Can you explain your role within the team?

I am the Lead Psychologist for STGB. I primarily work at the ODS and Olympic level of the WCP. My main role, in a nutshell, is to minimize performance variance and develop mental toughness skills by helping to condition sailor minds to execute the right skills at the right time, no matter what the circumstance.

How did you get involved?

From my own experiences in sport I have always had an interest in the Human Performance-Sport relationship. Following the completion of a BSc degree, I undertook a PhD, which looked at ‘Psychological Mechanism underpinning severe performance loss in competitive sport’, whilst also working as a multi-sport psychology consultant for the ‘Centre for Sport & Exercise Science’ at Sheffield Hallam University. In 2005 I was employed by the English Institute of Sport to Lead the psychology programme for STGBR and the RYA World Class Sailing Programme.

Can you explain what a normal day in your life involves?

Working with Managers, support staff, and coaches to develop an optimal culture, training environment and team dynamic, whilst also working directly with sailors to enhance performance.

What are the differences, if any, involved in your approach to coaching the different squads (i.e. Development, Performance), crews versus solo sailors?

Progressing from Youth to Development is the biggest transition that sailors go through. So at this level the approach is very much about helping to support, educate and guide sailors through the wilderness that is Olympic campaigning at a senior level. Whereas with performance sailors it’s very much about refining and sustaining their mental toughness skills throughout training and competition.

You must work with very driven people 24/7 – what’s your approach?

I work with committed people; I wouldn’t say they are always driven! My approach is very simple - I ensure that I work with each sailor as an individual human being.

Top tips for staying focused during competition?

Using Logic (not emotion), be present minded, focus on the key processes of sailing and accept any challenges or setbacks that come your way on the race track.

What’s the most common issue experienced?

The most common issue I come across is sailors mixing the goal with the dream. The dream being to achieve an outcome (e.g. winning), the goal being to do their best in any given moment during racing.  This leads to a mismatch in expectation and destructive emotional state during racing.

If someone has underperformed what’s the best way from previous experiences to get someone back on track?

Go through a simple 3 step process (the 3 AAA’s):      

1. create Awareness around the reason for underperformance (if there is one) and refocus the sailor on what needs to happen, rather than what’s happened in the past;

2. Help the sailor to Accept where they are, not where they want or think they should be (in terms of outcome).

3. Work with the sailor to establish an Action plan as to what they need to do in the next race to ensure that they are the ‘best they can be’.

My best moment in your career so far?

Supporting STGBR in Beijing 2008

What’s your greatest fear or phobia?

Stephen Park (Olympic Manager)

What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it?

Restore old sports cars

What’s your worst habit?

Doing work whilst I am holiday!

Name 3 things that are always in your shopping trolley?

Chicken, salad & fish fingers (I love fish fingers)

What was the last book you read?

In Search of Solutions by Bill O’Hanlon

What’s your favourite boat to sail?

One that someone else is crewing and skippering