University of Staffordshire's Performing Under Pressure Podcast

Inspirational Erasmus Darwin Academy Headteacher, Phil Walklate joins Dr Paul Mansell and Jack Bullock in the studio to talk about his experiences of pressure in an educational setting. Given the responsibility of Phil's job, he describes his general approach to performing well himself as a leader whilst also allowing others to flourish.

Studying an undergraduate at Staffordshire University, Phil then completed a PGCE in Physical Education, earning him a job as a PE teacher, before eventually working his way up the ladder to being a Headteacher.

Now managing over 100 members of staff and nearly 1200 students, Phil has to deal with the pressures of ensuring his students are receiving the best experience possible. The trio discuss the importance of using values as a way of leading under pressure, how a leader should focus on the personal development of their team, and how to perform well when the focus is on outcomes.

Phil details the important of transparency in leadership and how showing vulnerability by sharing stories is an effective in allowing connections to form between individuals. The idea of avoiding groupthink is also discussed.

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Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Katie Sparks are joined by current Wolves Women defender Ellie Wilson as they quiz her on how she deals with the pressures of playing football at an elite level. Ellie represented England up to Under 23s and has played in the WSL and Championship for Reading, Bristol City, London Bees and Sheffield United.

In this episode, Ellie provides a very positive view towards pressure. Ellie describes in detail how she uses visualisation on the pitch before a game to ready herself for any situation she may find herself in. She also shares advice given to her by others, such as making sure you've got 'fire in your belly, but ice in your mind'. The importance of analysing performance and dealing effectively with mistakes is also discussed. The trio also share their guilty pleasures with some surprising revelations!

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Premier League footballer Tawanda Chirewa joined Dr Paul Mansell and Sam Westley in the studio to discuss his approach to performing at the top level of the game. Our youngest guest to date, the 20-year old attacking midfielder made his Premier League debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this year having joined from Ipswich Town in 2023.

In his first in-depth interview, Tawanda spoke of his use of self-talk (affirmations) to help put himself in the best place to perform well. He describes some of the nuances of pressure that players transitioning from academy to the first team may experience. Tawanda also spoke about the importance of being a good person around the training ground and how some of the senior players at the club had welcomed him into the group.

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Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell welcome England Cerebral Palsy international Harry Baker into the studio to explore his perceptions of performing under pressure in elite disability sport. Harry is closing in on 50 caps for England and has played at World Cups and European Championships, winning the golden boot in 2018. He shares his disappointment about missing out on a trip to the Paralympics and how a shift in his mindset about being left out of the squad was a huge moment in his career. His describes his use of visualisation and how he adopts a 'goldfish mentality' to deal with mistakes.

In his role as a @RafikiThabo Foundation Patron, he describes the strategies he used to help him climb Mount Kilimanjaro having been told by a doctor that he might not be able to walk when he was a child. Harry underlines the importance of emotional responsibility and accountability when it comes to dealing with pressure, highlighting the need for flexible thinking.

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Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Andrew Wilkinson were delighted to welcome former Loughborough University colleague and current Fulham Women's defender Dr Ella Tagliavini into the studio to delve into her insights on performing under pressure. Ella has captained England at youth level and also also played for Chelsea. She has completed a PhD which examines parenting in sport and currently lectures at UCFB.

Ella shares her reflections on taking advice from Dame Denise Lewis and outlines that a combination of experience and reflection are necessary for growth, which in turn leads to better subsequent performance under pressure. Perspective taking is highlight as a key approach to dealing with pressure as well as the need for social support from inside the club as well as friends and family. Ella details her use of imagery and how the use of video analysis might compliment this. In her advice to her younger self, she talks about the need to embrace pressure. Finally, we circle back to parenting in sport and how they might be able to facilitate performing under pressure.

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Derby County defender Kane Wilson joined Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Andrew Wilkinson in our studio at Staffordshire University. Nominated for a place in League Two team of the year whilst at Forest Green Rovers, Kane has also played for West Bromwich Albion, Exeter City, Walsall and Bristol City, as well as representing England up to under 18 level alongside the likes of Phil Foden.

For Kane, expectation is where pressure is created and experienced. He describes his use of self-talk to help him re-focus after making a mistake and gives an insight into how a 'Why Wall' can be an effective tool to help in the moments before kick-off. We discuss the utility of combining professional sport and studying, and the importance of unwinding from both of those through spending time with family. 

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In today's episode, Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell are joined by Premiership rugby player Sebastian de Chaves. A youth international for South Africa, Sebastian has also represented Mont de Marsan, Leicester Tigers, London Irish and more recently, Newcastle Falcons. Sebastian has also completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Staffordshire University.

Sebastian shares his views on what it means to perform under pressure and how his relationship with pressure has changed over the course of his career. As a more experienced player, he also describes how he might influence younger members of the team to help them to perform well. Preparation is highlighted as a crucial element of performing under pressure - a skill that is considered to be transferable across other domains. He reflects on the advice he would give to his younger self to perform well in demanding circumstances.

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Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell interview former professional footballer Sam Winnall about his experiences about performing under pressure. Sam started his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and enjoyed success at a number of clubs, including winning the League 2 Golden Boot award in 2014 with Scunthorpe United and representing Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Burton Albion and Oxford United.

Sam describes how he enjoyed the pressure of scoring goals and how he focused on his own performance in order to benefit the team. He talks about the growing emphasis on performance psychology in sport and laments not being able to access such support when he was starting his career. He emphasises the need for consistency in preparing to perform well under pressure, keeping it simple in the process. Since retiring, Sam describes the route he is now taking to support others.

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During this episode, Dr Paul Mansell and Jack Bullock interview Port Vale Women's captain Meg Baldwin about her experiences of performing under pressure. Meg is also a broadcaster for BBC Radio Stoke, Head of Sport at Thistley Hough Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, a football coach, a Visiting Lecturer at Staffordshire University and a parent. This makes for interesting comparisons in performing under pressure in her various roles.

Meg grew up in a busy household with five siblings and shares how this has shaped her views of performing under pressure. Despite not having any formal training in performing in demanding circumstances, she offers the useful distinction between enjoying pressure and valuing it. She also offers some interesting reflections on reacting to mistakes and how to influence those around her who need to perform under pressure.

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Matt Jarvis made over 400 appearances in his football career and represented clubs including Gillingham, Wolves, West Ham and Norwich. He was selected to play for England in 2012, making his debut at Wembley against Ghana.

Matt offers his insights on the pressures to perform well in football, such as whether it is possible to enjoy pressure. He describes the strategies he used to perform to a high level during his career, such as imagery. We discuss whether psychological preparation changes when called up to make your England debut.

This episode was recorded externally via Microsoft Teams.

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