Supporting Champions

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.  

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

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 sweet spot between high-intensity and low-intensity training. The Role of Volume: Understand why consistent training is essential for long-term gains. Alternative Training Methods: Explore innovative techniques like blood flow restriction and the value of lactate monitoring. Future Directions in Exercise Science: Get a glimpse into the cutting-edge research shaping the future of training. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about the science of training.  

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 conversation is packed with actionable wisdom, engaging stories, and a glimpse into the future of training and technology. Keep up to date with Troy via Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-taylor-4577bb38/ Or check out Troy and his teams work at: http://www.tonal.com Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   #training #performance #ski #snow #tonal 

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 Social Media here: https://www.instagram.com/drchrisshambrook/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisshambrook/   Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into the world of sports performance and support! #sports #psychology #business

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 more on her current research here: SPRINT Research Centre (acu.edu.au) Find her on social media here (5) Shona Halson (@ShonaHalson) / X   Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   #recovery #myths #olympics #podcast

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.org/england/trampoline    

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.uk/onlinecourse/ - 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/

This week on the podcast I sit down with Paolo Menaspa. Paolo is the Chief Science Officer at the Australian Institute of Sport, where he has led teams responsible for research & development, quality assurance, athlete performance health, and REST.    Palo has a vast experience in the world of sport, supporting athletes through multiple Olympic cycles across multiple events. With a focus on cycling, Paolo has supported the national coaches and the performance support team developing solutions across multiple disciplines   This conversation will give you an insight across Paolo's career thus far, as well as the exciting research and developments he and his team continue to make.    Links   Current research agenda:  https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1048268/National-High-Performance-Research-Agenda-2022.pdf   And the HP 32+ strategy, with measures of success defined at page 12. https://www.winwell2032.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1083742/Australias-2032-High-Performance-Sport-Strategy.pdf   Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/    

In this week's episode I speak with Jo Harrison, the Head of Performance Lifestyle Services at the UK Sports Institute and Founder of WinWell.org Jo plays a pivotal role in athlete welfare and life beyond sport, and has been a key influence in this shift of focus over recent years. Jo possesses over 20 years worth of experience at the elite level of British sport and has consistently championed the holistic approach to athlete support.  From her experiences within sport, Jo has co-founded 'WinWell', an organisation set out in the aim of applying the teachings from elite level sport into the world of business. - https://www.winwell.org.uk/ 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/  

On this week's podcast I speak to Stafford Murray Stafford is the former Head of Performance Analysis at the English Institute of Sport, Director of Innovation at High Performance Sport New Zealand and now Head of Analysis at England and Wales Cricket Board. Stafford is a true pioneer in the world of performance analysis and innovation, having been at the forefront of evolving the discipline from match analysis and notation analysis to carving out the discipline of performance analysis. He has successfully stayed at the cutting edge by not only using data and analytical techniques to gain insight and blend with innovation and now embracing data science teams, artificial intelligence and machine learning. What you'll hear in this conversation is a heady mix of how world-class practitioner and leader is able to keep difficult concepts simple, balance the hardcore elements of mathematics but ground them in reality and someone who is able to balance the IQ elements with EQ - keeping the coach and the performer at the heart of everything he does.

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.

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/ 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/

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/  

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 www.twitter.com/support_champs www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/

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.   SIGN UP TO OUR GRADUATE BUNDLE AND PRO COURSES 50% OFF USING CODE 'APPLIED' https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   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/  

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/

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.    

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/   If you like these episodes, you'll probably like these too; https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/127-mustafa-sarkar-on-resilience/ https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/047-josie-perry-on-the-psychology-of-communication/ 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/  

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    

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

Joining me this week is Andrew Rogers, a Chartered Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist with over two decades of experience spanning elite sport, business, healthcare, prison services and more. As co-director of Changing Minds UK, Andrew brings a real wealth of knowledge on the psychological aspects of high performance, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. In our conversation, we focus on mental health for sports performers, exploring the unique challenges they face and how coaches and support staff can play a pivotal role in their wellbeing.  Andrew is a guide for me as I attempt to ask pertinent questions, know that I don't know enough in this area and that I am as liable to make a mis-step, due to a growing, evolving and increasingly conversant landscape of mental health. Andrew, fortunately is a leading expert and sheds light on how awareness, stigma, and literacy have changed over the years and what that mean for us all. We discuss the specific mental health challenges encountered in the high-pressure environment of sports, how these challenges shift with escalating competition, and strategies for acclimatising to stress.  Andrew also shares insights on supporting young athletes and navigating the fine line between encouraging perseverance and recognising when to pull back. This episode is about understanding mental health in a sporting context, gaining literacy in this area, and reflecting on how we can all contribute to a healthier, more supportive environment for athletes. But whether you're a coach, a parent, or anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and performance, perhaps for your own performance, I'm sure this discussion with Andrew Rogers will be helpful as well as illuminating. Links: www.changingmindsuk.com www.linkedin.com/in/changingmindsuk 

In this episode I speak to David Robson, an award-winning science journalist. David's insightful exploration into the realms of cognitive psychology and human behaviour, particularly in his books 'The Intelligence Trap' and 'The Expectation Effect,' offers a fresh perspective on how our minds work, especially in high-performance environments. David's journey in science journalism has led him to uncover fascinating aspects of human intelligence and the surprising pitfalls that even the brightest minds can encounter. In this conversation we explore some of the many concepts that David surfaces in his books, such as 'dysrationalia,' a term that challenges our understanding of the expert mind, and explore the balance between evidence-based wisdom and the ever-present risk of misinformation. We'll also discuss David's approach to identifying and navigating the minefield of lies and misinformation, a skill increasingly crucial in our information-saturated world. His insights on the dichotomy of genius types and the controversial topic of multiple intelligences are thought-provoking to say the least. In 'The Expectation Effect,' David examines how our beliefs and expectations can shape our reality, a concept with profound implications in the world of sports and high performance. We'll discuss the nuances of this effect, including the power of the placebo, the importance of mindset, and the intriguing concept of eustress for longevity and performance. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-robson-5761791b/ Twitter: @d_a_robson Website: https://davidrobson.me/ Intelligence Trap Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intelligence-Trap-Revolutionise-Thinking-Decisions/dp/1473669855 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intelligence-Trap-Revolutionise-Thinking-Decisions/dp/1473669855 Expectation Effect Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Expectation-Effect-Your-Mindset-Transform/dp/1838853308   - 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/  

In this episode, we're exploring the themes of mindfulness, acceptance, and actionable confidence with authors Dr. Alison Maitland and Jenna Ashford, as they discuss their latest book, 'Drop the Struggle.' This thought-provoking work challenges readers to embrace discomfort, engage with the present, and focus on what truly matters. Alison and Jenna bring a wealth of experience to the table, and they start by sharing their backgrounds, providing context for the insights that follow. The book's central message encourages moving beyond the confines of positive thinking, advocating for a more nuanced approach to personal and professional challenges. The conversation delves into the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a framework that underpins the book's philosophy. Alison and Jenna address the natural human tendencies of nerves, comparison, and competition, reframing these as part of our survival mechanism. Key skills and perspectives from 'Drop the Struggle' are highlighted, including the concept that our thoughts are merely words and pictures, not dictates that we must follow. The authors also discuss the transformative power of acceptance and the importance of aligning actions with values, rather than solely seeking happiness or adherence to rules. What I really enjoyed about this discussion was the insights into changing habits, embracing setbacks, and the 'Do What Matters' matrix—a tool for identifying priorities and overcoming obstacles. I hope if you are struggling, wrangling and tussling with stresses and thoughts that are unhelpful that this discussion can help. Links Find Alison on Linkedin here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonmaitland001 Find Jenna on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-ashford-nee-woolven-b00b424a Find Drop The Struggle here (Drop the Struggle can also be found in other bookstores) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drop-Struggle-Transformative-Achieving-Potential/dp/1914110269 - 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/  

In our latest episode of Supporting Champions, we had the opportunity to engage in a fascinating conversation with James Collins, recognised as a leading Sport & Exercise Nutritionist. In elite sport he has worked with Team GB Olympic teams and athletes over three Olympic Games. He joined Arsenal Football Club in 2010, where he spent seven seasons as the club's first performance nutritionist. He has worked as a consultant with England Football, France Football (2018 World Cup winners), and is currently a consultant with Chelsea FC. He was a project lead of an international team of 31 authors to produce the ‘UEFA Expert Group Statement on Nutrition in Elite Football‘, the best practice guidelines within the sport, published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM). James is Managing Director of INTRA Performance Group working with talent from elite sport and entertainment from their Harley Street clinic. He was previously elected President of The Royal Society of Medicine's Food and Health Forum and is author of the acclaimed book ‘The Energy Plan‘ (Penguin Random House). Throughout our discussion, James shares his journey into the world of sports nutrition, providing insights into his experiences and the lessons he's learned along the way. His unique perspective, shaped by years of working with both individual athletes and team sports, offered a deeper understanding of the diverse nutritional strategies required in different sporting contexts. James has in recent years begun to branch out and apply his nutritional advice to businesses and take on interesting individual cases including a musician taking to one of the main stages in Glastonbury last year, the parallels between athletes and musicians seemingly not too dissimilar. https://twitter.com/jamescollinspn?lang=en http://jamescollinsnutrition.com/ https://www.intraperformancegroup.com/ https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/439206/the-energy-plan-by-james-collins/9781785042294 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/  

In this episode of Supporting Champions, we're joined by Amy Edmondson, the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and a leading authority on psychological safety. We delve into her new book, "The Right Kind of Wrong," a title that intriguingly challenges our perceptions of failure. Our conversation begins with Amy's sharing her expertise on creating environments that foster growth, development, and performance. Amy's perspective is particularly timely, as there's a growing appetite for understanding and skillfully nurturing psychologically safe spaces. Amy emphasizes that better teams don't necessarily make fewer mistakes but are more open to discussing them. This is exemplified in her NASA example, where tired teams, who had been working hard together, outperformed fresh teams. We explore whether psychologically safe teams take more interpersonal and task-based risks. Amy decodes sports contexts and consequences, addressing how results-focused environments can create fear-based decisions. We delve into the nuances of failure, error, and judgment in relation to goal setting, and how psychological safety, while promoting excellence, isn't about comfort but about enabling intelligent risk-taking and learning from complex failures. We wrap up the conversation by discussing the best and worst examples of enhancing performance through psychological safety, the increasing embrace of interpersonal skills by coaches, and the predominant factors influencing psychological safety. Notes Follow Amy on Twitter https://twitter.com/AmyCEdmondson Order Amy's book here https://amycedmondson.com/   *** UNTIL 1st FEB - you can get 50% off our Setting up Your Own Consultancy Course *** https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/set-up-your-own-performance-consultancy/ use code CHAMPS50 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/

In this week's episode, I'm excited to welcome back Cody Royle, author of "A Second Set of Eyes," for an in-depth discussion about the need for coaches to have coaches. We explore the often-unspoken emotional and psychological challenges coaches face, delving into themes like masculinity, individualism, and the necessity of a strong support network. The conversation, as you'd expect from anything Cody communicates is rich with insight, exploring fascinating insights about the unique traits that define the coaches that coach expert coaches. We explore how it makes better business sense for teams to require or at least encourage, coaches to get support for their work, well being and performance. This episode goes beyond technical aspects, shedding light on the human elements crucial to effective coaching and leadership. Cody's book https://www.codyroyle.com/podcast Cody on twitter or X or whatever https://twitter.com/codyroyle 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/

In this episode I speak with, Holly Calvert and Nicole Booth, the co-founders of Athlete Now. This innovative platform is revolutionising the way athletes access expert performance support, from nutritionists and physiologists to essential services like insurance and legal support. Simultaneously, it's a game-changer for practitioners, offering them a space to showcase their services and connect with athletes in need. Before we dive into our conversation, I want to share a personal note. I've joined Holly and Nicole as a director of Athlete Now, and I'm thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking project. Our discussion today will delve into the origins, mission, and future of Athlete Now, and I'm here not just as your host but as an active participant in this venture. Holly and Nicole bring a wealth of experience from their backgrounds in sports science and therapy. We'll explore their journey into this field, the serendipitous meeting that led to the birth of Athlete Now, and the unique perspectives they bring to this platform. Athlete Now addresses a critical gap in the market, providing a much-needed bridge between athletes and top-tier performance support practitioners. We'll discuss the platform's key features, the importance of creating a detailed profile for practitioners, and how Athlete Now is helping them overcome common challenges in marketing their services. Also, we'll touch on the community aspect of Athlete Now, the partnerships they've formed, and the success stories that have emerged. Quality assurance is paramount, and we'll delve into how Athlete Now ensures the highest standards for both practitioners and athletes. Finally, we'll look ahead to the future of Athlete Now and the exciting developments on the horizon. So, whether you're an athlete, a practitioner, or someone interested in the intersection of sports and entrepreneurship. Have a look around the website https://theathletenow.com/ Socials Instagram Athlete Now X (Twitter) https://twitter.com/theathletenow 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/  

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, we're joined by Dan Abrahams, a highly respected sports psychologist known for his insightful and practical approach to team dynamics and performance psychology. Our discussion offers a deep dive into the psychological elements that are crucial for team success, making this episode a valuable listen for coaches, athletes, and leaders alike. We explore a range of topics including the creation of environments that foster psychological development in teams, the intricate balance between focusing on individual players and the overall team, and the complexities of managing diverse personalities within a team setting. Additionally, we delve into tactical aspects such as strategies for maintaining a lead during a game or making adjustments when facing challenges. This conversation with Dan Abrahams is packed with insights and strategies for anyone looking to understand and improve team dynamics and performance. Enjoy! Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-abrahams-b72a306/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DanAbrahams77  Website: https://danabrahams.com/   ATHLETE NOW The Supporting Champions Podcast is sponsored by Athlete Now, the innovative platform transforming how athletes and sports performance experts connect. With Athlete Now, navigate the complex world of sports excellence with ease. It's your hub for finding top-tier, rigorously vetted sports science, medicine, and coaching professionals tailored to your ambitions. For professionals, Athlete Now is the beacon to highlight and harness your skills, directly linking you to those in need of your expertise. Say goodbye to obscurity and hello to impact. Join Athlete Now for free as an athlete, or take advantage of the half-price introductory offer for practitioners: only £10 for the Foundation tier or £50 for the Professional tier with advanced features. Dive into a community dedicated to sporting success at theathletenow.com.   BLACK FRIDAY - 50% off Applied Courses Use code CHAMPS50 at checkout Offer ends 23rd November 2023 https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#applied-pro-courses 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/      

In this episode, we're joined by Ben Sporer, a Canadian sports physiologist whose recent work challenges traditional notions of success in high-performance sports. His book introduces the concept of focusing on 'output'—the aspects of performance within our control—rather than 'outcome,' which is often subject to variables beyond our influence. Throughout our conversation, Ben breaks down the components of output, including physiological indicators, performance metrics, and psychological states, and discusses their relevance to both athletes and coaches. He also offers insights into how these principles can be applied in broader contexts, such as personal growth and professional development. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of performance with Ben Sporer, where we discuss practical strategies for enhancing output and the implications of this approach for long-term success.   Links Output book https://output-book.com/ Ben's Website https://resync.ca/   ATHLETE NOW The Supporting Champions Podcast is sponsored by Athlete Now, the innovative platform transforming how athletes and sports performance experts connect. With Athlete Now, navigate the complex world of sports excellence with ease. It's your hub for finding top-tier, rigorously vetted sports science, medicine, and coaching professionals tailored to your ambitions. For professionals, Athlete Now is the beacon to highlight and harness your skills, directly linking you to those in need of your expertise. Say goodbye to obscurity and hello to impact. Join Athlete Now for free as an athlete, or take advantage of the half-price introductory offer for practitioners: only £10 for the Foundation tier or £50 for the Professional tier with advanced features. Dive into a community dedicated to sporting success at theathletenow.com.   BLACK FRIDAY - 50% off Applied Courses Use code CHAMPS50 at checkout Offer ends 23rd November 2023 https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#applied-pro-courses 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/  

Today we're diving deep into a topic that's not just timely but also timeless: resilience. Our guest is Mustafa Sarkar, an expert in the psychology of resilience, particularly in the context of sports and high-performance environments. Mustafa's work has been pivotal in helping us understand what resilience is—and perhaps just as importantly, what it isn't. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or anyone striving for excellence, understanding the nuances of resilience can be a game-changer.  In today's conversation, we'll explore the psychological elements that contribute to resilience, how these factors may vary among different roles within a sports setting, and the strategies that can be employed to build both individual and team resilience. We'll also discuss the role of environment, the importance of balancing support and challenge, and the future frontiers of resilience research. So, if you're interested in building a more resilient mindset, either for yourself or for your team, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.    Links  Mus on Twitter https://twitter.com/MusSarkar   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/

Today, we're venturing into the ever-evolving world of strength, power, and muscle growth. I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Brad Schoenfeld, who hails from Lehman College  in New York and is a luminary in the field of strength and conditioning. Brad is not just an academic, he is an applied scientist and advisor. But in his work he is true to the principles of science in that while he advises people based on sound principles, as evidenced in the literature, if that evidence evolves his advice evolves.  His research has done just that so much so that some find the findings to be disruptive or challenging. His groundbreaking research has been shaking up long-held beliefs and sparking animated debates among athletes, coaches, and scientists alike. If you've ever questioned the conventional wisdom around strength training, today's episode is your gateway to the latest evidence-based practices. We'll be navigating through the shifts that have occurred in strength and conditioning research over the past 15 years, the controversies that have emerged, and the practical implications for athletes across various disciplines. We'll also delve into the nitty-gritty of training mechanisms and session structures. I'm excited for you to benefit from this episode whether you are looking to adapt your training or tune into how a scientist is driving development in a field.   Links Brad on twitter https://twitter.com/BradSchoenfeld Brad's website: https://www.lookgreatnaked.com/blog/     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/  

Please take the time to fill in our survey about performance staff skills https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/skills/   In today's episode we're exploring a topic that sits at the very heart of performance, yet is often overlooked: the coach-athlete relationship. And I couldn't think of anyone better to discuss this with than our guest, Sophia Jowett.  Sophia is a leading expert in the field, known for her extensive research and innovative models that explore the dynamics between coaches and athletes. She's got a knack for breaking down complex ideas into memorable acronyms and alliterations, making the science not just accessible but also unforgettable. We'll be delving into how the landscape of coaching has evolved over the years, the psychological underpinnings of a successful coach-athlete relationship, and even the challenges and conflicts that can arise. We'll also touch on the broader implications of her work, including parallels in the business world and the evolving role of coaches. This is essential listening for anyone working with coaches and athletes!   Follow Sophia on Twitter https://twitter.com/JowettSophia   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/

"PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FILL IN OUR SKILLS SURVEY" https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/skills/   Welcome back to the podcast proper! In this week's episode, we're tackling a subject that's crucial but often not given the attention it deserves: the recruitment process within high-performance teams. Our guest, David Slemen, is uniquely qualified to shed light on this topic. David is the founder of Elite Performance Partners, a consultancy that specializes in identifying and placing exceptional talent in performance-driven environments. With a rich background in professional rugby and a deep understanding of team dynamics, David has become a sought-after expert for organizations looking to build or enhance their performance teams. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in sports, business, or any field where team performance is a key factor. We'll explore practical, real-world insights into how to identify the right talent, integrate them effectively into your team, and foster a culture that attracts and sustains excellence. Don't miss this invaluable conversation that could very well change the way you approach building your team for success.   Links Elite Performance Partners: EPP https://eppglobal.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/   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/  

This week we're launching a major new survey. We've teamed up with Jamie Pringle to create one of the must comprehensive surveys about "what it takes to be successful as support practitioner". Please take 30 mins of your time to contribute to the survey. SURVEY  *** Academics, Professionals and Students - WE NEED YOU TO HELP US HELP THE INDUSTRY!*** In this discussion, Jamie and I talk through what the survey is, why we are working on it, how we believe it will help create clarity for those recruiting, developing and training the next generation of performance professionals and likewise how it will help the students of today, who will become professionals and leaders of our industry tomorrow. Summary

This week's guest is Michael Johnson. Michael will not need an introduction to many of you, but for those who are not aware of one of the greatest athletes of all time and for those who want a recap here are a few highlights. Michael has won gold medals in 200, 400m and 4 x 400 at the Goodwill games. He took gold medals at the 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 World Championships and golds the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics Games. Unforgettably, Michael broke the world 200m record in an astonishing time of 19.32 s at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, having a few days before won the 400m title. Michael also broke the world 400m record in the Seville World Championship final in a time of 43.18. Those records stood for 14 and 17 years respectively. Since Michael retired he is familiar to many as a commentator and pundit for athletics, where he offers great depth, perceptive insight, challenge and clarity of thought about performance. He is also an entrepreneur, running Michael Johnson Performance, providing speed, agility and injury prevention support to elite teams. In this discussion we of course talk about all of these things, Michael's athletic career, as well as how he's how cultured insights into how people perform, where he thinks athletics is going, and his work in business. As you'd expect Michael brings rich insight to all of these. I hope you enjoy the conversation!   ***We're taking a short break from the podcast. I hope you're enjoyed the series***   Links https://www.mj-gold.com/ https://www.michaeljohnsonperformance.com/     Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/    

This week's guest is Nigel Adkins. Nigel is a former professional football player, coach and manager. He's also trained as a physiotherapist, so not only does he have experience of playing coaching but also has been part of the backroom staff too. Nigel is sharing, describing, and supporting others through the demands placed upon modern managers. He is passionate about helping others realise that the managers identity, worth and health should not necessarily be impacted upon due to the role of coaching at the top end. However Nigel does describe the prevailing philosophy in football clubs being that if they don't win the manager is likely to get sacked. We get into this in the conversation and discuss what you can do and take ownership for, the right and wrongs of this approach and what might help you as a modern manager thrive in this world where you might not have much time to do your best work.   Links   Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/    

This week's guests are Zoe Knowles and Brendan Cropley Zoe is a Professor of Engagement and Learning at Liverpool John Moores University and Brendan is Professor of Sport Coaching at University of South Wales; and both are sports psychologists by trade. They are also pioneers for reflective practice in sport and have been moving this field forward together with a band of researchers and applied scientists and they've recently released the 2nd Ed of Reflective Practice in the Sport and Exercise Sciences. In this discussion we get into the value that reflection brings, the evidence of whether reflecting enhances your performance, some potential downsides of reflection, whether personality type or biases effect how one engages with reflection, the potential effects of reflective practice on mental health. Of course we explore different models of reflection and Zoe and Brendan take you through a fuller reflective cycle and a shorter, snappier version - which gets us on how, when and under what circumstances you might reflect. Download the reflective practice worksheet and use for yourself. Links Zoe on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpExPsych Brendan on Twitter https://twitter.com/BrendanCropley Reflective Practice in the Sport and Exercise Sciences book https://www.routledge.com/Reflective-Practice-in-the-Sport-and-Exercise-Sciences-Critical-Perspectives/Cropley-Knowles-Miles-Huntley/p/book/9781032056944   If you want to develop your applied performance science impact take a look at our courses for S&C, psychology, nutrition, physiology (with me), performance analysis Use code APPLIED2023 for £50 off (limited number of discounts - only a few places left) Use the code for £50 off any Applied Pro courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#appliedpro   Links Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/  

This week's guest is Sian Allen. Sian is a vastly experienced performance scientist having worked at the English, Scottish and New Zealand Institute of Sports. Sian received her PhD in Statistical Modelling of Sports Performance from Aukland University of Technology, while working with British and New Zealand swimming teams. Sian headed up the performance intelligence work for the New Zealand Sorts system, carving out data informed insights into how, what, where, when and who new Zealand athletes and teams could gain an advantage. She is now at Lululemon – an athletic apparel company that designs, distributes, and retails athletic apparel and accessories. Beyond this Sian, has been creating some fascinating insights and sharing them on Twitter about wearable technology, with a blend of data-driven observations about herself, research based insights and questions and ideas about how us humans interact, benefit, misuse and get confused by the various devices that we purchased and stick on on ourselves in an attempt to measure various variables. Sian shares her motivations for developing content, the key insights she has gained which monitoring devices she has found to be the best for monitoring sleep, heart rate and activity; as well as a look into the future about where technology is headed and whether with the advent of AI, we're going to be interacting with human support. I should also mention that Sian is our course tutor for the Supporting Champions Performance Analysis course - so if that is your thing and your interested in the course, it is just a superb digest of 10 lessons running you through how to take a data-informed approach to improving athlete performance! Sian shares a little bit about her motivations for the course and how it is helping practitioners from all fields harness the power of data.   Sian on Twitter https://twitter.com/DrSianAllen Sian's Applied Pro Performance Analysis course https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/applied-performance-analysis/ Use code APPLIED2023 for £50 off (limited number of discounts - only 100 places) Use the code for £50 off any Applied Pro courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#appliedpro   Links Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/

This week's guest is Jean Gomes. Jean is a New York best-selling author and a business consultant to 100s of CEOs and businesses. He is CEO and founder of Outside who utilise the latest research to support and develop wellbeing, leadership and organisational culture. His clients over the years include Google, Nike, Schneider, BMW, Tik Tok, but also includes the Lawn Tennis Association, UK Sport and Manchester City. In his new book ‘Leading in a Non-Linear World' Jean delves into the latest research into mindset and how we've been limping along with an outdated definitions for years - making the case that it is more than just the beliefs and mental models that we carry. We get into this idea in our discussion and explore self-awareness, how we need to be more aware of how our emotions are formed, how to build a healthier, more agile mindset, the value of interoception and perspectives of resilient people. Ultimately this is a book about self-management - how we lead ourselves so that we're better able to lead others. This is a concept that is central to everything we do at Supporting Champions. Jean brings a lucidity to the work that he does, he strives to be more human and connected in how he creates and supports others to high-performance and interestingly over the years he has evolved as a consultant and as a leader. You'll get a sense of this is our discussion - how he's stayed abreast of research, thought about what he's seeing and observing and curated ideas to help others - kind of like the best applied scientists!   ***Applied Pro Practitioner courses are now discounted USE CODE APPLIED2023 for £50 off until 7th April Sign up now to take advantage of live Q&As with tutors*** Go to https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse   Links Leading in a non-linear world https://www.weareoutside.com/leading-in-a-non-linear-world Mindset monthly https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/mindset-monthly-7001265313933619201/ Evolving leader https://www.weareoutside.com/evolving-leader   Links Hi, I'm Steve Ingham ...   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       Links Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/  

This week's guest is Dr Mark Burnley Mark is an exercise physiologist by trade, currently an academic at Loughborough University, having previously been at Brighton, Aberystwyth, Kent and Wolverhampton. Mark's background is in oxygen uptake kinetics, having undertaken much of the pioneering work on priming - which I've used extensively in my work with athletes. Much of Mark's work has centred around the concept of Critical Power and the physiological landmarks that distinguish different exercise intensities - essentially exploring ways in which we can distinguish the way our body responds differently in different domains of exercise. This is relevant because these landmarks offer us some logic to how we might go about setting training zones. And that is what we get into in this discussion. We delve into what the key landmarks are, what happens when you exercise in, below or above different landmarks. We explore the strengths, mistakes and pitfalls of different types of zone structures, debating laboratory, field, precise prescriptions or margins, whether to use heart rate, power, speed, breathing as some of the ways to regulate exercise intensity. As you can imagine the discussion goes in all different directions and what we've tried to do is define each concept as we go, just in case you're not familiar with the various terms. But rest assured you're in safe hands with Mark, his keen intellect, exacting precision combined with an eye for the applied practical implications of this topic - are all delivered with highest level of clarity in his communication. Links to Mark Mark on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@all-outphysiology2177 Mark on Twitter https://twitter.com/DrMarkBurnley --- 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/

This week's guest is Costas Karageorghis Costas is a professor of sports psychology at Brunel University. I first knew of Costas, many years ago as “Piano Man”, as he was sat at the piano in a bar at a BASES conference, skilfully and joyfully playing away entertaining conference attendees. Only the next day did I find out that that music was his specialist topic. Since, Costas has become renowned for his research on the effects of music on exercise and sports performance. In Costas' book Applying Music in Exercise and Sport, the preface begins with a quote from Confucius, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without”. What is fascinating is that the link between music and sport isn't more widely explored. In this discussion we explore the connection between sports and music, starting with on one of my favourite indulgences -the sports montage. We delve into how music can support exercisers, how it can make exercise seem easier, how it can be used to help performers get ready for competitions, how music preferences diverge based on culture, within teams and based on your circumstances. I start by asking Costas what he thinks about the Supporting Champions podcast music.   Links SAVI Group on Twitter https://twitter.com/SAVIBrunel SAVI playlists on Spotify Brunel SAVI Group On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brunel_music_and_driving   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/  Links Twitter at https://twitter.com/ingham_steve Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/