🎙️ From Olympic Marathoner to Physiology Researcher: Jess Piasecki on Female Health and Performance

We dive deep into the science of female athletic performance, covering crucial topics like menstrual health, low energy availability, and amenorrhea, and how they impact training, recovery, and long-term health. Jess also highlights the benefits of cross-training, the importance of nutrition, and how athletes can maintain both mental resilience and physical well-being in high-performance environments.

Whether you're a competitive athlete, a coach, or simply passionate about sports science and women's health, this conversation is packed with practical insights and evidence-based advice.

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#FemalePhysiology #MarathonRunning #SportsScience #AthleticPerformance

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Spilsbury—a former colleague, friend, and leading performance physiologist. Kate's journey from nutrition to physiology is both inspiring and instructive, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to the show.

We explore the critical moments in athlete preparation—particularly tapering and peaking—and why getting them right can lead to breakthroughs or breakdowns in performance. Drawing on her experience in both British athletics and now high-performance sport in Australia, Kate shares deep insights into how training systems compare, how to support athletes through the nerves of tapering, and how individualized approaches are key to unlocking potential.

This conversation is rich with reflections from her research (including Kenyan vs. British runners), her experience leading into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and her wisdom on monitoring, recovery, and pacing strategies that really work.

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Kate’s knowledge is exceptional—and her honesty about the real-world complexities of performance makes this a must-listen for coaches, sports scientists, and anyone working in elite sport.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.

#SupportingChampions #SteveIngham #KateSpilsbury #Tapering #Peaking #EnduranceSports #HighPerformance #Olympics #SportsScience #TeamSports #AthleteMonitoring #Recovery #Physiology

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Tim Stevenson – a seasoned strength and conditioning coach – to explore the complex mechanics of the shoulder, injury prevention, and how to build resilient, high-performing athletes. Drawing from over 16 years of experience and his work with elite performers like Charlotte Henshaw, Tim shares a philosophy that moves beyond traditional training—focusing instead on dynamic stability, movement quality, and control-based strength.

Tim sheds light on why the shoulder is such a vulnerable joint, and how athletes can strengthen it not just through brute force, but through mobility, variation, and intentional movement. We explore how rehabilitation should be integrated with performance training, and how a holistic approach is essential for long-term fitness, injury resilience, and sustained enjoyment in sport.

🔍 Key Takeaways

✅ The shoulder’s complexity requires dynamic, not just isolated, strength.

✅ Rehab and S&C shouldn’t be separate—they must be integrated.

✅ Varied movement patterns and calisthenics build “bulletproof” shoulders.

✅ Strength is the armour—but control and awareness are the strategy.

✅ Movement quality matters more than just lifting heavy.

📌 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tim Stevenson and His Journey

03:05 The Complexity of Shoulder Injuries

05:47 Rehabilitation vs. Strength Training for Shoulders

09:14 Case Study: Charlotte Henshaw’s Journey

11:58 Dynamic Stability in Shoulder Training

14:57 Rethinking Traditional Strength Methods

17:48 Building Bulletproof Shoulders

21:00 Integrating Rehab with S&C

24:05 The Role of External Rotation

26:59 Exploring Training Alternatives

38:33 The Importance of Shoulder Mechanics

41:05 Integrating Control-Based Movements

42:30 Exploring Athleticism and Strength

44:41 Functional Performance Goals

46:38 Movement vs. Strength

48:56 Long-Term Fitness Philosophy

53:33 Variety and Longevity in Training

54:58 Practical Training Recommendations

01:01:17 Mobility Integration

01:04:22 Cross-Training for Shoulder Health

01:07:10 Final Thoughts

🎧 Whether you’re an athlete, coach, physio, or simply someone looking to future-proof your training, this episode with Tim Stevenson offers a compelling look into the science and practice of building strong, mobile, and resilient shoulders.

🔗 Learn more about Tim’s work at: https://www.dynamicshoulders.com/

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

#StrengthTraining #ShoulderHealth #Rehabilitation #InjuryPrevention #AthleteDevelopment #SupportingChampions #DynamicStability #MobilityTraining

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by Lisa Trainor – a former varsity athlete turned researcher – to explore the evolving landscape of athlete well-being. Drawing from her own experiences and her academic work, Lisa discusses how injury and major disruptions like the postponement of the Tokyo Games can influence an athlete’s psychological state. She offers insight into the distinction between hedonic (feeling good) and eudaemonic (functioning well and finding purpose) well-being, and how each contributes to sustainable elite performance.

We unpack key themes including the importance of psychological safety, the value of self-confidence and identity in sport, and how athletes can remain fulfilled even when faced with setbacks. Lisa provides a compelling case for redefining success beyond medals and rankings – encouraging us to view thriving and performance not as opposites, but as intertwined outcomes of a well-supported sporting experience.

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🎧 Whether you’re an athlete, coach, psychologist, or someone passionate about high performance and mental health, this conversation with Lisa offers rich insight into the deeper layers of what it means to thrive in sport.

🔔 Subscribe, like, and share to stay updated on future episodes.

#AthleteWellbeing #SportsPsychology #MentalHealth #Eudaemonia #HighPerformance #SupportingChampions

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Richard Ferguson to the show. Richard is one of the leading figures in exercise physiology, and today we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of blood flow restriction (BFR) training.

We explore the science behind BFR, how restricting blood flow can stimulate remarkable strength and endurance adaptations, even with lighter loads. Richard shares his insights into BFR’s role in rehabilitation, athletic performance, and recovery, helping us understand both the opportunities and the caveats of applying this method.

From the mechanisms driving hypertrophy and mitochondrial development, to the mental challenges BFR presents athletes, Richard brings a wealth of research, experience, and practical advice. If you're curious about enhancing adaptation, optimising recovery, or just exploring cutting-edge sports science, this conversation is packed full of insight.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

✅ Blood Flow Restriction enhances muscle growth and endurance adaptations.

✅ Recovery methods should aim to stimulate, not suppress, adaptation.

✅ Practical protocols for strength, endurance, and rehab contexts.

✅ The mental challenge of BFR is as important as the physical.

✅ Emerging applications of BFR for recovery need further exploration.

📝 Complete Richard's Survey:

https://murdochuni.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6LnHZWEFgiUj794 📖

Research Articles:

📚 Learn more about Supporting Champions Courses – use code 'SC10' for 10% off:

https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#courses

📌 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Blood Flow Restriction Training

👀 Whether you're a coach, athlete, physiologist or simply fascinated by the evolving edge of training science, this episode will give you ideas to challenge and improve your performance strategies.

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

#BloodFlowRestriction #BFRTraining #ExercisePhysiology #SportsScience #AthleteRecovery #StrengthTraining #EnduranceAdaptation #SupportingChampions #RichardFerguson

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:

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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.

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📖 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.

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📖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

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🔍 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