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

In this episode Head of Women's Psychology at the Football Association Dr. Kate Hays joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss life with the Lionesses and supporting and inspiring young girls to a life in sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Memories of last Summers success with the Lionesses Creating a bubble around athletes at high profile events to help them focus on performance Creating safe spaces for athletes to process success, manage the aftermath of highly emotional events and helping to support the resetting of new goals to move forward The power of sport to in ..read more

In this episode author and world-renowned performance expert Steve Magness joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'Do Hard Things', his latest book, which takes a deep dive into real toughness and how we can get resilience so very wrong. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The motivation for writing‘Do Hard Things’  Defining 'resilience' and what it actually means and looks like in reality Dealing with the reality of the 'struggle' and embracing it Helping our children develop a toolbox to navigate the inevitable obstacles and challenges they will encounter during the ..read more

In this episode Stuart Lancaster joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss sports parenting, working with and engaging parents early in the process and creating great sporting environments for young people. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: His new role at Racing 92 announced just hours before the podcast was recorded A coaching career that encompassed so many different roles across different age groups and different levels Club rugby on a Sunday morning and helping develop coaches whilst supporting parents to support effectively Recognising that a lot of parents are hungry ..read more

In this episode Dr Amy Whitehead and Jenny Coe join Gordon MacLelland to discuss some of the myths of coaching in the sporting world and what it means for us as parents in trying to navigate the experience of youth sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Their motivations for editing and putting together 'The Myths of Sports Coaching' How myths come about and gain momentum The 10,000 hour myth Finding the balance between science and the craft of coaching The dangers of copying and pasting coaching content from social media Not putting all parents into the same catego ..read more

In this episode director of coaching and performance at Setanta College Des Ryan joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss  strength and conditioning for young athletes, how we can best support our children and dispels a few myths along the way. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The strength and conditioning minefield for parents of young athletes The importance of regular activity (structured and unstructured) Early specialisation and a wider understanding of the debate Being aware and managing training routines alongside growth spurts Stories of great practise and ou ..read more

In this episode author, head of mentoring at the True Athlete Project and Olympian Laurence Halsted joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss the True Athlete Project, it's philosophy and where sport currently fits in society. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: 'The True Athlete Project' and it's philosophy What it was like for Laurence growing up in a house of Olympians Laurences' motivations for writing 'Becoming a True Athlete' Ethics in elite sport Having a 'human first, athlete second' approach and how this does not need to compromise performance Using sport to as a veh ..read more

In this episode former Great Britain and England hockey coach Danny Kerry MBE joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss high performance sport, creating amazing cultures and sports parenting. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Danny's fondest memories of professional sport Creating a values based culture based on behaviours and actions The importance of 'Psychologically Safe' environments Having a clear vision of the aims of our children's sporting programmes  The importance of equipping our children with a range of character and life skills along the sporting journey Be ..read more

In this episode speaker, author and award winning educator Dr Jennifer Fraser joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss neuroscience,  what we know now,  what the research shows us and discuss what this means for sporting organisations, coaches and parents. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The ability to evolve, train and rewire our brain Tom Brady and his use of brain training Resilience and how eliminating threat can help develop this sought after skill The importance of healthy and effective environments Jennifer's new book 'The Bullied Brain' The value in par ..read more

In this episode Clinical Psychologist, Emotional Fitness Consultant, speaker and author Dr Suzanne Brown joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss managing injury and recovery and how can we best support as parents at what can be a really challenging time for everyone. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The challenge of injuries for parents and children Managing our own emotions and behaviours around our child's injury Trying to reframe our mindset to see it as a positive opportunity Working collaboratively with our children and their clubs and coaches to create the best envi ..read more