Shows
Mastering the Mind Podcast‘My identity was so attached to sport that my self-worth and value was as well’’: Jack Green on managing mental health and sustainable successToday we welcome the brilliant double Olympian and mental health ambassador Jack Green, to our podcast! TW- this episode does mention suicide, we encourage you to seek help if you are affected by anything mentioned in this podcast.
Topics discussed:
💭 Olympic dream vs Olympic reality
⚖️ Making choices and sport-life harmony
The 2012 and 2016 Olympic games
🏅 Sustainable success
🧠 Being a mental health ambassador for Mind, YoungMinds and CALM
📖 Coaching the person before the player and developing t2024-03-0439 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 78 | Kate ShortmanToday we welcome British artistic swimmer and Olympian, Kate Shortman, to the podcast.
Topics discussed:
🏊🏻♀️ Getting into artistic swimming
🙌🏻 Benefits of sport psychology
🧠 Mental challenges of the sport
📚 Balancing student life as an athlete
📣 Advice to young swimmers
2024-02-1931 min
Mastering the Mind Podcast‘Lose weight or die’: Martinus Evans on becoming a running coachToday we welcome the founder of the Slow AF Run Club, Martinus Evans, to the podcast!
Topics discussed:
🐢 Creating the Slow AF Run Club
🏃 How to stay motivated
🎯 Goal-setting
🪜 Prioritising habits over motivation
🧠 Psychological themes from his book
🤯 Coping with the mental demands of running
2024-01-2938 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastBalancing Life Around Netball and Living with Injury | Lucy HerdmanToday we welcome netball super league player and coach, Lucy Herdman, to the podcast.
Topics discussed:
👩🎓 Being a student-athlete at university
🏥 Coping with injury and fears of reinjury
🤼 Battling against comparison during rehabilitation
🪞 Focusing on yourself and what you can control
🧠 Being open to sport psychology support
📈 Taking small steps rather than thinking bigger picture
📖 Finding enjoyment in new experiences outside of your sport
2024-01-2253 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastRespect without formality: Being an S&C coach in dance | Nico KolokythasToday we welcome strength and conditioning researcher and coach, Nico Kolokythas, to the podcast.
Topics discussed:
Forming relationships and being memorable on initial meetings
Being open to opportunities that are presented to you
Looking after your wider identity
Prevalence of overuse injuries in dance and implementing proactive prevention
2024-01-1552 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastClinical sport psychologist with more than 15 years of experience | Dr. Hillary CauthenToday we welcome clinical sport psychologist, Dr. Hillary Cauthen, to the podcast.
Topics discussed:
Why clinical sport psychology?
How the current generation is evolving the way we talk about mental health
Ways we can get athletes to open up about their mental health issues
The six core life skills
How parents can best support their children in their sport participation
How to navigate being both a parent and a coach
Toxicity of sport culture
Dealing with toxic work environments as a p...2024-01-0842 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 73 | Seth PepperToday we welcome high-performance mental skills coach, Seth Pepper, to the podcast.
Topics Discussed:
Gratitude
Pattern recognition
Human being vs human doing
Pressure
Curiosity
Self-awareness
Unlimited potential
Identity.
2024-01-0153 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 72 | Lauren TorleyToday we welcome England 7s and Harlequins rugby player, Lauren Torley, to the podcast.
Topics discussed:
Importance of process and performance goals
Her first Commonwealth Games
Backing herself and super strengths
Use of self-talk and reflection
Preparing for the 2024 Olympics and being part of Team GB
Learning from teammates
Post-game blues and shifting focus
Stress response to pressure and communicating with others
Social media comments
Importance of self-care
2023-12-1846 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 71 | Life of a Professional Polo Player | Kristina KarailievaToday we welcome professional polo player, Kristina Karailieva, to the podcast.
✅Topics discussed:
❓What is Polo?
👫Team dynamics
🐎Working with horses
🧠Mental skills & mental demands
🙋♀️Female stigma
🏇The polo handicap system
😓Work-life balance
💡Qualities of a good polo player
🤕Coping with injuries
🧠 A need for sport psychology in polo
2023-12-1149 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 70 | Darcy BourneToday we welcome English field hockey player and co-founder of ‘Beyond Our Game’, Darcy Bourne, to the podcast.
✅ Topics discussed:
💪The Beyond Our Game initiative
❌Racism in sport
🏅Paris 2024
🤕Coping with injury
🏑The importance of resilience and confidence as a hockey player
🧠The benefits of working with a sport psychologist
🔥Quick fire round
2023-12-0438 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 69 | Tottenham Hotspur as the Women’s First Team Goalkeeper Coach | Ryan HudsonToday we welcome Tottenham Hotspur as the Women’s First Team Goalkeeper Coach
, Ryan Hudson, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ Coaching journey & experience of transitioning to working in the Women’s game and in First Team football
🗣️ Working on defensive set pieces and the psychology behind it
🧤The psychology of penalties & how the role of GKs has evolved
🧠 Mental qualities Adam believe a crucial for a GKs to acquire
💪 Important qualities GK coaches should learn to develop
🔮Future goals and ambitions
2023-03-271h 09
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 68 | Nottingham Forest FC Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach | Adam SkinnerToday we welcome Nottingham Forest FC Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach, Adam Skinner, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ Introduction to coaching journey
🗣️ Constraints-based coaching methodology
🧤The importance on loan spells for young GKs on their development
🧠 Mental qualities Adam believe a crucial for a GKs to acquire
💪 Important qualities GK coaches should learn to develop
🤝 Importance of setting boundaries as a GK coach and how to navigate the natural closeness GK coaches have with their players due to training being in smaller groups
🧠 Experience working wi...2023-03-2049 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 67 | Final Form Pro Valorant Player & Rocket League Coach | Papicam & LUCToday we welcome, Papicam (Valorant Pro) and Luc (Rocket League coach) from Final Form, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🎮 Introduction to Papicam & Luc
💫 Esport Inspirations
👨👦👦 The role their parents had in their respective esport careers
📆 Typical day as an esport player & coach
🧠 Mental qualities to have as a pro Valorant player & Rocket League coach
🫂 What they value from a teammates & players
🔌 How they disconnect from esport
Intro music - anwbeats
2023-02-151h 00
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 66 | Professional League of Legends Player | Mike ‘’Furuy’’ WilsToday we welcome Professional League of Legends Player, Mike ‘’Furuy’’ Wils, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
📆 Daily life of a professional LoL player
🏋️♂️Transformation journey an losing 20kg
💪 How exercise supported his mental & physical health & well-being
🧠 Some mental challenges he has experienced in & outside of LoL
⌛️The realities of the off-season period & the stress it can cause
🗣 What organisations’ recruitment process looks like
🎮 Tips for young aspiring LoL players
Intro music - anwbeats
2023-01-301h 12
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 65 | Competitive Call of Duty Expert | ConnyToday we welcome professional esport host, Conor "Conny" Albery , to the podcast
✅Topics:
🎮 Experience playing competitive COD during his teenage years
🗣 Experience as a coach & the mental qualities he believes a crucial to be a top coach
🏆 The culture of trash talking in CoD - the good the bad
🧠 Mental qualities to have as a competitive successful CoD player
👾 Qualities required for different game modes
🧑🤝🧑 Benefits of having a long lasting roster
😓 Scump and the impact his retirement will have on the scene
Intro mu2023-01-231h 02
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 64 | Fnatic’s LoL Team Manager | Chris ÖsterreicherToday we welcome Fnatic’s LoL Team Manager, Chris Österreicher, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🏎 Chris’ previous experience working in the F1
🗂 What are the key roles & responsibilities of a manager in esports?
💪 Some challenges & demands an esport manager can experience
🧠 Chris’ thoughts on psychology support for esports players & staff
🗣Importance of interpersonal skills for the role of manager
🔮Future goals & ambitions with Fnatic
Intro music - anwbeats
2023-01-151h 07
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 63 | Leading the LoL Esport Coaching Scene in Brazil | Luis ’’Piroxz’’ ChavezToday we welcome League of Legends Head Coach, Luis ''Piroxz'' Chavez , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🇧🇷 Perception of esports in Brazil & growth in popularity of LoL in the country
🎮 Importance of communicating & expressing thoughts or concerns to players & org leaders
🗣Importance for esports org leaders to be more present & supportive to its players & coaches
🧠 How coaches manage the off-season period & financial uncertainties
👤 How religion has impacted Luis’ life & career
Intro music - anwbeats
2023-01-091h 02
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 62 | From R6 Analyst to Head Coach | Loic ”Eden” SennepinToday we welcome R6 Head Coach , Loic "Eden" Sennepin , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
📈Types of roles and responsibilities an esport analyst undertakes
🔃 Challenges when transitioning from being an analyst to a head coach
🧠 Importance of helping his players developing as humans too (develop crucial life skills)
♟How he approaches the 45 sec tactical break during competitions
📚 Contribution to developing esport course in Bordeaux, France
🏋️♀️ How Loïc disconnects from esports
🔮 Future goals and ambitions with MNM Gaming
Intro music - anwbeats
2023-01-021h 08
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 61 | Leading LoL Esport Coaching in Brazil Region | Gabriel ”Halier” GarciaToday we welcome League of Legends Head Coach, Gabriel "Halier" Garcia , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ Skills learned in traditional sports applicable to LoL coaching role
♻️ Coaching process when joining a new team
🧠 Importance of have different communication and leadership styles as a coach
🗣Importance of being adaptable as a coach and player in esport
🎮 How having bigger rosters in LoL may be beneficial for player longevity
🙌🏼 Importance for esports coaches to take time to develop their craft
🔮 Future goals and ambitions of wanting to develo...2022-12-261h 12
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 60 | Being a Top LoL Head Coach at 21 | James ”Torok” ThomsenToday we welcome League of Legends Head Coach, James "Torok" Thomsen , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🎮 What aspect he loves about coaching
🙌🏼 Esport coaching being a potential career avenue
📚 What type of support is needed for esport coaches
🗣 James’ approach to coaching (structure, input)
🦾 How he coped with regularly changing teams as a coach
🧠 What mental qualities he seeks in a player
📕What he thinks makes a great LoL coach
🔮 Future goals and ambitions
Intro music - anwbeats
2022-12-191h 00
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 59 | The Journey of a Professional CS:GO player | Haris ”H4RR3” HadžićToday we welcome professional CS:GO player, Haris "H4RR3" Hadžić , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🎮 How he got into esports
📑Insight on the issues surrounding contracts in esports
♻️ Adapting to frequent roster changes
🧠 Mental demands of competing in Professional CS:GO
🗣 How he best prepares for competition and the importance of self-reflection
🔮 Future goals and ambitions
Intro music - anwbeats
2022-12-0557 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 58 | From educator to professional Rocket League head coach | James ‘’Jimmah’’ ForshawToday we welcome professional Rocket League head coach, James ‘’Jimmah’’ Forshaw , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
👦 Jimmah’s background & how he got into esports coaching
🚙 Typical daily roles and responsibilities of a Rocket League Head Coach
🧠 Jimmah’s coaching philosophy
📚 How important his tertiary education has helped him his approach as a coach
🎮 Whether roster changes are helpful or unhelpful
🗣 Some psychological demands an esports coach endures
🧘♂️How he disconnects from esports and coaching
Intro music - anwbeats
2022-11-141h 17
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 57 | Professional CS:GO head coach for Team Endpoint | Allan ‘’Rejin’’ PetersenToday we welcome professional CS:GO head coach, Allan ‘’Rejin’’ Petersen , to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🇩🇰 How Allan got into esports
🎮 Journey as a player and becoming coach
🗣 Coaching approach and philosophy
🧠 Psychological demands of being a CS:GO head coach
🌎 Challenges of coaching teams comprising of multiple nationalities
👦 Qualities he looks for in players when recruiting
🔮 Future goals and ambitions
Intro music - anwbeats
2022-10-3155 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 56 | Professional CS:GO player for CLG Red | GooseBreederToday we welcome, Mounira ‘’GooseBreeder’’ Dobie, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🎮 Mounira’s background, how she got into esports & competing professionally in CS:GO
🔴 Experience competing for Dignitas & CLG Red
💪 Psychological demands of being a professional CS:GO player
🗣 Problems of toxicity in esports and the discrimination of women players in the scene
⚙️ Mounira’s pre-performance routine before training/competition
🧠 Some psychological qualities necessary to become a top professional CS:GO player
🔮 Future goals and ambitions
Intro music - anwbeats
2022-10-241h 01
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 55 | Professional eFootball Player for Bayern Esports | Alex AlguacilToday we welcome, Alex Alguacil, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🎮 How Alex got into esports & competing professionally in eFootball
🔴Experience competing for Bayern Esports
💪 Psychological demands of being a professional eFootball player
⚽️ Challenges and hurdles faced so far in Alex’s career as an esports player
🧠 Some psychological qualities necessary to become a top professional eFootball player
🔮 Future goals and ambitions
Intro music - anwbeats
2022-10-171h 06
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 54 | Former Chelsea & West Ham Academy Professional Goalkeeper | Daniel JinaduToday we welcome, Daniel Jinadu, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🇮🇪 Growing up in Ireland & moving to the UK to play football
⚽️ Experiencing getting scouted by Chelsea
🔵 Experience playing at Chelsea’s Academy & the release process at the club
⚒️ Experience playing at West Ham’s Academy & his first experience with a severe injury
🔴 Experience playing at Barnsley & being around the senior setup
🧠 Some psychological qualities Daniel believes are crucial to acquire as a professional goalkeeper & experience working with a sport psychologist
🙌🏼 The work Daniel is doing outside of footb...2022-06-1359 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 53 | Liverpool FC’s Professional Throw-In Coach | Thomas GrønnemarkToday we welcome, Thomas Grønnemark, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🇩🇰 Journey growing up in Denmark & playing football at academy level
🏃♂️ Career as a professional runner
❄️ Competing for Denmark’s bobsleigh team for 4 years
⚽️ Becoming a Professional Throw-In coach & how he built his coach approach & philosophy
🧠 Challenges experienced as a throw-in coach
🌍 Experience working for the Mexican National Team, KAA Gent, Ajax, Atlanta United and many other teams
🔴⚪️ Getting a phone call from Jurgen Klopp to join Liverpool FC
📚 Published books
🔮 Future goals & ambiti2022-06-0658 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 52 | Lead Foundation Phase Coach at Watford Football Club | Rob MorrisToday we welcome, Rob Morris, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ How Rob got into football
🙌🏼 Previous coaching roles
🗣 Coaching philosophy & values
👦 The retention/releasing process at Watford’s Academy
👨👩👦 The important role of parents in Academy player’s development
🏃♂️ Type of support released academies are provided with
🧠 Rob’s thoughts on the importance & future of sport psychology
🔮 Future goals & ambitions
2022-05-301h 13
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 51 | Former Olympic Track Cyclist battling with Endometriosis & Burnout | Kirstie KlingenbergToday we welcome former Olympic track cyclist, Kirstie Klingenberg, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🙌🏼 Background & growing up
🚣♀️ Transition from competing in rowing to track cycling
🇳🇿 Competing for NZ in track cycling at various World and National championships
🧠 Psychological qualities Kirstie believes are crucial to have in order to be a successful track cyclist
🇯🇵 Experience at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
🤕 Experience competing with endometriosis for many years
🗣 Experience coping with burnout prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
🚲 Stigmatization and taboo around periods and high-level sports
◀️ Coping with the retiremen...2022-05-2357 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 50 | Future Belgian Cats Star | Jienke De LeynToday we welcome professional basketball player, Jienke De Leyn, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🏀 How Jienke got into basketball after trying multiple sports such football & athletics
🧒Tips for young basketball players
✨ Importance of being able to self-reflect as an athlete
🇧🇪 Experience playing at @basketnamurcapitale & @vervier-pepinster & playing in the Eurocup as a teen
🦠 Coping with the lockdown period not being able to train or play & being without due to the pandemic
🇨🇭First experience playing abroad at @AKAaura
🇩🇪 Experience playing at @RheinlandLions
🙌🏼 Importanc...2022-05-091h 11
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 49 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Academy Elite Player Development Manager | Darren RyanToday we welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Elite Player Development Manager, Darren Ryan, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ Darren’s journey as a professional footballer
🇬🇧 Insight on the UK football culture when Darren was playing & some challenges he experienced as a player
🗣 His transition into coaching & some important lessons Darren has learned
⚖️ Darren’s coaching philosophy & values
🐺 Insight on his current role at Wolves’ Academy
🧠 Some psychological qualities Darren believes makes a successful coach
👨⚕️ How sport psychologists are integrated within Wolve’s Academy & the importance of a shared formula...2022-04-1857 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 48 | Managing in Belgium and Saudi Arabia | Yannick FerreraToday we welcome Belgian football Manager, Yannick Ferrera, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ Yannick’s journey becoming a football manager
🤔 Insight on the interview process when applying for a managerial role at a club
⚖️ Yannick’s football philosophy and values as a manager
🧠 Some psychological demands a football manager can experience
🐥 Experience leading St-Truiden to promotion & what is required to create a title winning team
🟣 Working as Anderlecht’s Youth Team’s coach, coaching players such as Romelu Lukaku & Charly Musonda
🇸🇦 Working at Al-Fateh FC & adapting to t...2022-04-111h 13
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 47 | Belgian Professional Coach working in China, Lithuania and Dubai | Cederique TullenersToday we welcome Belgian professional UEFA A coach, Cederique Tulleners, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️How Céderique got into coaching
🧠 Psychological qualities Céderique believes are important for coaches to acquire, learn & develop
⚖️Coaching philosophy, style & values
🇨🇳🇱🇹🇦🇪Experience working in China, Lithuania & Dubai and the cultural
difference he experienced when coaching
🗣Psychological demands Céderique experiences as a coach
🌎 How he adapted his approach as a coach in each country when working with players & coaches
🧠 Thoughts on Sport Psychology
🔮Céderique’s goals & ambiti...2022-04-0453 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 46 | CrossFit OG & 4x Times CrossFit Games athlete | Annie SakamotoToday we welcome 4x CrossFit Games athlete, Annie Sakamoto, to the podcast
✅Topics Discussed:
🏋🏻♀️How Annie got into CrossFit being one of the first women to start the sport in 2004
📆 What Annie’s daily & weekly routine as a CrossFit athlete
↗️ The evolution of CrossFit throughout the year
💪🏻Having a CrossFit workout named after her
🧠 Psychological qualities Annie believes are crucial in order to be a successful CrossFit athlete
🗣Annie’s journey as a coach - coaching values & philosophy
🧠 Psychological qualities she believes are required to be a great coach2022-03-2856 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 45 | CrossFit Champion & World Record Holder at 56 | Laurie MeschishnickToday we welcome 9x CrossFit Masters athlete, Laurie Meschishnick, to the podcast 🏋🏻♀️🇨🇦
✅Topics Discussed:
🇨🇦Growing up & how Laurie was introduced to CrossFit
🏋🏻♀️ What made Laurie fall in love with the sport of CrossFit
💪🏻How Laurie has been able to compete & to keep pushing her limits at 56 years old
🧠 Mental demands of being a crossfit athlete & her thoughts on the psychological qualities which make a successful CrossFit athlete
🥇Journey of winning a total of 5 medals at the CrossFit Games thus far
🏆What it was like breaking two World Records at the World Masters Weightlifting Championships in 20...2022-03-211h 01
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 44 | 3x CrossFit Games Athlete | Brandon LuckettToday we welcome 3x CrossFit Games athlete, Brandon Luckett, to the podcast 🇺🇸🏋️
✅ Topics Discussed:
🇺🇸 Childhood & growing up
🤼♂️ Brandon’s wrestling career after having competed at a high-level
🏋️How he got into CrossFit
📆 Insight on Brandon’s daily & weekly routine as a CrossFit athlete
🧠 Mental demands of being a crossfit athlete & his thoughts on the psychological qualities which make a successful CrossFit athlete
♟What competing at the CrossFit Games is like
🤕 Brandon’s experience of competing at. despite having an elbow injury during a CrossFit Games qualifier
🔮Future goals & ambitions
2022-03-131h 11
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 43 | Two-time Olympic Fencer | Laurence HalstedToday we welcome two-time Olympic fencer, Laurence Halsted, to the podcast !
✅Topics Discussed:
🤺 Growing up with parents who were ex-Olympic Fencers
⚔️ Laurence’s rise to success in the sport
🇬🇧Experience of competing at the London 2012 Olympics
🧠Psychological qualities he believes makes a professional fencer
🇧🇷 Experience of competing at the Rio 2016 Olympics
👊🏼 Experience of retiring from fencing
🌎 Laurence’s thoughts on the current Olympic system & what could be done to create a more sustainable one
🇩🇰 Role of being the performance director for the Danish Fencing Federation2022-03-0656 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 42 | Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co’s Sleep Coach | Nick LittlehalesToday we welcome world-renowned sleep coach, Nick Littlehales, to the podcast 💤 !
✅Topics Discussed:
🛏How Nick got into a career as a sleep coach & some of the challenges her experienced at the beginning of his career
⚪️🔴Working with Sir Alex Ferguson & Manchester United, hugely influencing their perception on sleep
🏴 Nick’s work with the England National team at the 2004 Euros
🚴 His work with Team Sky’s cycling team & the minimal gains strategies him & his team implemented to optimise the riders sleep & recovery during the Tour de France
⚽️ Working with Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arse...2022-02-272h 02
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 41 | Ex-Doncaster Rovers Academy Player | Jordy TuckerToday we welcome Australian footballer, Jordy Tucker, to the podcast!
✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️ What it was like moving to the UK from Australia to pursue his dream of becoming a pro-footballer
🔴 Being recruited & signing for Doncaster Rovers & what it was like being a player in a professional football academy set up
🧠 The process of being released from the academy & how he felt & coped psychologically during this difficult period
🇷🇴🇬🇧Experience going on trial at Ludogrets & playing at non-league level in the UK
🇦🇺 Returning to Australia to pursue his professional footb...2022-02-211h 49
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 40 | Wheelchair Fencing No.1 | Piers GilliverToday we welcome, Piers Gilliver, to the podcast 🤺
✅Topic Discussed:
🤺How he got into wheelchair fencing & his rapid rise to success
🇬🇧 Piers’ experience of being a part of the Paralympic Inspiration Programme
🇧🇷 The lead up to the Rio 2016 Paralympics & the Rio experience
🧠The psychology of fencing & his pre-performance routine
⚔️The differences between the Épée & Sabre events
🇯🇵 What it was like winning 🥇,🥈 & 🥉at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
🇬🇧 Piers being appointed as MBE at the start of the 2022 year!
🔮Future goals & ambitions
2022-02-1358 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 39 | Moving to Mexico to Pursue Basketball Dream | Joey HewittToday we welcome Joey Hewitt to the podcast 🏀 !
✅Topics Discussed:
🏀Catch up since we last spoke in Part 1
🇲🇽 Joey’s experience playing high level basketball in Mexico & adapting to the culture & language
🤕 His injury experience whilst playing in Mexico
🧠 Psychological qualities he believes makes a successful basketball player
🏀 Some NBA chat & his thoughts on the Warriors who are currently performing extremely well as a team
2022-02-061h 16
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 38 | 5x Time Paralympic Medalist at 20 Years Old | Isis HoltToday we welcome double Paralympian & 5x time Paralympic medalist, Isis Holt, to the podcast 🇦🇺.! ✅Topics Discussed:
🏃♀️How Isis got into professional sports
🧠Sheds light on her condition (cerebral palsy) & how it affects her sporting performance & daily life
🏆Winning & breaking the world record in her first major competition in Doha (2015)
⏱What it was like to consistently break world records from 2015-2018 (aged 14,15,16)
🗣Why it was important for her to take a break from competing in 2018 for a couple of years to focus on herself & her studies (aged 17)
🇧🇷First Olympic experience in Rio in 2016 & winning 2 silver medals
🇯🇵What...2022-01-0252 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp.37 | Team GB and England Rugby 7s Captain | Tom MitchellToday we welcome professional Rugby 7s Rugby player as well as Team GB and England captain, Tom Mitchell , to the podcast 🏴🇬🇧.
🏉How Tom got into the sport of rugby.
📚 How studying a university degree whilst playing was hugely important for him as it enabled him to develop a wider identity than just that of being a rugby player.
🏉Key differences between Rugby 7s & Rugby Union + the physical & psychological of Rugby 7s players tend to endure.
🤕Tom’s experiences with injury & how he managed to cope with these difficult periods.
🇧🇷What it was like competing at his first Olympics, particularly a...2021-12-191h 28
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp.36 | Arching European Champion & Olympian | Bryony PitmanToday we welcome professional Archer, Bryony Pitman, to the podcast. ✅Topics Discussed:
🏹How Bryony got into Archery & how important her father was in introducing her to the sport (being an ex-professional Team GB Archer himself).
💪🏻Sheds light on the different elements of training a professional archer undertakes on a weekly basis.
👨👧 The dynamics of being coached by her father & how this father-daughter coaching relationship has been so successful.
🥇🥉Bryony then takes us through her exciting 2019 year where she won both Bronze at the World Championships and Gold at the European Games after having successfully qualified for the Tokyo 2...2021-12-131h 02
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp.35 | Great Britain‘s No.1 Shot-Putter | Scott LincolnToday we welcome professional shot-putter, Scott Lincoln, to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
🧱How Scott managed to balance working a full-time job as a bricklayer & his professional career as an athlete.
📆The couple of months leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, being a rollercoaster journey as Scott was initially struggling to find some form until he successfully qualified for the Olympics.
🧠Scott’s experience of working with a sport psychologist & how helpful it has been for him to remain calm & perform optimally during competitions.
😍His first Olympic experience & how he best prepared himself for this major event....2021-12-051h 08
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 34 | England Futsal Captain - Raoni MedinaToday we welcome professional Futsal player and England captain, Raoni Medina, to the podcast. ✅Topics Discussed:
🇵🇹Experience of sharing the pitch with Ricardo Quaresma & Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting Lisbon’s academy.
🏴 Raoni's arrival in England where he decided to pursue a futsal career & the FA wanted him to play for England but couldn’t as he did not yet have a British passport.
🏴Coping with the criticisms about him representing & captaining England despite not being born here.
🗣How he was as a captain & how he managed to get the best out of the team.
🧠Techniques he used before games to prepare mentally...2021-12-011h 53
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 34 | England Futsal Captain - Raoni MedinaToday we welcome professional Futsal player and England captain, Raoni Medina, to the podcast. Raoni takes us through what it what like growing up in Brazil and the challenges of moving to Portugal at a young age to pursue his dream of becoming a professional football player. Raoni got selected to play at Sporting Lisbon's academy, sharing the pitch with the likes of Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo, however, found that experience very challenging. Because he was not from Portugal, Raoni had a hard time to get along with his teammates and coaches who, as he mentioned, bullied him...2021-11-281h 53
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 33 | Working with Nasri, Kompany, Chadli, Doku, Saelemaekers and Co - Glenn VercauterenToday we welcome sports physiotherapist, Glenn Vercauteren, to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
🗣Glenn’s journey & what it was like growing being the son of Belgian ex-pro footballer/manager, Franky Vercauteren.
🇷🇺His experience working at FCKS Samara & the numerous cultural differences to he encountered.
🇧🇪Working at Royal Union St-Gilloise where his role at the club went far beyond providing physiotherapy services & due to him having his UEFA coaching B license, he was able to support the coaching staff too.
🟣Working at RSC Anderlcht with players such as Samir Nasri, Nacer Chadli, Alexis Salemaekers, Adrien Trebel & Jeremy Doku.
🧠Exp...2021-11-211h 55
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 32 | Road to Paris 2024 Olympics - Claire OrcelToday we welcome professional Belgian high jumper, Claire Orcel, to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
🏃♀️How Claire got into high jump.
🗣How important her coach, Thierry Briquemont, has been in shaping her as an athlete & as a person, having been there since the very beginning.
🏆Claire’s experience of achieving her PB of 1.94m.
😓Her disappointment for not making it at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics, missing out by 1 place.
🧘♀️Her opinions on the most important psychological qualities she believes make a successful high jumper as well as some psychological techniques she uses prior to competition.
🧠The type of w...2021-11-141h 02
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 31 | Future Boxing Sensation - Macauley OwenToday we welcome professional boxer Macauley Owen to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
🥊How Macauley was introduced to boxing & how he used the sport to channel the anger & energy he had when he was younger.
🎓What it was like being a student athlete after having been granted a scholarship from Coventry University.
💪🏻The challenges of balancing university & boxing throughout his degrees.
🦠 How he managed to cope mentally with the pandemic which paused his progression to reach the pro scene & how he used it to improve as an athlete.
🏆 What it was like competing in his first profession...2021-11-081h 22
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 30 | Assistant Head of Coaching (U8s-U12s) at Premier League club - Paul BarryToday we welcome ex-Arsenal & Watford Youth Foundation Phase coach and current Assistant Head of Coaching (U8s-U12s) at Crystal Palace, Paul Barry to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
🗣Paul’s journey of becoming a Premier League team youth coach
⚽️How becoming a parent has hugely impacted the way Paul coaches and to better understand how young people think and behave when in certain situations.
👦Paul then talks about the importance of helping young players develop a growth mindset through his coaching
⚖️Paul’s coaching philosophy and some values he strongly adheres to
👨👦The important role parents have...2021-11-021h 36
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 30 | Assistant Head of Coaching (U8s-U12s) at Premier League club - Paul BarryToday we welcome ex-Arsenal & Watford Youth Foundation Phase coach and current Assistant Head of Coaching (U8s-U12s) at Crystal Palace, Paul Barry to the podcast. We begin the podcast by talking about Paul's journey up to now, having coached for over 20 years at various levels. We then talk about our different experiences we've all had as coaches and the challenges of coaching younger football players. Paul shares with us that becoming a parent has hugely impacted the way he coaches and to better understand how young people think and behave when in certain situations. Paul then talks about...2021-10-311h 36
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 30 | Premier League Foundation Phase Coach -Paul BarryToday we welcome ex-Arsenal & Watford Youth Foundation Phase coach and current Crystal Palace u8s/u12s assistant coach, Paul Barry to the podcast. We begin the podcast by talking about Paul's journey up to now, having coached for over 20 years at various levels. We then talk about our different experiences we've all had as coaches and the challenges of coaching younger football players. Paul shares with us that becoming a parent has hugely impacted the way he coaches and to better understand how young people think and behave when in certain situations. Paul then talks about the importance...2021-10-311h 36
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 29 | Double Paralympic Champion at 21 years old - Laurens DevosToday we welcome Belgian professional table tennis player and 2X Paralympic Champion, Laurens Devos, to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
💪🏻 Laurens’ struggle of being taken seriously by his sport school as they did not see the value he would bring, being so young & due to his disability.
🌍His experience competing at the Rio Paralympics in 2016 at just 16 years old & winning gold.
🗣How he coped with the pressure of defending his title at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
🧠How he best prepares mentally before competition & how he resets mentally between points on the court.
2021-10-2439 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 28 | Britain‘s Next 800m Talent - Keely HodginksonToday we welcome 800m runner and Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist, Keely Hodgkinson, to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
👧Keely's background and introduction to track & field despite being a talented swimmer.
🏥Her experience stepping away from sports for months after getting surgery to remove a tumour in her ear and due to injury.
🥈Keely’s first Olympic experience after having competed at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics winning a silver medal at 19 years old.
🧠 Psychological qualities she believes are crucial which make a successful 800m runner.
😃 How she developed her growth mindset and remains calm in important moments a...2021-10-1748 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 27 | A Belgian Idol - Kevin BorléeToday we welcome 4x time Olympian and Belgian 400m runner, Kevin Borlée, to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
🏃♂️How he got involved in athletics and what it is like being coached by his father.
👦👦What it was like competing alongside his twin brother and siblings & how their healthy rivalry has helped him become the athlete he is today.
🇺🇸Kevin’s experience moving to America to compete for Florida State University.
🤯His experience of competing at his first Olympics (Beijing, 2008), how he mentally coped with the stress of being at his first Games races.
🧠Kevin’s experience working with...2021-10-101h 06
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 26 | Youngest MLS Coach & D.C. United Manager - Hernán LosadaToday we welcome D.C. United's Head Coach, Hernán Losada. Hernán is currently the youngest manager in the MLS. We begin the episode by speaking about Hernàn’s beginnings and how he fell in love with the sport of football (or should I say, ‘’soccer’’). Hernán then shares with us his story of how he made it through the ranks and dropped out of university to pursue his ambitions of becoming a professional footballer. After impressing scouts in Europe, Hernán packed his bags to leave South America and quickly found himself playing professionally in Belgium. We the...2021-10-031h 00
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 25 | KRC Genk Youth Talent Develop - Prince MusomboToday we welcome KRC Genk's Youth Talent Developer, Prince Musombo.✅Topics Discussed:
⚽️Career of being a professional footballer, playing in various teams in Belgium (e.g., KV Mechelen, WhiteStar, Lierse SK) before moving to the UK to pursue his dream
👥 Signing for Barnet FC & being managed by Edgar Davids
🚑 Career & life changing experience after having collapsed during a cup match which causing Prince to prematurely retire due to health concerns & transitioned to coaching.
🔵 Journey of becoming a coach & about his current role at one of Belgium’s best football academies, KRC Genk.
🧠Prince’s role which revolves...2021-09-281h 25
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 24 | Funniest 400m Sprinter | Martyn RooneyToday we welcome 400m sprinter & triple Olympian, Martyn Rooney to the podcast.✅Topics Discussed:
📈Martyn’s rapid rise in the world of professional athletics despite being still young.
🇨🇳His experience competing at his first Olympics in Beijing.
😅Some funny anecdotes about his experience at the different Olympics regarding Usain Bolt, Rapha Nadal and Ronaldinho.
🧠Psychological qualities Martyn believes are the most important which make a successful 400m sprinter.
🇬🇧Competing at the London 2012 Olympics in front of a home crowd & the pressures that come with it.
2021-09-121h 18
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 23 | Leicester City Youth Assistant Coach | Stephen KirbyToday we welcome Leicester City’s FC U18s Assistant Coach, Stephen Kirby, to the podcast. ✅Topics Discussed:
🏟Stephen’s coaching philosophy and style and what is it like being able to work at LCFC’s brand new training ground.
⚽️Psychological attributes and qualities he looks for as a coach in academy football players.
🧠 Stephen’s experience, as a coach, of working with a sport psychologist.
🏴His thoughts on England’s Euro performance.
2021-09-051h 30
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 22 | Olympic Bronze Medalist | Marilyn OkoroToday we welcome double Olympian athlete, Marilyn Okoro, to the podcast. Marilyn takes us through where it all started and explains to us how she ended up in track and field. We then talk about Marilyn’s experiences competing at her first ever Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and what it was like being awarded a bronze medal nearly a decade later for the 4x400m event due to other teams being disqualified. This lead us to talk about issues related to doping in athletics and the adverse repercussions this can have for the honest and clean athletes such as...2021-08-291h 19
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 21 | Paralympic Bronze Medalist | Jack Hunter-SpiveyHello everyone, today we welcome professional table tennis player and Paralympian, Jack Hunter-Spivey to the podcast who is set to compete this week at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics! ✅Topics Discussed:
🏓Growing up with cerebral palsy & how he fell in love with the sport of table tennis. 🗣Encounter with Tony Edge who taught Jack to love his disability, he was determined to make it at the highest level.
🙌🏼Jack’s progression rapidly through the ranks & having just missed a chance to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics.
🧠Experience of suffering from depression, something Jack is extremely vocal about & hopes to inspire ot...2021-08-2257 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 20 | Belgium Record Goal Scorer | Tessa WullaertHi guys, today we have a huge episode for you as we welcome Tessa Wullaert to the podcast!
⚽️ Tessa’s journey in becoming Belgium’s all-time top scorer & captain.
🌎 Playing in different European countries; Wolfsburg, Manchester City & Anderlecht.
⚽️Adapting to the different styles of football and cultures
🧠Coping with social media abuse, not starting games, being a captain, and low confidence as a striker.
👧 Ambitions after football being the founder of @grlpwr.by.tw where she coaches young girls in football camps providing them with a space allowing them to express themselves freely and empowering them to pu...2021-08-1559 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 19 | Professional Wheelchair Tennis Player | James ShawIn today’s episode, we welcome professional wheelchair tennis player, James Shaw, to the podcast.
🎾How James got into playing wheelchair tennis & how he managed to reach the highest level.
📚James’ decision of quitting his university studies to solely focus on his tennis career.
✈️What it is like to travel the world & compete in different countries & the mental demands that come with this.
🧠Psychological strategies he uses regularly before & whilst competing on the court in order to perform optimally.
🗣Experience of working with different sport psychologists, one of which was ex- GB wheel chair tennis psychol...2021-08-0856 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 18 | Olympic Bronze Medalist | James AustinHi guys! Today we welcome english judoka, James Austin, to the podcast.
🥋How James got into Judo & how he went through the ranks, to then competing at the highest stage at the London 2012 Olympics .
🧠What circumstances he experienced stress & pressure when competing & how he went about overcoming this in order to focus on the task at hand; winning the bout.
🤕James experience with injury, where he shares with us how he managed to mentally overcome these difficult periods as these were an important factor as to why he retired.
⭐️Plans after his fantastic career being the host...2021-08-011h 19
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 17 | 2x Olympian & European Champion | Andreas VazaiosToday we welcome Olympian Andreas Vazaios. Andreas has represented Greece in the London 2012 & Rio 2016 Olympics & in many other major european & international events.
🌱The growth mindset he has learned to develop, helping him cope with the pressures of competing for & representing his country during the OLY Games 🇬🇷
😄The importance for him to have fun when competing
🧠 Andreas’ current “mental weaknesses” he is working on which are appreciating the moment more when competing & learning to love himself & his accomplishments
📚Balancing the demands of studying & being an OLY athlete
🇺🇸His experience of competing in the NCAA
🧠His ambitions of wanting...2021-06-2858 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 16 | Italian Professional High Jumper | Alessia TrostCiao everybody! Today we're going international by welcoming Alessia Trost to the podcast!
🌎Experience of consistently representing Italy at major events such as european & world championships & has also competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
🏃♀️How Alessia got into high jump, her biggest inspirations, the struggles of balancing university studies with a professional athletics career.
🗣The relationship she had with her coach, Gianfranco Chessa, describing him as being a father figure 🙌🏼.
🧠Alessia's HUGELY famous pre-performance routine, which she has used for years and years now whilst competing.
🍕🍝Alessia's plans for after her athletic career & her experience studying a Food Tec2021-06-2047 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 15 | Former Team Canada Snowboarder | Natalie AllportToday we welcome Natalie Allport to the podcast. Natalie is an athlete, entrepreneur and former team Canada snowboarder!
🇨🇦How she got into competing in snowboarding, the dangers of the sport & the reasons why she pre-maturely retired.
🤕Experience of suffering from with various injuries & her difficulties to overcome this re-injury fear when returning.
😕The difficulties of her transition to retirement.
🏋️♂️Passion for CrossFit & competing in various competitions around the world.
2021-06-131h 24
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 14 | Catch up Episode!WE. ARE. BACK. After weeks of grinding on university assignments, we are back with a FRESH episode! In this episode, we simply just take the time to catch up and talk about what has been going on in each other's life lately. We also talk about what type of sport psychologists we'd like to be in the future and what philosophy we resonate the most with for the moment (spoiler, we're the complete opposite). We then go onto discuss the topic of our research projects that we're super excited to work on over the summer and through which we...2021-06-0748 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 13 | Joey HewittHello guys! Today we are welcoming Joey Hewitt to the podcast. Joey is a basketball players who’s played high level basketball back in the States being one of the most decorated alumni to graduate from Whitman College. He decided to pursue his basketball career playing in Australia, however, due to the arrival of COVID, his basketball season was ended pre-maturely. He has since moved to the UK to finish his studies by undertaking a Master’s degree at Loughborough University. In this episode we talk about Joey’s journey, his early encounter and practice of sport psychology helping him no...2021-05-231h 19
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 12 | GB High Jump Talent | Emily BorthwickHello everyone! Today we welcome our 5th guest to the podcast, Emily Borthwick. Emily is a professional GB high jumper and is currently 8th in Europe.
💎Emily’s thoughts on competing in her first diamond league in the coming weeks.
😍What it was like to achieve her PB on her final attempt in her first European Championships.
🧠The importance of having a flexible athletic identity and having other interests outside of sport.
💪🏻What it is like being a self-funded athlete and the challenges that come with it.
👥Emily’s mission in attempting to reduce the gender gap i...2021-05-161h 13
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 11 | Former Man Utd Academy Player | Kenji GorréToday we welcome our 4th guest to the podcast who is professional footballer Kenji Gorré.
🔴What it was like to be told by Sir Alex Ferguson that he would be released from Manchester United's Academy at the age of 18 after having spent 11 years at the club.
⚽️How he bounced back & of transitional issues & the importance of identity in professional football. Kenji encourages pro footballers to widen their identity as much as possible for the reasons explained in the episode.
🌱Kenji's battle with gambling addiction & what made him overcome this difficult period of his career & life.
🗣Being...2021-05-091h 27
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 10 | 3x Olympian & Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medalist - Holly BradshawWOW what an episode! Today we welcome pole vaulting Olympian, Holly Bradshaw to the podcast. Holly is the current British record holder in the event indoors and outdoors and has competed at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Holly is currently training for the upcoming Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games whilst finishing off her MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University. This episode was packed with super interesting topics where Holly shared her experience of being a professional athlete. Holly shed some light on the sometimes negative aspects of the (social) media, how she got into pole vaulting...2021-05-021h 31
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 9 | Charles MillerHi guys, in today's episode we welcome our second guest to the podcast; Charles Miller from Montreal, Canada. Charles has competed at the highest level of basketball in the United States, Canada and in the UK. In this episode we talk about Charles' journey as a basketball player competing at D2 level, the effects of social media on sports performance, his experience with sports injuries, what it is like competing in the UK and about his journey of becoming an accredited mental performance consultant. We can honestly say he is one of the most friendliest and approachable person we've...2021-04-251h 45
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 8 | Self-Control in SportHi guys, just wanted to start off by saying that this was one of the best podcast episode we've recorded yet, we just had a blast honesty! But today's topic is about self-control which is quite an uncommon topic in sport psychology. We discussed what self control is, the ways in which people can fail at self-control in every day life and in sport. We then go onto talk about a proposed theory which suggests that our self-control abilities can deplete over time. We finish the episode off by discussing some strategies researchers have suggested which could help improve...2021-04-2050 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 7 | Working Hard to Being the Player I Once WasToday's episode is an exciting one as we welcome our first guest to the podcast. Seb is from Belgium but has Irish origins and has played rugby union pretty much all his life. He has represented his country at youth level and plays in one of the best teams in Belgium (ASUB). Despite his experience with injury putting a hold to his career and, therefore his progression to potentially making it to the next level, he finds great interest in sharing his knowledge of the game through coaching. He is currently in the process of fully recovering from his...2021-04-111h 15
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 6 | The Psychological Impact of Getting ReleasedHi guys, we're super excited to share this episode with you! It's a topic we both really enjoy and is something which we believe is crucial to talk and raise awareness about. More and more stories are coming out in the media and in research about young footballers' negative experiences upon getting released from their respective academies. If this transition is negative it can lead to numerous psychological distress which in turn can have numerous negative impact on their health and wellbeing. However, being released is not always negative and athletes can experience a positive transition. We also discuss...2021-04-0449 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 5 | How to Be Motivated in Sport?Today Oliver and I discuss the important role motivation plays in our every day lives and in sport. Previous initiatives have been developed in order to help people become more physically active to lower the rates of health problems around the world. However, these fail to account for the complexity of behaviour change and what we now know about human psychology. Motivating people to exercise is more complicated than we think and rightly so! Hope you enjoy this one!
2021-03-2834 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 4 | Mindset in SportIn today's episode we talk about the importance of mindset. Although what we talk about is extremely useful for coaches and parents, athletes can also benefit from listening to what we talk about and of the importance of adopting a GROWTH MINDSET in sports!
2021-03-2239 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp. 3 | Psychological Impact of Sports InjuriesIn this episode we talk about the often forgotten and neglected psychological repercussions sports injuries can induce. We often acknowledge the physical challenges one can face when injured but the psychological harm it can cause can be detrimental. We talk about the different psychological responses athletes and exercisers may experience when injured, why people respond in these ways and suggest a couple of strategies to help people cope with their injuries. For more information about the topic, head over to our website to read Jon's blog.
2021-03-1544 min
Mastering the Mind PodcastEp.2 | Stress & Anxiety in SportToday we break down how stress and anxiety effects athletes and coaches in sport and some misconceptions about these two concepts. We also discuss a few strategies athletes can implement with the initial support of a sport psychologists that they can eventually utilise independently once comfortable and familiar with these. For more information about the topic, head over to our website to read Oliver's blog.
2021-03-0940 min