Lets Talk Para

Martin McElhatton OBE is a former Paralympian and the Chief Executive of WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport in Britain. Martin shares his journey from representing Great Britain in wheelchair basketball at the 1984 Paralympic Games to leading WheelPower since 1987. In 2020, he received an OBE for his services to disability sport. In this episode, he discusses his extensive invol...

Iain Gowans is a Doctoral Researcher at the Peter Harrison Centre at Loughborough University. He is also a Paralympic swimmer having represented Great Britain at the 1996 wAtlanta Games. He graduated from the University of Strathclyde in Sport in the Community and completed his master’s degree in Equality Studies at University College Dublin in 2003. Between 2003-2021, Iain worked for the British...

Mike Hutchinson is the Athlete Services Manager at ParalympicsGB. He has been involved with Para-Sport since his placement year when he was doing his Undergraduate at the University of Bath, where he worked with ParalympicsGB in the lead up to London 2012. He also completed his PhD at the Peter Harrison Centre in Loughborough University where he looked at "The application of subjective ratings of...

Daniel Angus is a Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University’s Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. His research explores the psychophysiological responses to stress in elite para-footballers. By utilising longitudinal studies, he aims to come up with a potential intervention study to improve performance. Alongside his research, Daniel is partially sighted footballer playing in the Engl...

Fransiska Bossuyt is a researcher specialising in scapular kinematics and the biomechanics of soft-tissue injuries, with a focus on understanding muscle and tendon function to improve injury prevention and treatment. Currently, she is spearheading a project on shoulder health in vulnerable populations. She is actively involved in rehabilitation research and policy, serving as co-chair of the COVID...

Adam Dickinson is a Research Associate in Knowledge Translation and Stakeholder Engagement at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. In this role, he works closely with external partners to conduct qualitative needs analyses and translating research findings into practical applications. Adam completed his PhD a...

Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey is a leading expert in para-sport research and the Director of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. With decades of experience working with Paralympic athletes, Vicky shares her insights into the science behind elite performance, the evolution of para-sport research, and the impact of her work on athlete preparation and recovery.

Olivia Broome is an elite British para powerlifter who has made a name for herself on the international stage. Olivia medalled at both the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games as well as the European Championships. She shares her journey into the sport, the challenges she’s overcome, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Alasdair Donaldson is the Head of Para Sport at Loughborough University, where he works to create opportunities for para-athletes. He delves into his journey into para-sport and the pivotal role Loughborough plays in nurturing talent from grassroots all the way to performance athletes. Beyond his work at the university, he shares insights into building an inclusive sporting environment and his vis...

James Hollis is a Paralympian, world record holder and Commonwealth Games medalist. He delves into his journey in swimming and the challenges he faced growing up. Beyond para-swimming, he talks about the para-sport movement as well as his role as a Performance Lifestyle Mentor in the UKSI.

Jack Clarke is the Performance Scientist for GB Wheelchair Rugby, and was previously the S&C coach for Loughborough Wheelchair Lightning Bassketball. Jack shares insights into training elite para-athletes, optimising performance for diverse sports, and the key principles behind strength and conditioning. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports enthusiast, he provides insight into how h...

Nik Diaper is a leading expert in para-sport and disability sport science. As the Head of Paralympic Performance Support at the UK Sports Institute, Nik has been instrumental in shaping the success of British Paralympians. With 22 years of experience in optimising athlete performance and a passion for inclusivity in sports, Nik shares his insights as a practitioner as well as his involvement withi...

Ahalya Lettenberger is an accomplished para-swimmer and Paralympian from the United States. She competes in para-swimming events, specializing in freestyle and individual medley races, and is classified under the S7 category for her events. Ahalya has Arthrogryposis, a condition that affects her lower body, yet she has achieved remarkable success in her sport. Ahalya shares her journey to the Para...

Joe McDonnell is the Head of Para Sprints at Loughborough University, recognized for coaching several elite para-athletes. His role involves working with athletes on the Paralympic World Class Programme, including champions like Kadeena Cox, Libby Clegg, and Thomas Young. McDonnell’s expertise has significantly contributed to Loughborough’s reputation as a leading hub for para-sport training and d...

George Bates is a British wheelchair basketball player. He has represented Great Britain at the international level and has been a key player in winning the Europeans and World Championships. Bates has also gained attention for advocating for inclusion and fair classification within para-sports. His story became widely known when he was excluded from competing under updated International Wheelchai...

Krysten Coombs is a British para-badminton player competing in the short stature (SH6) category. Coombs has represented Great Britain and won 2 Paralympic medals and numerous World Championship medals. Outside of badminton, Krysten Coombs does some acting with appearances on 'Game of Thrones' and 'The Witcher'.