All things Flow! Exploring flow states with David Farrokh and Equestrian coach Maddi Burchell.

Flow State is described as being fully immersed and absorbed in an activity in a way that leads to optimal positive states of experience.

In this conversation we cover the background of flow states, including why we would want to seek flow, how it is defined and how it could be measured. The term flow was named by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who identified six factors that encompass an experience of flow.
1. Intense concentration in the moment.
2. Merging of action and awareness.
3. A loss of reflective self-consciousness.
4. A sense of personal control or agency.
5. A change in how time is experienced.
6. Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding.

Among the flow themes of this conversation we discuss:
- The role of intrinsic and extrinsic reward.
- The interaction of perceiving and moving and the link to perception-action coupling.
- Flow in relationships, including horses and competitive sports.
- How humility, trust and curiosity link to the experiences of flow.
- Finding our 'edges' and the importance of adaptive competence.
- Nested anticipation.
- The long term benefits of flow states.
 

More about my guests on this episode.
David Farrokh is a PhD candidate at Sheffield Hallam University (with Prof Keith Davids, Dr Joe Stone, and Dr James Rumbold) researching flow from an ecological dynamics perspective.

Find David on FaceBook and Twitter @bigpicsoccer

Maddi Burchell is a British Dressage and British Horse Society Accredited Coach who trains all levels of horse and rider. She is also a British Dressage Youth Coach and Assessor. 

In 2021, Maddi was given a space on the British Equestrian National Development Programme for Coaching Excellence, which she has successfully completed. Maddie is also a Centre 10 Advanced Coach, holds an applied psychology certificate, and qualifications in both Rider Biomechanics and the correct use of Franklin Balls.

 This means that Maddi can support riders to develop both from a psychological and movement skills perspective. With her friendly, encouraging, and motivational style, Maddi’s has a skill for finding just the right way to coach the rider in front of her! Throughout her career, Maddi has helped riders successfully overcome a whole host of challenges, problems, and confidence. Having been trained by Classical Masters abroad and by Olympic Gold Medallist’s here in the UK, you can be sure you are receiving the very best coaching.

Maddi is on Facebook, and has her own website Maddi Burchell Dressage.