Sport Psychology Mind Coach - Chris Thomas

  Yes, grab your shades, pack your beach-towel and your sun-tan lotion as we welcome Nadine and Simone to the show - Switzerlands Olympic beach volleyball team!   The Swiss national Olympic Beach Volleyball Team have trained together since  the 2009 season. In June 2012 Nadine and Simone claimed their first ever FIVB SWATCH World Tour gold medal, with a win over Sara Goller and Laura Ludwig in the final of the smart Grand Slam in Rome.   The Swiss pair found their rhythm early on, controlling the match from start to finish and claimed the gold medal with a 21-12 and 21-18 victory. “It is unbelievable,” Zumkehr said. “It definitely wasn’t easy. In the first set we served really, really well. It may have seemed easy, but we knew that they would come out in the second set and make it very hard and tough.    “That is how it was. We were behind and we knew that it would be a lot of work, but we believed in ourselves and served well.”   The pair also had success with tournament victory in the FIVB World Tour in China. There hadn't been a Swiss beach volleyball women's team on the top podium in the 18 year history of the World Tour. Additionally, the Swiss champions took home the European Championship bronze medal. We welcome them to the show!

    Maggie MBE, is an England and Saracens rugby star who reached her 25-try landmark for England in glorious style during the 10-0 triumph over New Zealand, the World Champions, at Twickenham last November.     She has won 63 England caps and works as a Talent Development Officer for the RFUW in London & the South East. Her other scoring exploits include two touchdowns off the bench against Scotland in mid March last year and others against the United States and three against Canada in the Nations Cup the following August. She celebrated her first start in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship series by helping England to beat France 15-3 in Paris and also wore the No. 7 jersey when the Grand Slam was completed against Ireland at Esher.    As for her most memorable game, Maggie said: “This year’s World Cup final was an amazing experience – to play in front of a huge crowd in a good stadium.   “My own goal is that England be regarded as the best team in the world by winning the WRWC. My personal targets are to work hard to maintain my position in the squad and be recognised for my ability as a rugby player. Outside the game, my aim is to become an events manager and plan and organise big sporting occasions.”

  Crista is widely recognised as one of the best hockey defenders in the world. With over 150 Great Britain and England combined caps, Commonwealth, World Cup and European cup bronze medals, and has been awarded Great Britain’s Hockey player of the year (2006). She has been named three times in the International Hockey Federation’s World All Stars Team (2006, 2007, 2010), and as Great Britain’s top goal scorer in the Beijing Olympics.    Born in Lincolnshire, Crista spent her early life growing up in Kenya, where her family still live, before moving to Leicestershire at the age of 12 to attend Oakham School, in Rutland. She went on to study Business Studies at Nottingham Trent University achieving a 2:1 Hons degree. Crista is now working for Sports Recruitment International whilst on her quest for London 2012 as their Marketing Manager.   Crista started her hockey career at the age of just 9 at Banda School in Kenya and was only introduced to an astro turf pitch at the age of 14 during Leicestershire U15 hockey trials. Her hockey accelerated quickly, playing County, Regional and England before being honoured with her Great Britain Cap when she was 18.   Throughout her entire hockey career Crista has been dedicated to Leicester Hockey Club and has been an influential part of the team for over ten years. Leicester have successfully won the English Premier League title 4 times, and have represented in Europe achieving a silver medal  in 2011. Crista's dedication to Leicester Hockey Club earned her the honour of being Hockey Writers’ Club Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007.   As a player who wears her heart on her sleeve and a determination to win, Crista has now set her sights on achieving a medal for Great Britain in the London 2012 Olympics.

  Ezinne is a 24 year old track and field sprint athlete, who competes internationally for Norway. Ezinne recently won the 100m at the Bislett Games, held in Oslo.   She saw much success as a junior, winning the 100m dash gold at the 2007 European Championships. A year later, she reached the second round of the century dash at the Beijing Olympic Games, setting a new personal best of 11.32s in the heats.   She redeemed herself at the European Indoor Championships in Paris. This time around she won the 60m dash bronze, stopping the clock in 7.20s – one notch lower and one-hundredths of a second faster than her silver medal in Torino two years earlier.   Ezinne represented Norway at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She competed at the 100 metres sprint and placed second in her first round heat after Kerron Stewart in a time of 11.32 seconds. She qualified for the second round, in which she failed to qualify for the semi finals as her time of 11.45 was the fourth time of her race.   In the 2009 European Indoor Championships in Turin she won a silver medal on the 60 metres event.The sprinter holds Norwegian records in the 100m and 60m dashes. She was also part of the quartet that set the Norwegian benchmark in the 4x100m relay back in 2008.   Ezinne is working hard towards competing in the London Olympics and we welcome her to the show.

  Robin gained a BSc and PhD in Psychology from the University of St Andrews. His PhD on “choking” in self-paced skills led to a specialisation in Sport Psychology.   His first post was at the University of Glamorgan, where he led the specialised Sport Psychology modules on the newly formed BSc Sport Psychology programme. Robin was appointed as Lecturer in Sport Psychology at Brunel University in January 2001 and in October 2004 took up a post as Research Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong, where he worked with Professor Bruce Abernethy and Professor Rich Masters.   In 2008, Robin returned to Brunel University to take up a post as Senior Lecturer in Sport Psychology. Currently Robin is leading the MSc programme for Sport Psychology and is developing a new MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). The first intake for the programme will be in September 2009.   Robin became a BASES-accredited Sport Psychologist in 2001, is a BPS-Chartered Sport Psychologist and a member of the BPS Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology committee. He worked as psychologist and performance analyst for Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby from 1999 to 2005, spanning two Paralympic Games, three European Championships and a World Championships.

  We welcome Zara Hohn - 100m sprint hurdles- to the show, as she shares her inspiring story about overcoming her own life hurdles, to increase her sports performance and reach her goals.   Zara, from Sheffield, is currently supported by SportsAid partner UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside, and is an outstanding hurdler who had a wonderful 2009 season. She achieved a UK U23 ranking of number 1 in the 100m hurdles, recording a time of 13.37 seconds.   At the Aviva 2009 World Trials Zara finished in 3rd position with a time of 13.34 seconds and also gained 1st place in the Amateur Athletics Association Championships.   In order to achieve such great results, Zara trains every day of the week including weekends, and trains twice a day at least two times a week. This will typically include track training, strength and conditioning, and circuits. This is in addition to her attending university so Zara finds that she has to manage her time and commitments carefully.   Zara says she "feels lucky that I am in the running for the 2012 Olympics - this is my dream and I aim to fulfil it." At the time of writing Zara is in Los Angeles performing her warm weather training.   If Zara continues her run of success, there's no reason why she shouldn't be selected for the Commonwealth and Olympic squads in the coming months and years.

  Talk Ain't Cheap! We discuss the topic of self-talk and it's importantce in sport! By 2008 Abi was racing at the Junior European Championships for Great Britain, she finished 7th in both the 1000m and 500m. A year later she was moved into the senior squad and raced at the U23 European Championships.  In 2009 Abi was accepted by Oxford University to study mathematics, however she declined the offer to pursue her interests in canoeing. Her interests outside of sport include painting and playing the piano. Currently selected for the GB squad, Abigail is training hard for success at the London 2012 Games. We look forward to talking to her!

  This is a recording.   Louise is a twenty six year old International Heptathlete who has had frequent appearances as part of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Athletics Team since the tender age of fifteen.    2008 proved to be a testing year for Louise and a turning point in her life. Still struggling with injury, and trying to cope with bereavement, her Lottery Funding was withdrawn, all whilst trying to successfully complete her final year exams. Her dream of competing at the Olympic Games in Bejing was shattered!   In 2010 Louise became the Commonwealth Heptathlon Gold Medallist. Having improved her high jump and achieving four personal best performances in the 100m hurdles, 200m, long jump and the javelin she finally went on to win the Gold Medal with 6156 points, a new personal best score! We look forward to talking to her!

  We welcome two of the Green Streets Fitzrovia campaign supporters onto the show - Antony Cairns of London Window Cleaning Services and Jessica St John of Woof Ltd join the show.   You Too Mindbody Fitness took part in the Green Streets Fitzrovia walk led by Antony Cairns of London Window Cleaning Services and Jessica St John of Woof Ltd.   The Green Streets Fitzrovia campaign encourages residents and local businesses in the Fitzrovia area to embrace a healthier mindset and lifestyle.   Fitzrovia is a neighbourhood in central London, near London's West End lying partly in the London Borough of Camden (in the east) and partly in the City of Westminster (in the west); and situated between Marylebone and Bloomsbury and north of Soho.   Antony is a local window cleaner who has run an environmental cleaning service for many years and is proud to also be one of the Greent Streets Fitrovia champions. One way Antony manages to keep his business 'green' is by choosing to use a bicycle on his window cleaning rounds!     Jessica works for Woof Ltd who have created positive, imaginative ways to promote the campaign to Fitzrovia residents and businessess. Changing unconscious behaviour is what You Too Mindbody is all about, so I was keen to find out more about the campaign. Tune in to discover more!

  Louise is a twenty six year old International Heptathlete who has had frequent appearances as part of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Athletics Team since the tender age of fifteen.    Her Senior Debut came in 2006 at the European Championships, Sweden where on the first day of competition, she lined up against former Olympic Champion Carolina Kluft for the 100m hurdles and 200m. Louise completed both races in personal best times and ended the competition with a performance of 5892 points, ranking her 11th Best British Heptathlete Ever! This earned her the reputation of being an athlete that rises to the big occasions and reinforces her belief that “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog” Mark Twain.   In 2010 Louise became the Commonwealth Heptathlon Gold Medallist. Having improved her high jump and achieving four personal best performances in the 100m hurdles, 200m, long jump and the javelin she finally went on to win the Gold Medal with 6156 points, a new personal best score!   We ask Louise about her 'dogged' determination and what kind of mindset is needed to get the reslults you too desire!

  Tamsin began her career in 2002 at University based franchise Team Bath. After 8 years and 4 titles the Vice Captain decided to move to the newly formed franchise Surrey Storm in 2010 to focus on different challenges. As current Storm Captain the move proved a success with the team narrowly missing out in the Super League Grand Final live on Sky Sports in only their 2nd year.   During 2008 and 2009 Tamsin was asked to play in Brisbane, Australia for the Queensland Firebirds in the ANZ championship. The semi professional league gave her new experiences and a different style of play which has seen her game improve rapidly in the last few years.   A current England International, she has been in the squad since 2004 and has over 40 caps. She played in the 2007 World Championships in New Zealand and most recently was part of the bronze meal winning side at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, a highlight of her career so far. After some impressive international form and performances in the ANZ Tamsin was also selected for the World Netball Team in 2009; a selection of the best International players in the world.   Tamsin has fast become the face of English Netball and her profile has led to significant media work, with TV appearances and interviews, radio presenting, interviewing and modeling for magazines and sponsorship deals.   We ask Tamsin about her current and future plans and what it means to be an England & international player. Be sure not to miss the show.

  Tamara Chambers is a young aspiring athlete with big plans, one being to compete in the Scottish 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Our young hopeful has ranked as high as 5th in the UK in the 75m in 2008.   Showing her determination and mature mind Tamara has set her sights on achievable goals, such as to attend the South of England Championships and English Schools. Tamara will also strive hard to get to a high ranking in athletics.   Since having Jeffery as coach Tamara has achieved new Personal Bests in 200m, 100m and 60m, commendable outcomes indeed.   Tamara's philosophy as an athlete is "to keep fit and to gain attributes that will stand me in good stead in all other walks of life."   Jeffery Nkrumah is an experienced Coach that since 2005 has worked on the DIS project (Developing Intelligent Sprinters), which consists of British Olympic athletes in a variety of events, including a 2010 Commonwealth champion, a 2011 World Championships trials silver medalist, a 2008 Olympics and world indoors silver medalist and a World junior silver medalist & British record holder. He has represented these athletes at competitions like the Diamond league and other international Championships.   As a senior coach of the Newham athletic network Jeffery as worked hand in hand with the managers of the program to increase participation in athletics in Newham. Jeffery truly appreciates the difference it makes in working with inspired young people.

Lynn McCafferty  is captain of the Great Britain Womens Handball team. The Womens Great Britain handball team was given straight entry to the 2012 London Olympics and are currently based all over Europe on the quest to be the best we can be! The Womens Great Britain handball team was given straight entry to the 2012 London Olympics and are currently based all over Europe. Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outfield players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team. The team with the most goals after two periods of 30 minutes wins. Speed, skill and stamina are key attributes for competitors in modern Handball, a fast and exhilarating team sport. Handball offers plenty of physical contact and non-stop, end-to-end action, and should draw big crowds throughout the competition at London 2012. Join us as we talk about a sport that requires high levels of technical & mental skills.

We welcome Gavin Gough - AlphaSport & Ben Willshire - RG Racing British SuperKart on to the show, as they share their stories being involved in the fast and furious world of Motorsport racing. Gavin of AlphaSport has one goal - to improve the performance of athletes and sports people who choose to search for that next level of excellence. AlphaSport teach many performance enhancing techniques including visualisation, relaxation, concentration and motivation! Ben Willshire was born into a family with 2 previous generations of motorsport professionals. Ben quickly progressed through the ranks of British Karting and now competes in the British Superkart Championships, driving his 120mph machine at some of the country's finest race circuits including Silverstone and Donington. In 2011 Ben was crowned the 125cc National Superkart Champion achieving 6 wins, 11 podiums and 2 lap records in the process. Get ready for the ride of your life!

We welcome Claire Bennett - full-time foil fencer for Great Britain, to the show. Claire has been fencing since she was young and is now aiming to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Outside of her sport Claire is also an aspiring sports journalist/broadcaster. Fencing is a steadily growing sport, which demands quick reflexes and a strong mindset. Claire shares the secrets about the type of mindset that is vital for fencing champions. Join the conversation.