In this episode of the Emerging Excellence podcast, Patrick Ryan, chief coach of the women's program at the Cambridge University Boat Club, shares his journey from Adelaide, Australia to Cambridge. He delves into his strategies for fostering a culture of repeated success and high performance. Patrick discusses the importance of care, trust, and empowering athletes, contrasting his approach with traditional high-performance coaching methods. He also highlights his efforts to create supportive environments where failure is celebrated as a step toward improvement. Whether discussing his personal experiences or the transformative journey of his athletes, Patrick provides valuable insights for building cohesive and high-achieving teams.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:46 Patrick Ryan's Early Life and Rowing Journey

03:56 Transition to Coaching and Cambridge University

07:41 Building a Winning Culture at Cambridge

10:14 The Role of Care in High Performance

21:40 Empowering Athletes and Creating Ownership

31:24 Life on the Farm and the Impact of Covid

31:33 Challenges Faced by Students During the Pandemic

31:59 Creating a Positive Environment for Athletes

32:55 The Importance of Trust in Team Success

33:51 Achievements and Records in Women's Rowing

36:09 Empowering Young Athletes

39:26 Building a Cohesive Team

50:43 Encouraging Failure and Learning from Mistakes

52:45 The Role of Alumni and Storytelling

55:59 Personal Reflections and Motivation

01:02:18 The Value of the Journey Over Winning