Supporting Champions

In this week’s conversation I speak to Martin Buchheitt and George Perry authors of their upcoming book “Egoals” (a blend of Ego and goals), the subtitle being, “Exercising your ego in high-performance environments”. Martin has been a real leader in applied sports science and research particularly in team sports and George is a track coach and writer based in the US. They’ve teamed up to explore the notion of how we manage, utilise and harness our sense of self, identity and achievement in roles which are inherently in support of others achieving. They have done this with a powerful collection of interviews and reflections from support staff from around the world with an accumulated experience level of over 2000 years. Their writing and reflections resonated deeply with me and yet the conversation challenged me. There is an urge for us to be a little bolder with the experiences and insights we need to find ways not to get ahead of ourselves. There is a balance to be had, a tightrope, almost a dil for which w

This week I spoke to Mike Hughes. Mike is a Performance Analyst, having worked with some of the best teams in the world and developed them by providing understanding and insight based on deconstructing and exploring phenomena in training and performance. Mike and I worked alongside each other at the English institute of Sport, though on different teams, Mike worked with British cycling in the years that it went from mediocre to utterly dominant. He’s worked at Insight Analysis where he was assigned to the England Rugby team where you may have seen him alongside the England coaching team where Mike was beavering away crunching numbers on hand to feed directly to the coaches.   Performance Analysis has risen in prominence in the last few decades - nearly every top operation has analysts as a central part of their backroom teams. What is interesting about the discussion with Mike though is that he creates the case that insight is all very well but if you haven’t got the relationship with the coaches and leader

Mandy Hickson on jet fighter pilot performance   This week I spoke to Mandy Hickson. Mandy is a fighter pilot, having joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 and flew the Tornado GR4 on the front line, where she operated in hostile environments, including patrolling the ‘No Fly’ zone over Iraq. I was fascinated to discuss with Mandy about the physical and mental challenges of training to become a top fighter pilot. I was particularly interested how pilot’s like Mandy improve, what are the stages of progression to go from small craft, to faster and more manoeuvrable craft, and then to train in such a way that you’re ready to operate and perform in a combat zone, where the stakes are as high as they get. The conversation is so rich with insight, where Mandy unpacks a number of situations, scenarios and seriously pressured circumstances with powerful detail and shares a number of useful frameworks that helped her to manage the fears and doubts but then rise to the top. She shares her insights with a combination

This week I spoke to Steph Houghton. Steph is the England Football Captain, having played for her country over 120 times. Steph has seen the women’s game evolve from amateur days, to the rise in popularity of the game in Britain and around the world, to the Women’s Super League and now the women’s game selling out stadia. During this time Steph has also had to evolve, adapt & respond to growing pressures of playing for her country, taking on the captaincy, World Cup finals successes and disappointments, becoming a household name and leading others. The conversation with Steph was interesting because she had this quiet resolve, this inner steel, almost stoicism all in service of trying to be the best she can and to take the opportunities in front of her. I felt there was no facade about Steph - just genuine, values driven commitment to her craft and profession - all while honouring the role and responsibility she recognises she now holds - and that is as a role-model for the people she plays with, the

This week’s guest is Cody Royle. Cody is the head coach of Australian Football League Team Canada, the men's national program for Australian Rules football. Cody is also an author and I would say fast becoming recognised as a pioneering voice about a topic that previously just hasn’t been communicated - that is the reality of being a head coach. In his recent book, The Tough Stuff, he explores the challenges of coaching in elite sport, but specifically the dynamics and perspectives, the difficulties and the pressures of being a HEAD coach. He ratifies his own feelings, in conversation with a series of top coaches too, such as Dan Quinn (Atlanta Falcons) and Stuart Lancaster (England Rugby), to name a few. I can’t stress enough just how important this step change is in communicating the demands on coaches. There is a disproportionate and unwarranted expectation, storm of opinion and lack of support and empathy for the head coach. It is Cody’s petition that we all need to do better. To give you a flavour of t

David Martin is a leading light in applied sports science. He was senior physiologist at the Australian Institute of Sport, where along with a number of brilliant minds, pioneered the application of science to elite performance. During the 1990s, as I was grappling with some fundamentals, David was breaking new ground and frankly doing work that the world hadn’t seen before. Their work was the benchmark of excellence that we looked to. In this conversation David and I reflect on our parallel universes, how they drove us, how we in the UK system came to catch and overtake them, and in all likelihood, though some would deny it, then served as the benchmark for the Australian system. David then went onto work at the NBA at the Philadelphia 76ers, an experience and a professional set up that is worth comparing to the national systems we both cut our teeth in. What I truly value when talking to David is piercing insight by that I mean raw intelligence, powerful communication skills, honesty, reflection, all info

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

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 c

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

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/ Ke

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

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 Da

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

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

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 motivati

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, co

This week’s guest is Stuart Worden, Principal of the Brit School. The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) School is a performing arts and technology school in Croydon, South London and free to attend. But this is no ordinary performing arts school. The alumni read like a who’s who of music, dance, film and production; Singers - Adele, The Feeling, Leona Lewis, Katie Melua, Jessie J,  Actors - Cush Jumbo, Tom Holland, Cleve September,  Dancers - Twist and Pulse,  Youtube comedians - Percelle Ascot, Joivan Wade Many more students come through the school who we wouldn’t know, but are the people that set the lighting for concerts or stage shows, write poetry that maybe we haven’t yet read or adapt screen plays that we have yet seen. So how does a performing arts school support the talent that comes through its doors? How do the school teachers select people to attend?  In this discussion with Stuart, he shares the values, philosophies, challenges that he and many of the incredibly talented teachers creat

This week’s guest is Professor Mark Williams who has spent his professional career understanding the neural and psychological aspects of acquiring skills and developing expertise. Mark has recently published a fascinating book called “The Best”. The subtitle of the book captures your attention though, “How elite athlete are made”. Now you might starting jumping to conclusions that the book tends towards the nurture side of nature vs nurture, but you’d be mistaken. Mark and his co-author Tim Wigmore weave a narrative from the social, economic, environmental and family factors that contribute to success. And in this discussion I explore many of these concepts but ask Mark given that we have a certain set of cards dealt to us, what can we do as athletes, coaches, parents and supporting members of the cast to enable others to succeed, enable others to grow especially during a disruptive pandemic. Enjoy the pod.   Notes Does Mark constantly analyse performance and expertise? What is expertise? Sibling advant

This week we have two guests, Mark Richardson and Marcus Smith. Mark Richardson is the drummer for the band Skunk Anansie, a band that were figureheads of the Britrock explosion in the mid-nineties, with defining songs Weak and Hedonism and remain a highly influential band 25 years since they were formed. Dr Marcus Smith is Reader in Sport and Exercise Physiology at the University of Chichester, with background of supporting elite athletes, especially boxers to Olympic success but Marcus loves his music too and as you’ll hear he became curious about how hard drummers work while on stage. This led to him contacting Clem Burke the drummer of Blondie and from there a fascinating project was struck up involving quantification of the physiological demand of performing Their work began to gain momentum and the Clem Burke Drumming Project was founded. And Mark Richardson got involved in the project because in music circles he was known as one of the most ferocious drummers about. In the conversation, Mark describe

This week’s guest is Peter Vint. I’d got in touch with Peter with the full intention of discussing analytics, and the trend towards data and to fully explore the wave of interest, activity and investment in capture, understanding and use of information – and we do explore this especially as he has directed and delivered this function at the highest level at the USOC and in the Ineos sub 2 hour marathon project with Eliud Kipchoge. And now Peter is Chief of Sport at USA Volleyball – so has a much broader leadership role. But I can’t say we spent the whole conversation discussing data – that’s because Peter is such an interesting person that we ended up exploring adapting to the pandemic, culture, long-term athlete development to name a few areas. So I promise you I’ll be exploring information and data in more detail in future episodes, but in the meantime enjoy a free ranging conversation with someone who over the last ten years of knowing Peter, it’s become apparent to me, that he is a luminary, a source of