The Athlete EQ Podcast

This episode is with Troy Culley, head coach for Team GB U16 boy’s team and  academy coach at Myerscough College. In this episode  Troy speaks about holding players accountable and what it takes reach a higher level as a player when it comes to performing under pressure. We talk about recovering and learning from losses and what he sees in players that indicates they are going to be something special.

This episode is with Ed Lucas, No 2 for the London Lions in the British Basketball League. In this episode which is divided into two parts, Ed speaks about the best and worst part of being a pro athlete and the responsibility that comes with influence and inspiration for the next generation. Ed recalls the influence of one Isaiah Thomas following family hardship and how those on his basketball journey have become a second family for him.

This episode is with Ed Lucas, No 2 for the London Lions in the British Basketball League. In this episode which is divided into two parts, Ed speaks about the best and worst part of being a pro athlete and the responsibility that comes with influence and inspiration for the next generation. Ed recalls the influence of one Isaiah Thomas following family hardship and how those on his basketball journey have become a second family for him.

This episode is with Raegan Moore, video coordinator for Boston College Women’s Basketball program and former guard for Duquesne University and Huima Aanekoski in Finland.  In this episode Raegan and I speak of the weight of expectations and the importance of athletes knowing themselves beyond the court. Reagan recounts her gratitude for being able to play the game and the impact she wants to have on the game and the world going forward.

Part 2 of the episode with Dzaflo Larkai, international basketball scout, 2x member of Team GB, 4x Basketball Japan League Winner and former no8 for the London Lions. In part 2, Flo and I talk about some difficult subjects and the content may not be suitable for everyone. We talk about depression, suicide and the impact of events that changed his life forever. We also speak about racism in both the US and the UK after the recent murder of George Floyd. And finally, Flo offers his key pieces of advice to young athletes and even to me.

This episode is with Dzaflo Larkai, international basketball scout, 2x member of Team GB, 4x Basketball Japan League Winner and former no8 for the London Lions. In this episode, which is divided into two parts, Flo and I speak of the early childhood influence of Jimmy Rogers and others at the Brixton Topcats, the dedication and determination it takes to get to the US to play and go to school and what it’s like to play in Japan, a nation not necessarily recognised for the sport of basketball. We get real about the pressure that comes from injury and Flo speaks hard truth about believing in yourself as a young player.

Interview with Nate Lucas, Strength & Conditioning Coach who’s experience includes the Angola National Team, the London City Royals and the Luol Deng Foundation. In this episode Nate recalls the challenges of being a young athlete, his move to my home state of Oklahoma and his transition from athlete to coach. Nate recounts how his own struggles with his conditioning fuels his passion for his work with other athletes and the need for more focus on the mental aspect of the game. We talk about everything from the Olympics to the impact of Covid-19 to mentality needed in the off-season to the key piece of advice he’d give to his younger self.

Interview with Justin Robinson, number 10 for the London Lions. Justin is a two-time British Basketball League MVP, one of only five people and the only British-born player to claim this honour. He has played for Team GB and his career as spread from the US to Europe. In this episode Justin speaks of early childhood influences from Micheal Jordan and Allen Iverson as well as what kept pushing him towards his dream of being a professional player and the value of playing across Europe. We get real about what it was like to come home to London to play and what basketball needs more of in the UK going forward. And finally, after giving us an insight to what life has been like since the outbreak of COVID-19, Justin offers some words of wisdom to young athletes everywhere, from every sport and every background. 

This episode is a summary of the Why behind the Athlete EQ podcast. Also included are details of the subject of the podcast and the detail of the coming season.