Human or Athlete?

Former Liverpool Footballer, Joe Maguire, lifts the lid on his battle with mental health over the last few years in professional football. We delve into Joe’s story starting with his time at Liverpool FC, where he learned under both Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. Both brilliant managers seemed to create an environment that allowed players to be authentically themselves and feel appreciated, understood and part of a family. This approach to the team environment changed drastically as Joe discussed his moves to Fleetwood, Accrington and Tranmere where he found it difficult to deal with the changes in level, perspective on football and how he was treated. This led to a difficult time for Joe as his battle with mental grew prominent and eventually meant he took action. Since starting therapy and talking openly about his mental health, Joe has new perspectives, found acceptance and learned to cope and manage the ups and downs of professional football and life. An honest conversation with a creative, brave man who is open to learning all he can about himself on and off the pitch. 

Support for professional footballers: 

https://www.thepfa.com/players/wellbeing

If you feel like you are finding it difficult and need someone to talk to:

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

This is inspiring, this is emotional, this is real. A conversation with James Sutliff, a disability specialist coach and trainer who himself has a rare neuromuscular movement disorder called Dystonia. James tells us of the loss and pain in the 5 years he spend undiagnosed and what it took from him. But what makes this journey and man special is how he’s turned it around. James changed his perspective, took action and is now living out a career supporting others, all whilst being stronger, healthier and happier than ever. A  story from losing so much to finding himself and finding fulfilment in himself and life, thank you James!

To learn more about dystonia - https://www.dystonia.org.uk/what-is-dystonia

An episode starting with their WHY’s and how they both started in Football and then made their way into elite level running. Both of them raising the issue with the level of support and understanding of what it means to be an elite athlete, Joe taking this to a new level with his venture, The Athlete Place. We see Chris’ pure dedication to the sport but at the same time not the usual do or die mentality. There is a balance and an authenticity to where he can find the additional 1%’s and where he can chill out, switch off and watch some football. Both with brilliant stories and having an impact on the country and sport they find themselves in!

It was brilliant to sit down with Mick and have a conversation with the gloves off. From discussing what happened at the Olympics to his recent fight against Leigh Wood Mick has faced many his setback in his career but what makes him remarkable, is his ability to get back up. 

Mick has a powerful honesty, with me in this conversation, clearly with the people around him, but most rare, a real honesty with himself. He can take responsibility for his defeats as well as be authentic in who he wants in his circles. Not afraid to say the truth and be honest about the pain he has faced, the sacrifices in spending time away from his family and how he will become a world champion. 

This was a conversation centred all around coming back to the relationship with yourself because thats where the answers are. Whether that be to find trust in yourself, whether that be to find your unique ways to find more balance with performance or wellbeing or to know what your body wants and needs in that moment. There is no set answer that works for everyone, it is about cultivating an awareness with your body, your mind and your emotions. Morgan and Joe consistently reminded us that we all have our own way as long as we are in harmony with our authenticity. 

The energy in this conversation was off the charts. 

Mahama Cho, Team GB Double Olympian, multiple medallist in World Champs and Grand Prix as a Heavyweight Taekwondo fighter. This guy is a warrior. 

Leo Oppenheim, Head Trainer at BLOK Manchester, Yogi, Cold Water and Breathwork teacher and facilitator, this man does it all in the wellness space. 

I was slightly apprehensive about bringing these two together at first, maybe they just weren’t on the same page or had differing beliefs about performance, wellbeing and life but how I was wrong. 

The knowledge, insight, stories and energy these guys shared was brilliant. From starting straight away with the difficulty in facing and accepting reality to then how to detach from it and stay disciplined in your path we go through so many factors that come up in an athlete’s journey, the highs, lows, injuries and even the questioning moments of doubt. We importantly take apart the myth that says you can’t be the best whilst having a healthy relationship with both mind and body. Finally, both Leo and Cho remind us that you have it all right within you, right now. You are enough, you are complete, you can be proud of yourself and you have a choice to go after whatever you want, you are in your power. 

This weeks episode was a brilliant insight into the mind and emotions of Laura Deas, skeleton racer and bronze medalist at the Winter Olympics in 2018. We hear how Passion and Determination drove her to achieve success on the Olympic stage and what it takes to reach that level from only starting at 19! 

But just as importantly, we learn what a lack of balance between who you are as a person and how dependent you are on the outcome of your racing can do if it isn’t right. Laura showed courageous honesty and openness to discuss the difficulties when things just didn’t seem to be working and how asking for help and support made a huge difference in turning her season around. 

This conversation really shows how important the balance is between being a human and an athlete and Laura shows how it is possible to face this challenge head on and try sustain a healthy balance between performance and wellbeing. Thank you Laura!

This is the funny but inspiring conversation with Team GB Olympic Bobsleigh athlete, Nick Gleeson. Nick tells us about his story of becoming a paratrooper, what it takes and how he uses the"pain hole" to use that dark energy. I learn how one of his most transferable skills from the army was his ability to control chaos and use order when he needs it most - like when he's trained 4 years for just 1 minute of performance. Finally, Nick reminds us all that switching it off is just as important as training hard, "rest is best". 

Chloe Watson, professional boxer, now 2-0 and Jordyn Smith, GB Taekwondo Fighter are our two guests on this weeks episode. The two of them have near identical careers so far, from incredibly successful junior careers to both unfortunately missing out on Tokyo but fighting back and making the step up onto the full professional level. These two are full of huge dreams and ambitions leading the front lines of female fighting but what makes them different is the humility they carry on their shoulders. Both Chloe and Jordyn are focused on inspiring and changing the culture of female fighting whilst also staying grounded by focusing on either studies and other meaningful additions to their life and the importance of their family. It is an exciting future ahead for both of them as they strive to be the best whilst maintaining their authenticity!

Instagrams:

Jordyntkdsmith

Chloe_watsonxx

Chris Billam-Smith, British, European and Commonwealth Welterweight Champion and what a man this guy is outside of the ring too. 
"Who you are as a human will mould who you are as an athlete"
Chris consistently reminds us of the importance of focus and setting priorities, keep the main thing the main thing. He openly talks of finding balance in how you talk to yourself, how you see yourself and balancing the idea of success with who you are right now. He won't let you off easy making sure we all know how crucial hard work and discipline is to getting anywhere in the athlete world but all with a hint of humility and a calm mindset behind it all.