In this episode Michelin starred chef and sports parent Tom Kitchin joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss high performance and sports parenting. Tom has lived experience as a parent going through the football academy journey and it was great to discuss how his own working life in high performance has influenced his ongoing approach with his four children. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The realities and complexities of being a sport parent Keeping as balanced as possible in our approach throughout the ups and downs of the journey The importance of parental role modell ..read more

In this episode author and sports parent Catherine Baker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss being a sports parent and the complexities of the role based on her experiences of parenting three sporting children, one of whom is currently involved in professional rugby. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The realities of being a sports parent Learning on the job and navigating the role of a sports parent Thinking about our communication, our language and the messages we give our children Reinforcing hard work and effort Working alongside our own children's goals and motiva ..read more

In this episode author and founder of 'The Changing the Game Project' joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss being a champion teammate, what that actually means and how we as parents can support our children to fulfil this role. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The importance of being a teammate in life, not just in sport How we all need to learn to connect, compete and lead Making the choice to be a 'Champion Teammate' Recognising the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and those around you 'What can I give' as opposed to 'what can I get' in a society that promotes the ..read more

In this episode educational consultant, coach and parent Larissa Mills joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘Effectively managing social media and setting up positive phone routines with our sporting children’. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Helping our children to develop 'real focus' in today's tech world Working on creating a healthy routine around devices at home How the brain and nervous systems are affected by the use of devices on a physical and mental level Setting phone rules and standards at home and positively role modelling the rules as parents How the r ..read more

In this episode former NFL coach, Captain of GB Women's team and Sky Sports and Talk Sport Broadcaster Phoebe Schecter joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss her varied life in sport, being a strong role model and how parents can support and inspire their daughters on their sporting journey. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Phoebe's experience of coaching in the NFL The importance of trust and humility in any organisation Taking opportunities when doors are opened for you Body image and the importance of young girls having access to the correct equipment and clothing The ..read more

In this episode High Performance Consultant, Sports Physiotherapist and Former International Gymnast Rachel Vickery joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss high performance, character development and empowering self-advocacy in high performing young athletes. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The human stress response The true meaning of High Performance - excellence in craft, character and culture The importance of 'Character Development' Not expecting perfection as a sports parent and having high expectations of the right things The value of intrinsic motivation and the ..read more

In this episode coach and author Reed Maltbie joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss the importance of language and how we as sports parents can help shape powerful and impactful conversations with our children. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Understanding key words and picking the correct moments to have conversations that have the maximum impact The role of language and self-talk in high pressure situations Recognising the power of 'Pause' and not jumping in to solve every challenging moment for our children Positive body language around matches and competition Self ..read more

In this episode author, teacher and consultant James Nottingham joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'The Learning Pit' - understanding how our children learn and what that may mean for us as sports parents. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The fact that we are all capable of improvement and progress Understanding the importance of self-efficacy and helping to develop it with our children Asking great questions and developing our listening skills as sports parents Embracing the reality of disappointment and setbacks Normalising with our children the ups, downs and cha ..read more

In this episode Professor and head of the Lifespan Performance Laboratory at York University, Canada Dr. Joe Baker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'The Tyranny of Talent'- how it limits and compels athletic achievement.....and why you should largely ignore it. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Trying to define talent and our misused application as coaches and parents The challenges of Talent Identification The 'label of talent' and how it can potentially hinder motivation The importance of the role of parents in the sporting system Optimising talent development en ..read more

In this episode sleep expert James Wilson(AKA The Sleep Geek) joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss supporting our children to sleep well for competitive sport. We are all too aware as sports parents of the many challenges that we face when it comes to sleep with our own children. James does a great job in dispelling a few myths and helping us all feel better about the challenges we face as well as giving us a few tips to point us in the right direction. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The importance of quality sleep and embedding it across whole sporting environments ..read more