The Sport Psych Show

I have the pleasure of being joined by Jennifer Lace in this episode. Jennifer is Head of Sport Psychology and Personal Development at Nottingham Forest FC. Prior to her role at Forest, Jennifer worked at Burnley FC as Sport Psychology Practitioner and Lecturer. We talk about the road to becoming a sport psychologist and the path options that are available; how to get coaches on board with sport psychology; aiding a coach’s delivery and specific psychological approaches and models.

I am delighted to be joined by father and son, Keith and David Mayer in this episode. Both Keith and David are both coaches and ex-professional players. Keith and David have written a fantastic book entitled Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly. And it’s this book we mainly speak about discussing the significance of interpersonal skills; coaching with intention; coaches monitoring the language they use and being aware of their communication.

I have the pleasure of being joined by Prof Brendan Cropley in this episode. Brendan is Professor of Sport Coaching at the University of South Wales. He is also Head of the Centre for Football Research in Wales. Brendan has made a significant contribution to the Sport & Exercise Sciences, particularly in the area of sport psychology and sport coach education. He has provided a range of consultancy services to athletes, coaches, and NGBs.

I’m excited to be joined by Morgan Lewis in this episode. Morgan is an ex-professional footballer, having played for AFC Bournemouth in the 1980’s. Since his playing days, Morgan has worked as a teacher for 15 years as well as in healthcare communications, using behaviour change theories to create interventions that help people to make better decisions. Morgan is also a keen table tennis player and coach, coaching elite junior players.

I’m excited to speak with Stuart Lancaster in this episode. Having held various leadership, management and coaching positions at different levels of the game, Stuart became head coach of the English national rugby union team in 2011. Stuart now coaches Leinster Rugby in Ireland. He currently sits on the Technical Advisory board for the Football Association and has worked with many other sports and businesses in delivering leadership lessons and ideas on how to create long term high performing teams.

I’m delighted to speak with Skye Eddy Bruce in this episode. Skye is the founder of Soccer Parenting Association which aims to inspire players by empowering parents. Skye is also a soccer coach and holds her USSF “B” license. She is a grassroots instructor for US soccer and a goalkeeping instructor for United Soccer Coaches. The work that Skye does is geared toward shifting cultures and awareness and helps coaches and clubs rethink the role that parents play in the sporting experience of their child.

I’m honoured to speak with two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold medallist, and two-time FIFA Player of the Year, Carli Lloyd and her personal coach and mentor James Galanis in this episode. James is technical director of Medford Strikers Soccer Club and is the founding Director of premier soccer school, Universal Soccer Academy. James has been by Carli’s side from the very early days in her career, helping her to push herself to be the best she can be.

I’m excited to speak with Dr Noel Brick in this episode. Noel is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Ulster University. He has a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a PhD in Attentional Focus and Psychological Strategies in Endurance Activity. As a runner himself, Noel was interested in what endurance athletes think about during a race, what mental strategies they use, how they develop those strategies and how they know if they’re working for them.

I speak with Steve Magness in this episode. Steve is a sport scientist and a track and field coach. He coaches competitors at all levels, including athletes who have competed in the World Championships and the Olympics. He is Head Cross Country coach at the University of Houston, a Lecturer of Strength and Conditioning at St. Mary’s University, UK and author of three best-selling books, including the latest: The Passion Paradox.

I’m excited to be joined by AFC Wimbledon Academy Manager, Michael Hamilton. Prior to his role as Academy Manager, Michael was Academy Head of Coaching. In this episode we speak about the forward-thinking coaching process that are being implemented at AFC Wimbledon including practices that aim to enhance player development; creating a supportive environment for players; player-centred coaching; and working towards being player-led.

I have the pleasure of being joined by Dr Chesli Day in this episode. Chelsi is a sport psychologist within the athletic department at Ohio State University. She was previously at Indiana University as Director of Counselling and Sport Psychology. Her primary role is to provide mental health and performance enhancement services to student athletes and to consult with coaches. We speak about integrating sport psychology and wellness into the curriculum; breaking the stigma of mental health.

I’m delighted to be joined by founder and MD of 21 Leadership, Richard Nugent in this episode. Richard works with fast-paced organisations, including the League Managers Association (LMA), helping them build their capability and capacity for change. He is the best-selling author of ‘50 Secrets of Self Confidence’ and a keynote speaker. We speak about the most important characteristics for leaders to have; knowing what you stand for; forward facing vs moving away from; and leaving people with energy.

I have the pleasure of being joined by Dr Paul McCarthy in this episode. Paul is Programme Director of the Taught Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is also resident sport psychologist at St Andrews Links Golf Academy and has his own private practice supporting athletes and coaches in a range of sports. We take a deep dive into how change happens in athletes by examining person-centred frameworks; the belief that change is possible; and how people get better.

I’m speaking with Chartered Psychologist, speaker, author and high performance consultant, Dr Steve Bull in this episode. With a keen interest in sport, Steve started out as a PE teacher before completing his Masters and then PhD in Applied Psychology at the time when the discipline was only just starting to take hold. He was the Great Britain Team Headquarters Psychologist at 3 Olympic games and held various roles including team psychologist with the England Cricket Team for 16 years.

In this week’s episode I welcome back Dr Scott Goldman. I asked Scott back on the show to speak about the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) which he created together with Dr Jim Bowman when they both received training at the Albert Ellis Institute in New York. The AIQ is an intelligence test that assesses the innate cognitive abilities that are most utilised in attaining, developing, and applying athletic skills, strategies, and tactics.