Dr Mcleod and I discuss her transition into the field of psychology. She details how her work satisfies her desire and passion to educate, heal, change, and optimise the potential of individuals, groups and organisations. For her, stress is trying to do too much at once. She needs a lot to fulfill and satisfy her passion mentioned above, and as she is involved in so many organisations, she certainly has a lot going on.

Samantha shares how she relates to some clients, after being a female athlete and working full time during her athletic career. Her role as a point guard gave others the opportunity to score instead of scoring herself. This sence of support and contribution to something outside of herself is now expressed through her field in psychology.

Now in a world dealing with COVID-19, Samantha shares what people in the psychology field are going through during such a struggling time. The demand for psychological help has grown immensely during the lockdowns, which is such a large bourdon on the practitioners. Samantha tells how her team manage this stress and heavy workload, and how she is also expanding out to any practitioners who are on their own during the lockdown.

‘Physical activity is now proven to be the #1 factor to decrease depression and anxiety, over and above drugs and therapy together’ – Dr Samantha Mcleod.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-samantha-mcleod-9b020739/

http://www.samcentre.com

[email protected]

Jack and I talk about his recent transition to the NBL and moving to another state within the covid period. Even though he is only moving an hour flight away, Jack reflects on the things he misses about being back in his home state of Victoria and how stepping out of his comfort zone was something that he needed to do. He has been given a whole new set of challenges and aims to take them all on.

Jack discusses the topic of the shared meaning and purpose behind sport. Instead of the purpose of sport just being about the level of competition, Jack details how professionals and coaches return to sport because of the social connections associated with being involved. In a time of such uncertainty, sport has the capacity to bring people together.

The stereotypes of vulnerability debunked. Having written and presented on the area of vulnerability, Jack talks about its meaning, and how it can be commonly linked to some false stereotypes (seeking help, weakness, etc.).

“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage.” - Brene Brown

Also mentioned in one of his presentations, which can be viewed on his website linked below, is the topic of ‘Listening without interrupting’. Jack discusses how this can be a very powerful tool when handling athletes physical and mental health. This is linke with the typical male attitude to try and fix things an find solution. Naturally, coaches want to help. But jack details how the best form of help can simply be listening, and to be comfortable with the ‘empty silence’.

‘Athletes constantly putting on armour’

Jack also makes some interesting point of being yourself as a coach, instead of trying to copy someone on TV on social media. Additionally, we discuss introverted vs extroverted coaching styles and what is portrayed to the public of the coaching image.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-fleming-b8ba08140/

https://instagram.com/jackfleming1?utm_medium=copy_link

https://www.coachjackfleming.com/

Jamie and I talk about his rebirth on social media and how his mindset has changed in the past few months, even with the struggles of COVID lockdowns. Jamie shares his experiences and struggles when starting Melbourne Strength Culture, and how he was at times driven to a point where he would consider selling the business. He reveals how he would be coaching mindlessly, and while hiding behind a facade, he would be truly scared. We delve into the conversation that he felt he needed to start with his friends and family in order to save himself from those troubling times.

What Jamie and the boys at MSC have accomplished is immense. After just moving into their new facility and transitioning into more of a business role, Jamie reflects on how their team culture has helped them be successful within the industry. Comparing the professional sporting environments to the private sector, and how Jamie strives to create this culture where he employees/partners and not competing for any bigger roles.

We also touch on this topic of discussing mental health within a performance-based gym environment. In an environment which is based on strength and overcoming goals, some may find it hard to talk about their own struggles, and just why they are trying to make themselves better in the gym in the first place. Jamie said it well in that ‘we are getting better, but we have a long way to go’.

[email protected]

https://instagram.com/j.smith.culture?utm_medium=copy_link

https://instagram.com/melbournestrengthculture?utm_medium=copy_link

https://www.melbournestrengthculture.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/strength-cultures-quantum-lifting/id1358923154

Now working in the private sector, Lachie talks about his move from pro sport and how he loves working for himself. He shares how he likes ‘being the boss’, going through his own schedule and having to answer to himself within the industry. It can add some pressure, but he welcomes the pressure in order to be better. His passion and his attention to details helps him master this pressure for him to thrive at Athletes Authority. Lachie discusses his passion at Athletes Authority in bridging the gap between aperture and pro sport.

Lachie shares his experience at GWS and being the first in his role at the club creating the building blocks for the much more well-known GWS Giants today. Making progress from being in several locations for a professional club to now being within the same facility. Lachie recalled how exhausting it was to travel to the local pool between session, or to the gym after a field session. Things that are now unheard of with professional sporting organisation. But they started small and Lachie recalls being a part of that culture and setting the scene for future athletes and practitioners to thrive in the environment. Lachie reflects that at the time, he didn’t even recognise how big of an influence he was having in an AFL club, compared to other clubs who have decades of history. He is very thankful for the opportunities he has had with great mentors such as John Quinn (past guest of the podcast) and Mark Williams

The role involved with the Strength and Conditioning Coach have their place in a team. You can influence the skill of the performance by increasing someone’s physical capacity. But the s+c coach doesn’t guarantee performance. Lachie refers to examples of ‘sportsman’ who may not be the most physical of specimens, but they would be the ones that scored the goals and performed the sport well thanks to their skill. So, the s+c coach needs to know their place and where to best apply their craft within a team of individual sport. The s+c coach can provide the opportunity for athletes biomechanically to perform at their peak.

‘You can never give offense you can only take offense’. You choose your response, but your team just wants you to grow as they know that you are better. This is true for both players and coaches as everyone has someone they need to answer to. Taking it personally might mean you’re not in the right business. Media and those outside of the sporting world think that a team isn’t function well together when such clashes and disputes are witnessed. But this is pure emotion and driven by the expectations of that team. Lachie talks about how he takes a message, whether it be harsh feedback or not, and how if he trusts the person, he will take it literally, not personally.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lachlan-wilmot-21165460/?originalSubdomain=au

https://twitter.com/lachlan_wilmot?lang=en

https://athletesauthority.com.au/about-us/

https://www.instagram.com/performancecoach_wilmot/?hl=en

Ian is a very active person and loves a good discussion. He’s a strong believer that we need more laughter in the world. He should know, he’s a part-time comedian. Ian lives his life by the phrase ‘Prepare for war but plan for peace’. He has studied many different forms of combat and completed some very intense endurance events. Ian has a very proactive mind and is very passionate about learning. We discuss what might have triggered this need to ‘go go go!’ and how he is now dealing with his own expectations.

Ian and I discuss the 4 pillars of health (sleep, nutrition mental health and physical health) and how they are all linked. Targeting each pillar will help achieve optimal health, whatever that looks like for everyone.

Ian introduced me to the study of chronobiology. Chronobiology is the study of biological rhythms. We differ in our biological sleep patterns as we age (Owls, larks and intermediates). Teenagers go through an extended Owl stage, where they are biologically set to sleep later at night. So, there is a biological reason for the cranky teenager not wanting to go to bed.

Ian believes that we are in the ‘pre-teen’ phase when it comes to talking about mental health on bigger platforms. These discussions are happening, and will get bigger, but we have only just started! He mentions how young some aspects of science are. Sleep science, performance related work for athletes that kicked off in the late 2000’s, and many more are simple examples of this. Ian is looking forward to researching the topic of performance under fatigue related to sleep patterns. In his past work, Ian and his research team found how common sleep disorders are for athletes. He mentions some of the techniques he has used within team sports to help their schedule promote sleeping and still retain the necessary load for training and match demands.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ian-c-dunican-115b0a14/?locale=es_ES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hkFVH_rifA

https://learningtodie.com.au/

https://sleep4performance.com/

https://meliusconsulting.com.au/

Simon recollects his feeling when he got his first full time role in high performance sports, which was also his dream role. He shares his experiences going through such an intense schedule as he transitioned from one job to another while also studying at the same time, and how he was hurting mentally because of it. He also shares how his dedication and hardship during that time was worth it, and he wouldn’t change much as it was for his dream role. He reflects on how he would have regretted it if it was all for something that he really didn’t care about. Now, he is in the opposite in terms of his own mental health, even in a lockdown.

Simon also talks about the balance he has achieved with working at the Sydney Kings and working at the clinic through the NBL club and how fortunate he is for that. He details the difference between treating athletes and treating the people within the general population who take time out of their day to come and see him.

Simon shares how he deals with his Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and how feeling anxious is a daily occurrence for him. He describes how he overthinks things on such a large scale compared the someone who is neurotypical. He lives his life by controlling the controllable, which is a great mantra to live by. He also uses small wins throughout his day to give him small boosts both at home and within his workplace.

https://www.zone34.com.au/portfolio/simon_hall/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hall-5640b6102/?originalSubdomain=au

simon_the_physio

[email protected]

Steve is very proud of growing up from the country town of Ballarat. He shares how the culture and environment helped shape him into the man he is today.

Steve and I discuss running as a method of therapy, and how people use this form of physical stress and exercise as a source of relief. It can give people time and space to think and can be used as a break away from the craziness of our modern world. However, while being an Olympian, Steve admits that running was essentially his job, and only now in his later years is he using running as a form of enjoyment.

Steve is my first guests who is now a support personnel within high performance sport who was once an Olympic athlete. We discuss the ever-demanding public expectations, and how it changed the way he saw his own running. His lived experience as an athlete helps him in his advisory role now with future athletes.

Steve strongly believes that the journey is greater than the result. As an athlete and a coach, you need to enjoy the crazy journey that leads you to the end goal. If you don’t enjoy the journey and don’t love what you do, then you simply won’t succeed.

Now Steve aims to be more proactive during lockdowns, to let people know we are all in this together. He is constantly speaking on platforms with the aim of spreading his positive message to keep going and ‘get things done’ in this current environment. For example, during a time of literal divide, Steve shows us how the Olympics brought us all together and that Australia got a lot more out of Tokyo 2020 than just a few medals.

‘Australia is its people!’

https://www.athletics.com.au/hall-of-fame-directory/steve-moneghetti/

https://twitter.com/steve_mona?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/stevemoneghetti/?hl=en

https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/stephen-moneghetti/

Nick discusses some factors of what it takes to be a true professional within the high-performance industry. For example, putting your own issues to the side while dealing with players/athletes/clients. We also touch on how this factor impacts Nick’s mental wellbeing and how important it is to be mentally resilient.

Nick shares his experiences of departing certain sporting organisations, and how common it is within the industry. It’s going to happen at some stage, whether it’s a change in coaching staff or running out of a contract, Nick discusses how he bounced back and excelled going forwards.

Nick and I also touch on the topic of being lonely. I’m sure Nick it not the only one, but he enjoys working alone as he can be productive and not be distracted. However, he loves being part of a team and all the social benefits that arise from that type of community. The banter with players, the travel to away games, the late-night stories, etc.

To be in his role, Nick has had to make many sacrifices, in which he shares how lucky he is to have such a supportive family. He talks about how coaches need to make sacrifices in order to make it in the bigger leagues. This touches on the work/life pendulum which has come up in previous episodes on the podcast, and how true balance is never achieved. Focus with work remains at work, and focus with family is when you’re at home.

Coaches not only need to make sacrifices, but they need to be selfless. They need to put others before themselves. That is what coaching is all about. Nick and I discuss how these sacrifices can come at a cost of sustaining wellness, and we investigate some specific tips and tricks that keeps him mentally well.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-richardson-b0191586/

I had such a great chat with Dan, he is a very fun, energetic and influential figure. We talked about how academics should be used to address wellbeing. It is already to some extent, but Dan asserts that academics are key for achieving wellness for any age. There is lack of literacy about mental health. What does it mean to suffer anxiety, but to feel anxious? What is the difference between suffering from depression, or feeling depressed?

Dan and I discuss humility and the ability to lead. Humility in that we, as coaches, don’t know everything and there’s needs to be a bigger concentration for continued learning. A leader limits their abelites if they believe they know everything, which can be detrimental in a professional sports environment or workplace. Furthermore, Dan talks about clarity and purpose, and how these work in tandem with being humble. Clarity provides detail for your goals going forward and the messages you want to convey. This does not only give you purpose, but a purpose that is achievable. You cannot act purposefully if you haven’t got the clarity. Dan then details his concept of ‘Big P and Little p’. ‘Big P’ purpose and ‘little p’ purpose.

P: why you get up in the morning

p: what you do to support P

This helps create conditions for people to be their best to achieve something bigger than themselves.

Dan also touches on issues that athletes must go through when they have a bad performance, bringing up example of the 3 English international soccer players after the most recent Euro Tournament. But there are so many examples of how a public platform can amplify an issue that impacts the mental health of these athletes. There is s till a big gap between empathy and pushing athletes because they are ‘professional’.

And finally, Dan shares his thoughts on a technique used by the NZ Rugby Union team called Red-Blue thinking. Red is your flight fight response, where you can have a short circuit and flip on any small thing that might annoy you. Whereas Blue thinking is the calm opposite. Dan utilises this and has developed the ability to sit in the car and choose to bring blue back into the home after he feels like he’s in the red zone.

https://danhaesler.com

https://www.podcast.habitsofleadership.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhaesler/

Amelia and I discuss some issues surrounding women practitioners within a high-performance sport setting. Through her experiences as a physiotherapist among several different team environments, she has much to share on this topic. We discuss the recruitment system within high performance sport, and how women can easily fall short without doing anything wrong. We touch on breaking some barriers within specific team environments and how to deal with confronting and intruding situations.

We also talk about specific strategies that help you stay ‘well’. Amelia’s is exercise. Getting some time in her day to move and let out some energy seems to be a tactic that keeps her feeling positive. We discuss the cycle of mental wellness and exercise, in the way that one will always lead into the other. And when feeling down, a slight adjustment in either of these factors can get you back into that positive cycle. Exercise Therapy!

Amelia talks about her recent involvement with the Melbourne Victory W-League team and how the culture and togetherness throughout the 2020/21 season helped them win the title. She mentions how close-knit all the athletes and support staff were with each other, and how this was a major factor in their recent success.

And finally, Amelia and talk about what she does for enjoyment, and how the COVID lockdowns have helped her settle her active mind when doing tasks and activities with loved ones. She talks about her enjoyment of snowboarding and how it helps her stay mentally and physically well.

https://www.melbournesportsphysiotherapy.com.au/team/physiotherapist/amelia-thomas-physiotherapist

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-thomas-557774167/?originalSubdomain=au