Shows
Lets Talk Para#15 Iain Gowans Diving deep into Classification and the Paralympic JourneyIain Gowans is a Doctoral Researcher at the Peter Harrison Centre at Loughborough University. He is also a Paralympic swimmer having represented Great Britain at the 1996 wAtlanta Games.He graduated from the University of Strathclyde in Sport in the Community and completed his master’s degree in Equality Studies at University College Dublin in 2003. Between 2003-2021, Iain worked for the British Paralympic Association (BPA).He started his PhD in 2021 and it looks at "Intentional Misrepresentation in Paralympic Athlete Classification", which he got inspiration to do from his own experiences as well as his work with th...2025-04-2546 min
Lets Talk Para#14 Mike Hutchinson: All Things ClassificationMike Hutchinson is the Athlete Services Manager at ParalympicsGB. He has been involved with Para-Sport since his placement year when he was doing his Undergraduate at the University of Bath, where he worked with ParalympicsGB in the lead up to London 2012. He also completed his PhD at the Peter Harrison Centre in Loughborough University where he looked at "The application of subjective ratings of perceived exertion to regulate exercise intensity during upper body exercise".In this episode Mike delves into his journey in Para-Sport and then goes on to explain classification in para-sport and...2025-04-2236 min
Lets Talk Para#13 Daniel Angus: Psychophysiological responses in Para-Football Daniel Angus is a Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University’s Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. His research explores the psychophysiological responses to stress in elite para-footballers. By utilising longitudinal studies, he aims to come up with a potential intervention study to improve performance.Alongside his research, Daniel is partially sighted footballer playing in the England FA Cups and leagues. He has won numerous titles with his team throughout his career which started at a very young age. In the episode, Daniel shares more about his research and how his journey in para-football has shaped an...2025-04-1535 min
Lets Talk Para#12 Fransiska Bossuyt: Optimising Shoulder Health in Para-SportFransiska Bossuyt is a researcher specialising in scapular kinematics and the biomechanics of soft-tissue injuries, with a focus on understanding muscle and tendon function to improve injury prevention and treatment. Currently, she is spearheading a project on shoulder health in vulnerable populations.She is actively involved in rehabilitation research and policy, serving as co-chair of the COVID-19 taskforce within the International-ISIG of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, where she also holds the role of early career officer. Alongside her academic work, she is deeply engaged in para-sport, acting as a para-coach at Seeclub...2025-04-0123 min
Lets Talk Para#11 Adam Dickinson: The Power of SportAdam Dickinson is a Research Associate in Knowledge Translation and Stakeholder Engagement at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. In this role, he works closely with external partners to conduct qualitative needs analyses and translating research findings into practical applications. Adam completed his PhD at Loughborough University in February 2025, with research partly funded by British Wheelchair Basketball. His doctoral work provides valuable insights into the experiences and opportunities within wheelchair basketball, contributing to a deeper understanding of access, development, and inclusion in the sport. Adam is...2025-03-2542 min
Lets Talk Para#10 Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey: Advancing Para-Sport ResearchVicky Goosey-Tolfrey is a leading expert in para-sport research and the Director of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. With decades of experience working with Paralympic athletes, Vicky shares her insights into the science behind elite performance, the evolution of para-sport research, and the impact of her work on athlete preparation and recovery.2025-03-1126 min
Lets Talk Para#9 Olivia Broome: Raising the BarOlivia Broome is an elite British para powerlifter who has made a name for herself on the international stage. Olivia medalled at both the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games as well as the European Championships. She shares her journey into the sport, the challenges she’s overcome, and what it takes to compete at the highest level. 2025-03-0441 min
Lets Talk Para#8 Alasdair Donaldson: Building Para-Sport Excellence at InstitutionsAlasdair Donaldson is the Head of Para Sport at Loughborough University, where he works to create opportunities for para-athletes. He delves into his journey into para-sport and the pivotal role Loughborough plays in nurturing talent from grassroots all the way to performance athletes. Beyond his work at the university, he shares insights into building an inclusive sporting environment and his vision for the future of para-sport going into the next game. 2025-02-2546 min
Lets Talk Para#7 James Hollis: Beyond the lanesJames Hollis is a Paralympian, world record holder and Commonwealth Games medalist. He delves into his journey in swimming and the challenges he faced growing up. Beyond para-swimming, he talks about the para-sport movement as well as his role as a Performance Lifestyle Mentor in the UKSI. 2025-02-1849 min
Lets Talk Para#6 Jack Clarke: S&C insights in Para-SportJack Clarke is the Performance Scientist for GB Wheelchair Rugby, and was previously the S&C coach for Loughborough Wheelchair Lightning Bassketball. Jack shares insights into training elite para-athletes, optimising performance for diverse sports, and the key principles behind strength and conditioning. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports enthusiast, he provides insight into how he got into the world of para-sport and advice for anyone looking to get into it.2025-02-1143 min
Lets Talk Para#5 Nik Diaper: The Playbook for Paralympic PerformanceNik Diaper is a leading expert in para-sport and disability sport science. As the Head of Paralympic Performance Support at the UK Sports Institute, Nik has been instrumental in shaping the success of British Paralympians. With 22 years of experience in optimising athlete performance and a passion for inclusivity in sports, Nik shares his insights as a practitioner as well as his involvement within the Para-sport movement.2024-12-1039 min
Lets Talk Para#4 Ahalya Lettenberger: From swimming lanes to advocacy wavesAhalya Lettenberger is an accomplished para-swimmer and Paralympian from the United States. She competes in para-swimming events, specializing in freestyle and individual medley races, and is classified under the S7 category for her events. Ahalya has Arthrogryposis, a condition that affects her lower body, yet she has achieved remarkable success in her sport.
Ahalya shares her journey to the Paralympics and her experience in the US and UK as a student-athlete.2024-12-0348 min
Lets Talk Para#3 Joe McDonnell: From the local club to the ParalympicsJoe McDonnell is the Head of Para Sprints at Loughborough University, recognized for coaching several elite para-athletes. His role involves working with athletes on the Paralympic World Class Programme, including champions like Kadeena Cox, Libby Clegg, and Thomas Young. McDonnell’s expertise has significantly contributed to Loughborough’s reputation as a leading hub for para-sport training and development.
In this episode Joe delves into his journey into para-sport as well the lessons he has learned which have helped him in forming his coaching philosophy for all his athletes.2024-11-261h 10
Lets Talk Para#2 George Bates: Leading the Game on and off the court
George Bates is a British wheelchair basketball player. He has represented Great Britain at the international level and has been a key player in winning the Europeans and World Championships.Bates has also gained attention for advocating for inclusion and fair classification within para-sports.
His story became widely known when he was excluded from competing under updated International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) classification rules, which affected athletes with certain physical impairments.
Currently, George is the head coach of the women's Lightning Wheelchair Basketball Team.
2024-11-1947 min
Lets Talk Para#1 Krysten Coombs: From the Paralympics to the Game of ThronesKrysten Coombs is a British para-badminton player competing in the short stature (SH6) category. Coombs has represented Great Britain and won 2 Paralympic medals and numerous World Championship medals.
Outside of badminton, Krysten Coombs does some acting with appearances on 'Game of Thrones' and 'The Witcher'. 2024-11-1246 min