A Question of Performance

Episode 35 is an interview with John Steele, currently Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University. Through the years, John has had some powerful sporting positions including CEO of organisations like the RFU and UK Sport. He’s been an army officer, an athlete, a coach, and as well as his role at Loughborough he’s also Chairman of The English Institute of Sport. We talk about the sporting system, creating high-performance environments, and how you go about maintaining a...

Episode 34 is an interview with one of the most recognisable names in Paralympic sport and disability rights, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson DBE. We talk about how she measures her own performance, the importance of developing a hinterland as an athlete and also get an insight into her current life as a politician. It’s a fascinating interview about influence, impact, and how to leverage the profile you have. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE has been a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords...

Episode 33 is an interview with over 35’s masters squash world champion Lauren Briggs. We talk about her time as an elite player, and how transitioning to the master’s circuit gave her hope that her career as a squash player could continue. It’s an honest and thoughtful interview about struggles, successes and finding renewed meaning in a sport you love. Lauren Briggs is a professional squash player who represents England. She currently holds all the major Over 35’s master’s titles,...

Episode 32 is an interview about the extraordinary power of sport with – Baroness Sue Campbell. It’s an interview about culture and purpose, how you bring people together and how you create a cadre of individuals who believe in something bigger than themselves. It’s a conversation which reminds us about what’s important and gives an insight into the passion and purpose which drives one of the most influential women in sport. Sue Campbell trained as a physical education teacher, taught in...

Episode 31 is an interview with Performance Lifestyle Advisor to GB Hockey - Emma Mitchell. Emma is also a former international rugby player and 1994 World Cup winner. We talk about the issues and challenges of her role, what it was like on the inside when England women won gold, and how she supports athletes to develop the skills and qualities needed to cope with the special demands of high performance sport. Emma joined the EIS as a Performance Lifestyle Adviser in February 2007 and...

Episode 30 is an interview with the Managing Director of iris Culture, Laura Weston. As MD of a leading sport and entertainment agency she talks about how you can bring a brand to life with sport, the excitement of breaking conventions and why working on the Launch of FA Women's Super League (WSL) was one of her proudest moments. Twice nominated for the prestigious BT Sports Industry ‘Agency of the Year’ Award, iris Culture is known for its creative and innovative work for global brands...

Episode 29 is an interview with Helen Richardson-Walsh MBE. Over the course of her 17-year international Hockey career she amassed 19 medals including an Olympic bronze at London 2012, the European Championship title in 2015, World Cup bronze and Commonwealth silver, before finally reaching the pinnacle of her sport with an Olympic gold at the Rio Olympics 2016 We talk about how hockey has developed as a sport and what it’s like to play at an elite level. Helen also also talks openly...

In episode 28 we talk with founder and editor of Scrumqueens.com Ali Donnelly. Ali is also a monthly contributor to Rugby World Magazine and regularly speaks across media outlets about the game. The website was given a special award by the Rugby Writers Association for its contribution to the women’s game and Ali was last year named by Rugby World Magazine as one of the most influential people in rugby. Away from Scrumqueens.com, Ali is the Deputy Spokesperson to the Prime Minister,...

In episode 27 we talk with the Head of Women's Football at Manchester City, Gavin Makel. Manchester City are trailblazers for the women's game with successes both on and off the pitch. They have also recently launched a new club wide campaign focused on promoting women's football. We discuss the growth of the game, risk taking, authenticity, and the importance of having a coherent vision that fuels performance. Gavin’s involvement in professional football goes back over ten years when he...

In episode 26 we talk with a netball superstar, Tamsin Greenway. As a former England international, a former England coach, a Sky Sports pundit and now Director of Wasps Netball, she has a unique insight into the whole sporting system. We discuss the challenges and rewards of being an England player and then coach, how she is building Wasps Netball from the ground up, and the impact Sky Sports broadcasting is having on the sport. Tamsin Greenway is a former England international netball...

In episode 25 we talk with Kate Dale who is campaign lead for one of the highest performing behaviour change campaigns in the UK – This Girl Can. We discuss her personal love of the stories and drama of sport, find out what it was like right before the campaign launched, and discover the importance of “going where people are at”. Former journalist Kate Dale is Strategic Lead, Campaigns at Sport England. Kate is responsible for delivering This Girl Can, Sport England’s multi-award-winning...

In episode 24 we talk with cricket legend and World Cup (2009) winner Ebony Rainford-Brent. We discuss how she's navigated the ups and downs of her career and how she's constantly seeking out new opportunities to grow and develop within and beyond cricket. Ebony is a former English cricketer, who was the first black woman to play for the England team and also captained the Surrey Women’s team. Since retiring from cricket, Ebony has gone on to become the first Director of Women’s Cricket...

In episode 23 we talk with Director of Participation and Development at the FA, Kelly Simmons MBE. We discuss the scope of her role, what's changed over the 20 years she's been working in football and how the injustices of not being able to play as a young girl is still a driver today. "This generation deserves better opportunities than I had." Kelly is a member of The FA’s management team and oversees the National Game including children’s, grassroots and semi-professional football. She...

In episode 22, we talk 'sports marketing' with Nathan Homer. It’s a fascinating conversation about how sports marketing is evolving and how rights holders can work with brands to enable both parties to achieve their ambitions. Nathan Homer is currently Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer at European Golf Tour. He has a wealth of experience of working with global brands and has a track record of creating compelling world class marketing programmes for different brands and audiences,...

In episode 21 we take a moment to reflect on what Olympians, World Champions, and Leaders in sport think their best performance enhancers actually are. "It’s in those spaces where most of our physical and psychological growth occurs" At the end of each of these podcast episodes I’ve asked my guests a series of ‘quick fire questions. One of those questions is, ‘What's your best performance enhancer?’ Listen to what people actually said...

Can you have it all? In episode 20 we chat to BBC and BT Sport Broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury. We discuss the captivating nature of sport, how as a mother of two she juggles multiple responsibilities and how one always has to be at the top of your game on live sport. Reshmin Chowdhury is a multilingual sports presenter, reporter and event host, broadcasting globally for the BBC and BT Sport. She is one of BT Sport’s key reporters for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. She also...

How can we support children to develop into elite athletes? In episode 19 we chat to Performance and Coaching Scientist, Katie Richards. We discuss the explosion in success of British Gymnastics, the issues facing young elite performers and how a supportive coaching framework can enable talented children to develop. Katie Richards is a Chartered Scientist, BASES Sport & Exercise Scientist, Senior Lecturer Sport Psychology at St Mary’s University and is completing her PhD in the skill...

How do you inspire a nation? In episode 18 we chat to Sharon Fuller – the editor of BBC Sports new live events service. We discuss behavioural change campaigns, how audiences are consuming sport across broadcast, digital & interactive content and how she measures success. Sharon Fuller is an Editor at BBC Sport and has worked the broadcast coverage of multiple events covering everything from Archery to Zumba including the odd Formula One season and an Olympics or two. She runs the BBC's Get...

In episode 17 we talk with Anna Kessel about the role of sport within society, what makes a high performing story, and what motivates her campaigning drive. We also hear her thoughts about how journalism has changed over the past 15 years. Anna Kessel is a sports journalist, acclaimed author and vocal campaigner on equality in sport. A rare example of a female journalist in her field, Anna published Eat Sweat Play: How Sport Can Change Your Life (Macmillan) in 2016, a passionate polemic...

In episode 16 we talk with Annamarie Phelps about what it's like to lead a sport, the importance of elite role models, and how British Rowing has evolved into an Olympic powerhouse sport. We also hear about how she navigated the highs and lows of her own international rowing career. Annamarie Phelps CBE is Chairman of British Rowing, vice chairman of the British Olympic Association and a Trustee of the British Paralympic Association. Annamarie enjoyed a successful international rowing...