Mandy Hickson on jet fighter pilot performance   This week I spoke to Mandy Hickson. Mandy is a fighter pilot, having joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 and flew the Tornado GR4 on the front line, where she operated in hostile environments, including patrolling the ‘No Fly’ zone over Iraq. I was fascinated to discuss with Mandy about the physical and mental challenges of training to become a top fighter pilot. I was particularly interested how pilot’s like Mandy improve, what are the stages of progression to go from small craft, to faster and more manoeuvrable craft, and then to train in such a way that you’re ready to operate and perform in a combat zone, where the stakes are as high as they get. The conversation is so rich with insight, where Mandy unpacks a number of situations, scenarios and seriously pressured circumstances with powerful detail and shares a number of useful frameworks that helped her to manage the fears and doubts but then rise to the top. She shares her insights with a combination of breeziness, fun, care and a level of wisdom that comes from profound experience. Oh and there’s another detail that’s pretty obvious but in many ways is irrelevant and relevant as you’ll hear in this discussion. She’s a woman who got to the top in a male dominated field. And while that might not matter to some, as a role model to other people aspiring to do something against the odds, she’s an inspiration.   Notes Types of jets and craft Mandy has flown in the RAF Training takes time  Grey out, G-Force and the G-suits required to be worn and the pressure of G-Force Situational awareness and the bigger picture Notice, understand and think ahead - NUTA Getting your head out of the detail Debriefing and best practice Everyone hates feedback but give me a BOOST - balanced, observed, objective, specific and timely DODAR Diagnose share with the team, what do you think?, options - what would you do?, option generation leading to the decision by the leader, Assign task and review (or give me a reason not to)  Being a female fighter pilot Making better quality decisions and creating a solutions based culture, the ‘Just Culture’   Links Follow Mandy https://twitter.com/MandyHickson https://hicksonltd.com/   Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions  

This week I spoke to Steph Houghton. Steph is the England Football Captain, having played for her country over 120 times. Steph has seen the women’s game evolve from amateur days, to the rise in popularity of the game in Britain and around the world, to the Women’s Super League and now the women’s game selling out stadia. During this time Steph has also had to evolve, adapt & respond to growing pressures of playing for her country, taking on the captaincy, World Cup finals successes and disappointments, becoming a household name and leading others. The conversation with Steph was interesting because she had this quiet resolve, this inner steel, almost stoicism all in service of trying to be the best she can and to take the opportunities in front of her. I felt there was no facade about Steph - just genuine, values driven commitment to her craft and profession - all while honouring the role and responsibility she recognises she now holds - and that is as a role-model for the people she plays with, the game and a community of people looking up to her.   Notes Recovery from an achilles injury and learning to take time after experience of multiple injuries Opportunities for female players now and the changes in the last decade Hoping to inspire a generation What are the values Steph holds close England captain at 26!  Breathing exercises are a no go for Steph but she is seeing the benefits of pilates mentally and physically Difficult conversations Managing 20-21 games and the uncertainty for athletes The Olympics and preparation The World Cup in 2023   Links Follow Steph on Twitter and Instagram  https://twitter.com/stephhoughton2 https://www.instagram.com/stephhoughton2/ Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions  

This week’s guest is Cody Royle. Cody is the head coach of Australian Football League Team Canada, the men's national program for Australian Rules football. Cody is also an author and I would say fast becoming recognised as a pioneering voice about a topic that previously just hasn’t been communicated - that is the reality of being a head coach. In his recent book, The Tough Stuff, he explores the challenges of coaching in elite sport, but specifically the dynamics and perspectives, the difficulties and the pressures of being a HEAD coach. He ratifies his own feelings, in conversation with a series of top coaches too, such as Dan Quinn (Atlanta Falcons) and Stuart Lancaster (England Rugby), to name a few. I can’t stress enough just how important this step change is in communicating the demands on coaches. There is a disproportionate and unwarranted expectation, storm of opinion and lack of support and empathy for the head coach. It is Cody’s petition that we all need to do better. To give you a flavour of the book chapter titles which we delve into and build the conversation around, Your fiercest rival is yourself, you’re not a coach, Tactics don’t matter, Chapter 1 - everyone thinks you’re an idiot - and that’s where I start this conversation. If anyone wants to work in or learn from high performance sport - I compel you to listen to what Cody has to say.   WIN A FREE COPY OF CODY'S BOOK We have two copies of Cody's book, The Tough Stuff to give away. Simply give an honest review of the podcast on iTunes (only new reviews accepted), take a screenshot of the review and email it to enquiries@supportingchampions.co.uk, by 31st May at 12 noon. Two reviewers chosen at random will receive a copy in the post. It could be one of the most worthwhile screenshots you take this year!   Enjoy the listen!   Notes on what we discuss The Tough Stuff - ‘Everyone thinks you’re an idiot’ If we’re all performers why aren’t the coaches seen as performers? The catalyst of the book Coaches and the importance of self-care Get. Some. Sleep! Translating skills from assistant coach where the pressure’s off to head coach  The brethren of understanding Support structure for coaches       You’re not a coach - being detached from our real identity Changing the dialogue for mutual benefit   Follow Cody on Twitter https://twitter.com/codyroyle The Tough Stuff on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tough-Stuff-Seven-Truths-About/dp/1660114446/ Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions   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.

David Martin is a leading light in applied sports science. He was senior physiologist at the Australian Institute of Sport, where along with a number of brilliant minds, pioneered the application of science to elite performance. During the 1990s, as I was grappling with some fundamentals, David was breaking new ground and frankly doing work that the world hadn’t seen before. Their work was the benchmark of excellence that we looked to. In this conversation David and I reflect on our parallel universes, how they drove us, how we in the UK system came to catch and overtake them, and in all likelihood, though some would deny it, then served as the benchmark for the Australian system. David then went onto work at the NBA at the Philadelphia 76ers, an experience and a professional set up that is worth comparing to the national systems we both cut our teeth in. What I truly value when talking to David is piercing insight by that I mean raw intelligence, powerful communication skills, honesty, reflection, all informed by experience of working at the coal face.   Show Notes The Jane Goodall Lecture  David’s analogies in comparison to Jane Goodall’s experiences Growing with the team and gathering momentum - the dangers Learn to step back Athlete beliefs and scientist beliefs - the interactions David’s zoology training The Apex predators and the consequences of extinction The switch in funding for practitioners Changing and switching things up after a home games David’s observations since moving into professional sports David’s goals going forward   Links Follow David on Twitter https://twitter.com/davidtmartin Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions

This week I speak to Kevin Dutton Professor of Psychology at Oxford University, who specialises in psychopaths. Kevin has written several books on the topic, for example The Wisdom of Psychopaths, Flipnosis, The Good Psychopaths Guide to Success and his recent book, Black and White Thinking all of which are illuminating because they unveil a world that is for many of us so alien, so peculiar, so grotesque, yet so close, so relevant and in some cases so familiar. Because as Kevin explains, many of the characteristics that we associate with malice, danger and evil - if dialled differently are definitely determinants of personal success.  This was such a fascinating conversation not least because Kevin turns his evaluation measure onto me to find out if I have psychopathic tendencies with interesting results, somewhat surprising. If you grab a piece of paper you can take the test along with me.   Notes Steve and Kevin chat about why Kevin’s jaw hurt after a VO2max test? Are you allowed to be not as tough as you used to be Steve’s dislike of glib sport commentary What are the three components for success in all works of life What are the messages you are sending out to other people and more importantly yourself The psychopathic mindset You need the right mind for the right context The taxi driver bias Dissociation in performance Is Steve a psychopath...he takes Kevin’s test  Distilling DNA of being successful - the ability to do what you have to when you don’t want  Jumpers versus splashers The use of metaphor Mantras Yes to less Disruptive team members The psychology of teams   Links   There’s still time to sign up to our Applied Pro Practitioner Skills Courses to develop your impact and skills! https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/   Check out Kevin’s books, The Wisdom of Psychopaths, Flipnosis, The Good Psychopaths Guide to Success and his recent book, Black and White Thinking. Kevin Dutton on Twitter https://twitter.com/therealdrkev Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions   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 guest is Chris Thompson, who at the age of 39 has qualified for the Tokyo Olympic marathon for Team GB. 'Thommo' as he is known didn’t suddenly spring to the top in a freak qualification, he has been knocking on the door for 20 years , keeping going, persisting, persevering, through a career full of challenges. Thommo crossed the line a Kew Garden’s in the qualification event with an outpouring of emotion, celebration and joy and in response the athletics community. Not only has Thommo been on the scene, numerous teams, flights, training camps, competitions with so many athletes over the years - but he is one of those people that just adds life into groups and this, I’m certain, is part of reason why there has been this response. To cap it all off, in the same week that Thommo made the plane to Tokyo his wife Jemma Simpson, now Jemma Thompson had their first child, a young boy Theo. Now if any of you have children, you’ll remember the whirlwind of a child entering your life.  It was great fun catching up with Thommo, moving at times, and a reminder about the cost and the meaning of pursuing personal goals.   In this conversation we explore;   Enjoying the moment Chris’s massive engine but struck my injury and over training A 26 year year athletic career  Chris discusses his early career and his early approach to training, his lack of responsibility Chris’s partnership with Gemma Simpson and a change in attitude Chris lost his off switch. Achilles and broken sacrum Paying less attention to times and focussing on feeling, taking each session at a time and assessing A crushed hand puts the marathon qualifier in jeopardy Questioning immaturity Links Follow thommo on twitter https://twitter.com/Thommo10k https://www.instagram.com/thommo26.2 Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions   Take a look at our Applied Pro Practitioner Skills Courses to develop your impact and skills https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

This week’s guest is Alistair Brownlee. Alistair is a two time Olympic Champion, four time World and four time European Champion amongst many other honours in triathlon. But quite simply Alistair is one of the greatest racers in the history of the sport and probably across any sport in his generation.  After the Rio Olympics Alistair began racing over half and then full ironman triathlon distance. For those of you who need a reminder of the distance that’s 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run, raced in that order. Alistair has set out the goal of a full Ironman in under 7 hours. To put the performance into perspective the current best time is 7:35.  Speaking to Alistair was extraordinary. Many athletes have physical abilities, many have the will to win, but Alistair has these in bucket loads. A lot of athletes are invested in the process of preparing and performing, interested to know how they can get better, but many of the best just need to stay out of the details, leave that to the coach, the support team. Often overthinking the details can lead to a negative spiral where people become increasingly wound up about minutiae. But what was evident from this conversation was the Alistair’s extraordinary capacity to delve into the science, the rigour, the possibilities, the innovation, the deep understanding and testing of what works for him. His appetite, his command and his acumen to pioneer across the whole spectrum of physical, mental, tactical and technological methods as well as to go out there and perform - is a bandwidth of capabilities that is truly exceptional.  This was a masterclass in high performance and I was left in no uncertain terms that Alistair is a true sporting great.   Notes Training during lockdown more or less normal Training 5% under rather 5% over Alistair and the urban myths that follow him around Alistair’s internal drive - where does it come from? “Relentless' - coming soon to all good bookstores! Comparing notes with other elite athletes in differing fields The sub-7 ironman The need to constantly innovate  Decision making and the honing of the direct feedback loop Inspiring others to get into sport via the Phoenix Foundation The future for Alistair beyond being an elite athlete   Links Follow Alistair on Twitter, https://twitter.com/AliBrownleetri And all things sub 7 and sub 8 on https://www.sub7sub8.com/ Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions   Applied Professional Practitioner Skills Programme bookings now open https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/  

Applied Performance Practitioner SKILLS Programme - COURSES ANNOUNCED I’m delighted to share with you details of the upcoming Applied Professional Practitioner Skills Programme. Bookings are open NOW and full details are here. Here I explain what the course is, who it's for, how it's unique (spoiler - it's applied in focus), everything you need to know.   0:00 Introduction 2:20 What the courses are all about 3:04 Why they're unique 4:50 The motivation behind the courses 13:10 Details about the Nutrition route - course tutor Dr Sophie Killer 14:48 Details about the Performance Analysis route - course tutor Dr Sian Allen 16:38 Details about the Psychology route - course tutors Chris Marshall and Rebecca Levett 18:50 Details about the Strength and Conditioning route - course tutor Nick Grantham 20:58 Details about the Physiology route - course tutor is me Steve Ingham 23;58 How the course works and how to sign up   All the details are here;  https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/ Keep a look out for the discount code on the website

This week’s guest is Glyn Howatson, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology at Northumbria University. Glyn’s specialist subject is recovery but its recovery with a purpose and that is to optimise neuromuscular adaptation. I spoke to Glyn to try to cut through some of the noise, make sense of an area that has to all intents and purposes exploded in interest over the last few decades. As you’ll hear from the conversation - recovery, training planning, and interventions are dependent on context, timing, circumstance, demand - which can at times make this subject feel like a bit of Rubiks cube. But what Glyn does really well and he has done for as long as I’ve known him - he helps make the complex simple and with that practicable - which for me is a signal of true expertise in the area.   Show notes Glynn gives a mini intro to who he is and his interest in recovery Steve discusses his experience of recovery  Training more cleverly on an individual basis particularly in team sports The Seb Coe training volume story Reorganisation of training programmes and allowing time for adaptation The ‘interference effect’ and how to get around it What can enhance recovery and snake oil! Hormesis and the training dose Doing the basics well Cherry juice, caffeine,  The inverted U!   Links Follow Glyn on Twitter, https://twitter.com/GlynHowatson Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions

This week’s guest is Harvard University Professor of Biological Sciences, Dan Lieberman. If you’ve heard of Dan it will probably be in connection with his work around whether we are born to run, i.e. that a number of specific evolutionary adaptations that we as a species have acquired over time have enabled us to be really rather good at running for long distances. This hinted that our survival was aided by our ability to hunt by wearing animals down, known as the persistence hunting.  Dan has a new book out called Exercised, which as Dan explains is cutely entitled because so many people are so exercised about exercise, I expect you can think of many people that have opinions that are so specific and adamant that one way is the best way. The book takes a broader view, reminding us of our biological origins, why we do sports and exercise, what we’re good and not so good at and Dan takes aim at a few current myths like sitting being the new smoking, step counts and how much exercise is enough - in so doing Dan widens our perspective to a healthier, compassionate view of physical activity.   Show notes: Pigs on treadmills. Research trip to Sierra and finding an older equivalent of the Ironman Exercise is abnormal, if just for the sake of health and fitness Why the Tarahumara Native Americans are famous for their long distance running No-one evolved to run as fast as possible from A to B  We have become exercised about exercise Is there an optimal form of exercise? Running fast Proactive aggression The benefits of endurance as hunter gatherers and the feats we care about most now are more recent in our history Links Website for Dan's new book Dan is delivering a seminar for the University of British Columbia on 24th March 2021, titled 'Are we born to rest or run?' Register here (and a big thank you to Prof Rob Shave for this). Follow Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Clubhouse @steveingham Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions   UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY Pre-register for our upcoming 'Applied Performance Practitioner' programme and the Pro membership starting in April 2021 here