In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by author, journalist, and endurance expert Alex Hutchinson to discuss his latest book, The Explorer’s Gene. This conversation dives into the why behind human exploration — what drives us to seek the unknown, how our genetics shape our urge to push boundaries, and what this means for athletes, adventurers, and everyday decision-makers alike.

We explore the intersection of science, adventure, and personal growth, looking at everything from the dopamine receptor gene and novelty-seeking, to the hero’s journey and the paradox of effort. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone curious about what makes humans tick, there’s something here for you.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

📚 Buy Alex Hutchinson’s new book, The Explorer’s Gene:

🎓 Advance your performance career with Supporting Champions Courses:

⏱ Chapters:

Thanks for tuning in — don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. Let’s keep exploring what makes us human.

#SupportingChampions #AlexHutchinson #ExplorersGene #HumanPerformance #Endurance #SportsScience #FreeEnergyPrinciple #HeroJourney #SteveIngham #Dopamine #RiskTaking #PersonalGrowth #Adventure

🎙️In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham welcomes Kate Hays, a leading sports psychologist and author of How to Win: Lessons in Success from the Frontline of Performance Psychology.

Kate shares her expertise on high performance psychology, exploring the essential building blocks of team success, the significance of team identity and purpose, and how pressure training prepares individuals for high-stakes situations. She also discusses psychological safety, behavioural codes, and a strength-based approach to thriving in elite environments.

📖 Get Kate's new book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Win-performance-psychology-potential/dp/0008698287

Key Themes:

✅ Applying performance psychology beyond sport

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Book Overview

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses. https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#courses

🔔 Subscribe for more expert conversations on performance, psychology, and leadership!

#SportsPsychology #HighPerformance #MentalHealth #Leadership #Thriving #TeamSuccess #PsychologicalSafety #SuccessBeyondWinning

🎙️ What training model improves VO2max and time trial performance for recreational and competitive endurance athletes?

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Michael Rosenblat, an expert in exercise science with a fascinating journey from triathlon coaching to physiotherapy. Michael shares his insights into training intensity distribution models, drawing from his recent network meta-analysis on how different approaches impact endurance athletes.

They discuss the complexities of polarized versus pyramidal training models, the methodological challenges of conducting meta-analyses, and the importance of considering individual variability when designing training programmes. Michael also highlights the significance of VO2 max outcomes, the role of network meta-analysis, and why consistency and recovery are fundamental to athletic performance.

Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes the need for rigorous methods in sports science research and how understanding gender differences and training intensity thresholds can shape more individualised training approaches. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into optimising training strategies and understanding the science behind performance improvement.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

📌 Chapters:

📖 Read more on Michael’s paper here:

https://sylvanadamsports-tau.org.il/en/

🔔 Subscribe, like, and share to stay updated with more insightful discussions on performance, training, and sports science!

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses

#ExerciseScience #TrainingIntensity #MetaAnalysis #EnduranceAthletes #VO2Max #AthleticPerformance #SportsMedicine #SupportingChampions #MichaelRosenblat

🎙️ Using play to improve performance with Richard Cheetham

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Richard Cheetham, a senior fellow in sports coaching, to explore the evolving landscape of coaching. From learner empathy and innovative coaching methods to the critical role of play in athlete development, Richard shares his insights on what truly makes coaching effective.

They discuss how early experiences in sport shape long-term engagement, why coaching should balance sports science with emotional connection, and how playfulness fosters creativity and performance. Richard also reflects on cross-sport learning, the challenges posed by AI in coaching, and why the best coaches are those who remain curious and adaptable.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

📌 Chapters:

📖Read more on Richard here:

Richard Cheetham - University of Winchester

🔗Connect with Richard here:

(3) Richard Cheetham MBE | LinkedIn

👀 Whether you're a coach, athlete, or simply passionate about performance, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning, engagement, and the true purpose of sport.

🔔 Subscribe, like, and share to stay updated with more insightful discussions on coaching, performance, and beyond!

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

#Coaching #SportsPsychology #LearnerEmpathy #InnovativeCoaching #PlayInSport #AthleteDevelopment #RichardCheetham #SupportingChampions

🎙️ Parenting Talent | Supporting Champions Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Steve Ingham welcomes Valeria Eckardt to explore the vital yet complex role of parents in youth sports. Parents are more than just supporters—they shape a child's sporting experience as role models, interpreters, and motivators. But where’s the line between support and pressure? How can parents communicate effectively with young athletes?

Valeria shares insights into emotional intelligence in sports parenting, the impact of social media on young athletes, and the evolving role of parents as children progress through their sporting journey. From early skill development to elite competition, this discussion highlights the challenges parents face and the strategies they can use to foster a healthy, supportive, and balanced sporting environment for their children

🔍 Key Takeaways:

📌 Chapters:

🔍 Find more on Valeria’s work: linktr.ee/valeria.eckardt

Instagram: @eckardt_psychologie

Bluesky: @valeriaeckardt.bsky.social

Linkedin: @valeria-eckardt

Additional resources on parenting in sports:

SportParent EU: http://www.sportparent.eu/en/

Handbook for parents in youth football academies (German Football Association & German Soccer League): https://media.dfl.de/sites/2/2024/01/DFL_Info_Elternbroschuere_EN.pdf (English language!)

Sport Parent Guide (Utah State University): https://youthsportsparenteducation.usu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Youth-Sport-Parent-Guide-v2.pdf

Sport Parents Guide (Canadian Sport for Life): https://sportforlife.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/A-Sport-Parents-Guide.pdf

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on sports and performance!

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

#ParentingInSports #YouthSports #SportsPsychology #AthleteDevelopment #ParentalSupport #SportsParenting #Communication #MentalPerformance #SupportingChampions

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

🎙️ Parenting Talent | Supporting Champions Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Steve Ingham welcomes Valeria Eckardt to explore the vital yet complex role of parents in youth sports. Parents are more than just supporters—they shape a child's sporting experience as role models, interpreters, and motivators. But where’s the line between support and pressure? How can parents communicate effectively with young athletes?

Valeria shares insights into emotional intelligence in sports parenting, the impact of social media on young athletes, and the evolving role of parents as children progress through their sporting journey. From early skill development to elite competition, this discussion highlights the challenges parents face and the strategies they can use to foster a healthy, supportive, and balanced sporting environment for their children

🔍 Key Takeaways:

📌 Chapters:

🔍 Find more on Valeria’s work: linktr.ee/valeria.eckardt

Instagram: @eckardt_psychologie

Bluesky: @valeriaeckardt.bsky.social

Linkedin: @valeria-eckardt

Additional resources on parenting in sports:

SportParent EU: http://www.sportparent.eu/en/

Handbook for parents in youth football academies (German Football Association & German Soccer League): https://media.dfl.de/sites/2/2024/01/DFL_Info_Elternbroschuere_EN.pdf (English language!)

Sport Parent Guide (Utah State University): https://youthsportsparenteducation.usu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Youth-Sport-Parent-Guide-v2.pdf

Sport Parents Guide (Canadian Sport for Life): https://sportforlife.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/A-Sport-Parents-Guide.pdf

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on sports and performance!

#ParentingInSports #YouthSports #SportsPsychology #AthleteDevelopment #ParentalSupport #SportsParenting #Communication #MentalPerformance #SupportingChampions

In this episode, Steve Ingham sits down with Liam to dive into the cutting-edge science behind athletic performance. From strength training and speed development to the critical role of muscle temperature, this conversation covers everything you need to know about optimising performance for elite athletes.

Discover how post activation potentiation (PAP) can prime athletes for competition, why recovery is often underestimated, and how individualised training programs lead to better results. Liam also shares insights into future trends in sports science, particularly the use of data strategies to drive performance outcomes.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

📌 Chapters:

🎧 Tune in to discover actionable strategies for enhancing athletic performance and get inspired by the future of sports science. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights!

📖 Read more on Liam here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/l.kilduff/

🔗Or connect with Liam via LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-kilduff-1b920745

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

#SportsScience #PerformanceTraining #StrengthTraining #SpeedDevelopment #DataStrategy #PostActivationPotentiation #Recovery #AthleteTraining #SupportingChampions

🎙️ Welcome to the Supporting Champions Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Steve Ingham is joined by Professor Graeme Close, a leading expert in sports nutrition and human physiology. From his early days as a professional rugby league player to becoming a trusted advisor for England Rugby, Graeme shares his incredible journey and offers valuable insights into the science behind elite performance.

We dive deep into the fundamentals of sports nutrition, the role of mentorship in academic success, and the importance of building relationships with athletes to create tailored nutrition strategies. Graeme discusses key topics such as carbohydrate manipulation, protein intake, and the debate around low-carb high-fat diets, while also exploring the science behind supplements like creatine, beta-alanine, and CBD.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

If you're passionate about sports nutrition, athlete performance, or the science behind optimizing elite athletes, this episode is packed with practical tips and expert insights!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions with experts in sports science and performance.

Timestamps:

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

📖 Read more on Graeme here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-science/sport-and-exercise-sciences/graeme-close

https://www.nutritionx.co.uk/panel/professor-graeme-l-close/

#SportsNutrition #EliteAthletes #GraemeClose #PerformanceNutrition #CarbohydrateManipulation #Supplements #EnglandRugby #Creatine #BetaAlanine #CBD #SportsScience #Mentorship

🎙️ Welcome to the Supporting Champions Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Steve Ingham sits down with Sue Jackson, a renowned psychologist and expert in the field of flow and optimal performance. Sue shares her incredible journey in sports psychology, including her collaboration with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the pioneer behind the flow concept.

Together, we explore the fascinating world of flow—an optimal psychological state where we are fully immersed in a task—and its impact on performance, personal growth, and fulfilment. Sue dives deep into the balance between challenge and skill, mindfulness practices for enhancing flow, and how to create the right environment to unlock your potential.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

Whether you're an athlete, performer, or someone striving for personal excellence, this episode offers practical insights and actionable advice to help you tap into your full potential.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations about performance and personal development!

Timestamps:

Website: www.bodyandmindflow.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suejackson_flow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodyandmindflow

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/drsuejackson

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

#Flow #Psychology #Performance #Mindfulness #SueJackson #SportsPsychology #Mastery #Concentration #ChallengeSkillBalance #supportingchampions 

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Dr Ali Sanders, whose journey seamlessly bridges two worlds of extreme performance: Olympic rowing and emergency medicine.

Ali’s story is one of grit, adaptability, and relentless dedication. From discovering rowing by chance at university to competing at the Olympic Games, Ali has always embraced high-pressure challenges. She shares how those experiences laid the foundation for her work as a consultant in emergency medicine, particularly in the high-stakes environment of air ambulance services.

🔍 Key Topics We Explore:

Ali brings a unique perspective, combining lessons from sports psychology, leadership, and healthcare, offering insights that anyone working in high-performance or demanding fields can learn from.

🔗 Connect with Dr Ali Sanders: (4) Ali Sanders | LinkedIn

📖 Read about some of Ali's work here: 'You can't go home and not think about it' - BBC News

If you enjoy this episode, like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more thought-provoking discussions with leaders and experts across sport, healthcare, and beyond.

Use code APPLIED for 50% off all Supporting Champions Courses https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/

#AliSanders #EmergencyMedicine #OlympicRowing #MentalResilience #AirAmbulance #Leadership #TeamDynamics #SportsPsychology #SupportingChampions #Podcast