Parents in Sport Podcast

In this episode gymnastics parent Ian Whitehouse joins Gordon Maclelland to discuss his sports parenting journey which has already taken in the Olympics and watching his son win a silver medal at the World Championships.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Enjoyment, persistence and gradual progress as the route to the Great Britain squad at 17
• Setbacks as opportunities to build resilience, and the Olympics as a family highlight
• Coping with injuries, competition pressure and the disruption of COVID
• Supporting a young athlete without letting the sport define who they are
• Stepping back and adapting the parent’s role as the athlete becomes more independent
• Early, honest communication with schools and universities and why trust matters
• Balancing study and sport by adjusting timelines while keeping education a priority
• Learning from coaches, elite athletes and other parents, and the reassurance that every sporting family faces similar challenges

Ian is now 4 years retired having worked for Lloyds Banking Group as Head of Programmes. His wife Diane who we must not forget in this works in a junior & Infant school. Ian is a keen runner who also recently competed in Triathlon as a GBR Age Grouper at the European Championships in Madrid in 2023 and this last year qualified for the World Championships at the Olympic distance and at the Europeans over the sprint distance.

He is also the father of British artistic gymnast Luke who represented Great Britain at the 2024 Summer Olympics and is a silver medallist on floor exercise at the 2025 World Championships. Luke is a four-time European Champion, winning three titles on floor exercise in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

In this episode educational consultant and the founder of the 'Sex, Lies and Life Project'  Libby Flenley joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss Sports Parenting in a Digital Age.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• The impact of digital footprints and how content shared young can resurface years later to affect a sporting career
• The growing threat of deepfakes and AI-generated imagery being used to bully, blackmail or exploit young athletes
• The pros and cons of running social media accounts for young athletes
• The challenges of parental peer pressure around managed-by-parent accounts
• The impact of technology and screen time on athletic performance
• The parental role in supporting a healthy identity beyond sport
• Practical advice for parents navigating this part of their child's life

Libby has spent around 10 years working in child protection, sexual violence, and criminal exploitation — including international work with exploited young people in Paraguay. She founded the Sex Lies and Love (SLL) Project, which began delivering workshops in schools in line with statutory guidance. In the past 12 months it has rapidly expanded into sports environments including football academies, working with young players, parents, host families, and professionals. The project's focus has shifted increasingly towards online harms and digital safety, and it is also referred to as the "Safety, Lies and Love" Project when working with under-12s and parents.

In this episode rugby league legend and sports parent Martin Offiah joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss aspects of his career, how it has shaped him and his approach today and his role as a father supporting his two sons Tyler (Professional Player at Bath Rugby) and Phoenix (Academy Scholar Tottenham Hotspur) on their sporting journey.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• The power of storytelling and legacy in motivating young athletes
• Why comparison should be "self to self for improvement, not self to others"
• Engineering resilience and adversity into a child's daily routine
• The contrast between coaching a child in your own sport and parenting a child in a sport you don't know
• Using leverage, reward and consistency to build skills and motivation
• The role of validation from other athletes and mentors in landing a message with teenagers
• Documenting a child's sporting journey to build belief and connection over time
• Honest reflections on the hardest, least "rosy" parts of being a sports parent

Martin Offiah MBE is one of rugby league’s all-time greats. He began his rugby journey at Ipswich and Roslyn Park before becoming a legend with Widnes and Wigan, scoring over 500 tries and earning a statue outside Wembley for his iconic 1994 try. Inducted into the Hall of Fame, he also appeared on reality TV, including Strictly Come Dancing. From 2018 to 2025, he was a Brand Ambassador for Connected Kerb, helping them grow from startup to the UK’s second-largest public EV charging provider. He also co-created the Offiah Activ mattress with Romantica Beds and now supports businesses through BDC. Across sport and business, he continues to inspire.

Martin's approach to sports parenting draws directly on his own journey from a state school in Hackney to the top of professional sport, and on what he has learned navigating two sons through two very different sporting pathways. His philosophy centres on consistency, resilience, self-belief and the importance of helping young people find their own drive built through story, connection and the lived, daily habits of a sporting household.

In this episode Olympian, Coach and Mentor Dwain Chambers joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his journey from a muddy log to the world stage including motivation, doping and raising kids who don't need to be you.

He also discusses his role now as a father, coach and mentor to young athletes striving in the world today.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• The absence of visible role models
• Speed discovered by accident outrunning friends on bicycles with nothing but raw ability
• Praise as a turning point, chasing outside validation because it wasn't available at home
• Motivation v drive and why motivation fades in a day but drive has to come from somewhere deeper
• The coach as surrogate parent providing mentorship and filling a gap that home life didn't
• Encouraging vulnerability in young athletes without it being weaponised
• Comparison culture and "other people's lives look more fun than mine"
• Who to trust with the flood of new relationships that arrives the moment you succeed
• The internal pressure that led to his choice to use performance enhancing drugs in 2002
• Four fingers and one thumb and the golden lesson of taking responsibility instead of blaming others
• Letting kids make their own mistakes rather than shielding them from consequences
• Listening without judgement and why kids stop talking the moment they expect a lecture

Dwain Chambers is a British track sprinter and the sixth-fastest man of all time over 60 metres. He is also one of the few sprinters to have run a sub-10-second 100 metres. Today, he holds the title of the world’s fastest 47-year-old over 60 metres. Inspired by finishing last in a running race as a teenager, Dwain set himself a goal, committed to training, and went on to become the fastest British teenage sprinter.

 Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Dwain has competed with notable success at the British, European, and World Championships, as well as the Olympic Games.

 Now a coach, speaker and mentor, Dwain uses his experience to inspire athletes and individuals alike, promoting sport, fitness, and a mindset built on achievement and success. Through speaking and sport, he teaches essential life skills such as accountability, discipline, resilience, problem-solving, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.

In this episode 'The Coaches' coach' and communication specialist Betsy Butterick joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘Supporting Gen Z and Gen Alpha to thrive both in and out of their sport' and what that potentially means for coaches, teachers and parents. 

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• The Coaching Crisis of coaches leaving the profession and struggling to connect with Gen Z
• The importance of understanding Gen Z rather than judging them
• Connection as the foundation to all great coaching
• The shift from telling to asking
• Making sense of expectations both spoken and unspoken
• Accountability vs. Responsibility
• Generational Traits - are they myths or reality?
• Honesty with Empathy - being kind rather than just nice, allows for honest caring conversations
• Managing Dreams, Expectations and Realities
• The Coach–Parent–Athlete Triangle and communication skills applying across all three relationships
• Connection, co-creation and choices

Betsy Butterick, aka "The Coaches' Coach", is a seasoned pro who utilises the transformative power of communication to help build high-performing teams. As a former coach, Betsy understands that "chemistry" is more than a buzzword - it is the result of genuine connection, and at its core lies effective communication. 

 In her role as "The Coaches' Coach," Betsy meets individuals where they are to support their growth and evolution. Through cultivating awareness and the application of tools and frameworks to support greater autonomy, Betsy works with people to become self-generating and self-correcting. As a Communication Specialist, she works collaboratively to enhance communication effectiveness and drive positive change at every level. 

 While there is rarely one "best way" to communicate, Betsy helps coaches and athletes shorten the distance between intention and impact, one conversation at a time. Audiences value time with Betsy for her relatable approach and actionable insights that provide both immediate and future value. As a facilitator and educator, 

 Betsy has the exceptional ability to connect with a diverse audience and offers a professional, playful, and people-centric approach to learning and development. She's routinely asked to speak at sports conferences and in departments to help people build the communication skills to optimise the people-part of any pursuit. Betsy has worked with teams and organisations at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels by creating custom programming to support high-performance both on and off the field. 

 Much of her recent work has focused on helping leaders bridge the generational gap to work proactively with Gen Z and beyond by replacing judgment with understanding and providing tools to support long-term success. A lifelong athlete, Betsy grew up playing all sports and was a competitive basketball player (and fairly awful golfer) at the collegiate level. She now spends her time with her wife and two daughters, building pillow forts, biking, practicing yoga, chasing sunsets, and in constant pursuit of the perfect breakfast burrito.

Additional Reading

Sport v Computer Game

When all I get is a grunt......

In this episode Leadership and Performance coach Rick Cooper joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘The Real Manosphere'  and how we can support teenage boys to fulfil their potential both in and out of their sport.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Moving past 'Manosphere' headlines
• The important distinction between 'fitting in' and 'belonging'
• Filling the connection void - being seen, valued and heard
• The importance of strong and effective role modelling
• Agreements over expectations
• Strategies for sporting parents to try and implement immediately to support their teenage sons
• Everybody's role in providing emotionally intelligent leadership that teenage boys need to navigate the modern world

Rick Cooper is a leadership and performance specialist. With a background spanning elite sport, to serving as an officer in the London Fire Service, his focus is on youth development, and high-pressure leadership environments. He works with student athletes, schools and teams across the UK and internationally to help them unlock potential, strengthen identity, and perform with authenticity and purpose.

Additional Reading

You are a parent - not a caddie!

Are you living vicariously through your sporting children?

In this episode Breathwork Specialist and Performance Coach Jack McMillan joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss breathing for junior athletes and how we can best support as sporting parents.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Breathing = Performance and Wellbeing
• Why breathing matters for young athletes
• The use of breathing in managing pressure and anxiety
• Bridging mental health and performance
• Control v Chaos in modern sport
• Top tips for parents and young athletes
• The transfer of breathing skills to improve performance beyond sport

Jack McMillan is the Founder of Optima Performance, the UK's leading provider of breathing training for elite sport. Jack has worked with over 3,000 athletes across professional sport including Great Britain, WSL academies, the Premier league, and EFL. He specialises in teaching breathing science and stress resilience to junior athletes, coaches, and parents, helping young performers manage pressure, optimise recovery, and build lifelong self-regulation skills.

 Links to FREE EBOOKS: 

 Breathing for Junior Athletes: 

https://www.optima-performance.co.uk/Breathwork-E-Book-Sign-Up 

 Sleep for Athletes: 

https://www.optima-performance.co.uk/sleep-e-book-sign-up- 

In this episode Sports nutritionists Kate Shilland and Fran Taylor and the founders of 'Performance Canteen' join Gordon MacLelland to discuss supporting young athletes through proper nutrition.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Challenges like misinformation and the need for clear communication
• Progress and not perfection in building small, sustainable changes that fit around real family life
• The dangers of fad diets such as bulking and cutting, advocating for simple, consistent nutrition practices
• Nutrition being vital for growth, health, and performance
• The importance of teaching children cooking skills to empower them and improve their dietary habits
• The emotional side of feeding young athletes and the pressure and challenges parents face
• 'How to Feed a Young Athlete' - why Kate and Fran wrote their new book

If you would like to buy a copy of their new book in collaboration with us here at Working with Parents in Sport then click here.

'How to Feed a Young Athlete' isn’t just another nutrition book it’s the resource we wish our parents had had.

It is built from thousands of conversations with parents of young athletes. We’ve listened to all their questions, challenges, frustrations and wins and created a toolkit. You’ll find practical answers and actionable solutions to the nutrition challenges every parent faces, complete with interviews with parents of elite level young athletes and exercises to try.

Talent and training absolutely matter, but what children eat directly impacts their energy, recovery, mood, development and performance, whether they’re on the field, in the classroom, or at home. Nutrition really is sport’s unsung hero, and this toolkit is part of our mission to change that.

Featuring unique insights and nutritional tips from parents of high performing athletes.

Kate Shilland is a leading Sports Nutritionist with over 16 years’ experience, working with youth athletes of all levels from recreational to world champions. She has been head of nutrition at Crystal Palace Football Club for the past nine seasons.

Fran Taylor is a highly regarded Public Health Nutritionist with over 17 years’ experience working in nutrition communication with parents, schools and sports clubs.

Additional Reading

Kitchen Essentials to support our youth athletes with their nutrition

How to fuel around game days, tournaments and busy schedules

In this episode best selling author and coach Brad Stulberg joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his new book 'The Way of Excellence' which explores what sustainable excellence really looks like and what it potentially means for us all in supporting young athletes.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Building excellence through rhythm and balance
• The dangers of outcome obsession
• Supporting our young people to build and maintain a 'stable sense of self'
• Helping our young people build confidence through effective preparation
• The importance of discomfort for growth but not chaos
• Helping young people interpret failure as information, not a final verdict
• Creating support systems and environments full of clarity and consistency that help develop resilience and self-awareness

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change, and is the co-author of Peak
Performance with former guest Steve Magness.  

Brad regularly contributes to the New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast “excellence, actually” and is on the faculty at the University of Michigan. 

Additional Reading

How do you manage your child if they are physically small and potentially a late developer?

Are you patient with the process?

In this episode sporting parents Danny and Kate Cowley join Gordon MacLelland to discuss the value of working together as a parent team to support a young high performing athlete.

Together, Danny and Kate offer a dual perspective as coaches, educators, parents, and lifelong learners. Their daughter, a youth international footballer, and their son an ex gymnast have given them valuable insight into the experiences of young people navigating elite sport.

They bring a wealth of lived experience to the show with Danny a highly respected professional football manager and Kate a former international athlete, both with backgrounds in education.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• The importance of context with no one-size-fits-all approach to sports parenting
• Having distinct parent roles matter based on relationships with the child and individual strengths and weaknesses
• The importance of proactive and clear communication between clubs, coaches, teachers, parents and children
• Understanding the nuances of feedback
• Recognising mistakes, setbacks, and disappointment are normal and vital for development
• Helping to build confidence by reinforcing hard work and repetition and highlighting evidence of progress
• The continuous balancing act of tough love vs unhealthy pressure
• Focussing more on role modelling over lecturing

Both Danny and Kate share a passion for sport, education, and supporting young people to reach their potential both on and off the field.

Having been together since childhood, their shared love of sport has shaped both their personal and professional journeys. They began their careers working together at The FitzWimarc School, one of the UK’s top-performing secondary schools, where they combined their experience in teaching, coaching, and athlete development to help students grow and succeed.

Danny has since built a respected career in professional football management, recognised for his people-focused approach and commitment to developing players and teams. His time at clubs including Lincoln City, Huddersfield Town, and Portsmouth has been defined by an emphasis on teamwork, learning, and creating positive environments.

Kate’s career has also been in high-performance sport and education. A former senior international athlete supported by the National Lottery’s Podium Potential programme, she has worked across elite sport and athlete development.