MindStrong

Brooke Neal is a former Olympic Hockey Player for New Zealand, yoga teacher, wellbeing coach and speaker.Brooke specialises in helping young female athletes in helping them navigate the space of sport as they grow up. Lewis And Brooke talk about how mindfulness, yoga and meditation can play a big part in helping athletes manage their well-being on and off the field that positively impacts their performance. As well as the interesting topic of pain as an athlete, how athletes play through it, need it and can overtraining to overtrain.  Discussed in this episode:Brooke shares her thoughts and emotions when she wrote the letter, Dear Olympian. [3:25]You can be grateful and heartbroken at the exact same time. [7:03]Recognize and be aware of your emotions. [12:00]Elite athletes are conditioned to work through pain. [17:23]To consistently and sustainably perform at a higher level, you must prioritize your well being. [20:46] Lewis and Brooke talk about an injury they both experienced patellar tendinopathy and how yoga helped a lot in their recovery. [23:50]Brooke shares how her being in pain from injury spilled over into her work and personal relationships. [27:05]The mental side of injury is not talked about enough." [29:10]Everyone wants to feel special. We enjoy special treatment. [30:17]We wear our pain like a badge of honor. [30:32]Brooke shares her experience with Reiki healing, when she accidentally fell on her knee 4 days before her flight to the Rio Olympics. [32:59]Coaches should be more open to alternative forms of healing. [35:17]The different kinds of pain you will experience in life and the tools you will learn to manage them. [38:43]Brooke's story and how she got into hockey. [41:04]Brooke describes how she dreamed of getting to the Rio Olympics. [45:11]What makes a good hockey player. [48:14]How Brooke reframes moments of self-doubt. [52:00]I am not my thoughts, and I am so much more than a hockey player. [57:07]What got Brooke into yoga. [59:36]Brooke's practice of balance [1:04:12]Being flexible with and incorporating mindfulness practice in your daily life. [1:07:21]Brooke shares when she started to do meditation before games. [1:10:03]On mindfulness and meditation: "I encourage you to start and make a habit out of it". [1:12:18]What support athletes need and is currently missing. [1:14:05]Brooke's book recommendations. [1:20:40]Find Brooke onInstagramwww.brookeneal.co.nzThis episode is sponsored by Sport Yogi.Available on iOS & AndroidBring Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation for Athletes to your team by signing up to Sport Yogi Teams at sportyogi.com/teamsConnect with Lewis at:Instagram: @lewishatchettFor more on the podcast visit www.lewishatchett.com/podcastContact the show at podcast@lewishatchett.com

Ruby Tui is a Professional Rugby player and Gold Medalist.Lewis and Ruby talk about a range of topics such as Athlete Identity, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Self Belief, Mental Health and so much more.In this episode:How Ruby has been doing lately and the books she's reading through her lockdown. [3:28]Ruby recalls times when she misjudged stories of people she read in books. [7:34]Breaks are as important as the actual performance. [10:41]Mantras and mindfulness practices that Ruby lives by. [12:50]Ruby's upbringing and how she got into Rugby. [17:56]Ruby's role models growing up. [22:14]Having had a troubled upbringing, Ruby share's where her life changed direction for the better. [23:28]The moment she realized she wanted to play professional Rugby with the New Zealand Black Ferns. [26:30]Ruby talks about self-doubt that she had at the start of her professional career. [29:34]Emotions that she felt when she competed in the Rio Olympics. [33:02]Changes she made in her environment that led to her success. [39:03]Ruby's self talk and emotions she felt in the Tokyo Olympics finals. [41:32]The line between humility and competition. [47:34]Values that Ruby holds that builds her identity. [53:51]The legacy Ruby wants to leave. [1:05:56]Ruby's proudest moments. [1:10:26]Negative experiences that Ruby reframed into positive ones. [1:11:52]Be confident in who you are. [1:13:39]Find Ruby onInstagramTwitterThis episode is sponsored by Sport Yogi.Available on iOS & AndroidBring Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation for Athletes to your team by signing up to Sport Yogi Teams at sportyogi.com/teamsConnect with Lewis at:Instagram: @lewishatchettFor more on the podcast visit www.lewishatchett.com/podcastContact the show at podcast@lewishatchett.com

Gemma Burton, Olympic Silver Judoka, shares her experiences in Judo, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of physical education. She also discusses the value of effort in education and the impact of participation awards on personal growth.

Siobhan-Marie O'Connor is an Olympic Silver Medalist & World Champion Swimmer who was forced to retire from her sport at the age of 25 due to health complications caused by Ulcerative Colitis.Siobhan's story is one of how against physical struggle she was able to make it to the top and achieve success. Lewis and Siobhan talk about how she grew up with the condition and how life was before and after the diagnosis, the issues that it causes, competing in the world championships and Olympics at a young age, second chances, self-belief, her amazing relationship with her coach and a brilliant system to track her progress and leave her feeling confident she had done everything that she was able to perform to her best.Siobhan's story is one of triumph against physical challenges which she embodies the belief that if you want something enough you really can achieve it.Find Siobhan on Instagram & TwitterThis episode is sponsored by Sport Yogi.Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation for Athletes available on iOS & AndroidVisit sportyogi.com/join-now to claim your 40% discount using 'raisingyourgame' at checkout.Connect with Lewis at:Instagram: @lewishatchettFor more on the podcast visit www.lewishatchett.com/podcastContact the show at podcast@lewishatchett.com

Riley Day, Australian sprinter, discusses her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, managing nerves and expectations, and looking forward to Paris 2024. They also talk about life in quarantine, commitment to goals, social media's impact on mental health, future plans, and training for speed and injury prevention.

Dale Steyn, a South African Cricketer, talks about his early days, the pressure of being a part of a superstar lineup, separating his personal identity from his on-field persona, and the skills he transferred from other disciplines.

Cath Bishop is a 3-time Olympian, Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion Rower. Following her rowing career she served as a foreign diplomat for over a decade, Cath specialised in conflict issues, with postings to Bosnia and Iraq, as well as stabilising conflicts around the world.Lewis and Cath discuss a range of topics from the Tokyo 2020 games, the value of all medals, what success looks like and the shift society can take away from outcome-focused success.Get Caths Book: The Long Win on AmazonFind Cath on:InstagramTwittercathbishop.comThis episode is sponsored by Sport Yogi.Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation for Athletes available on iOS & AndroidVisit sportyogi.com/join-now to claim your 40% discount using 'raisingyourgame' at checkout.Connect with Lewis at:Instagram: @lewishatchettFor more on the podcast visit www.lewishatchett.com/podcastContact the show at podcast@lewishatchett.com

This podcast discusses the importance of asking questions at all stages of life, emphasizing the courage and vulnerability required. Personal stories highlight the value of seeking guidance and information. The power of asking questions to gain confidence and grow is explored, along with the continuous process of seeking advice and self-improvement. Self-awareness exercises are provided to encourage personal growth.

This podcast explores the benefits of mindfulness in sports, discussing how it can help athletes stay focused, reduce anxiety, and create more awareness. It emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and avoiding distractions, and discusses the use of mindfulness techniques in sports, particularly in golf. The podcast also explores how mindfulness can enhance sports performance by improving focus and reducing distractions.

Lewis talks about the recent news around athletes such as Simone Biles & Ben Stokes taking breaks due to protecting their mental health and how working on your mental health as an athlete, should be a priority. How it can be viewed the same as your physical health and some methods in which to maintain and improve your mental health and strength.This episode is sponsored by Sport Yogi.Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation for Athletes available on iOS & AndroidVisit sportyogi.com/join-now to claim your 40% discount using 'raisingyourgame' at checkout.Connect with Lewis at:Instagram: @lewishatchettFor more on the podcast visit www.lewishatchett.com/podcastContact the show at podcast@lewishatchett.com