Steve discusses the essential concept of stress - adaptation with Jamie Pringle, Rosie Mayes. We explore what a stimulus is and does and the factors that determine the effectiveness of a stimulus. We discuss the experiences and environments that mitigate any adaptive responses, exploring the concepts of individualisation and group responses from a physical and cognitive performance perspective and then broaden that application to work and business and the very concept of progression, the achievement of mastery. Show Notes An introduction to Hans Selye's seminal work on the systemic hormonal responses to stress and how the human body and mind responds under duress. Positive and negative stressors and responses. No pain no gain…pushing into an area of discomfort or pain to allow development and adaptation. Dr Mary Neville sprint adaptation and 12 leg biopsies! Stress adaptations are complex to interpret. Adaptations occur as a result of a variety of interacting dynamics across our individual experiences.  Do we adapt and improve without some form of stressor? Fight or flight response, Walter Cannon Does it always have to be a stressor? Appreciative enquiry, the reinforcement of the positives Minimum effective dosing. What are the core pieces in your training that are giving you 80-90% of your adaptation both physically and mentally? The subjective experience of enduring a stressor. Knowing yourself, others and the concept of time throughout the stress adaptation and recovery process. The role of the coach and scientist enabling the athlete to know what is going on in their mind and body in a way that is helpful for them. Coach - Athlete relationship key. Carol Dweck's, growth vs fixed mindsets and the stubbornness of self-efficacy. Knowing your capabilities, boundaries and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Variety is key in developing an adaptation. Monotony and familiarity can prevent or slow adaptation. Explore and find your own method. Fail fast and learn quick. An environment to allow failure and learning important for creativity and innovation in sport and business. Ability to perform under pressurised conditions develops and acclimatises your skillset, resulting in increased skill development. No one's fitter at the end of a marathon! Failure and suppression of the system from which adaptation occurs Learning and the state of flow. Being immersed, focused and recovery. Immersion, incubation and inspiration. Discussion on the mind-body relationship and the role of feedback in adaptation, self-regulation and performance. The business world is great at stressing but less so at recovering. Moving the body can move the brain. Shifting from an idle physical and mental state into an active physical state can alter brain functioning (Forgetting and doorway research, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758/PBR.17.6.900.pdf) Becoming self-aware, understanding ourselves and how we operate in the world in order to create environments in which we can test, adapt and develop. Put yourself in the shoes of the athlete as an applied sport scientist. Empathy, trust, credibility and an understanding of their sport crucial. Striving for meaning and mastery in personal and professional pursuits. As Yoda would preach - "we have to work intentionally with courage, effort, patience, persistence and reflection in order to fail, adapt and grow" To follow the panellists on Twitter: @RosieMayes49 @JamiePringle Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

This week’s interview is with Tess Morris-Paterson. Tess was a sports scientist with Lucozade Sport, then at the Glaxo Smith Kline Human performance laboratory. Then about 18 months ago, she began to think about a new goal, one of becoming an astronaut.  In the interview Tess talks about the deep reflection and questions about self and identity that led to the decision to understand more about what it entailed, how she traverses risk through understanding the demands with meticulous detail and planning, but critically moving to action and applying herself and finding there is more in her and the critical roles that mentors have played along the journey. It was fascinating to hear how she faces down the incredible severity of the risks of being in outer space balanced against lofty goal of getting to the international space station, living on a lunar base or even a mission to Mars. Show notes Applying sports physiology, strength & conditioning and nutrition in a variety of elite high-performance sports. Early career experiences at Lucozade Sport and working in professional football for five years before goal posts started to shift. Explores the benefits and risks of taking a non-paid work opportunity with Tom Reilly at Liverpool John Moore’s University and the personal and professional qualities required to make this time successful. An aspiring helicopter pilot and officer in training whilst at university. Networking and getting applied experience whilst at university is vital. Gender, being female and working in football. Developing and sustaining relationships by identifying what makes each person tick is fundamental to being effective in a role whilst working in professional football. A journey of self-reflection resulted in the realisation of wanting to become an astronaut. The impact of transition on self and important others around you. Aerospace physiology PhD at Kings College London, supervisor working at NASA. Rigorous medical and psychiatric process involved in becoming an astronaut. Becoming self-aware, deep reflection of self is fundamental to discovering whether you could become an astronaut. The next big missions being explored by NASA are to have a lunar base and a Mars based mission by 2030. Technical capability and interpersonal intelligence fundamental when under high tension and high pressure – lives are on the line in space! ‘Becoming a guinea pig astronaut’ and starting to develop the skills and qualities required to become an astronaut – underpinned by Tess’s PhD research. Being the right type of person is vital - character, can it be improved? Personal qualities and skills are a matter of life and death. Identifying, understanding and developing these are essential. Fundamentally you will ask, can I trust this person? Space wrestling could be an apt solution for maintaining physiology! Space is quite literally out of this world. Volatile, complex, unbearable and disgusting at times. Next steps for Tess? Starting a scientific role with NASA in January, moving to San Francisco whilst striving to become 1 of 8 astronauts amongst 18000 applicants, skydiving regularly and potentially becoming an airline pilot. European Space Agency look for a new cohort of astronauts in 5-10 years time. Lessons learnt? Learning about self, lessons from other people finding how inspiring her journey has been to enable others to step outside of their comfort zone. Importance of the support of others and accountable failure. Follow Tess’s Twitter @astro_perform and @Perform_Science  YouTube Astro_Perform   Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

Harvey Galvin epitomises all that Supporting Champions represents, but he has no gold medal to show for his efforts, no affiliation with a top performer, in fact his story is one about not making it in his chosen field of sport. He tried and he tried again, he grafted, he applied entrepreneurial spirit, he made opportunities but it didn’t work out. During that time Harvey explored his purpose, what makes him happy, his drivers, the need to be adaptable and tenacious, the potential sacrifices and choices he’s willing and not willing to make along the way. Ultimately, Harvey switched career away from his initial intended choice of sport. But there was a particular reason that I got in touch with Harvey to ask him to come on the podcast, and that was because he was starting to share his story in support of others who might be in a similar situation and I thought that was a story worth sharing   Show notes Failing in sport, you always hear about working hard and the successes Not asking for help and support and therefore failing my dissertation – the best thing that ever happened to me Channelling and building resources in order to work at a voluntary based support sports groups Academic sport science courses require additional experience working with actual athletes rather than theoretical Having a purpose and a passion is all well and good however being flexible and agile allows acquired skills to be applied to a range of opportunities What is your life purpose? Focussing on purpose focusses on what you haven’t got and drives you backwards The players and the coaches will begin to see the value of sport scientist eventually Being strategic and finding a university with greater opportunities Gaining experience full time at the Lawn Tennis Association A lack of communication leads to a contract at the LTA not being renewed Applying for 100s of jobs and not getting an interview Making sacrifices, money, location and time understanding which sacrifices are worth making Re-evaluating life, trying to be the person you say you are and using actions to back those up You can let things happen to you, or you can say that chapters done and start something new Having a heart condition and the addition of stress is not a good combination ‘Hard work will get you what you want’ is a narrative that makes you feel good, in reality try to find skills that you are talented at hard work isn’t everything Habit making and failing to maintain a habit The benefits of journaling and writing, particularly when having a thought time unhelpful thoughts can be recalibrated against your previous experiences written down 45:25 Passion is not how you choose your career, it’s what you’re good at Key lesson from sales and influencing people: Learning to get out of your own narrative in order to frame you solution The skills and hard work required to be successful in sport science are easily transferable to other professions Have confidence that you will be able to do something else if the job disappears or changes and you will be ok Everything you do is selling, you’re selling your worth Ask the question, don’t be a mind reader be a sponge   If you can coach, or bring information and distil it making it useful you can do well in any industry Follow Harvey on Twitter https://twitter.com/HarveyGalvin  Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

Steve discusses lessons from the frontline of working with elite performers with Jamie Pringle, Rosie Mayes. We discuss the essentials of that initial engagement with elite athletes, what to do and what not to do. Getting clarity around your role and what you're working to so that you can prioritise. What clues you might be drawing from the environment, the culture that can help you connect with others and be more effective. Importantly we discuss how some of our behaviours, actions and the bonds between us change under the pressure of competition. What is it like to work with an elite athlete? Understanding the culture and environment of sport Applying your skill and experience to the high performance training environment Step into the shoes of your athlete, see and experience what they do. Working with high level performers, winning Olympic medals, but the hard work is completed day in day out on the track or pool What if they are not interested in the science? The world doesn't revolve around you Team sports have their own culture and identity Cultural intelligence, what do you learn and how do you apply it? Using humility and credibility in a high performance environment…it's not about you! Losing naivety, understanding your role, the athlete role and clarity of knowledge Expecting less from a performance based relationship Don't fall into the trap of wanting to be valued! Team identity and the pressure that increases the close to high performance moments Recognising the pressure for others increasing when you might also be feeling an increase in pressure Wanting a sense of team belonging and an amplification when under pressure Searching for certainty in pressure situations Consistency in training and consistency in performance is a good marker as how you will perform on the day Get involved in the culture, atmosphere and connect with the individual. The relationships you build on a one to one basis and the development of trust is invaluable. 'Athletes don't care what you know until they know that you care' Emma Gardner   Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

Chrissie Wellington OBE four time World Ironman Triathlon Champion and holder of the three world ironman records shares her experiences of performing at the top end of world triathlon. In this interview Chrissie shares her journey into becoming professional, what it was like on the start line, during the races and crossing the finish line. Importantly Chrissie talks about what becoming World Champion meant to her and how she utilised it for greater good. Chrissie is a powerful, soulful and inspirational person with an infectious enthusiasm. But equally she is deeply thoughtful, considerate and hopeful about how she approaches life and her legacy.  Show notes Early beginnings in sport, driven, determined a perfectionist but channelled. Trying out triathlon A dislike for mediocrity! Be brave enough to explore your talents Physical environment, financial support, medical support combined with drive and agency create what is needed to succeed No expectation or pressure for the first World Ironman attempt Late qualification, accommodation half way up the volcano, a broken pedal - not the perfect prep but racing with no expectation. Goal setting focus on process rather than victory "Chrissie you're going to win this!" A sense of euphoria The process of an ironman equates to the rollercoaster of life: extreme highs and lows The importance and the power of sport to create change Rabbit in the headlights Withdrawal from an Ironman due to illness 2011 bike accident led to 'just a flesh wound' and the freedom to race Giving everything and being capable of overcoming more than Chrissie ever believed she could Characteristics and traits What's next…family, Parkrun, public speaking and ambassador for a range of companies Ultra running! Raising a passionate, effervescent, confident, empathetic and adventurous child Making mistakes & being emotional showing our imperfect selves 80 year old self advice: you are capable of so much more than you think. To strive, to keep reaching and to be kind to your self Find out more about Chrissie: Twitter @chrissiesmiles www.chrissiewellington.org Books A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey To The Finish Line: A World Champions Triathlete's Guide To You Perfect Race   Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

In 2016 Tom Boother ran (yes ran) from Land's End to John O'Groats (for the non-Brits, that's bottom left to top right of Great Britain). What is remarkable about Tom is that he classes himself as a non-athlete, and in fairness to his running speeds he isn't going to threaten Mo Farah anytime soon. BUT for me that is the remarkable thing about Tom, that he has found a way, through his own tenacity, courage, resilience and search for understanding. Inspired to question, "There must be more to life than this", when taking his law exams (probably enough to push anyone to question their existence), he set about entering the Tour du Mont Blanc and caught the bug and eventually set his sights on running the length of the country. In this episode we hear about how he hatched the idea, the many trials and tribulation along the way, the serendipity of birthdays and blisters in Bristol, the joys of receiving random acts of kindness along the way and how he is making sense of what he has learned about life and business along the way. I hope you enjoy the listen it was fun to record full of insights. Show notes It was a very long run! Racing driver ambitions The lawyer and dyslexia combination Chamonix Ultra trail inspiration Don’t disqualify someone with a sports law degree! Chamonix race, bad blisters and a police escort to hospital The 2012 Grand Union Canal race The beginning of a change, creating a change and pre-event planning The appeal of working towards a long term goal A nutter in need! Support from the Human Performance Unit, University of Essex Beginning the Land’s End - John O’Groats journey Statistics – target was 14 days it actually took 15 days, 18 hours and 18 minutes Averaging 85 kilometers a day the total distance 1400 kilometers Blisters…again! Preparation, failing, nutrition problems and ramifications of small issues growing A stroke of luck – the Queen’s birthday and a podiatrist! The kindness of strangers and running through the pain Headwind messing with Tom’s head Worn through shoes at the Scottish borders  Sport psychologists, uncomfortable questions and making a commitment Support from strangers. The charities Great Ormond Street and EACH East Anglia Children’s Hospices, creating a buzz for a wonderful cause Crossing the line at John O’Groats and a cold shower! Tom’s seven core principles: Do it, become it, reward and routine, endure the pain (contract of resilience), team, time to quit and desire The Running Friend, if you can run 3 miles you can run a marathon Running across America now the naivety has gone?!  Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

Dr Barry Fudge is Head of Endurance at British athletics and lead scientist for many outstanding endurance athletes like Sir Mo Farah. Barry has a PhD in exercise physiology which uniquely he undertook the majority of which in East Africa working with the richly talented Kenyan and Ethiopian teams, which at the time included Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele. Barry was actually my postdoctoral researcher back in 2007 and despite this is has gone on to achieve incredible amount. First as a physiologist as the key architect Mo Farah’s transformation from an also-ran to a world beater. Then being promoted to Head of Endurance with the much wider remit creating the conditions to nurture success in British Athletics. Barry spoke at our 2017 conference which you can also catch up on the podcast, and in this discussion expands on some are many challenges works through, how he works with athletes and coaches on a day-to-day basis and in the arena of the track and field stadium and he explores his purpose and shares with us why he does what he does.    Show notes Barry’s role and background The different components that come to together to facilitate elite sport How did Barry get into sport? PhD in endurance running in Kenya Ethiopian athletes and impacting on performance for the first time Doing science differently Being comfortable with uncertainty & observing over time Understanding the UK system, how to systematically support athletes and coaches Mo Farah, focus and clarity of purpose The relationship between science and performance, to execute when it matters most and how you then approach competition in the long term. Focussing on what matters, the complexity of a big event and managing the environment around the athletes Forgetting what sport is actually about…the drama! Providing calm, focus and clarity The vulnerability of athletes It’s ok to win and to lose, will the athlete be happy or upset? Being mechanical or inhuman Enjoying the journey of sport for what it is, there will always be ups and downs Key lessons: purpose, passion, enjoying it and being comfortable with where you are ‘Own the start line’ – looking ahead to what you want to achieve, what would you have to have done in order to be fully prepared and then work your way back   Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

Adam Conlon was a captain in the British Army, undertaking his officer training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He the entered the Royal Artillery, and is a veteran of two tours of Afghanistan. Adam talks about the development path from basic training to the heat of battle, where his job was in leading teams, calling the shots and co-ordinating the use of weapons on the battlefield. Adam shares the intense feeling of receiving volleys of fire from the Taliban, how he responded under that pressure and how his training and camaraderie developed and enabled him to perform. Poignantly, Adam shares the process and the emotions of decompressing after a tour and adjusting back to normal life.  Adam spent a brief time serving Her Majesty the Queen in Human Resources, but now is leadership consultant and speaker, but still finds time to out his skills to use in the first response teams that aid disaster zones and we get into that skill of developing rapid teamworking and the importance of listening and rapport in engaging with survivors and locals in catastrophe stricken areas. This interview was humbling, richly engaging and I would say 1 hour and 25 minutes of pure performance. I finished the interview fascinated, moved and frankly I was thankful that we have people like Adam amongst our population that do what they do in order to make the world a better place. Show notes Adam Conlon and his background Sandhurst, becoming a soldier, captain and leader Leading people and making the decisions to fire artillery within the infantry The importance of 'fit' in finding the right people for the right roles Variety and being a generalist 15:15 Leading people, by developing followers - ego and vulnerability Upping the pressure to test your skills Being relaxed in chaos High performance industries develop people because if they don't the consequences are high Nad Ali and the operations in Afghanistan Getting on the front foot with the enemy Response to the first rattle of fire Humour as a pressure valve Fight or flight is a good option, freezing is not Decompression on the way home from a tour Stressful heart rate response to post-tour come-down Letting the emotion out with crying Working for Her Majesty the Queen Learning what he didn't want to do From tax consultant to frontline operations through sport Applying skills to disaster zones Operating in the Caribbean in 2017  Get face to face  Listen, empathy and trust Arriving in Dominica - it was like a bomb had gone off Sensing when there might be trouble - being observant when something is out of place - the absence of the normal  Who supports Adam, family, friends  Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

In this special podcast episode I talk to Kelly Sotherton just after receiving a retrospectively awarded Olympic medal for the 4x400m, ten years after the Beijing games.   Show notes Introduction to Kelly Sotherton and the award of 4x400m medal from the Beijing Olympics alongside Marilyn Okoro, Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders Background of how we developed 400m running performance from heptathlon training Sadness and hope. Sadness that athletes and countries resorted to cheating. Hope that the authorities are punishing athletes retrospectively Athletes taking the courage to speak out against cheating The moment the women’s 4x400m team received their medals Finally got the medal 8:00 Heptathlon medal still to come Mixed emotions, when Kelly retired there was a sense of bitterness and being heartbroken but being reflective that she did everything to get her in the best shape possible After Athens 2004 Olympics, her coach Charles van Comenee left the UK, Kelly pulls together a group of coaches The running begins to plateau - where the two of us started to work together The fact finding mission at a training camp in Portugal The results start to come. Kelly medals at the Worlds Championships. Kelly calls out Lyudmila Blonska, someone who already cheated. The gamble of investing in a new approach to running Focussed on speed to renew Kelly’s running ability and my transition to the coaching team Background to Kelly calling out other athletes as dopers How Kelly felt about competing against athletes. Blonska and Chernova effects Kelly performance The headline is injustice, sympathy for missing out on the moment, loss of earnings – but competing against dopers did negatively affect her performance Kelly’s hopes that we don’t see these retrospective medal awards Sport won’t forget athletes like Kelly as victims of cheaters Many athletes haven’t received their rightful medals, so Kelly feels fortunate to have the moment. Goldie Sayers still waiting How Kelly and I came across the 400m while focussing on developing the 300m ability Top Britain in 2008 indoor season and 8th in World – leading to a curiosity in her 400m ability Not getting distracted by the 400m. A trial of whether Kelly’s ability could contribute to the 4x400m team, running 51s split In shape for heptathlon – but capable of a great 400m performance. A pivotal 300m trial that impresses the 4x400m coaches 8th fastest GB 400m split of all time A lesson in rounded training that can help overall performance Reflecting on what could be but blighted by injury, trying different training methods to keep Kelly fit when injured Kelly applies the lessons learned from her career to athletes now         Heptathlon medal still to come, how Kelly focuses on the individual medal having more meaning Three time Olympic medallist The consequences of being cheated Kelly being active as a coach, team leader, establishing the athlete commission, “What are you doing about it?” Make it happen, make it better    Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.

Lucy Balfour is a leading dancer at the world renowned contemporary dance company Ballet Rambert. Lucy trained at the International Ballet Academy in Christchurch, then spent ten years with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, before joining Rambert. In this episode, Lucy talks about the competitiveness of becoming a ballerina, the singular focus on realising her dream, with no back up plan. She talks about the pressure of selection and performing, maintaining self-identity throughout balanced by the privilege of being a dancer. Lucy is pregnant and gives an insight how Rambert have been supporting her to continue to rehearse and perform (Lucy performed on stage with Rambert up to 5 months pregnant) and now looks ahead with the question of whether she'll return to dance once she becomes a mum.   Show notes Lucy's journey into dance Decision ballet school or high school? First ballet contract with The Royal New Zealand ballet company Focus, rejection, perseverance and belief: developing resilience No plan B Dealing with rejection Advice for the 16 year old Lucy Balfour The day in a life for a dancer at the Rambert Dance Company Coping with the ups and downs of the selection/audition process Stay alert use rejection as a learning opportunity, learning from your peers without the pressure! Staying aware of your behaviour Getting in the right place for a new performance: preparing physically and mentally, writing down corrections in a training diary and not being afraid to ask lots of questions Late specialisation Pregnancy and performance Life after the birth Dancing whilst pregnant Facing the prospect of being a dancer and a mum Viewing ballet through a different set of eyes which will help in the future, learning more about the craft of ballet The length of a ballet career - it's not about age, it's about desire and physicality Dancer's Career Development - thinking ahead Wanting to inspire others, an ambassador for dance mamas and helping others to realise their potential at an earlier age Top tips for a career in the performing arts   Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions/ A reminder if you’re keen to pre-register for the next wave of Graduate Membership enrolments then you can do so at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.