🎙️ Welcome to the Supporting Champions Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Steve Ingham is joined by Professor Graeme Close, a leading expert in sports nutrition and human physiology. From his early days as a professional rugby league player to becoming a trusted advisor for England Rugby, Graeme shares his incredible journey and offers valuable insights into the science behind elite performance. We dive deep into the fundamentals of sports nutrition, the role of mentorship in academic success, and the importance of building relationships with athletes to create tailored nutrition strategies. Graeme discusses key topics such as carbohydrate manipulation, protein intake, and the debate around low-carb high-fat diets, while also exploring the science behind supplements like creatine, beta-alanine, and CBD. 💡 Key Topics Covered: The journey from athlete to academic in sports science Why mentorship matters in the field of sports nutrition Carbohydrate’s critical role in elite performance Understanding and addressing athlete behavior for effective nutrition The importance of protein intake and timing for strength training Individualized nutrition strategies for optimal results Evidence-based insights into supplements like creatine and beta-alanine Emerging trends in sports nutrition, including CBD and functional mushrooms   If you're passionate about sports nutrition, athlete performance, or the science behind optimizing elite athletes, this episode is packed with practical tips and expert insights! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions with experts in sports science and performance. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Graeme Close 06:08 - Inspiring the Next Generation of Sports Scientists 12:10 - Insights from Working with England Rugby 17:56 - Understanding Athlete Behavior and Nutrition 23:53 - Carbohydrate Manipulation in Endurance Sports 30:08 - Implementing Effective Nutrition Strategies 36:06 - Carbohydrate is King: Unpacking the Concept 43:00 - The Debate on Low Carb High Fat Diets 50:57 - The Importance of Individualization in Nutrition 56:54 - Navigating Supplements for Elite Performance 01:14:58 - Emerging Trends in Sports Nutrition Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/ 📖 Read more on Graeme here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-science/sport-and-exercise-sciences/graeme-close https://www.nutritionx.co.uk/panel/professor-graeme-l-close/ #SportsNutrition #EliteAthletes #GraemeClose #PerformanceNutrition #CarbohydrateManipulation #Supplements #EnglandRugby #Creatine #BetaAlanine #CBD #SportsScience #Mentorship

In this discussion with Dr. Sue Jackson, a distinguished psychologist and flow expert, listeners discover the secrets of achieving peak performance through flow states. Sue delves into the balance between challenge and skill, crucial for unlocking potential. She shares practical mindfulness techniques to enhance focus and combat distractions in a noisy world. Additionally, the conversation explores the mastery mindset, emphasizing personal growth over competition and the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to foster fulfillment.

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Dr Ali Sanders, whose journey seamlessly bridges two worlds of extreme performance: Olympic rowing and emergency medicine. Ali’s story is one of grit, adaptability, and relentless dedication. From discovering rowing by chance at university to competing at the Olympic Games, Ali has always embraced high-pressure challenges. She shares how those experiences laid the foundation for her work as a consultant in emergency medicine, particularly in the high-stakes environment of air ambulance services. 🔍 Key Topics We Explore: Ali’s journey from elite sport to a leadership role in healthcare. The mental resilience and focus required for Olympic competition and emergency response. How experiences as an athlete shaped her approach to team dynamics and leadership. The challenges of quick decision-making and preparation in air ambulance services. The importance of developing emotional resilience in high-pressure medical environments. Ali’s mission to create better training and support for the next generation of clinical leaders. Ali brings a unique perspective, combining lessons from sports psychology, leadership, and healthcare, offering insights that anyone working in high-performance or demanding fields can learn from. 🔗 Connect with Dr Ali Sanders: (4) Ali Sanders | LinkedIn 📖 Read about some of Ali's work here: 'You can't go home and not think about it' - BBC News If you enjoy this episode, like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more thought-provoking discussions with leaders and experts across sport, healthcare, and beyond. Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/ #AliSanders #EmergencyMedicine #OlympicRowing #MentalResilience #AirAmbulance #Leadership #TeamDynamics #SportsPsychology #SupportingChampions #Podcast

David Bishop, a prominent exercise physiology researcher at the University of Western Australia, shares his fascinating journey from physical education teacher to expert on muscle metabolism. He dives into how different training intensities affect mitochondrial adaptations, essential for athletic performance. David discusses the delicate balance between training volume and intensity, innovative techniques like blood flow restriction, and the importance of lactate measurements. Plus, get insights into future research directions shaping exercise science.

Troy Taylor, Senior Director of Performance Innovation at Tonal and former High-Performance Director for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, shares his expertise in strength training and sports technology. He discusses the importance of adapting coaching strategies and fostering collaboration among athletes. Troy highlights the revolutionary Tonal system, emphasizing data-driven insights for personalized training. He also explores the analytics of resistance training and the potential gains for different demographics, particularly older adults, showcasing how technology is reshaping athletic performance.

Today I’m delighted to welcome a legend in the world of sports psychology, Chris Shambrook. With over two decades of experience in high-performance psychology, Chris has worked with elite athletes, including the GB Rowing Team, where he’s been pivotal in helping athletes achieve their peak performance on the world stage. In this episode, we dive into Chris’s unique approaches to mental resilience, the subtle art of supporting champions through their highs and lows, and the practical tools he uses to help athletes maximize their potential. We explore how the mind can be a tool for excellence, rather than a barrier, and dig into Chris’s insights on the traits and habits of truly successful athletes. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports psychologist, or just fascinated by the psychology behind elite performance, this conversation will offer valuable perspectives to elevate your own journey.   Find more on Chris' current work here: https://www.planetk2.com/team/chris-shambrook/   Keep up with Chris via Social Media here: https://www.instagram.com/drchrisshambrook/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisshambrook/   Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into the world of sports performance and support! #sports #psychology #business

This week, I’m thrilled to have the brilliant Dr. Shona Halson join me. Shona is an expert in athlete recovery and a former Senior Physiologist at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where she spent over 15 years researching and shaping the field of athlete recovery. She has worked with elite athletes, including the Australian Olympic team, to optimize their performance through evidence-based recovery strategies. In this episode, we dive deep into the science of recovery—what actually works, the myths that still exist, and how the elite get it right (or wrong). Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports science enthusiast, you'll want to hear Shona’s insights on sleep, fatigue management, and recovery technologies that are reshaping the way athletes train and perform. Join us as we explore the crucial role recovery plays in achieving success and what the latest research is telling us about how to help athletes recover smarter, not harder.  Find more on Shona here: Shona Halson | ACU Researcher Read more on her current research here: SPRINT Research Centre (acu.edu.au) Find her on social media here (5) Shona Halson (@ShonaHalson) / X   Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   #recovery #myths #olympics #podcast

In this episode of The Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Olympic gold medallist and trampolining sensation, Bryony Page! Bryony's journey from overcoming self-doubt to standing atop the podium in Tokyo is nothing short of extraordinary. We dive deep into her mindset, training approaches, and the resilience it took to become a record breaker in her sport. Join me as we explore how Bryony turned her dreams into reality, the highs and lows of elite competition, and what drives her to keep pushing boundaries. Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a coach, or simply fascinated by what it takes to reach the pinnacle of success, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you inspired.   Watch Bryony's gold medal winning performance here: https://youtu.be/ky89WzzvRM8?feature=shared   You can follow more of Bryony's Journey through her social media: https://www.instagram.com/bryony_page/?hl=en-gb   If you're inspired to get into trampoline, take a look here; https://www.british-gymnastics.org/england/trampoline    

In this week’s instalment I speak with Dr Ben Rosenblatt, founder of 292 performance and former S&C coach for England men’s football and GB women’s hockey. 292 performance is a multidisciplinary performance consultancy that offers support to elite athletes across a range of facets such as S&C, nutrition and psychology. Through his career, Ben has consulted and imparted his knowledge on individuals and organisations such as the premier league, Olympic associations and international military services. Today we are fortunate to sit down with him and discuss his experiences and key philosophies surrounding physical performance. If you would like to to find more about Bens current work or get into contact to collaborate/work with Ben follow this link: 292 Performance – Elevate Your Game You can also find Ben via social media at: (9) Dr Ben Rosenblatt (@ben_rosenblatt) / X (1) Dr Benjamin Rosenblatt | LinkedIn Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/ - Hi, I'm Steve Ingham Sports and Performance Scientist co-founder at Supporting Champions. I have the privilege of supporting over 1000 athletes of which over 200 have gone on to win World or Olympic medals. For the last 25 years I've been fascinated by, researched and applied innovative ideas to help people succeed and now I want to share those performance strategies with you. I help aspiring and professional Performance Science and Support Staff improve their skills, experience and mindset for working with sports performers through a range of online courses and an exclusive community hub https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse   If you're working in sports performance or business and want to get support to develop your team and systems - take a look at what I offer here - https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/speaking/ Listen to the podcast https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/category/podcast/ Links https://x.com/ingham_steve https://www.tiktok.com/@supportingchampions www.x.com/support_champs www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/

This week on the podcast I sit down with Paolo Menaspa. Paolo is the Chief Science Officer at the Australian Institute of Sport, where he has led teams responsible for research & development, quality assurance, athlete performance health, and REST.    Palo has a vast experience in the world of sport, supporting athletes through multiple Olympic cycles across multiple events. With a focus on cycling, Paolo has supported the national coaches and the performance support team developing solutions across multiple disciplines   This conversation will give you an insight across Paolo's career thus far, as well as the exciting research and developments he and his team continue to make.    Links   Current research agenda:  https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1048268/National-High-Performance-Research-Agenda-2022.pdf   And the HP 32+ strategy, with measures of success defined at page 12. https://www.winwell2032.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1083742/Australias-2032-High-Performance-Sport-Strategy.pdf   Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/