the whole spectrum of physical, mental, tactical and technological methods as well as to go out there and perform - is a bandwidth of capabilities that is truly exceptional.
This was a masterclass in high performance and I was left in no uncertain terms that Alistair is a true sporting great.
Notes
Training during lockdown more or less normal
Training 5% under rather 5% over Alistair and the urban myths that follow him around
Alistair’s internal drive - where does it come from?
“Relentless' - coming soon to all good bookstores!
Comparing notes with other elite athletes in differing fields
The sub-7 ironman
The need to constantly innovate
Decision making and the honing of the direct feedback loop
Inspiring others to get into sport via the Phoenix Foundation
The future for Alistair beyond being an elite athlete
Links
Follow Alistair on Twitter, https://twitter.com/AliBrownleetri
And all things sub 7 and sub 8 on https://www.sub7sub8.com/
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
Applied Professional Practitioner Skills Programme bookings now open
https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Applied Performance Practitioner SKILLS Programme - COURSES ANNOUNCED
I’m delighted to share with you details of the upcoming Applied Professional Practitioner Skills Programme. Bookings are open NOW and full details are here.
Here I explain what the course is, who it's for, how it's unique (spoiler - it's applied in focus), everything you need to know.
0:00 Introduction
2:20 What the courses are all about
3:04 Why they're unique
4:50 The motivation behind the courses
13:10 Details about the Nutrition route - course tutor Dr Sophie Killer
14:48 Details about the Performance Analysis route - course tutor Dr Sian Allen
16:38 Details about the Psychology route - course tutors Chris Marshall and Rebecca Levett
18:50 Details about the Strength and Conditioning route - course tutor Nick Grantham
20:58 Details about the Physiology route - course tutor is me Steve Ingham
23;58 How the course works and how to sign up
All the details are here;
https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/
Keep a look out for the discount code on the website
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
This week’s guest is Glyn Howatson, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology at Northumbria University. Glyn’s specialist subject is recovery but its recovery with a purpose and that is to optimise neuromuscular adaptation. I spoke to Glyn to try to cut through some of the noise, make sense of an area that has to all intents and purposes exploded in interest over the last few decades. As you’ll hear from the conversation - recovery, training planning, and interventions are dependent on context, timing, circumstance, demand - which can at times make this subject feel like a bit of Rubiks cube. But what Glyn does really well and he has done for as long as I’ve known him - he helps make the complex simple and with that practicable - which for me is a signal of true expertise in the area.
Show notes
Glynn gives a mini intro to who he is and his interest in recovery
Steve discusses his experience of recovery
Training more cleverly on an individual basis particularly in team sports
The Seb Coe training volume story
Reorganisation of training programmes and allowing time for adaptation
The ‘interference effect’ and how to get around it
What can enhance recovery and snake oil!
Hormesis and the training dose
Doing the basics well
Cherry juice, caffeine,
The inverted U!
Links
Follow Glyn on Twitter, https://twitter.com/GlynHowatson
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
This week’s guest is Harvard University Professor of Biological Sciences, Dan Lieberman. If you’ve heard of Dan it will probably be in connection with his work around whether we are born to run, i.e. that a number of specific evolutionary adaptations that we as a species have acquired over time have enabled us to be really rather good at running for long distances. This hinted that our survival was aided by our ability to hunt by wearing animals down, known as the persistence hunting.
Dan has a new book out called Exercised, which as Dan explains is cutely entitled because so many people are so exercised about exercise, I expect you can think of many people that have opinions that are so specific and adamant that one way is the best way. The book takes a broader view, reminding us of our biological origins, why we do sports and exercise, what we’re good and not so good at and Dan takes aim at a few current myths like sitting being the new smoking, step counts and how much exercise is enough - in so doing Dan widens our perspective to a healthier, compassionate view of physical activity.
Show notes:
Pigs on treadmills.
Research trip to Sierra and finding an older equivalent of the Ironman
Exercise is abnormal, if just for the sake of health and fitness
Why the Tarahumara Native Americans are famous for their long distance running
No-one evolved to run as fast as possible from A to B
We have become exercised about exercise
Is there an optimal form of exercise?
Running fast
Proactive aggression
The benefits of endurance as hunter gatherers and the feats we care about most now are more recent in our history
Links
Website for Dan's new book
Dan is delivering a seminar for the University of British Columbia on 24th March 2021, titled 'Are we born to rest or run?' Register here (and a big thank you to Prof Rob Shave for this).
Follow Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Clubhouse @steveingham
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY
Pre-register for our upcoming 'Applied Performance Practitioner' programme and the Pro membership starting in April 2021 here
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
This week’s guest is Ama Agbeze, former England Netball captain. Ama Led the team to perhaps the England Teams's greatest success, winning the Commonwealth Gold medal.
I was keen to ask Ama about her leadership of the team, what was different in the lead up, the preparation and in the moments of performing under the pressure of playing the hosts in 2018. I was also intrigued by Ama’s own individual style as the leader, what were her expectations and influences and how has Ama coped after the high, and coping with lows of missing out on selection from the team altogether last year. A situation that affected her mental health.
Ama is strikingly candid, open and frank as well as curious and insightful about her experiences. It struck me that these qualities were assets that enabled her as a leader in bringing people together and empowering her team to move forward. But in experiencing moments where she struggled but has been active in communicating that - I expect she’s doing exactly the same - connecting and empowering others to move forward.
Show notes
Ama’s move from New Zealand to England temporarily stopped by COVID
Background to Ama’s netball career
Natural ability helps but hard work gets you there
The difference is sport participation across countries
Having faith in your ability to win as a team
Talking fitness, strength, playing matches internationally and beating them & confidence
How to create belief
Ama’s style as a leader
The selection/deselection process
The effect of deselection on Ama
Which techniques have helped Ama?
The importance of routine
Factors that allowed the team to take the gold medal
The shock of winning
Looking forward
Links
If you want to follow Ama on twitter or instagram
https://twitter.com/amaagbeze
https://www.instagram.com/amaagbeze/
Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
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/
If you’re studying sport or you’re looking to carve out a career in sports performance then you might be interested in our membership courses www.supportingchampions.co.uk/membership to sign up.
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
In this episode I speak to Alan Murchison. Alan currently runs a business called the Performance Chef, providing support to a host of sports, teams and executives in providing their food, their fuel and flavours. Alan does this from a unique stand point of credibility as he is a chef, a Michelin starred chef - in fact in his heyday he ran the 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group, where he oversaw four Michelin starred restaurants. This is where we centre the discussion on entering into the world of fine dining, the talents required both in the chef and the chef training the chefs. We discuss the standards and meticulous preparation required, and whether the old fashion rollocking is fair game in the heat of a kitchen. Alan discusses the pursuit of the Michelin star, how he approached it, and without describing it here and now an intriguing section about what happened after he was awarded it.
There is an intensity to Alan’s approach that seems perfectly aligned to the getting stuff done, setting the bar high and driving others to success and what you might expect from some of the portrayals you would have seen in the media about the dynamics of operating in an elite kitchen. At the heart of my feelings during this conversation - I could feel Alan’s energy, compulsion for better that I (and it might be my inclination) but I can completely see why he led others to excellence. A fascinating discussion - but it made me a bit hungry so have a snack or two on hand.
Show notes
Alan discusses his background and where he started washing pots in kitchens from the age of 14
The familial atmosphere and vibe of a kitchen - it escalated!
A trial at a Michelin star restaurant, tough, hard work, no fun - it was all about excellence.
What is the progression from pot washer to chef
Culinary biomechanics!
Diligent creativity is a rare quality but important for a Michelin chef
Alan discusses his vision of excellence
Alan discusses his ideas of non competition & everyone being a winner!
What does Alan define as excellence?
The vagaries surrounding gaining a Michelin star
Alan realised he was unemployable
Utter focus on perfection and then falling out of love with cooking
Michelin star or nothing Food that is fit for athlete and fit for purpose
Developing online nutritional content for the athlete
Links
Follow Alan on Twitter https://twitter.com/AlanMurchison
And on instagram https://www.instagram.com/performance.chef/
And his website is http://www.performancechef.com/
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
If you’re ambitious to work in sports performance, and you realise that there’s no golden ticket to the chocolate factory – that you have to learn and develop and build a network of collaborators to get there – then sign up for our Graduate Membership today – go to http://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ and enrol. We’ll look forward to connecting with you there.
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 13, 2021
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
This week I spoke to Dan Cable. Dan is a Professor Organisational Behaviour at London Business School specialising in research and teaching focus on change, organisational culture, leadership mindset. Dan has a new book out called Exceptional, which I must admit was my favourite read of 2020. You might assume from the title and from Dan’s background that the book is about aspiring, goals, striving higher - which I admit was why I got in touch with Dan to speak to him. But the book is so much more than that, for starters Dan begins by sharing his experience of fighting and overcoming cancer, how this propelled him to ask more fundamental questions about his existence and how we can all back ourselves, building on what we have experienced, recognise our inner strengths rather giving ourselves a hard time.
I loved this conversation and I hope it is just the tonic for starting off 2021. Dan is so full of energy, enthusiasm, wisdom and knowledge about how we can all flourish.
Notes
Dan discusses his motivation behind writing the book
Post traumatic growth and the harsh insight that something like cancer can give you
Life highlight reels
Being energised, self efficacy and being noticed
Re-humanising the workforce
Meta processing
The stories we tell ourselves about who we are have a way of coming true
The interrelated structure of reality
Links
Give Dan a follow in Twitter
https://twitter.com/DanCable1
Dan’s website where you’ll find details about his book.
http://dan-cable.com/
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
If you’re ambitious to work in sports performance, and you realise that there’s no golden ticket to the chocolate factory – that you have to learn and develop and build a network of collaborators to get there – then sign up for our Graduate Membership today – go to http://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ and enrol. We’ll look forward to connecting with you there.
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 16, 2020
Wednesday Dec 16, 2020
This week I speak with Lizzy Yarnold. Lizzy is double Olympic Champion in that chilled out sporting event Bob Skeleton. Lizzy was spotted through a talent identification scheme, selected to be part of the development team for skeleton racing and rose to competitive on the world stage, World Cup winner and took the Olympic gold in Sochi in 2014.
Lizzy discusses the journey towards that gold, how she was able to channel some of the talents she already had, how she could focus under pressure and take the step to the highest heights in the sport.
She also discusses burning out, needing to take time out from the grind of the sport to orient herself to what is important to her and so refresh herself to take a different approach to trying to win again in Pyeongchang in 2018, which she did, but with a flurry of physical and mental challenges.
Lizzy is thoughtful, fun, softly spoken, ever recognising the collective contribution of those who supported her to perform - but what's always present is a steal, grit, commitment to being a student of her craft her event, and a fiendish ability to compete.
Show notes
Sharing her experience through the selection process for skeleton via Girls for Gold
Trying to fit in and get her foot in the door with Skeleton
Lizzy can switch on her competitive focus
The bleakness of training
Lizzy discusses her winning run in Sochi
The support team and how they were paramount to her success
Lizzy discusses her burnout as an athlete
Becoming more than ‘an athlete’
The critical review and ownership of training
Life after skeleton
Links
Lizzy on Twitter https://twitter.com/lizyarnold
Lizzy's website https://lizzyyarnold.com/
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on;
Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions
If you’re ambitious to work in sports performance, and you realise that there’s no golden ticket to the chocolate factory – that you have to learn and develop and build a network of collaborators to get there – then sign up for our Graduate Membership today – go to http://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ and enrol. We’ll look forward to connecting with you there.
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.