A Load of BS on Sport: The Behavioural Science Podcast with Daniel Ross and Dan Biggar

Welcome to Series 3 of A Load of BS - very much on Sport now! I am thrilled to be sat alongside Welsh Rugby Union and British Lions star Dan Biggar as my new co-host.

In this opening episode, as Dan and Dan get to know each other, we explore the mental aspects of top end sports performance, including handling pressure, technical soundness, and the evolution of Dan's mindset throughout his career. Dan shares insights into handling pressure during crucial moments, such as World Cup kicks and Lions matches. Dan Biggar this is. Dan Ross kicks balls only in parks if the knees allow.

We cover thoughts on leadership strategies within teams, understanding different personalities, and adapting to various cultural contexts in rugby clubs across Dan’s career for Ospreys, Northampton to Toulon.

And Dan reflects on the impact of coaches like Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards on his career, emphasizing their ability to understand individual players’ needs and motivations.

Dan shares the story of the beginning of his career - his mother’s influence and the impact Jonny Wilkinson (a future pod guest!) had on him during the 2003 World Cup and beyond.

And a cracking anecdote about drinking Gin & Tonics with Usain Bolt watching Man Utd together. Even Bolt and Biggar needed booze to manage the torpor of watching football at Old Trafford!

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This is the story of a decade long campaign to make contact sport safe.

In this episode, we welcome award winning author and journalist Sam Peters alongside Rugby Union World Cup winner Lewis Moody.

Sam has just won The Sports Writing Award at the Charles Tyrwhitt Book Awards for Concussed: Sport's Uncomfortable Truth, not only a fine piece of writing, but moreover a recognition for an ongoing campaign Sam has been fighting for over a decade.

Lewis won pretty well everything in Rugby Union, domestic and European titles with Leicester Tigers, British Lions caps, and most notably the World Cup with England in 2003. He himself suffered multiple serious concussions in his career; and this is the subject of today.

Show notes:

• Sam’s 10+ year campaign to save rugby
• Lewis’s own terrible concussion history
• The tragic stories of those who’ve suffered
• Mental health + concussion
• Resistance and conflicts of interest from the inside
• Grassroots and the future of rugby

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by ex All Black Rugby Union legend Sean Fitzpatrick. Sean was part of the team which won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, and then captained the team subsequently. He is now Chairman at Laureus World Sports Academy.

Sean is an all round lovely guy! It was a huge pleasure talking to him.

Show notes

• Sean’s rugby background and story
• His on and off the field style
• Imposter syndrome
• Impact of winning the World Cup
• Amateur vs professional era
• Great influences

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Two old friends reunite for an unique conversation as we kick off a new mini-series for BS on Sport today exploring partnerships and what makes them great. 

Today is a pretty damn good opener as yin and yang partnerships go. We have a huge treat as we are talking to 2 icons of British sport, certainly of the cricket world; Mike Brearley and Lord Botham of Ravensworth, otherwise known as Ian Botham. 

The pair have never been interviewed like this together, so this is an unique listen.

Show notes

• The captain-player relationship
• Competitiveness, confidence, and calmness in high performance
• Experiences of fame and pressures on cricket families
• Contrasts with today’s modern sports psychology emphasis
• Reflections on their careers vs. the modern era of T20 cricket & central contracts
• Lasting camaraderie and mutual respect between players of their era
• Transitioning away from cricket into new fields in later life

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This week, we are joined by Caspar Berry. Caspar started out in acting aged 16 actor in BBC show Byker Grove with “Ant and Dec”. At Cambridge he had commercial success directing award-winning short films and TV commercials, then went on to write two feature films which were produced by Film Four and Columbia Tri Star before he had graduated. 

Aged 26, he decided to take a risk and move to Las Vegas with his life savings in his pocket, and for next few years, became a professional poker player. 

Caspar later returned to the UK to set up 21st Century Media which he later sold to Bob Geldof's Ten Alps plc. He now gives talks and mentors around the world on all his disparate experiences.

Show Notes:

• How Caspar’s early life decisions, driven by comfort with risk, led to diverse experiences
• Poker as a metaphor for decision-making processes in life and business
• The complexity of assigning probabilities to actions and the challenges posed by unpredictability
• Differences in risk-taking between individual and team sports
• The concept of 'negative metrics': sometimes the pursuit of certain performance metrics (e.g. home runs in baseball) might lead to higher failure rates (strikeouts)

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by esteemed sports psychologist Andrea Furst. With a career that spans continents and disciplines, Andrea is an extremely well respected, established figure in the realm of sports psychology, known for her work with elite athletes across a wide spectrum of sports—from golf and sailing to tennis, hockey, rugby, cricket and beyond. Indeed, among other, she is currently the sports psychologist at current county cricket champions Surrey.

She is also the founder of Mental Notes, where she leads a team of sport psychologists dedicated to elevating elite performance. Her extensive experience here includes supporting multiple Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games teams.

Show notes

• How psychological principles are applied to enhance athlete performance and mental well-being
• Techniques and strategies used by Andrea to help athletes manage downtime and focus during competitions
• Adapting sports psychology practices to different cultural contexts and individual athlete needs
• The importance of addressing mental health as an integral part of sports psychology
• Impacts of her psychological interventions: maximising walking time in golf

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This week, we are joined by former England international cricketer Nick Compton. Nick is the grandson of the great Dennis, but a very fine 1st class cricketer in his own right playing for Middlesex, Somerset and 16 tests for England scoring 2 centuries in that time.

Nick wrote his memoir 'Legacy' just last year and it is a moving, poignant, searingly honest, at times harrowing story of someone who was supremely talented at his craft, but for whom it became too all consuming and challenged Nick's mental health to the edge of his survival. Nick's psychological journey is the subject of this conversation.

Show notes:

• Nick's journey of self-discovery
• The mental marathon of performance
• The realities of life as a professional athlete, beyond the glamour and accolades
• The legacy and weight of family
• The complexities of team dynamics and personal sacrifice
• Hanging out with Virat Kohli’s girlfriend

A Load of BS Events

Liam and I are hosting our inaugural business of sport and entertainment event on June 17th early evening in London.

We will be joined for discussion and drinks by Lord Ian Botham, Sir Andrew Strauss and Mo Bobat at the fabulous Patrick Mavros atelier on the Fulham Road.

If you’d like to join us…

We have a handful of seats available to podcast listeners. If you’d like to come, please email [email protected] with subject line: ‘A Load of BS Events RSVP’

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by Ben Stookesberry, legendary white water expedition kayaker whose death defying exploits on some of the most extreme rapids in the world are nothing short of awe inspiring.

“In the last 4 years alone I’ve made dozens of first descents on six continents from the tropics to the Arctic with long time kayaking partners Chris Korbulic and Pedro Oliva,” says Ben. “In total I have over 130 first descents and counting.”

SEE BEN IN ACTION!

Show notes:

• Facing fear and adversity: what it feels like close to drowning
• Preparation and mental strength to tackle extreme kayaking
• The impact of tragedy: losing a friend to a crocodile attack
• The thrill of exploring untouched environments
• A philosophy on risk and mortality
• Ben’s commitment to personal growth

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by former professional footballer, now broadcaster and author Pat Nevin. Pat had a long and successful career on the pitch, but his hinterland is arguably richer.

He was a darting winger for Chelsea, Everton, Tranmere Rovers and Scotland, but also chairman of the Professional Footballers Association, player/CEO at Motherwell, an ardent anti-racism campaigner as well as lover of music and the arts. He has a deep understanding and appreciation for the psychology of sport, as you'll find out by listening!

Show notes:

• The pure joy of playing football
• Playing without nerves
• Pat's perspective on embracing individuality and challenging norms
• How to eliminate cheating
• Personal growth, reflection and writing
• The great managers who understood psychology best

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

This week, we are joined by Mo Bobat, until recently Performance Director at the English Cricket Board, now fulfilling the same role with IPL team the Royal Challengers Bangalore. We discuss how elite athletes and teams harness mental strength and innovative strategies to achieve greatness. From the art of managing maverick talents to the science behind creating cohesive, high-performing teams, Mo shares his insights, experiences, and the cutting-edge techniques that make him a sought-after expert in the sports industry.

Show notes:

• The psychology behind elite performance
• Cultivating a high-performance mindset
• Managing talents and team dynamics
• Strategies for mental strength and resilience
• The impact of leadership on team performance
• Mo 's own sporting journey 

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto