Parents in Sport Podcast

In this episode Olympian, Coach and Mentor Dwain Chambers joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his journey from a muddy log to the world stage including motivation, doping and raising kids who don't need to be you. He also discusses his role now as a father, coach and mentor to young athletes striving in the world today. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The absence of...

In this episode 'The Coaches' coach' and communication specialist Betsy Butterick joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘Supporting Gen Z and Gen Alpha to thrive both in and out of their sport' and what that potentially means for coaches, teachers and parents.  During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The Coaching Crisis of coaches leaving the profession and stru...

In this episode Leadership and Performance coach Rick Cooper joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘The Real Manosphere'  and how we can support teenage boys to fulfil their potential both in and out of their sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Moving past 'Manosphere' headlines The important distinction between 'fitting in' and 'belonging&a...

In this episode Breathwork Specialist and Performance Coach Jack McMillan joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss breathing for junior athletes and how we can best support as sporting parents. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Breathing = Performance and Wellbeing Why breathing matters for young athletes The use of breathing in managing pressure and anxiety Bridging mental heal...

In this episode Sports nutritionists Kate Shilland and Fran Taylor and the founders of 'Performance Canteen' join Gordon MacLelland to discuss supporting young athletes through proper nutrition. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Challenges like misinformation and the need for clear communication Progress and not perfection in building small, sustainable changes t...

In this episode best selling author and coach Brad Stulberg joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his new book 'The Way of Excellence' which explores what sustainable excellence really looks like and what it potentially means for us all in supporting young athletes. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Building excellence through rhythm and balance The dangers of outco...

In this episode sporting parents Danny and Kate Cowley join Gordon MacLelland to discuss the value of working together as a parent team to support a young high performing athlete. Together, Danny and Kate offer a dual perspective as coaches, educators, parents, and lifelong learners. Their daughter, a youth international footballer, and their son an ex gymnast have given them valuable insight into...

In this episode Founding Director 'Red Star Education' Kristen Cunliffe joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss Financial Fitness and how we can help our young athletes thrive with their finances. The recent BBC documentary 'Footballs Financial Shame'  has brought the importance of this topic back into the limelight.  During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Many a...

In this episode British Gymnastics National Head Coach and sports parent Barry Collie joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'Developing confidence, self-esteem and self-worth in young athletes' along with how we can create the best environments possible for young people to thrive both in and out of their sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Applying lessons from...

In this episode sports psychologist Elliott Newell joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss how as sporting parents we can help support the development of mental skills for our young athletes to thrive. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Personality flaws or just skill deficits? The importance of modelling emotional regulation during those tougher moments Imagery, breath work, mi...

In this episode sports parent and life coach Stephanie Burge joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'Deselection, Release and Transition' and how we can help support young people through this incredibly challenging time. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Intense parental emotions: shock, grief, helplessness The emotional fallout of deselection and the importance of p...

In this episode British Sailing Squad member Molly Sacker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss her own sporting journey, the lessons she has learned, how we can best support young high performers and life gearing up for Los Angeles 2028. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The importance of consistent messaging to young athletes from parents and coaches Sacrifices or individua...

In this episode human development and performance consultant Beth Kerr joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘Technology and Talent' and how we can support young people's performance and personal development. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The emotional tug-of-war that parents face regarding technology use The pros and cons of technology usage on performance and...

In this episode High Performance Consultant Ivi Casagrande joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss creating the best environments and support for young female athletes to thrive. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The importance of consistent messaging to young athletes from parents and coaches Providing autonomy, encouraging exploration and developing decision-making skills The...

In this episode Associate Dean at University Campus of Football Business(UCFB) and author Dr. Richard Elliott joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'Supporting Mental Health in Young Athletes' and what that potentially means for us as sporting parents. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Mental health operating on a continuum, much like physical health Establishing a...

In this episode one of the UK's leading performance psychologists Katie Mobed joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss her reflections from a lifetime in sport as an elite performer, a performance psychologist and now a novice sporting parent. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Katie’s background in gymnastics & sports psychology Some of the challenges we face in gymnast...

In the first episode of Season 6, former England rugby international and World Cup Winner Lewis Moody joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss high performance, sports parenting and some of the things he has learnt and reflected on through a lifetime in sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Enjoying the journey as a family from development centre to young professional The imp...

In this episode, the parent of young Arsenal premier league footballer Myles Lewis-Skelly, Marcia Lewis, joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss sports parenting and how we can best navigate the journey from grassroots to professional football. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Enjoying the journey as a family from development centre to young professional The importance of wide...

In this episode mindset/performance coach and former professional cricketer Lewis Hatchett joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss the positives and perils of perfectionism and what we should be looking out for in helping to support our young performers. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Lewis' own personal battles with perfectionism throughout his career Why not all eleme...

In this 'Olympic Special' sports psychology consultant, speaker and author Chris Shambrook joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss the Olympic Games, High Performance and Supporting Young Athletes. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Chris' reflections on his Olympic Journey supporting world class performers Life behind the scenes of high performing teams Being cur...

In this episode Dr. Alison Maitland and Jenna Ashford join Gordon MacLelland to discuss their book 'Drop the Struggle' and how understanding their approach of using 'Acceptance and Commitment Therapy' may help us as sporting parents to help support our young people to fulfil their potential both in and out of their sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other thing...

In this episode Sport and Performance Psychologist in Elite Sport Rebecca Levett joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss supporting a healthy identity in our sporting children. We all want our children to have the opportunity to explore various identities and learn that their sense of worth can come from different areas and that many skills and strengths are valued not just those associated with ‘achie...

In this episode Australian Institute of Sport Athlete Development Senior Lead Graham Turner joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his latest book 'The Young Athlete's Perspective.' This book features six stories told by young athletes about their talent development experiences in sport. Each young athlete tells a personal story. They describe their own individual set of circumstances a...

In this episode Michelin starred chef and sports parent Tom Kitchin joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss high performance and sports parenting. Tom has lived experience as a parent going through the football academy journey and it was great to discuss how his own working life in high performance has influenced his ongoing approach with his four children. During the conversation they discuss amongst...

In this episode author and sports parent Catherine Baker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss being a sports parent and the complexities of the role based on her experiences of parenting three sporting children, one of whom is currently involved in professional rugby. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The realities of being a sports parent Learning on the job and navigating...