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Paula Jackson - From the Fast Track to Life’s Next Chapter
What does it take to compete at the Winter Olympics, lead Great Britain’s no.1 bobsleigh sled, serve in the British Army, and then redefine success as a mother and professional?
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paula Jackson, Olympian, retired bobsledder, Junior World Champion, and Corporal in the Royal Corps of Signals, to uncover the lessons that sport can’t help but teach, lessons that fuel life and career after competition.
Paula takes us inside her journey from a 19-year-old Army recruit discovering bobsleigh, to racing at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, to building a life of purpose and resilience beyond sport. Her story is raw, inspiring, and packed with takeaways for athletes at every stage of their journey.
Key takeaways you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why saying yes for the experience can accelerate growth in sport, career, and life.
- How the learning curve never really ends, and why that’s a good thing.
- The underrated superpower every athlete has: coachability.
- Why structure and autonomy together create true performance freedom.
- The role of emotional intelligence and communication in elite sport and business.
- Why a thirst for education is an athlete’s hidden edge.
- The importance of boundaries and protecting time for yourself.
- How to trust your instincts and ask the hard questions.
About the hosts
James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.
Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter.
Connect and Contact
Website:
www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com
LinkedIn:
Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/
James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/
Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10
Instagram:
@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator
Email:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
View all episodes
By Karl Birch and James RuleWhat does it take to compete at the Winter Olympics, lead Great Britain’s no.1 bobsleigh sled, serve in the British Army, and then redefine success as a mother and professional?
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paula Jackson, Olympian, retired bobsledder, Junior World Champion, and Corporal in the Royal Corps of Signals, to uncover the lessons that sport can’t help but teach, lessons that fuel life and career after competition.
Paula takes us inside her journey from a 19-year-old Army recruit discovering bobsleigh, to racing at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, to building a life of purpose and resilience beyond sport. Her story is raw, inspiring, and packed with takeaways for athletes at every stage of their journey.
Key takeaways you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why saying yes for the experience can accelerate growth in sport, career, and life.
- How the learning curve never really ends, and why that’s a good thing.
- The underrated superpower every athlete has: coachability.
- Why structure and autonomy together create true performance freedom.
- The role of emotional intelligence and communication in elite sport and business.
- Why a thirst for education is an athlete’s hidden edge.
- The importance of boundaries and protecting time for yourself.
- How to trust your instincts and ask the hard questions.
About the hosts
James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.
Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter.
Connect and Contact
Website:
www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com
LinkedIn:
Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/
James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/
Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10
Instagram:
@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator
Email:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.