Shows
Eighty Percent Mental4.15 - What is Leadership Identity - and why is it important for YOU?In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga, and Dr Leah Washington are joined by Dr. Angel Brutus to explore the multifaceted nature of leadership. They discuss the qualities of great leaders, the importance of understanding leadership identity, and the myths surrounding leadership capabilities. The conversation highlights the significance of context, personal experiences, and the influence of those around us in shaping effective leadership. Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Brutus, discusses the complexities of leadership identity, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, reflective practices, and the impact of societal factors such as gender and race on leadership roles.
Follow Angel on...2025-07-201h 13Eighty Percent Mental4.14 - EPM Special: EPM x ButWhy? Mental health in the online ageIn this special episode of the Eighty Percent Mental Podcast, host Dr Pete Olusoga talks with Dr. Laura Swettenham and Dr. Kristin McGinty Minister from the ‘But Why?’ podcast to explore the psychological implications of our online lives, the prevalence of misinformation, and the importance of critical thinking. The conversation emphasizes the need for questioning the content we consume and understanding the purpose behind it, how social media can be both beneficial and detrimental to mental health, the role of algorithms in shaping our experiences, and the challenges faced by women in online spaces. We talk about the challenges of m...2025-06-211h 03Eighty Percent Mental4.13 - Who are you? The complexity of athletic identityIn this episode, Pete and Leah, are joined by Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Aren Ulmer to explore the significance of identity in sports and exercise, and how our sense of identity impacts performance and well-being. They discuss the importance of holistic development for athletes, and the challenges collegiate athletes face in managing dual identities, how athletes navigate their personal and cultural identities, and the importance of celebrating individual differences. They also explore the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of competitive sports and emphasize the need for preparation and support during this process. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the significance...2025-05-251h 12
The Strong Men Podcast33. I'm Gonna Derail This Entire Podcast // Peter OlusogaI'll have to change the name of the podcast after this one!Today’s guest is Dr Peter Olusoga - psychologist, senior lecturer, and expert in human behaviour, wellbeing, stress, and burnout.We get into the misconceptions men hold around mental health and therapy, the societal barriers that keep them from seeking support - and the moment Peter questions the whole concept of being a “strong man”.This one goes 'off track' in all the right ways - give it a listen!-----------------------------------------------------To keep up with the newest episod...2025-04-291h 03Eighty Percent Mental4.12 - How to win!
In this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental podcast, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Head of Women’s Performance Psychology at the Football Association, Dr. Kate Hays. We discuss Kate’s model for success, outlined in her new book “How to win: Lessons in success from the front line of performance psychology,” which includes understanding oneself, defining purpose, establishing methods, and creating a conducive environment for performance. In this conversation, Kate shares insights from her experiences with athletes and reflects on her personal philosophy and the value of being present in both our professional and personal lives.
Check ou...2025-04-261h 20Eighty Percent Mental4.11 - How to deal with... all this shit!Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington engage with “soon to be Dr” David Smith, to explore the intersection of psychology, exercise, and societal issues. They discuss the transformative power of sport, the importance of community, current societal challenges and the role of resilience in navigating these complexities. In this conversation, David discusses the historical silence of the government during the AIDS crisis, emphasizing the resilience and self-care strategies adopted by the LGBTQAI+ community during that time. He highlights the importance of community support and social connections in overcoming adversity. The discussion then shifts to the current climate regarding Dive...2025-03-291h 17Eighty Percent Mental4.10 - What can we do about burnout?
In this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental Podcast, hosts Pete and Leah and guest Dr Luke Olsson delve into the complex topic of burnout. They explore the differences between stress and burnout, the symptoms associated with burnout, and how it manifests in various professions. The conversation also touches on the individual and environmental factors that contribute to burnout, and the cultural influences that exacerbate the issue. Luke shares insights from his research, emphasising the importance of understanding burnout as a psychological response rather than merely a physical condition.
Dr Luke Olsson is a senior lecturer at...2025-03-011h 07Eighty Percent Mental4.09 - Eating disorders and disordered eatingIn this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, hosts Pete and Leah, along with guest Dr Marina Harris, delve into the complex world of eating disorders. They discuss the definitions of eating disorders versus disordered eating, the impact of diet culture, and the role of social media in shaping body image. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing red flags in eating behaviours, the stigma surrounding eating disorders, the responsibility of coaches and support staff in supporting athletes, fostering healthy relationships with food and how to approach conversations about eating disorders.
Dr Marina Harris is a licensed psychologist...2025-01-311h 10Eighty Percent Mental4.08 - The Science of Bias
In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are joined by Director of Culturgen and self-confessed behavioural science nerd, Chris Garrison to explore the Science of Bias. What is cognitive bias? How does it work? What is the impact of our biases on those around us and how can we begin to challenge the biases that we all hold? We discuss all of this and much more in this episode of Eighty Percent Mental.
Follow Chris on Bluesky: @chrisgarrison.bsky.social
Follow Chris on Instagram:@thecgarrison
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.penguin...2024-12-301h 23
MindStrong#215 - Dr Peter Olusoga - The Dark Side Of Grind CultureDr Peter Olusoga is a sports psychologist, lecturer, and podcaster. Pete has dedicated his career to understanding the mental challenges faced by athletes, coaches, and even the conversation of young men navigating today’s confusing social landscape.
Why is masculinity so difficult to define in modern times? How does toxic masculinity affect men’s mental health and their relationships? And what role does social media play in shaping—or distorting—our ideas of what it means to be a man? On top of this Pete offers fascinating insights into these questions and shares practical approaches to stress, burnout...2024-12-211h 14Eighty Percent Mental4.07 - Gifted: Unlocking potential with lessons from elite sportIn this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington welcome the President of the International Society of Sport Psychology, Dr Rob Schinke, to the podcast to talk about mental health and about finding ways to harness our gifts and truly live up to our human potential. We discuss Rob’s work with with Olympic and professional athletes, his thoughts on Cultural Sport Psychology and his book, “Gifted:8 Steps to Succeeding in Sport, Work, and Life.”
Check out Rob’s profile here: https://laurentian.ca/faculty/rschinke
Follow Rob on Instagram: @robertjschinke
Get Rob’s book, Gifted, here: https://ca...2024-11-301h 10Eighty Percent Mental4.06 - Bad ScienceThe commercialisation of wellness and wellbeing has led us to the point where everyone has basically gone fucking nuts. With so much crap on the internet, how can ordinary folk spot the snake oil? How can we be more skeptical about the information we’re presented with, and how can we be better scientists? In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington talk to Dr Nick Tiller, exercise scientist at Harbor-UCLA, about Bad Science!
Dr Tiller is the author of The Skeptic’s Guide to Sports Science, a columnist at Skeptical Inquirer magazine, and a Fell...2024-11-031h 19Eighty Percent Mental4.05 - EPM Special: Paralympic Review, Paris 2024In this episode of EightyPercentMental, hosts Pete and Leah are joined by Paralympic gold medalist Danielle Brown to talk about the Paris 2024 Paralympics. We discuss standout moments from the Games, the significance of the opening ceremony, and the psychological strategies athletes use to cope with pressure. In this conversation, Danielle Brown, double Paralympic gold medalist, shares her experiences and insights on the pressures of performance in sports, the identity and recognition of the Paralympics, and the importance of language in discussing disability. She emphasizes the need for a more scientific approach to athlete classification and advocates for the empowerment...2024-10-1546 min
The Ditto PodcastWhy Stress ISN'T Bad with Dr. Pete Olusoga (#024)In the final episode of Season #1, hosts Matt Moore and Ashley Hatch engage in a deep conversation with Dr. Peter Olusoga, a renowned sports psychologist, about the intricacies of elite sports coaching, the impact of stress on athletes and coaches, and the importance of self-awareness and inclusivity in sports. They explore how stress can be both a motivator and a detriment, the role of coaches in fostering athlete well-being, and the socio-cultural factors that influence the experiences of athletes from diverse backgrounds. The discussion also touches on personal journeys, failures, and the lessons learned along the way, culminating in...2024-09-301h 01Eighty Percent Mental4.04 - Why is my immune system so important for my mental health?4.04 – What about my immune system?
What is my immune system and why is it so important? In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are joined by immunologist, Senior Lecturer and author, Dr Jenna Macciochi, to explore how the immune system is linked to psychological health. We discuss what our immune systems actually are, what they do (and what they don’t do), as well as unpacking some of the barriers to maintaining a health immune system, and discussing the importance of movement. There’s so much to learn here!
Check out Dr Macciochi’s websit...2024-08-241h 25Eighty Percent Mental4.03 - EPM Special: Olympic Review, Paris 2024.The Olympic Games wouldn’t be complete without an EightyPercentMental Olympic Review and that’s exactly what Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are doing in this episode with the help of their guest, Dr Quincy Davis. We talk about highs, the lows, our favourite moments, and of course we dive into the psychology underpinning some of the most memorable performances – and yes that includes the breakdancing.
Dr Quincy Davis is an Assistant Director of Counseling and Sport Psychology at Mississippi State University and owns a private practice “Resolute Performance Consulting”. Passionate about all things athlete mental hea...2024-08-161h 32Eighty Percent Mental4.02 - Is exercise really good for my mental health?There’s a well-established link between exercise and mental health. In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga and new co-host, Dr Leah Washington explore how and why moving our bodies can be beneficial for our psychological health, but also why it might not be as simple as just moving more! Our guest this episode is Dr Hillary Cauthen, a clinical sport psychologist based in Austin TX, and Co-Founder of Texas Optimal Performance & Psychological Services. Her work in high performance environments is breaking down stigma across communities which is highlighted in her book, “Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Team...2024-07-201h 03Eighty Percent Mental4.01 - How do I start doing difficult things... and keep going!?Welcome to the brand-new series of EightyPercentMental, the podcast all about the psychology of sport and performance. Only… it isn’t just about sport and performance anymore, because in this series, we’re going to explore how psychology is important in exercise, health, and wellbeing, and how we can apply this to our everyday lives! Is exercise really good for my mental health? What’s the link between my immune system and psychological wellbeing? How can I start doing difficult things and keep going?
In this first episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and new co-host, Dr Leah Washington, speak to...2024-06-221h 19
Health CheckWhy is exercise good for your mental health?This week, Health Check takes a deep dive into the evidence on the relationship between exercise and mental health. Not just whether getting moving can make a difference, but why. Claudia Hammond laces up her running shoes and goes for a jog at the seaside with a group of people who are running for their mental health. Claudia meets the founder of 'Run Talk Run', Jess Robson, and talks to other members of the group about why they find exercise helpful.Back in the studio, Claudia speaks to Jonathan Roiser, Professor of Neuroscience and Mental...2024-06-1926 min
All in the MindWhy is exercise good for your mental health?As part of the BBC’s mental well-being season, All in the Mind takes a deep dive into the evidence on the relationship between exercise and mental health. Not just whether getting moving can make a difference, but why. Claudia Hammond laces up her running shoes and goes for a jog on the seafront in Eastbourne with a group of people who are running for their mental health. Claudia meets the founder of 'Run Talk Run', Jess Robson, and talks to other members of the group about why they find exercise to be helpful.Back in...2024-05-2128 minEighty Percent Mental3.22 - The Psychology of... THE END!Sometimes the transition out of sport can be easy, a natural progression to the next stage of an athlete’s life. Sometimes it can be an intensely difficult and painful experience. Sometimes, ending an athletic career can be a deliberate choice, other times it’s forced upon an athlete through injury, or changing circumstances. In the final episode of this series, Dr Pete Olusoga explores The Psychology of The End with two very special guests, Psychologist and Director of NBA Mind Health, Dr Kensa Gunter, and Senior VP and Head of NBA Player Development, Jamila Wideman. We discuss Jamila’s own p...2024-05-181h 31Eighty Percent Mental3.21 - The Psychology of... The ClashThere’s no denying the strategy, the undeniable levels of skill, and the precision involved in American Football, but it’s also a sport, a little like rugby, where a good part of your time is spent picking yourself up off the floor after being knocked on your ass. In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga explores the psychology involved in collision sports. What are the unique mental challenges of taking (or dishing out) massive hit after massive hit? Joining Pete on this episode are special guests, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being at t...2024-04-211h 15
HIF PlayerPeter OlusogaJoin Dr. Peter Olusoga live from Berwins Salon North as he sheds light on the pitfalls of ‘grind’ culture and highlights the benefits of embracing ‘unproductivity’ in the pursuit of living well.
Dr Olusoga is a Chartered Psychologist, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Sport Psychology consultant with over 15 years’ experience. His current research focuses on burnout, well-being and sustainability in high performance environments, with a particular focus in sports and elite coaching.
He also produces and hosts the award-winning podcast, Eighty Percent Mental and champions that ‘the thing that separates the great from the good is the ability to understand what’s going...2024-04-1620 minEighty Percent Mental3.20 - EPM Special: Return of Team Ace of BladesEarlier this series (Episode 3.13), Dr Pete Olusoga spoke to Laura Langton and Kit Windsor, from Team Ace of Blades, just before they set off on their quest to row across the Atlantic. Along with the other two members of the crew, Lizz Watson and Beth Motley, they set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 13th December, 2023. Forty-seven days later, they rowed their 25ft boat into English Harbour in Antigua having successfully navigated all 3000 miles of the World’s Toughest Row.
In this extra-special episode of EightyPercentMental, Laura, Kit, Lizz, and Beth are all here to...2024-03-301h 31Eighty Percent Mental3.19 - The Psychology of... The SlopesEver fancied strapping yourself to a plank and throwing yourself down a snowy mountain? In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga explores The Psychology of The Slopes with snowboarding legend, Stevie Bell, and the Founder of the Mental Performance Center for Action Sports, Alēc Herbert. Such a great conversation around the mental aspects of action sports, preparation, professionalism, and doing things you immediately regret!
Follow Stevie on Intagram: @steviebell801
Check out Stevie’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwGRWqUsePRplN3jh2gFRVw
Follow Alēc on Twitter: @MPCActionSports
Check out these incredible organisations:
http...2024-03-161h 08All in the MindHow nightmares link to real-life fears, and new research tackling post-cardiac arrest PTSDIf you've been cured of a phobia, say of spiders, and finally made your peace with the hairy-legged beasties in real life - why might you then start having vivid nightmares about them? Following an email plea for an explanation of this mystery Claudia Hammond enlists Dr Lampros Perogamvros, a psychiatrist from the University of Geneva who’s done extensive research around dreams and nightmares, to help answer listener Lesley's query. Meanwhile a new study by researchers at the USA's Columbia University is looking into the benefits of treating post-cardiac arrest PTSD with mindfulness. Claudia sp...2024-03-1231 minEighty Percent Mental3.18 - The Psychology of... PressureExperiencing pressure is something we can all identify with. In this episode of the EightyPercentMental podcast Dr Pete Olusoga talks with Sport Psychologist and UK Sport Institute Technical Lead, Dr Mike Stoker about what exactly pressure is, the impacts that it can have on how we think, feel, and perform, and how Pressure Training can help us manage pressure more effectively.
Follow Dr Mike Stoker on Twitter: @DrMikeStoker
Find Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mike-stoker-01795330/?originalSubdomain=uk
Read Mike’s research here on Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mike-Stoker
2024-02-271h 09Eighty Percent Mental3.17 - The Psychology of... The KidsIn this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Dr Mark O’Sullivan for a deeply insightful conversation on youth sport. We talk about the nature and evolution of coach education and the impact on coaching practice in youth sport, and we discuss the very purpose of youth sport itself. Who is it for? What is it for? And how does that impact on the kids who want to play!
Follow Mark on Twitter: @markstkhlm
Read Mark’s latest research article here: There is no copy and paste, but there is resonation and inhabitation: Inte...2024-01-201h 10Health CheckEnduranceHave you ever considered rowing across the Atlantic? How about making it even more challenging by doing it whilst wearing an ECG monitor and filling in psychological questionnaires? Claudia Hammond speaks to the first Austrian woman to row the Atlantic, Ciara Burns, who collected data throughout her 42-day crossing. And to the professor who studied the data, Eugenijus Kaniusas from the Vienna University of Technology, about the three big dips in mood along the way. Ciara talks about the emotional highs and lows of rowing to America, about the night skies, meeting whales, and how it feels when the...2024-01-1726 minEighty Percent Mental3.16 - The Psychology of... The TeamAfter taking a few weeks off Dr Pete Olusoga is back with another episode exploring the psychology of performance. We’ve had actors, singers, dancers, strength athletes, coaches, speed demons, and endurance masters on the podcast this series, but one thing we haven’t really considered yet this series is the psychology of The Team. How do we get a group of individuals to start performing as a high functioning team? Do we need to get along to survive? Is it all about the job at hand? What are the factors that bring people together to work as an effi...2023-12-161h 17
The Student SessionsImposter Syndrome, Wellbeing and Self-Care, Peter OlusogaImposter Syndrome, Wellbeing and Self-Care, Peter OlusogaDr Peter Olusoga is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University. His PhD thesis, completed in 2012, focused on stress and coping in elite sports coaching, and his current research focuses on burnout and well-being in high-performance environments. Dr Olusoga is a BPS Chartered Psychologist, an experienced consultant, and host of the award-winning sport and performance psychology podcast, Eighty Percent Mental. I this episode, we discuss imposter syndrome, the importance of wellbeing and tips to cope with negative self-talk.2023-12-1327 minAll in the MindRowing the Atlantic in the name of science, psychologists tackling poverty, and the scent of fear makes us more observant.Have you ever considered rowing across the Atlantic? How about making it even more challenging by doing it whilst wearing an ECG monitor and filling in psychological questionnaires? Claudia Hammond speaks to the first Austrian woman to row the Atlantic, Ciara Burns, who collected data throughout her 42 day crossing. And to the professor who studied the data, Eugenijus Kaniusas from the Vienna University of Technology, about the three big dips in mood along the way. Ciara talks about the emotional highs and lows of rowing to America, about the night skies, meeting whales, and how it feels when the...2023-12-0529 minAll in the MindGrieving when estranged, musical hallucinations and the benefits of snoozing your alarmLosing a parent is extremely difficult, but for adult children who are estranged, this loss can create a mixture of grief, sadness, guilt or relief. Claudia Hammond talks to broadcaster and author, Professor Alice Roberts, about her experience of losing her mother after being estranged for 5 years. A group of estranged adult children were interviewed to learn more about these feelings and how they’ve dealt with them. Claudia discusses the findings with Professor Karl Pillemer, sociologist at Cornell University and author of ‘Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them’. Hearing music when nothing is playin...2023-11-0828 min
High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset573: The Science of Burnout and How to Prevent It with Dr. Peter Olusoga, Professor, Researcher, and Podcast HostDr. Peter Olusoga is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom. His Ph.D. thesis, completed in 2012, focused on stress and coping in elite sports coaching, and his current research focuses on coach burnout, and well-being in high-performance environments. Dr. Olusoga is a BPS Chartered Psychologist, an experienced consultant, and host of the award-winning sport and performance psychology podcast, Eighty Percent Mental. In this podcast, Peter and Cindra talk: Stress in high-performance environments The 3 components of burnout The role of recovery in burnout ...2023-10-2455 minEighty Percent Mental3.15 - The Psychology of... The FightIt’s brutal. It’s violent. It’s two people trying to hit each other until one of them can’t hit back any more… but it's a sport that has always had, and still has, huge appeal. What is it that makes athletes want to take up boxing in the first place? What kind of mindset does it take to get in the ring? What are the mental skills and strategies that might help prepare an athlete to compete in a sport like this? Which is the best Rocky film? Dr Pete Olusoga explores all of that and more in thi...2023-09-231h 27Eighty Percent Mental3.14 - The Psychology of... The Skies
If you’re nervous about flying, imagine the nerve required to fly a 25ft plane through a 30ft window at 250mph. In this episode of EightyPercentMental Dr Pete Olusoga speaks with veteran Red Bull Air Race competitor and champion aerobatics pilot, Mike Goulian, and gets the perspective of veteran Mental Performance Coach, Dr Adam Naylor, on the psychology underpinning some of Mike’s most memorable performances. This really is theory to practice at its best as we discuss precision, focus, acceptance, team culture, golf, and screaming in cars, and how Mike and Adam formed an incredible partnership to achieve exce...2023-08-271h 13Eighty Percent Mental3.13 - The Psychology of... The Sea – with Team Ace of BladesIn this episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga talks to Kit Windsor and Laura Langton, exactly 50% of Team Ace of Blades, the all-women crew set to row (and definitely not sail) unsupported across the Atlantic in December 2023. Laura and Kit talk about the mental challenges of being on the waves for over a month, the mental preparation that’s going into such a huge undertaking, their hopes and fears, and the very real possibility of a Marlin sticking its nose where it’s not wanted.
Find out more about the team, the charities they’re supporting, and how you...2023-07-221h 21Eighty Percent Mental3.12 - EPM Special: Physical 100 (with Miracle Nelson)If you haven’t seen Netflix’s Physical 100, then you’re missing out! One hundred contestants in top physical shape compete in a series of gruelling challenges to claim the honour – and cash prize – as the last one standing. The challenges required strength, skill, stamina, but also a tremendous amount of mental effort. For this special episode, Dr Pete Olusoga managed to grab an interview with one of the contestants, the one and only Miracle Nelson, about his mental approach to the competition, and his journey form Nigerian dance competitions to Korean Netflix shows!
Follow Miracle on Instagram: @itz_mkay
F...2023-06-2553 minAll in the MindThe perfection trap: do you feel 'good enough'?It's not only the headliners at Glastonbury and winners at Wimbledon who strive for perfection in their lives. Psychologist Dr Tom Curran says people in all walks of life are prone to believing they're not quite "good enough". The pressure to be perfect can come from inside ourselves or from society, via social media as well as our friends and family. He says perfectionism isn't about doing things faultlessly - it's about feeling that you are never good enough even if you get a gold medal. Tom Curran is a perfectionist himself and experienced burnout because of...2023-06-1329 minEighty Percent Mental3.11 - The Psychology of... The Student AthleteIn this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga explores the Psychology of The Student Athlete. How do high-school, college, and university students balance studying with sports while trying to make it as an athlete, pursue excellence in academics, all while going through a pretty intense period of personal growth and self-discovery?
To find out, Pete talks with Dr Duncan Simpson, Director of Personal Development at IMG Academy in Florida, Coach Weylu Chang, head of boys' tennis at the Academy, and Atakhan Karahan, up-and-coming tennis star from Turkey and IMG student-athlete.
Dr Duncan Simpson on Twitter: @SportPsychDunc
IMG Academy web...2023-05-281h 10Eighty Percent Mental3.10 The Psychology of... StrengthIn this episode of the #EIghtyPercentMental podcast, Dr Pete Olusoga talks with International Weightlifter and multiple British record holder, Jenny Tong about the Psychology of Strength. Just a great conversation about identity, motivation, confidence, and whether toilet paper should go over or under.
Jenny Tong is a GB International Weightlifter, multiple British record holder and BWL Pathway and National Youth Coach. She also has Master's degree in Law from York University, works as a Pathway Coach, runs Sheffield’s award-winning weightlifting club, and is Non-executive Director for Athlete Experience at British Weightlifting.
Jenny Tong on Twitter: @Jenn...2023-04-161h 11Eighty Percent Mental3.09 - EPM Special: Sport and Social JusticeThere is a long history of sports leading the way on a number of different social issues. For decades, our sporting heroes have been torn down, vilified, and ostracised for standing up for what they believe in and fighting for issues that go beyond the sports arena. While some people were supportive when Gary Lineker spoke out about the government’s asylum policy in 2023, others were quick to roll out the old trope that sport and politics don’t mix. But sport and politics do mix. So the conversation about sport and social justice is an important one.
In t...2023-03-201h 12Eighty Percent Mental3.08 - The Psychology of... SuccessSuccess and winning are often thought of as synonymous, but if you’re not first, does that really make you last? We live in a society that is constantly trying to sell us a very specific version of what success should look like and in this fascinating episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Olympic rower, author, and speaker, Cath Bishop, world-leading trampoline coach, Paul Greaves, and Sport & Exercise Scientist, Sidd Sampla, to explore what success really means and how we can start to think about success differently in a world where results really do matter.
C...2023-01-281h 23Eighty Percent Mental3.07 - The Psychology of... The SingerWhat a special episode this is! Dr Pete Olusoga is joined for a fascinating conversation on the psychology of performance by the queen of British soul, Beverley Knight, MBE. An award winning recording artist and musical theatre actress, Beverley Knight has been a mainstay of British and world music scene for over two decades and offers some intriguing insights into the world of performance. Also appearing in this episode, and bringing a psychological perspective is Dr Kaori Araki, chief Sport and performance psychology consultant at CORAZON Co., Ltd. Kaori is a retired professor and taught sport psychology in Singapore...2022-12-171h 35Eighty Percent Mental3.06 - The Psychology of... Stage & ScreenThe stars are out as Dr Pete Olusoga explores the psychology of stage and screen with the wonderful British actor (and Coronation Street veteran), Shobna Gulati. Joining them is Psychologist and Lecturer at Lancaster University, Dr David Tod, for a fascinating conversation about the psychology of acting. What are the mental processes involved in preparing for and taking on an acting role? How can performers manage the intense scrutiny that goes with their jobs? Find out, in this brilliant episode of EightyPercentMental.
Shobna Gulati on Twitter: @ShobnaGulati
Shobna Gulati on Instagram: @shobnagulati
Contact Dr David Tod: d.tod1@lan...2022-11-201h 10Eighty Percent Mental3.05 - EPM Special: Live from AASP in Fort Worth, Texas!Eighty Percent Mental host, Dr Pete Olusoga, attended the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. As well as winning an award for Distinguished Public Communication, Outreach, and Awareness for producing this very podcast, Dr Pete spent time talking with conference attendees, including the one and only Professor Bob Weinberg (of Weinberg & Gould fame!), about the latest research, techniques, and approaches in the world of sport and performance psychology. Also featuring in this episode: Duncan Simpson, Director of Personal Development at IMG Academy, Dr Amber Shipherd from Texas A&M University Kingsville, Dr Adam Na...2022-11-041h 11Eighty Percent Mental3.04 - The Psychology of... SpeedContinuing the mission to explore the psychological aspects of performance, Eighty Percent Mental host Dr Pete Olusoga explores ‘The psychology of... Speed’ with two-time World Superbikes Champion, James Toseland. Also featuring Sport Psychologist, Shameema Yousuf, this episode explores the motivation, the risk, the psychological skills involved in going really, really fast!
James Toseland on Twitter: @JamesMToseland
Toseland Music: toselandmusic.com
Shameema Yousuf on Twitter: @Empower2Perform
Shameema’s website: empower2perform.com
2022-10-231h 19
Leave Your MarkGreat, Good, and Good Enough with Peter OlusogaSend us a textPeter Olusoga. Peter is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom and holds an Associate Professor position at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. His Ph.D. thesis, completed in 2012, focused on stress and coping in elite sports coaching, and his current research focuses on coach burnout and well-being in high-performance sports environments. In addition to research, Peter is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), an experienced consultant, and host of the award-winning sport and performance psychology podcast, Eighty Percent Mental. He and Josh F...2022-10-041h 11Eighty Percent Mental3.03 - The Psychology of... DanceIn this episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga gets to grips with ‘The Psychology of... Dance’ with Kit Holder, First Soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Dr Sanna Nordin-Bates, Associate professor in sport psychology, at the Swedish School of Sport & Health Sciences in Stockholm. What are the mental challenges involved in such a creative art form? Find out in this inspiring episode of EightyPercentMental.
Kit Holder has been a professional ballet dancer for over 20 years, touring throughout the UK and internationally. He has also choreographed professionally and holds a Master's Degree in Choreography. In additional to his work...2022-09-251h 26Leave Your MarkBurnout is Real with Josh Fletcher, Peter Olusoga, and MeSend us a textThis EP is a great and valuable conversation with two amazing HP humans who are trying the change the narrative around burnout. How can we prevent it, recognize it and avoid it, and re-invent the culture of performance so that those who serve those who perform can be as healthy and happy in their work and their play? Find Josh at http://yourcareer-blueprint.com IG: @careerblueprint Twitter: coachblueprint1 and Peter at @PeteOlusoga or catch his podcast @EPMPodcast they have a powerful course on avoiding burnout coming out soon! Also, want to change yo...2022-09-061h 18Eighty Percent Mental3.02 - The Psychology of... The CoachThis episode is pure gold. With the help of two special guests, Coach Marc Steutel and Dr Kristen Dieffenbach, Dr Pete Olusoga investigates ‘The Psychology of... The Coach’. How do coaches incorporate sport and performance psychology into their coaching? How can coaches be vulnerable and authentic in their practice? How can psychologists and coaches work most effectively together? All of this and more is discussed in what turned out to be an incredible conversation.
Coach Marc Steutel is the Lead Assistant Coach for the Great Britain Senior Men’s National Team and Head Coach of the Newcastle Eagles...2022-08-281h 32
The Basketball Strong PodcastSports Psychologist Peter Olusoga on the Dark Side of the Mamba Mentality and Why Athletes & Coaches BurnoutWhen Tim DiFrancesco was the S&C coach for the Lakers, he got to see Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality firsthand. Before facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Kobe was so tight that TD and the training staff could barely get him off the floor of the visitors’ locker room. Yet somehow he willed himself to push through his pain, get out in the layup line, and put up the kind of offensive games MSG fans had to come to expect from the five-time NBA champ. After TD shared this story on Twitter, British sport...2022-08-0355 minEighty Percent Mental3.01 - The Psychology of... Endurance
Welcome back to Series 3 of Eighty Percent Mental. In this series (or season if you’re American), Dr Pete Olusoga is going to explore some different areas of performance – and not necessarily just sport performance. In this first episode, Dr Pete talks to endurance athlete, Greg Hewitt, and Sport Psychologist, Dr Amy Whitehead, about The Psychology of Endurance. Why do people put themselves through the pain of ultra-marathons, adventure races, and ironman triathlons? What are the psychological skills, strategies, and attributes that help get athletes through a race that lasts a full week or more? Find out in this epis...2022-08-011h 10
Rugby Coach WeeklyRoundup Rodeo Ep84: Reviewing the best contentSend us a textHost Phil Llewellyn with guests review some of the many great podcasts, books, articles and webinars from the last week. This week's guests: Nick Ward, Altis Programmes Director, Dr Peter Olusoga, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Sports Psychology consultant with a specialism in the psychology of coaching in high-performance coaching environments, and Josh Fletcher, performance coach with Formula 3 and founder of Career Blueprint. This Week's ContentNick Ward Tweet Thread – Nick Ward/Josh Fletcher/Peter OlusogaSUGGESTED CONTENT/WHAT YOU MIGHT...2022-04-241h 34Eighty Percent Mental2.15 - Super Special Bonus Winter Olympic Review!In this Super Special Winter Olympic Review, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Dr Chelsi Day, Sport Psychologist at ‘The’ Ohio State University, and Dr Leah Washington, resident Olympic Superfan and professor of sports medicine and sport psychology to talk about the ups, downs, ins, outs, and triple Salchows of the Beijing 2022 Winer Olympics. From drug scandals to ‘minor’ broken necks, and managing the post-Olympic comedown, this episode has a little bit of everything. Make sure you stay tuned to the end to find out how Leah is going to save the Olympics!
Oh, and dog sledding was a demo...2022-03-031h 43Eighty Percent Mental2.14 - Mental health and wellbeing in sportA ‘win at all costs’ culture can make it almost impossible for people in high-performance environments like sport to show any sort of vulnerability, to concede that pressure takes a toll, to admit that they are not in fact superhuman. But many sports performers are beginning to change this narrative. In the final episode of Series 2, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by expert guests, Shakiba Moghadam and Dr Paul Gorczynski, for an open and honest conversation around mental health and well-being in sport
Shakiba Moghadam is a doctoral student focusing on the mental health literacy of women rugby...2022-02-021h 11Eighty Percent Mental2.13 - The greatest sports movie of all time?At the start of Series 2, we ran a poll to find the Greatest Sports Movie of All Time… The Movie GOAT. Somehow, Remember the Titans won… still not sure how that happened, but pretty sure it’s your fault. Anyway, in this episode, Dr Pete is joined by Dr Meghan Halbrook, Dr Tammy Sheehy, and (not the first) returning guest, Todd Cauthorn, to discuss what we can learn from some of the great sports movies out there… and maybe more importantly, which is the Movie GOAT!
Dr Meghan Halbrook is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, an Assistant Professo...2021-12-271h 08
Aspects of HistoryStatue Wars - Peter Hughes on Love & Hate in StatuesWe all remember the summer of 2020 when, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, statues were brought down in the UK and the US. But is this the right way to ensure we continue to live in a liberal democracy? Should we think about what unites us, rather than divides us? I am joined by Peter Hughes, author of A History of Love & Hate in 21 Statues.You can get in touch on the Twitter @olliewcq @aspectshistory Email history@aspectsofhistory.com or head to our website.You can buy his book here: https://amzn...2021-12-041h 08