The Focused Mind Podcast
The Focused Mind Podcast is presented by Psychologist Stu Holliday who has worked in music, elite sport and top 100 companies. The interviews aim to help us more deeply understand the psychology of human performance to understand the mindset of guests in their area of expertise to help you develop yours to achieve your goals.
Bonus · Tue, April 08, 2025
Interview with Nick Huggett
This is the first episode of a mini series on the Focused Mind Podcast that talks to high performers across the music business who talk about their life, mindset, and skills they've developed to have long careers. We look at what individuals have done to look after themselves and what they'd consider helpful for working in the industry in the current day. In the series, we’ve got interviews with people in roles, including DJs, performers and producers, Distributors, Marketers, Engineers, Booking agents, Tour management, and music journalists and promoters. Our first guest is Nick Huggett, one of the best-known A&R and Artist Managers in the World. He discovered, signed and developed Adele, as well as Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, MIA, Jack Penate, Rizzle Kicks, Kenya Grace and Lola Young. In 2000, Nick was offered an A&R job by James Lavelle at the Mo Wax record label, before going on to join XL in 2003. Subsequently, Huggett has held senior A&R positions at Columbia, Island, and Parlophone. Nick has now established his own independent company, bringing to bear his wealth of label and management experience in every aspect of artist development. Nick’s Contact details https://www.nickhuggett.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nick_huggett Nick’s perfect concert lineup CURRY MAN GABRIEL DE ROSSA GILBERTO GIL ARTHUR VEROCAI The insights shared in this series are for information only. If you are experiencing any difficulty or distress with any aspect of mental life, we recommend you speak to your GP or licensed professional, such as can be found via the likes of https://www.musicindustrytherapists.com/ or https://backline.care/
S3 E29 · Thu, March 20, 2025
Interview with Mario Fraioli
Mario Fraioli is the host of The Morning Shakeout podcast and the author of the weekly newsletter of the same name. As well as these well-known endeavours, he spends the majority of his work as a full-time endurance running coach . In this episode, timed to drop a month prior to a number of major marathon races Worldwide, FMC podcast host Stu Holliday wanted to discuss with Mario about how athletes can set and shift their mindset at key stages of the marathon training cycle and in readiness to race. Reviewing each other's practice and guidance for athletes working as a coach and sport psychologist respectively, Stu and Mario cover how athletes can improve their thinking about their training, and race mentality, and marry this with their robust fitness to try and achieve their performance best - regardless of what the time says on the clock at the finish! Mario has over 20 years of experience coaching and offers incredible wisdom and advice to complement whatever level of training or athlete you may well be, whether that is an elite or amateur, experienced or novice. This was a great episode to record and Mario's insights, wisdom, and guidance around mindset development are superb. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording. Sign up to the Morning Shakeout newsletter: https://themorningshakeout.substack.com/ Listen to the Morning Shakeout podcast: https://themorningshakeout.com/category/the-morning-shakeout-podcast/ Follow Mario on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mariofraioli Follow Mario on Strava: https://stories.strava.com/profiles/mario-fraioli
S3 E28 · Thu, December 05, 2024
Valencia Marathon - Why everyone should know about this event!
In this mini episode, Sport and Performance Psychologist Stu Holliday answers the question: Why should everyone know about the Valencia marathon? And the second question... and why should they care?! Whether you are a runner or not, this event is unique in the World of endurance sport and in the imaginations of the organisers. They put themselves in a different place to nearly all other marathon planners in so far of their aims to make the race 'The Everest of Marathons' for all runners. But what does that mean? Why does it take the effort of the city and regional council to support these aims and what, fundamentally, does it mean in relation to how our environment massively influences our thinking, how we behave and what implications that has for performance in life (across all domains!). I believe that the story of what the organisers of the Valencia marathon have done to elevate this small (in size standards) city in relation to elite sport, aiming to facilitate World Records, and creating a destination event has lessons that we can all use to understand how the environment in which we want to perform can have a huge influence on outcome. Dive in to find out more! Show links: James Moles is an athlete and run coach with his own company ( https://www.jamesmolesrunningcoaching.com/) James Power of 10 performance page: https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=324086 Lewis Moses is the MD of New Levels Coaching - The UK's largest run coaching company. Lewia Power of 10 performance page: https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=6495 Articles cited in episode: Let's Run 'How did Valencia become the ciudad del running?' https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/12/how-valencia-became-the-ciudad-del-running/ Running Magazine Canada: https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/runs-races/valencia-marathon-sees-record-number-of-sub-three-hour-finishers/
S3 E27 · Mon, November 18, 2024
Interview with Nick Steel
Nick Steel is both a rowing and executive coach in sport and business respectively. Having had a career in the energy sector all over the World, he dug into his love of rowing to set himself up on his return to the UK providing rowing training to all levels of ability. Last year he was selected as the rowing coach for Team UK at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf (and again for Invictus 2025 in Canada). At the 2023 games we roomed together and shared many hours talking coaching, psychology, sport. As you’ll hear in this episode, Nick is articulate dispelling myths about the sport, about his work on the board of Love Rowing , which tries to bring rowing to all, as well as his reflections on the demands of the sport, the mental capacity needed, and skills required to be your best in the discipline. As I tend to work in the Endurance field, it was a conversation taking me out of my comfort zone. I hope that you can also be open to hearing about the mindset required for a sport that you may not know much about, have a passing interest in, or be a passionate enthusiast for. We hope that you enjoy the first show to kick-start to our new series. Links: Nick Steel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-steel-a3992013/ Love Rowing: https://loverowing.org/ Hugh Jackman talking about rowing (Tim Ferris show): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzF8StNS_aw (at about 1:19:10)
S3 E5 · Mon, October 30, 2023
Interview with Noel Brick & Dan Robinson
Stu Holliday, Noel Brick, & Dan Robinson ‘The Psychology of Running’ podcast. This episode supports your understanding and use of the Psychology of Running book! Show Notes Intros and how this episode supports the book with added context Context of the RESIST project on endurance running and our respective roles and work within it. Recollections of RESIST and its impact within Sport Psychology Research Where listeners can find RESIST videos (see below) from the original project to support the skills and strategies covered in ‘The Psychology of Running’ Dan’s thoughts as a runner and coach on ‘The Psychology of Running’ and how people can use it to support their running The background, context, and intention of the book by Noel How our collaboration came to happen. Touchpoint running books that position our book in the field Stu on the Physical aspect of running becoming more psychological. Noel on how you can use the book and how brain health improves through running Chapters 3 and 4 on how you can use your mind more in your running performance Dan on how he uses psych strategies in his coaching and uses runners' existing psych skills to allow them to improve A conversation on the evidence of open goals, a chat on process/performance and outcome goals! Our favourite runs and why (from both a physical and psychological perspective). RESIST VIDEO LINKS (as discussed in the episode): https://resiststopping.wixsite.com/resist/videos BOOK LINK (30% off) : https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Running/Brick-Holliday/p/book/9781032068619#:~:text=From%20evolutionary%20perspectives%20on%20why,motivations%20and%20benefits%20of%20running.
S3 E4 · Mon, October 02, 2023
Interview with Chris Madden & Tamsin Embleton
Following on from previous guest Chris Madden ( Episode 20 ), we wanted to bring the head of MITC ( https://musicindustrytherapists.com/ ), Tamsin Embleton on to have a more in-depth discussion on the work we do in the music industry supporting artists, staff, and crew in person, virtually, at festivals, and how needed the work of caring professionals is a necessity in this modern day and age. Tamsin gives us her background working for the likes of Anna Calvi and Standon Calling, and a bit about her working practice and style of work. This episode is aimed at anyone in the music industry, music fans, the psych curious, or who wants to know how their favourite bands, labels, or artists may have people like us supporting them. We talk more in-depth about our respective training, how we got into the industry, and the importance of our own self-care and emotional management, working in an industry renowned for pushing its employees' work hours, sleep patterns, and overall well-being (which is all covered in more detail in Tamsin's book ' The Touring Manual '). As you'll hear, this was a fun episode for us to have the time and space to connect and share what we do behind the scenes to support other people as a group of practitioners. We hope you enjoy it. Links : Jonah Hill Stutz documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81387962 MITC (Music Industry Therapy Collective: https://musicindustrytherapists.com/ The Touring Manual: https://www.touringmanual.com/ Chris Madden, Psychotherapist: https://chrismaddentherapy.com/ Stuart Holliday, Psychologist: https://www.focusedmindcoaching.co.uk/
Bonus · Fri, September 22, 2023
Interview with Sean Warburton
Sean Warburton (@seanaldo26.2) is a Manchester-based runner and podcaster (The Local Runners), who has completed 38 marathons, and holds a PR of 2 hours, 38 minutes. In this 3rd episode of the mini-series on Autumn marathon, we turn the spotlight on how to cope if you get injured in the build-up to your main race of the year. How can you mentally cope better, to improve both your overall well-being, and how you come out of the injury into your next training block? What tips, techniques, and strategies has Sean applied to help him overcome missing out on training for this coming weekend's Berlin Marathon and instead focusing on coming back stronger for a Spring marathon next year? How has his psychological training skills that helped him PB twice in succession (in his 37th and 38th marathons!) transfer to the injury rehab process? Listen in to find out how. Podcast & Book links for listeners : The Local Runners podcast episode 46 (where I guested): https://open.spotify.com/episode/6buasVtVpb1ejzj3izxnCt?si=40c7f186940f4085 The Strength Running Podcast by Jason Fitzgerald Endure by Alex Hutchinson. The Comeback Quotient by Matt Fitzgerald
Bonus · Mon, September 18, 2023
Interview with Ross Braden
Ross Braden is an elite British marathon runner who finished in 12th place in 2022's London Marathon (in a time of 2:14:32). A client of mine, Ross has broken client confidentiality to talk and reflect on the psych skill training we worked on together in preparation for that event, and in preparation for his upcoming 2023 Amsterdam debut appearance, he is an exceptional talent and we discuss how he works on his mental fitness in order to help him fulfill his potential on race day. This episode is part of the Autumn 2023 marathon preparation series by Focused Mind Coaching in order to help athletes at all levels mentally train their fitness, resilience, and flexibility specifically at this time of the calendar season. With the GOAT (Eliud Kipchoge) racing Berlin Marathon on the 24th of September, attempting the World Record for the marathon distance, we aim to show how you can take a little from his thinking and my work and research and apply it in your discipline, training, and racing.
Bonus · Mon, September 04, 2023
Interview with Matt Fitzgerald
Matt Fitzgerald is a running coach, retreat owner, and to most psych-curious runners and triathletes, a prolific author on how to improve performance. A dedicated, evidence-based, (and non-academic) researcher of how to wring as much out of your discipline as possible, his pithy, and eloquent prose has helped runners at all levels improve, covering topics including training , diet , and mindset . As a professional Sport Psychologist , I’ve wanted to interview Matt for a long time, as he has the mass reach that a lot of academics and pros don’t, but does have the respect of his Worldwide audience and athletes. This interview, from the tale end of 2022 covers his last book ‘ On Pace ’ which offers runners tips, tools, and intel on how to best dose out the right speed across your specific discipline. We also cover his time training with former Focused Mind Podcast Ben Rosario of the Hoka NAZ elite which he wrote about in ‘ Run like a pro, even if you’re slow ’ and ‘ Running the Dream ’ as well as his work as a run coach with his company 80/20 . We delve deep into matters of the mind that he and I respectively face as a coach and Sport Psych. Towards the end of our interview, Matt reveals information about his latest venture, ‘ Dream Run camp ’ which is a runners retreat in Flagstaff, AZ, which he has set up with his wife, an
S3 E2 · Fri, June 16, 2023
Interview with Sarah Broadhead
Sarah Broadhead is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist based in Sheffield, UK. With extensive experience in business and sport (including 3 Olympic Cycles as the Psychologist for GB TaeKwondo), she set up ‘Broadhead Performance’ 5 years ago. In November 2022 she published her first book, Perform and Thrive: A Sportsperson’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing, aimed at athletes, coaches and psychologists at all levels. In our conversation we discuss her background, history, and we can all improve our performance by having sound mental health as a platform on which to build. For avid and aspiring writers, she gives great advice about how you can improve your mental health in the writing process! A former manager of mine, I’ve been wanting to get Sarah on the podcast to catch up with her on sport, business, and psychology, and this interview didn’t disappoint! We hope you also enjoy. You can find out more about Sarah via her Website: https://broadheadperformance.co.uk LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sarah-broadhead-9952417 Instagram: @sarahbpsych
S3 E2 · Sat, June 10, 2023
Interview with Chris Madden
Chris Madden is a Counselling Psychotherapist based in Leeds. He helps clients explore and navigate new insights and perspectives to bring about a better way of relating to themselves, others or situations they may find challenging. He works with clients from all walks of life and has significant specific experience of working therapeutically with clients from the music, live events and other creative industries. We recorded this conversation in the week that would have been DJ and Producer Andrew Weatherall’s 60th birthday. Chris worked with and knew Andrew well (and I’m personally guided by his philosophy and work), so it was timely and appropriate for us to meet and share our respective experience of working with musicians from a therapeutic perspective. Chris’ experience and back story is well worth your time, and his sensitive consideration of his practice serves him and his clients really well. We hope you enjoy our conversation. *** You can contact Chris at https://chrismaddentherapy.com/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismaddentherapy Chinwag Interview with Andrew Weatherall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v7yP2ugmFE A Tribute to Andrew Weatherall (Leeds inner city electronic music conference). Lead by Chris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB3Zd5_w0SI
S3 E1 · Fri, February 24, 2023
Interview with Simon Freeman
Simon Freeman is the Editor and writer for Like the Wind magazine. It is a long-form magazine, printed every quarter 'for runners, by runners' including notable figures from the sport including Dick Beardsley, to interviews with Lance Armstrong, and Courtney Dauwalter, amongst many others covering 'why we run' rather than how to run. Digging into people's motivations, experiences, and how running plays a part in their overall life. Since starting 10 years ago, it now is self-sufficient, with a staff of 5, sponsors, and Worldwide distribution. If you like running, *you'll probably like it!* Co-founded with his wife Julie initially in London, they now live in Switzerland and run in the mountains there, really enjoying the trails that their surroundings offer. A very focused runner in his early 30s, going from an unhealthy, overweight smoker, Simon pushed his marathon time down to a highly respectable 2:37 and has taken that drive, energy, and determination into his business. As friends of over 13 years, we took the opportunity to take stock, reflect on his own personal journey, and try and map how his thinking has evolved to help others take the lessons from endurance sports into other domains of their life, such as work, play, and business. Probably my most personal of episodes, I hope you enjoy our conversation and learn more about the psychology of endurance to weave into your life and help develop your focus. Simon can be found @likethewindmag on social media channels. Excitingly, he is also contributing quarterly to @theamshakeout podcast with Mario Fraioli where he has been a guest on 2 episodes that I recommend you check out if you like this one.
S2 E18 · Tue, October 11, 2022
London Marathon 2022 Review
Something different for episode 18. Former guest, athlete, and coach, Steve Hobbs (The Milestone Pursuit) from episode 6 returns to reflect on his 10th London marathon, and his views on the elite finishers in the men's and women's race as well as the problems the marathon faces as a spectator sport. We delve into what it takes to finish well in a marathon, from a psychological perspective and contrast his experience with a first-time runner, Claire Heron, who also competed in the same race. While experienced runners have had the time to develop and refine their psychological skills and abilities, we dig into what might be useful advice and guidance for people considering taking part in their first marathon distance. What to expect, how to prepare, and tips to help them cope and manage in order to enjoy the day and get the most out of the experience. Thanks to both Steve and Claire.
S1 E17 · Wed, September 28, 2022
Interview with David Tilbury-Davis
David Tilbury-Davis has helped triathletes achieve more than 3 World titles, 12 National titles, 4 Ironman Regional Championship titles, numerous wins, Ironman & 70.3 Worlds qualifications, Course Records & many many Personal Bests. David has worked with Olympic, Commonwealth Games, Professional, and Age Group athletes alike. He has also coached professionals in Triathlon, Mountain Biking, and Cycling. We cover subjects as diverse as Arsene Wenger, MMA, Eddie Jones, Core values, Coach-athlete fit, and Mel Mitchell (Adam Peaty's coach!). Episode Show Notes : 1) The benefits of ‘cross-pollination between sports coaches to learn from each other and continual learning/CPD through the lifetime of coaching. 2) Things that have impacted David's thinking as a coach. 3) Working with an athlete and getting improved performance by understanding their core values. 4) The role and importance of communication. 5) What elite-level thinking looks like and being flexible and open to new methods for success. 6) Using sport psych skills as a coach and getting athletes' buy in to his coaching methods.
S2 E16 · Fri, September 02, 2022
Interview with Duncan Simpson
Dr Duncan Simpson is a British Sport Psychologist and the head of Mental Conditioning and the Director of Personal Development at the IMG Academy in Florida, USA. What that means is he oversees the mental well-being and performance needs of all student-athletes at this huge sporting institution. Formerly at Barry University as both an Academic and practitioner, he is vastly experienced in supporting both student and professional athletes across many different sports. After I'd been the guest on the Runners World podcast, this was an opportunity for him and me to delve deeper into how endurance athletes can improve their mental skills and flexibility under pressure in "A" target races than time allowed on the RW show. We delve into practical tips and exercises that athletes can apply whatever their level of performance or experience in developing their mental muscles, including the difference between pain management and suffering; racing mindset; and coping when race or event strategies don't go to plan. The link to the graphic to help you develop your mental flexibility can be found at https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/running--37717715608451779/
S2 E15 · Mon, August 22, 2022
Interview with Ian Morgan
Ian Morgan is a 52-year-old Ultra Marathoner, who came to the sport later in life, having been a Cross Country runner in his youth. He's made a name for himself in the Masters World of marathon and ultra running. A lot of this is down to his fitness improvements from being 103kg at 38; to a now a lean 75kg, giving up his former corporate life after life changing events in his native New Zealand (the Christchurch earthquake, and heart surgery), to becoming a fully paid (not much, but enough), sponsored athlete. Having re-married and moved to Spain, his outlook and life have changed irreversibly. While his journey may appear on the surface another 'Instagram body transformation' I knew Ian's choices and change were down to his mindset. In this interview, his first with a Sport Psych, he outlines how mindset and behaviour changes have made the biggest difference in his life and subsequent running and fitness. This week he runs the 100km race at UTMB - the World's most famous Ultra, with his wife Fran. We wish him all the best and hope you enjoy the show.
S2 Enull · Mon, July 04, 2022
Interview with Grace Lynch
Grace Lynch is a high-level distance runner from Ireland. She competed in her debut Marathon in Berlin 2021, posting a time of 2:40:06, and has since raced the Berlin half marathon in April 2022 in 73.50. Originally from South Kerry, Grace has progressed her running career from her initial years in her local running club and now trains with a high-level group based in Dublin. As a Sport and Exercise scientist, her background has helped her in adopting good practices across her training. Her positive mindset and approach to running with the aim of enjoying the journey have led to her progression. Grace is set to compete again in the Berlin Marathon (where she holds PBs in both the full and the half), this September and shares insights into her life, training, racing, and mindset.
S2 E13 · Fri, May 06, 2022
Interview with Dr Justin Ross
Dr. Justin Ross is a clinical psychologist specializing in health and wellness psychology , human performance, and sport psychology based in Denver, Colorado. A 2:57 marathoner, triathlete, and Human Performance expert. Dr. Ross is a clinical psychologist, 2:57 marathoner, triathlete, and cofounder of Mind-Body Health, an integrative health psychology and counseling center in Denver. He is a thought leader in applied clinical psychology, bringing Psychological principles aimed at human performance and optimal well-being, to help individuals, organizations, and teams realize their full potential. As part of his thought leadership, he writes frequently for Runners World - a full list of his excellent articles to help you with endurance sports can be found at https://www.drjustinross.com/ or on Instagram: @DrJustinRoss In this conversation, we bridge the gap between Sport and Clinical Psychology to share practices that we both use with athletes, and he gives his own unique insights and work to help all athletes at all levels make gains to the mental edge in their training, recovery and racing.
S2 E12 · Tue, April 19, 2022
Interview with Ben Rosario
Ben Rosario is the Hoka NAZ Elite Head Coach & Exec Director Ben Rosario has led the NAZ since he formed it in 2017. A Hoka-sponsored team of elite men and women who live and train at altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona. Since the team’s formation, over 10 of their athletes have had top 10 finishes in World major marathons (as well as a plethora of top-end results in cross country and other major race distance events); In Aliphine Tuliamuk, they had the 2020 Olympic Trials Champion and at Boston, this Patriot’s day, Stephanie Bruce in her last major marathon appearance, placed 12th lady (and 2nd American woman). NAZ alumni include Scott Fauble, who was the top US men’s finisher in the same race (9th place), and the group’s reputation has grown since Ben co-wrote the story of Scott’s journey to another top 10 finish (in the New York marathon) previously ‘Inside a marathon’. Most recently, Ben co-wrote with top Sports writer Matt Fitzgerald, the tips and training techniques Matt gained from spending 16 weeks as an amateur training with the squad, following their training methods to pass on to all runners in their latest book: “Train like a pro, even if you’re slow.” As a result of this, Matt PB’d in his following (2017) Chicago marathon at the age of 46. So they’re doing something right up in the thin air of Northern Arizona! The team’s motto is Train HARD. Race FEARLESSLY. Share EVERY part of the journey. I was fortunate enough to visit Ben and interview him face to face the week after the book came out to talk about coaching, Sport Psychology, mindset, motivation, and how training your mental fitness can benefit your running and sport.
S2 E11 · Tue, April 05, 2022
Interview with Chris Ward
Chris Ward is a high-end Amateur Ultramarathon runner, originally from Nottingham, now resident in Manchester. In 2019 he was a client of mine and we spent most of the year preparing him for his target A race of the Spartathlon in Greece. A 253Km road and trail event that starts in Athens and finishes in the town of Sparta. Through a combination of very deliberate run training and extensive Sport Psychology mental conditioning, he finished in the top 150 in less than 35 hours - an incredible achievement, let alone on his debut. In this episode, having waived his confidentiality to share his experience with other runners and listeners, we reflect on the process as he went through it and I add my thoughts from the Practitioner's side. A unique perspective. We hope you learn a lot from this episode.
S2 E10 · Thu, December 23, 2021
Interview with Dr Noel Brick
Dr Noel Brick is a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Ulster University. Along with Runner's World writer Scott Douglas, he is the author of the brilliant 'Genius of Athletes,' a book published this year that takes the psychological strategies and skills used by elite endurance athletes passed to you to learn and implement for success in any big endeavour. Originally from Kerry, his dulcet tones and advice are a welcome balm at the end of another bizarre year. Whether you're an elite athlete, weekend warrior or someone trying to improve their thinking for life, endeavours or fitness, this conversation aims to offer simple to use, jargon-free advice to succeed. Contents: 1. Overcoming the fear of failure and worries over what others think 2. The role of confidence and control, and how you can use your training diary, and use imagery and self-talk in training, racing and life. 3. Improving your attention and focus through meta-thinking (Chunking, tuning in and out, and deciding when to use distraction or focus inwards).
S2 E9 · Wed, July 21, 2021
Interview with Sheryl Garrett
Sheryl Garrett is a writer. Over the past 30 years, she has been editor of The Face, the Observer magazine, and written for newspapers and magazines worldwide. Having started at the NME before moving to listings magazine City Limits, Sheryl wrote two books. Bliss to be alive, a collection of works by the late Gavin Hills, and one of the definitive books on the acid house scene, Adventures in Wonderland, in which she interviewed the movers and shakers of the movement about their experiences when club culture exploded in the late 80s. More recently, Sheryl has trained as a life coach and works with a client group of creatives, to build success and the life they want, making work they love. I wanted to understand what makes Sheryl tick, how she developed focus throughout her career, and understand her mindset. We cover everything from the world of coaching, nightclubs, and the interior of Madonna’s Miami home as well as her own personal life philosophy.
S2 E8 · Thu, May 27, 2021
Interview with Geoff Thomas
Geoff Thomas is a former footballer, who won nine caps for England and captained Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. In June 2003, a year after retirement, Geoff was diagnosed with leukaemia, from which he recovered and only 2 years later raised over £150,000 for Leukaemia Research by cycling each of the 21 stages of the 2005 Tour de France a few days ahead of the race itself with a group of friends and riders. This is a feat he’s repeated a further 3 times, and this summer will ride a final time in order to raise over £1 million for Cure Leukaemia. In this inspirational conversation, we look back at the foundational experiences in Geoff’s life that have driven him in his career, surviving cancer and undertaking large scale endurance fundraising efforts. We discuss how he found his focus, how he manages and copes with the discomfort and pain of 21 successive days of cycling over 2000 miles leading and supporting over 20 fellow riders. Geoff also explains how you can get involved and virtually ride one of the stages in order to help the project hit its financial target and you can push your own physical and psychological limits.
S1 E7 · Thu, May 27, 2021
Interview with Jon Egan
Jon Egan is from South Carolina, and the Founder and Host of the “Studying Failure” Podcast, a show that focuses on normalizing the conversation about failure. His goal is to help people change the way they see their failures, setbacks, and adversity so that instead of seeing failure as something to be avoided, to see failure as a key to unlock their next success. In our chat we talk about his early life, work and pivotal moments that shaped him today where he juggles his time working, creating and hosting his podcast and family. Through this story we examine Jon’s relationship to failure and how he used that to improve and enhance his focus, identity and mindset.
S1 E6 · Tue, April 06, 2021
Interview with Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs IS the Milestone Pursuit. That is the name of his business, podcast, and coaching method. Steve is a former MD of a media company, and skilled at working one to one with individuals and diverse groups of people to achieve personal and challenging milestones. Steve is adept at delving deep to help people set their goals (i.e. their milestones) and deliver step-by-step plans to achieve them (i.e. the pursuit). He has had success from beginner to elite levels in both sport and business. Since COVID19, Steve has grown his coaching business, in tandem with the popular Milestone Pursuit podcast (as featured in the Guardian). In this conversation, we go back to find out about Steve's personal and sporting history to understand the start and pursuit of his sporting success; how having an athlete mindset converts to work and life, and his use of Sport Psychology methods in his coaching.
S1 E5 · Fri, March 05, 2021
Interview with Colin Richards
Colin Richards is a London-based Sex & Relationship therapist with over 15 years of professional practice. He helps people transform their relationships and sex lives covering anything from relationship conflict, sexual frustration, complacency, or helping people with a high or low libido and more. He has helped over 6000 people and takes a humanistic approach covering the biological, psychological, social, and anthropological influences behind human desire, curiosity, and fear through individual sessions and group workshops. Colin is my go-to referral point for clients who bring sex or relationship matters to my practice that I need to forward on. He can be fully trusted for confidentiality and helping with potentially awkward or shy feelings about the most personal problems or issues people face. Our conversation focuses on human behaviour and drives; how he helps and educates clients; the changing nature of sex and sexuality in society and how his work crosses over with mine.
S1 E4 · Tue, February 23, 2021
Interview with Pete McCleave
In the past 2 years, I've interviewed Pete twice along his journey and been impressed by both his drive and determination and his optimistically framed mindset in the face of slim odds. He has successfully pivoted his thinking, actions, and behaviours from the success of the business and sporting world to help others, raise awareness, and competing in events to help the charity. We spoke during another challenging time for Pete, during the Pandemic, when he has had to shield, about how the campaign is going, his story, and understanding what makes him tick. We cover his background, sporting history, and upbringing in this fascinating insight into this remarkable individual to help everyone see how they can find the silver linings to what seems the most difficult physical and psychological battles someone can face. You can sign up or donate to 10,000 donors at the UK population (and .4% of the world population) are on the register so more people need to provide a simple cheek swab and if successful, donate their stem cells to people such as Pete. In the past 2 years, I've interviewed Pete twice along his journey and been impressed by not only his drive and determination but his optimistically framed mindset in the face of slim odds. He has successfully pivoted his thinking, actions, and behaviours from the success of the business and sporting World to helping others, raising awareness, and competing in events to help his charity. We spoke during another challenging time for Pete, during the Pandemic, when he has had to shield, about how the campaign is going, his story, and understanding what makes him tick. We cover his background, sporting history, and upbringing in this fascinating insight into this remarkable individual to help everyone see how they can find the silver linings to what seems the most difficult physical and psychological battles anyone can face. You can sign up or donate to 10,000 donors at https://www.10000donors.com/ .
S1 E3 · Sat, April 27, 2019
Interview with Sara Symington
Sara Symington is a former GB Olympic cyclist (2000 and 2004 games). After the Athens games she retired and worked as a policewoman and as a performance advisor for UK Sport. We met after the 2012 Olympic games when I worked as her psych for the GB Olympic Archery team where she had taken her first Performance Director role. In 2015 she left to work in the same position for England Netball. As PD she oversaw bronze medal success in the 2015 World Cup and in 2018, the team won Gold against the favourites, Australia, in a thrilling last second victory. In 2020, Sara became the Performance Director for UK Athletics. In the build-up to the 2019 Netball World cup, I wanted to find out about the mindset, thinking and skills Sara has used in her career in order to successfully run both the business and sporting performance parts of her role and what makes her tick. We cover her background, sporting history, and upbringing in this fascinating insight into one of the country's leading Performance Directors.
S1 E2 · Tue, February 26, 2019
Interview with Peter Bromka
Peter Bromka is an Oregon based marathoner (with a PB 2:19:40) with the Bowerman Track elite group; an independent consultant, Dad and exponent of long-form writing (https://www.peterbromka.com/ and for Runners World). In the build-up to his second attempt at a US Olympic qualifying time at the 2019 Boston Marathon, I was keen to understand Peter's mindset and psychological strategies and what makes him tick. This episode covers his time from inside the labs & in races for Nike, his background, history, and upbringing with running in his family. We discuss in detail his attitude, discipline, and focus for training and races and how he views his journey both in and out of racing, training, and writing.
S1 E1 · Fri, February 01, 2019
Interview with Ed Caesar
The Focused Mind Podcast is presented by Sport Psychologist Stu Holliday. This interview explores the psychology of human performance to understand the mindset and strategies that make up the psychological aspect of people's mastery of their skill, discipline, or domain. Ed Caesar is the author of the books Two Hours and 'The Moth and The Mountain.' In this episode he discusses his writing, training with Eliud Kipchoge and the other athletes and coaches on the Breaking2 project, as well as the life story of forgotten War hero and explorer Maurice Wilson.
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