I’m delighted to speak with performance coach and scientist, Dr Mehdi Kordi this week. Mehdi began his career in biomedical science before moving into aerospace physiology. His first position in high performance sport was as a sports scientist for British Cycling before moving into coaching role with the GB Para Cycling Team. In 2018 Mehdi joined the KNWU – The Dutch National Cycling Union – initially as coach and scientist for the Track Sprint Team, and then as Track Coach for the Endurance Team. In 2022 he became the Head Coach for KNWU. During this time both the men’s and the women’s teams enjoyed unprecedented success in major cycling competitions including the Olympic games.   Mehdi has a PhD from The University of Northumbria in Sport and Exercise Physiology. Mehdi and I speak about the cultural and coaching interventions that transformed the Dutch cycling team from obscurity into Gold Medal winners.

In this 300th episode I've asked friend of the podcast, Dr Chris Shambrook to speak with me about all things sport psychology. In this conversation, I reflect on what I’ve learned from speaking with so many fantastic industry leaders over the last 6 years. And Chris is the perfect person to talk with having 25 years of coaching across multiple commercial sectors supporting leaders and performers. Chris also has 6 Olympic Games under his belt with the Great Britain Rowing Team, one of Team GB’s most enduringly successful sports. He has an honorary professorship from Staffordshire University and has co-authored three books. Additionally, Chris is the Group Performance Director at PlanetK2. He designs and quality assures all of the PlanetK2 programmes and content.   A huge thank you to all the brilliant guests who have joined me on the show and to you, the listener for your commitment to learning about sport psychology.

I’m delighted to speak with Duff Gibson this week. Duff has spent the better part of three decades in a hotbed of Olympic sport.  As an athlete, Duff was a provincial champion speed skater, a national champion and national team member in bobsleigh, and then a world and Olympic gold medallist in the sport of skeleton. As a coach he led six different athletes to podium finishes at a world level. Competing against, working with, and learning from numerous world-leading athletes and coaches has provided Duff a breadth and depth of experience.  Duff’s belief is that, despite its mischaracterisation in popular culture, the mental side of sport is perhaps the most significant aspect, and what very often makes the difference between success and failure, in particular at the highest level.   In his fantastic book ‘The Tao of Sport’ Duff explores the commonality amongst elite performers relating to purpose, passion, and growth, as a means to achieving high performance, or as a means to an end in itself. The book is an inspiring and informative read for athletes and coaches of any level, as well as parents, teachers, and anyone helping others to become the best version of themselves. Duff is also the founder of TheTaoOfSport.com which offers athletes and coaches courses on the mental side of sport.

I’m delighted to speak with Dr Kimberly Wagner this week. Kimberly is a licensed clinical psychologist and sport/performance psychologist. With a background as a competitive athlete and a passion for psychology, Kimberly focused on clinical psychology as well as specialising in sport psychology while at graduate school. Her doctoral dissertation research focused on sport psychology, specifically she studied the mental skills and characteristics which enhance performance in Major League Baseball players. During her research, Kimberly conducted extensive interviews with Major League Baseball players discussing what mental skills and characteristics they utilise to enhance their performance, and what gives them the competitive edge at an elite level of competition. Kimberly has presented her research at multiple international and national conferences including at the 2013 and 2016 annual American Psychological Association (APA) conference as well as the California Psychological Association (CPA) conference. Kimberly has experience working with high school and collegiate level athletes as well as junior professional and professional athletes on improving the mental component of their game as a way of facilitating peak performance.

I’m delighted to speak with Ben Ashdown this week. Ben is joined by return guest, Dr Mustafa Sarkar. Ben is a senior lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. He is part of the Sport Performance Research Group in the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre and is a PhD researcher focusing on resilience in youth football. Ben’s research interests are observational methods and assessment in sport psychology, resilience behaviours in youth football and resilience development practices. Before moving into lecturing, Ben was a research associate at The University of Nottingham on the Steps to Active Kids (STAK) project that sought to evaluate the impact of a school-based physical activity programme on outcomes including self-efficacy and obesity risk factors. Ben is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has a Postgraduate diploma in teaching in the lifelong learning sector. After graduating from York St John University on a BA (Honours) degree in Sport Studies and Psychology, Ben completed an MSc in Sport Psychology at the same institution. Mustafa is Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. His main area of research is on individual, team and organisational resilience in elite sport. Mustafa has a background in teaching and research with most of his research focusing on the psychology of sporting and performance excellence, specifically looking at resilience in high achievers in sport and business. Mustafa also works with coaches and organisations helping them to develop resilience in athletes and teams. We talk about a brilliant paper led by Ben and co-authored by Mustafa and Dr Chris Saward and Dr Julie Johnston entitled “Exploring the behavioral indicators of resilience in professional academy youth soccer”. The study offers insight into the observable behaviours characterising resilience in youth soccer. Participants identified 36 resilience behaviours, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the concept in this specific context. The results provide a platform to support practitioners in observing resilience behaviours and structuring practices for resilience assessment and development. The findings of this study can support youth soccer players in reflecting on their behavioural responses to in-game stressors, and thus better understand how and when they demonstrate resilience.

I’m delighted to speak with UEFA football coach and lecturer, James Barraclough this week. James has worked as a football coach for over 20 years. He has coached extensively in academies and holds both the UEFA B and FA Advanced Youth Awards. James has an MSc in Sport Psychology and has consulted with athletes and teams from grassroots up to world champions. He is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance examining psychosocial skills in academy football.  James teaches Sports Coaching and Sport Science at UCEN Manchester. He is also a sport performance consultant supporting a number of mixed martial artists, athletes and football teams. In this episode James and I discuss a paper he led along with Prof David Grecic and Dr Damian Harper which looked at academy managers’ experiences of how psychosocial skills and characteristics are identified and developed in youth academy soccer players.

I’m delighted to speak with renowned sport psychology consultant and scientist, Prof Robert Schinke this week. Robert is a former equestrian, representing Canada in the 1987 Pan-American Games. He has a Doctorate in Education from the University of Alberta and he completed post-doctoral studies in Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2002 he joined Laurentian University's School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences and became a Full Professor in 2010. Robert is the current two-term President of the International Society of Sport Psychology and his publications include six authored books and nineteen co-edited textbooks, including the Routledge International Handbook of Sport Psychology. Robert has also co-authored more than 180 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Robert’s science to practice interests include the contextual optimisation of high-performance sport environments, effective elite athlete transitional processes such as promotion and relocation, athlete mental health from a holistic vantage, and organisation-wide capacity building, informed by scientific inquiry. In this episode we discuss Robert’s fantastic new book “Gifted: 8 Steps to Succeeding in Sport, Work, and Life” in which Robert encourages readers to recognise and embrace their innate talents and abilities. Throughout the 8 lessons, readers will discover how successful athletes, coaches, educators, and service industry professionals use their natural gifts to achieve their goals.

I’m delighted to speak with Eamon Devlin this week. Eamon works with coaches and teams to help improve their half-time process. Eamon is head coach of several senior Gaelic football teams - women’s and men’s. He is currently manager of Hertfordshire Men’s County team and he is also a GAA-qualified referee. Eamon is also the founder of Minute9, a sports consultancy advising professional sports teams and coaches on how best to structure and manage half-time. Eamon recently completed an MSc in Psychological Sciences at Brunel University. Related to his MSc in Psychological Sciences, his dissertation topic looked into half-time talks and how elite players perceive coaches’ pep talks. Eamon and I discuss the findings from this research.

I’m delighted to welcome back Professor Geir Jordet this week. Geir is a world-leading expert on the psychology of penalty shootouts.  Geir is Professor of Sport Psychology with a specialisation in football (soccer) and coaching at Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. His most extensive research interests involve performing under extreme pressure, cognitive and perceptual underpinnings of decision making, and talent development/effective learning. Geir’s work has been published in leading sport science and psychology journals such as Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, Journal of Sports Sciences, British Journal of Sports Medicine, and British Journal of Psychology, as well as in major media outlets - BBC World, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, El Pais and Spiegel.  Geir is an applied performance psychology consultant working primarily with professional soccer organisations and players, and among his clients are Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, Ajax Amsterdam FC, and Bayern Munich FC.  Geir and I discuss his brilliant new book “Pressure: Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout” in which he draws on his two decades of studying performance under pressure. The book includes case studies which take you behind the scenes of football's most nail-biting moments and Geir interviews superstars and shares stories from his work with top teams and some of the world's best players.

I’m delighted to speak with Stuart Morgan this week. Stuart is a golf coach, practice consultant and an Advanced Member of the PGA of Great Britain. He is recognised by Golf Digest as one of the top international coaches. Stuart is currently the performance director of Swiss Golf, and performance coach at Iceberg Golf, and Stuart Morgan Golf where he works with players on all major professional tours and elite amateurs aspiring to become their best. After completing his PGA qualification Stuart started coaching golf full time and has coached golfers on all major tours. He specialises in junior development, how to practice, and elite performance. Stuart has contributed instructional articles to multiple golf magazines. He has conducted educational seminars for county organisations and the PGA. Stuart is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Human Performance at University of Limerick researching Golf Practice.

I am excited to be joined by Brad Stulberg in this episode. Brad researches, writes, and coaches on mental health, well-being, and sustainable excellence.  Brad is the author of the best-selling books Master of Change and The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of the books Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox. These books explore the art, science, and practice of motivation, values-driven excellence, and maximising one’s potential - all the while realising a more fulfilling and sustainable kind of success. His latest book, Master of Change, became an instant national bestseller. All told, his books have sold more than 500,000 copies and have been translated into more than 20 languages. Brad is a regular contributor at The New York Times, and his work has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, and The Washington Post, among other publications. He regularly speaks to large organisations on topics related to excellence, resilience, performance, and overall well-being. ​​Brad is co-creator of The Growth Equation, an online platform dedicated to defining and realizing a more fulfilling, genuine kind of excellence and sustainable success. In his coaching practice, Brad works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. Brad is also on faculty at the University of Michigan’s graduate school of public health, where he focuses on health, human potential, and excellence.

I’m delighted to speak with coach developer and coach, Stephen Maxwell this week. Stephen is the Coach Education Manager at Cricket Ireland, where he supports coaches and coach developers. Stephen has been coaching for approximately 22 years. He is currently the Senior Men's Football Manager at Thomas Davis GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) Club. Previously, he coached the Dublin Senior GAA Team – helping them win the All-Ireland Championship in 2023. Stephen is the founder and creator of No Other Game Around which specialises in coach development, team training and the technical and personal development of individual athletes.

I am honoured to be joined again by high-performance consultant, Lisa Alexander, in this episode. Lisa works with coaches, teams and organisations to create winning and success-driven environments. Lisa is one of the most successful coaches in Australian sport. As the Head Coach of the Australian Diamonds, the Australian National Netball Team, Lisa lead the team to multiple wins including a Commonwealth Gold Medal.   In 2021 Lisa received the Order of Australia, the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service in the Australian honours system, for her significant service to netball at the elite level. We speak about Lisa’s long career as Head Coach of the Diamonds. How she went about establishing a true person-centred environment; the parallels between teaching and coaching; getting to know your team and directive vs non-directive coaching.

I’m delighted to speak with Jonathan Pendlebury this week. Jonathan is the U18 Head Coach and Pathway Development Coach at the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the national governing body for rugby union in England.  Jonathan oversees player development for the U17 and U18 year old (men) in the programmes and pathways of the RFU and the Premiership Rugby (PRL) Regional Academies in England. Jonathan is qualified to RFU Level 4 coaching award. He has experience coaching and working with all age groups and abilities from junior to senior. Prior to his position at the RFU, Jonathan worked at Wasps Rugby and with Yorkshire Carnegie as Academy Manager, building upon the experience he gained as a professional rugby player of ten years, having represented Premiership and Championship clubs until 2012. Jonathan has also completed a BSc (Hon) degree in Sport Coaching with Leeds Beckett, achieving first class honours. He also has a MSc in Sport Coaching.

I’m delighted to speak with Patrick “Paddy” Ryan this week. Paddy is Chief Coach of Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) for the women’s programme.  Paddy has a wealth of rowing experience, having first started as a rower himself in his native Australia. After a move to the UK, he joined the Thames Rowing Club. Paddy also spent six years at London Youth Rowing (LYR) helping the small charity grow to a London-wide group, supporting thousands of teenagers every year. Paddy began his career at CUBC in 2013 as assistant coach of the women’s programme, bringing his considerable knowledge from his rowing experiences, and most importantly, his recipe for ‘knowing how to win’. In 2021 Paddy became the CUBC chief coach for the Women’s programme. His career highlights include, as an athlete, winning Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, winning the first Blondie Race in 2016 as Assistant Coach and then as Chief Coach, working with the winning 2022, 2023, and 2024 Blue Boat.  Paddy and I speak in depth about the culture he has created at CUBC.

I’m delighted to speak with basketball coach and qualified teacher, Alan Keane this week. Alan is a performance basketball coach with a focus on meeting the needs of the people he works with. He is the Great Britain U20 National Team Basketball Head Coach. Alan is also co-founder of MVMT sports, a mission-driven business for people who believe sport should be a movement for good (not bad). MVMT provides training, support and tools for coaches who want to be difference-makers. The MVMT brand champions coaches who put people before winning. Alan is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Coaching Science. He researches current strategies, motivations and evaluator approaches used by coaches, and intervention strategies to develop self-regulated learners. Alan has won numerous coaching and teaching awards including: Great Britain National Team Coach, England Commonwealth Games Coach, Sky Sports Living for Sport Outstanding Contribution by a Teacher Award Nominee, Chris Morgan Coach of The Year Winner, and Sky Sports Teacher of The Year Finalist.

I’m delighted to speak with mentor, speaker and author, Dr Richard Young this week. Richard works with leaders and experts to help them uncover sustained competitive advantage. Richard consults internationally to help people build sustainable performance systems and achieve faster. He works with Olympic sports, professional sports, national coaches, and former elite athletes. Richard has been involved with nine Olympics as an athlete, coach, researcher, technologist and leader working across more than 30 sports for three countries focused on Olympic performance. Richard has a PhD in physiology, medical science and biomedical engineering. Richard is also the founder of a number of international performance programs including, the Technology and Innovation for GB and NZ, and the Performance Knowledge & Learning program for NZ Olympic, Winter Olympic and Paralympic teams. Richard has researched the differences between medallists and non-medallist athletes, coaches, support staff and organisations across 5 Olympic cycles and identified the behaviour and system differences between those who achieve and those who don’t.

I’m delighted to welcome back Adam Miles to the show this week. Adam is joined by Rob Walter, the Head Coach for the South African White Ball team in this episode. Rob holds a degree in Human Movement Sciences. He started his coaching career as conditioning and fielding coach for the Proteas, the South African National Cricket Team. During this time, he also worked in the Indian Premier League for Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils. Rob was then Head Coach of the Titans Cricket Team in South Africa before pursuing head coach roles in New Zealand. He was Head Coach of Otago Cricket for 5 seasons before taking up the same role for Central Districts Cricket for almost 2 seasons. In 2023 Rob was named the ODI and T20 Coach of the Proteas.   Adam currently works as a psychologist in Primary Care. He is also team psychologist at Otago Cricket and Southern Steel in the New Zealand Netball League. Adam was previously Assistant Coach at Otago Cricket, working closely with Rob to develop a mental skills programme at the Club. Prior to this, Adam was manager of talent development and player pathway at Otago Cricket Association. Adam also coached New Zealand first class cricket team, Otago Volts. Adam moved from the UK to New Zealand on a PhD scholarship in Sport Psychology at the University of Otago exploring Life Skills Development in Elite Athletes.

I’m delighted to speak with Derek O’Riordan this week. Derek is Partnership Manager for Sport Scotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland. Derek works with governing bodies to support their investment for development. Derek is also a lecturer in sport management and coaching at the University of Stirling and a coach developer working in situ with coaches. Derek also coaches Rugby Union in the Premiership in Scotland. Derek and I discuss his experiences as a coach and coach developer, including: the intricacies of coach development – the differences between education and development; what healthy involvement in sport can look like for children; the role of deliberate practice; the use of attentional cues for learning and performance.

I’m delighted to speak with Jordan Cassidy this week. Jordan is a Sports Scientist specialising in skill acquisition and coach and athlete development. Jordan's work is aimed at supporting coaches to best support their players and athletes. Jordan has worked across a number of sports across the globe including with the Hong Kong National Rugby Union Team as a strength and conditioning coach and then working as a sport scientist. Jordan is currently conducting research in skill acquisition and coaching at Queensland University of Technology, while working as a coach and player development consultant for clubs and schools across Queensland. Jordan aspires to support coaches to deliver more engaging and enjoyable sessions for their athletes, in their unique context. Jordan aims to encourage reflective practice and provide feedback on: empowering players within training, coaching behaviours within a session and training session (micro-planning) and training block design (macro-planning).