In today’s episode, I talk to Declan James - the newly crowned English Squash champion.

The sport of squash is one of the most dynamic and intense sports you can play. Talking to Dec you really get a sense of the solitary nature of the sport and how Dec has taken it upon himself to develop physically, mentally and emotionally through reading, mentors and practical application. We discuss how he has identified what it takes to be the best and achieve his goals and how he pursues it ruthlessly. We go into detail of how it all started with his family taking him to the gym and turning pro very young, how certain physical attributes are vital to reaching the top of the game. His views on developing routines and habits to learn self awareness can help anybody - sportsman or not. Discussing Dec’s aspirations of Top 10 and advice to any sportsman looking to improve and make it to the next level is truly inspirational.

Today's episode is with Jo Muir, the supremely talented modern pentathlete. I’ve always been interested in a sport which has so many different disciplines I’ve always wondered how they train for all of them. So it was great to find out from one of the most exciting prospects in the world of modern pentathlon.

We talk about seeing lockdown as an opportunity rather than a hinderance, the ins and outs of modern Pentathlon, her journey into the sport, and how consistency is key.

In this episode, I talk to Fraser Dingwall - former England U20s Rugby captain and current Northampton Saints player.

Fraser has had an exciting career so far. His most successful season to date has been 2019/20, where he was nominated for the Premiership Rugby Cup's Breakthrough Player award and scooped the Saints Young Player of the Season award. This did not go unnoticed on the international stage, with Fraser earning the call up to England's training squad ahead of the 2020 Six Nations.

In this episode I talk to Claire Cashmore MBE, who has been one of the most successful Paralympic athletes of the past decade - winning multiple Paralympic medals and breaking world records.

I talk to Claire about growing up with a disability and how sport was able to grow her confidence and worked as a form of escapism, the Paralympic movement was such a powerful force that is changed her life.

Today I’m talking to Antti Kontsas who is the trainer for Sebastian Vettel a former Formula 1 champion.

Antti is an extremely well read and practical coach and one of the most experienced Formula 1 coaches on the circuit. It was really interesting to gain some insight about how Formula 1 drivers prepare and what physical and mental attributes it takes to be in the fastest races in the world.

Today we are talking to Adam Dixon, the Great Britain Hockey Captain who talks us through his career. Starting from a young age and being encouraged by his father and friends to pursue the sport further, with incredible success at club level with Beeston and international success with England and Great Britain playing in the olympics, world cups and winning European gold - he truly is one of the greatest players of his generation and it was a true pleasure to talk to him.

This is the first episode of The Athlete Coach Podcast and is with Phil Burgess - Olympic Silver Medalist in Rugby 7s at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. 

Some of Phil's thoughts on mindset is incredibly inspiring and to the point. His journey is interesting and powerful - going from student athlete to the 15s game, to 7s, to Olympic success, and really shows what hard work and effort can achieve.

Head over to theathletecoach.com for more!

Music by Arron Croft.