Supporting Champions

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Spilsbury—a former colleague, friend, and leading performance physiologist. Kate's journey from nutrition to physiology is both inspiring and instructive, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to the show. We explore the critical moments in athlete preparation—particularly tapering and peaking—and why getting them right can lead to breakthroughs or breakdowns in performance. Drawing on her experience in both British athletics and now high-performance sport in Australia, Kate shares deep insights into how training systems compare, how to support athletes through the nerves of tapering, and how individualized approaches are key to unlocking potential. This conversation is rich with reflections from her research (including Kenyan vs. British runners), her experience leading into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and her wisdom on monitoring, recovery, and pacing strategies that really work.   ✅ Key Topics ✔️ Tapering and pe

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Tim Stevenson – a seasoned strength and conditioning coach – to explore the complex mechanics of the shoulder, injury prevention, and how to build resilient, high-performing athletes. Drawing from over 16 years of experience and his work with elite performers like Charlotte Henshaw, Tim shares a philosophy that moves beyond traditional training—focusing instead on dynamic stability, movement quality, and control-based strength. Tim sheds light on why the shoulder is such a vulnerable joint, and how athletes can strengthen it not just through brute force, but through mobility, variation, and intentional movement. We explore how rehabilitation should be integrated with performance training, and how a holistic approach is essential for long-term fitness, injury resilience, and sustained enjoyment in sport.

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by Lisa Trainor – a former varsity athlete turned researcher – to explore the evolving landscape of athlete well-being. Drawing from her own experiences and her academic work, Lisa discusses how injury and major disruptions like the postponement of the Tokyo Games can influence an athlete’s psychological state. She offers insight into the distinction between hedonic (feeling good) and eudaemonic (functioning well and finding purpose) well-being, and how each contributes to sustainable elite performance. We unpack key themes including the importance of psychological safety, the value of self-confidence and identity in sport, and how athletes can remain fulfilled even when faced with setbacks. Lisa provides a compelling case for redefining success beyond medals and rankings – encouraging us to view thriving and performance not as opposites, but as intertwined outcomes of a well-supported sporting experience.

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Richard Ferguson to the show. Richard is one of the leading figures in exercise physiology, and today we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of blood flow restriction (BFR) training. We explore the science behind BFR, how restricting blood flow can stimulate remarkable strength and endurance adaptations, even with lighter loads. Richard shares his insights into BFR’s role in rehabilitation, athletic performance, and recovery, helping us understand both the opportunities and the caveats of applying this method. From the mechanisms driving hypertrophy and mitochondrial development, to the mental challenges BFR presents athletes, Richard brings a wealth of research, experience, and practical advice. If you're curious about enhancing adaptation, optimising recovery, or just exploring cutting-edge sports science, this conversation is packed full of insight.

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by author, journalist, and endurance expert Alex Hutchinson to discuss his latest book, The Explorer’s Gene. This conversation dives into the why behind human exploration — what drives us to seek the unknown, how our genetics shape our urge to push boundaries, and what this means for athletes, adventurers, and everyday decision-makers alike. We explore the intersection of science, adventure, and personal growth, looking at everything from the dopamine receptor gene and novelty-seeking, to the hero’s journey and the paradox of effort. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone curious about what makes humans tick, there’s something here for you.  

In this episode, Steve Ingham sits down with Liam to dive into the cutting-edge science behind athletic performance. From strength training and speed development to the critical role of muscle temperature, this conversation covers everything you need to know about optimising performance for elite athletes. Discover how post activation potentiation (PAP) can prime athletes for competition, why recovery is often underestimated, and how individualised training programs lead to better results. Liam also shares insights into future trends in sports science, particularly the use of data strategies to drive performance outcomes.

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Dr Ali Sanders, whose journey seamlessly bridges two worlds of extreme performance: Olympic rowing and emergency medicine. Ali’s story is one of grit, adaptability, and relentless dedication. From discovering rowing by chance at university to competing at the Olympic Games, Ali has always embraced high-pressure challenges. She shares how those experiences laid the foundation for her work as a consultant in emergency medicine, particularly in the high-stakes environment of air ambulance services.

In this episode, I'm joined by David Bishop, a leading researcher specializing in exercise physiology at the University of Western Australia. David takes us through his unexpected journey from a physical education teacher to becoming a renowned expert in muscle metabolism and exercise physiology. During our conversation, David delves into how training at various intensities impacts mitochondrial adaptations, which are crucial for enhancing athletic performance. We explore the critical balance between training volume and intensity necessary for optimizing mitochondrial function and overall performance. David also shares insights into the future directions of exercise physiology research, including the potential for alternative training methods such as blood flow restriction and the importance of lactate measurements in assessing training intensity. Key Takeaways The Science of Mitochondria: Learn how these tiny powerhouses influence your athletic performance. Training Intensity and Adaptation: Discover the sw

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast. Today, I am thrilled to be joined by Troy Taylor, Senior Director of Performance at Tonal and a distinguished leader in the field of sports performance. With a career spanning elite sports organizations, including his role as the former High-Performance Director for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Troy brings a wealth of experience and cutting-edge insights into optimizing athlete performance. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of sports technology, including Troy’s innovative approach to strength training and personalized performance solutions. Troy shares his journey through the world of elite sports, offering invaluable lessons learned along the way. We explore how data-driven insights are transforming coaching practices, and what it takes to lead and inspire high-performing teams in a rapidly changing industry. Whether you're a sports scientist, coach, athlete, or simply passionate about human performance, this conve

Today I’m delighted to welcome a legend in the world of sports psychology, Chris Shambrook. With over two decades of experience in high-performance psychology, Chris has worked with elite athletes, including the GB Rowing Team, where he’s been pivotal in helping athletes achieve their peak performance on the world stage. In this episode, we dive into Chris’s unique approaches to mental resilience, the subtle art of supporting champions through their highs and lows, and the practical tools he uses to help athletes maximize their potential. We explore how the mind can be a tool for excellence, rather than a barrier, and dig into Chris’s insights on the traits and habits of truly successful athletes. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports psychologist, or just fascinated by the psychology behind elite performance, this conversation will offer valuable perspectives to elevate your own journey.   Find more on Chris' current work here: https://www.planetk2.com/team/chris-shambrook/   Keep up with Chris via Socia

This week, I’m thrilled to have the brilliant Dr. Shona Halson join me. Shona is an expert in athlete recovery and a former Senior Physiologist at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where she spent over 15 years researching and shaping the field of athlete recovery. She has worked with elite athletes, including the Australian Olympic team, to optimize their performance through evidence-based recovery strategies. In this episode, we dive deep into the science of recovery—what actually works, the myths that still exist, and how the elite get it right (or wrong). Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports science enthusiast, you'll want to hear Shona’s insights on sleep, fatigue management, and recovery technologies that are reshaping the way athletes train and perform. Join us as we explore the crucial role recovery plays in achieving success and what the latest research is telling us about how to help athletes recover smarter, not harder.  Find more on Shona here: Shona Halson | ACU Researcher Read

In this episode of The Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Olympic gold medallist and trampolining sensation, Bryony Page! Bryony's journey from overcoming self-doubt to standing atop the podium in Tokyo is nothing short of extraordinary. We dive deep into her mindset, training approaches, and the resilience it took to become a record breaker in her sport. Join me as we explore how Bryony turned her dreams into reality, the highs and lows of elite competition, and what drives her to keep pushing boundaries. Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a coach, or simply fascinated by what it takes to reach the pinnacle of success, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you inspired.   Watch Bryony's gold medal winning performance here: https://youtu.be/ky89WzzvRM8?feature=shared   You can follow more of Bryony's Journey through her social media: https://www.instagram.com/bryony_page/?hl=en-gb   If you're inspired to get into trampoline, take a look here; https://www.british-gymnastics.o

In this week’s instalment I speak with Dr Ben Rosenblatt, founder of 292 performance and former S&C coach for England men’s football and GB women’s hockey. 292 performance is a multidisciplinary performance consultancy that offers support to elite athletes across a range of facets such as S&C, nutrition and psychology. Through his career, Ben has consulted and imparted his knowledge on individuals and organisations such as the premier league, Olympic associations and international military services. Today we are fortunate to sit down with him and discuss his experiences and key philosophies surrounding physical performance. If you would like to to find more about Bens current work or get into contact to collaborate/work with Ben follow this link: 292 Performance – Elevate Your Game You can also find Ben via social media at: (9) Dr Ben Rosenblatt (@ben_rosenblatt) / X (1) Dr Benjamin Rosenblatt | LinkedIn Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.u