University of Staffordshire's Performing Under Pressure Podcast

Episode 21 features an in-depth interview with one of our own - Professor Matt Slater. Matt is an expert on group dynamics and leadership and is the author of the book 'Togetherness'. The idea of togetherness features heavily in this episode and Matt outlines the importance of being a connoisseur of your team to understand how to get the best out of them. We discuss the idea of leading to facilita...

Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams joined Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell in discussing how the brain can influence wellbeing and performance. Author of the acclaimed book 'The Connected Species', Mark has over 25 years experience of research in this area and has worked at universities in Australia and the USA. In this episode, the trio discussed the role of the brain in skill lea...

Joining us ahead of her appearance in the Women's Challenge Cup Final, Faye Gaskin joined Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell for a conversation about performing under pressure. In addition to playing rugby league, Faye is a lecturer and a CrossFit coach. Faye spoke about the challenging circumstances in her career such as her mindset in returning from a career-threatening injury to represen...

Recently retired professional footballer Jake Jervis joined Dr Karla Drew and Dr Paul Mansell in the studio to discuss his experiences of performing under pressure in his career as a footballer whilst also discussing key transitions into and out of the game. Making over 300 appearances in his career, Jake played for Plymouth, Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Luton among others in the UK and also sp...

Former Portsmouth, Cambridge and Luton winger Courtney Pitt dropped into the studio to chat about performing under pressure with Dr Paul Mansell and Jack Bullock. Courtney is an ex-Staffordshire University student and then went on to become Head of Academy Coaching at Burton Albion. More recently, Courtney has moved to Wolves where he is the Lead U11/12 Phase Coach. In this episode, Courtney descr...

Dr Paul Mansell and Professor Matt Slater are joined by Staffordshire University alumni, Edgar Kazibwe, a Sport Psychologist in-training for the Uganda Cricket Men and Women’s Senior and U19 National Team. This episode has been recorded ahead of Edgar's work in preparing the Uganda Men's team for their forthcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. In this episode, Edgar talks about techniq...

Rugby Borough Women's forward Angelina Nixon joined Dr Paul Mansell in the studio to discuss her experiences of performing under pressure in football. Angelina has previously played for Cambridge United, MK Dons, Leicester City, Birmingham City and has been involved with the England youth setup. She describes her background of growing up playing football against boys and her perceptions of being a...

Renowned sport psychologist Dan Abrahams is this week's guest on the podcast. Dan has worked with athletes across many different sports but with a particular focus on football and golf. An ex-professional golfer himself, Dan is also the founder and host of the hugely popular Sport Psych Show podcast.  In this episode, Dr Katie Sparks and Dr Paul Mansell tap into Dan's vast experience in the domain...

MMA fighter Ashley 'The Beast' Reece joined Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Andrew Wilkinson ahead of his Welterweight Title fight in Arizona. Based in Staffordshire, Ashley is our first guest from a combat sport and therefore provided a unique insight into the demands of performing under pressure. Ashley is also a coach of young athletes and shares his advice on how he helps them to perform under pressure...

Inspirational Erasmus Darwin Academy Headteacher, Phil Walklate joins Dr Paul Mansell and Jack Bullock in the studio to talk about his experiences of pressure in an educational setting. Given the responsibility of Phil's job, he describes his general approach to performing well himself as a leader whilst also allowing others to flourish. Studying an undergraduate at Staffordshire University, Phil...

Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Katie Sparks are joined by current Wolves Women defender Ellie Wilson as they quiz her on how she deals with the pressures of playing football at an elite level. Ellie represented England up to Under 23s and has played in the WSL and Championship for Reading, Bristol City, London Bees and Sheffield United. In this episode, Ellie provides a very positive view towards pressure...

Premier League footballer Tawanda Chirewa joined Dr Paul Mansell and Sam Westley in the studio to discuss his approach to performing at the top level of the game. Our youngest guest to date, the 20-year old attacking midfielder made his Premier League debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this year having joined from Ipswich Town in 2023. In his first in-depth interview, Tawanda spoke of his u...

Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell welcome England Cerebral Palsy international Harry Baker into the studio to explore his perceptions of performing under pressure in elite disability sport. Harry is closing in on 50 caps for England and has played at World Cups and European Championships, winning the golden boot in 2018. He shares his disappointment about missing out on a trip to the Paral...

Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Andrew Wilkinson were delighted to welcome former Loughborough University colleague and current Fulham Women's defender Dr Ella Tagliavini into the studio to delve into her insights on performing under pressure. Ella has captained England at youth level and also also played for Chelsea. She has completed a PhD which examines parenting in sport and currently lectures at UCFB....

Derby County defender Kane Wilson joined Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Andrew Wilkinson in our studio at Staffordshire University. Nominated for a place in League Two team of the year whilst at Forest Green Rovers, Kane has also played for West Bromwich Albion, Exeter City, Walsall and Bristol City, as well as representing England up to under 18 level alongside the likes of Phil Foden. For Kane, expectat...

In today's episode, Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell are joined by Premiership rugby player Sebastian de Chaves. A youth international for South Africa, Sebastian has also represented Mont de Marsan, Leicester Tigers, London Irish and more recently, Newcastle Falcons. Sebastian has also completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Staffordshire University. Sebastian shares his vie...

Professor Matt Slater and Dr Paul Mansell interview former professional footballer Sam Winnall about his experiences about performing under pressure. Sam started his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and enjoyed success at a number of clubs, including winning the League 2 Golden Boot award in 2014 with Scunthorpe United and representing Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Burton Albion an...

During this episode, Dr Paul Mansell and Jack Bullock interview Port Vale Women's captain Meg Baldwin about her experiences of performing under pressure. Meg is also a broadcaster for BBC Radio Stoke, Head of Sport at Thistley Hough Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, a football coach, a Visiting Lecturer at Staffordshire University and a parent. This makes for interesting comparisons in performing under p...

Matt Jarvis made over 400 appearances in his football career and represented clubs including Gillingham, Wolves, West Ham and Norwich. He was selected to play for England in 2012, making his debut at Wembley against Ghana. Matt offers his insights on the pressures to perform well in football, such as whether it is possible to enjoy pressure. He describes the strategies he used to perform to a high...

In this episode, Dr Paul Mansell and Professor Matt Slater welcome Dr Jamie Barker into the studio. Formerly of Staffordshire University, Jamie shares reflections from his applied work as a sport psychologist and his role as a Reader in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology at Loughborough University. Jamie has worked with a range of organisations ranging from elite para football to Sony. Of in...

In our first episode, Dr Paul Mansell and Dr Joe Dixon sit down with experienced TV presenter Matt Smith to discuss his perceptions of pressure and how he is able to perform well under the demands of live broadcasting. Beginning his career in news reporting, Matt has worked for ITV Sport and BT/TNT Sport as well as lecturing undergraduate journalists at Staffordshire University. Matt discusses his...