Define Your Success

Episode Summary:What does it take to transition from Olympic rowing tobuilding a disruptive start-up? In this episode of Define Your Success, host Abigail Irozuru speaks with Olympian and Daylilies co-founder Jennifer Casson about resilience, mental health, and innovation.Jennifer shares her unexpected Tokyo 2021 Olympic qualification story, the lessons learned from supportinga teammate through anxiety, and the reality of navigating life after elite sport. She also reveals how frustration with traditional bras inspired Daylilies, a brand on a mission to revolutionise bras for modern, athletic women. From patenting and 3D printing to building in public and joining the IOC Business Accelerator, Jennifer reveals the transferable skills that fuel her journey and why failure is never the end.If you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone curious about turning setbacks into stepping stones or how to leverage your network for new opportunities, this episode is packed with insights on failure, adaptability, and defining success on your own terms.🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite platform.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔ The highs and lows ofJennifer’s Olympic journey and what it taught her about resilience✔ How to support teammates through mental healthchallenges in high-pressure environments✔ The challenges of transitioning out of elite sportand finding a new identity✔ Why Daylilie is disrupting the bra industry forathletic women✔ Transferable skills from sport to entrepreneurship – and why feedback is your friend✔ The power of networking and partnerships inbuilding a business✔ Jennifer’s definition ofresilience and success Connect with Jennifer & Daylilie:Instagram: @Daylilie_brasWebsite: https://www.daylilie.com/ LinkedIn: Jennifer CassonListen & Subscribe:🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.👉Don’t forget to rate, review, and share if you enjoyed this episode! Connect with Abigail and the podcast:Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/ // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru  Show NotesHot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License(CC BY 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

A compelling conversation hosted by Olympian, Abigail Irozuru, with Team GB and British athletics trailblazer, Kelly Sotherton MBE, a triple Olympic medallist and CEO of the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA).Key takeaways from the conversation include:Reshaping the Athlete Journey: Kelly's mission is to make the athlete's path smoother and more pleasant, ensuring they gain crucial life skills that extend beyond sport.The BEAA's Vital Role: As CEO, Kelly oversees the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), which offers essential support (for issues like selection, safeguarding), athlete representation, and fosters a strong athlete community.Addressing Modern Sport Challenges: Kelly highlights social media as a primary challenge for athletes, stressing the importance of authentic communication and directing concerns to the "right people" for impactful change, rather than just social media.Athlete Identity & Transition Advice: For developing athletes, Kelly advises fostering "dual identities" to prevent post-sport identity loss and building "good links" (networking) for smoother career transitions.Defining Success Beyond Medals: Kelly defines personal success not solely by achievements, but fundamentally by health (mental and physical), integrity, honesty, and authenticity – values that shape daily behavior and personal growth.British Elite Athletes Association BEAA - https://www.britisheliteathletes.org/ Instagram: @KellySotherton https://www.instagram.com/kellysotherton/?hl=en Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Welcome to the loooong-awaited Season 4 premiere of Define Your Success! We kick off this new season with an incredibly inspiring conversation with Lewis J. Richardson, an Olympian who medalled at the 2024 Paris Games and recently made his pro debut (June 2025). Lewis takes us on a raw, honest, and truly profound journey, offering a rare glimpse into the complex world of professional boxing and the personal battles fought outside the ring.In this episode, Lewis delves into:The Transformative Leap from Amateur to Pro: Discover the dramatic differences between amateur and professional boxing, not just in terms of round duration (from 3 to 4-12 rounds), but especially the business aspect. Lewis likens the transition from being "employed" by GB Boxing (funded by the National Lottery and offering a holistic program) to becoming "self-employed" and building your entire support team from scratch.The Unforgettable Moment of Olympic Qualification: Hear the goosebump-inducing story of Lewis's "absolute highlight" – securing his Olympic qualification on May 31st, 2024. He reveals why this moment meant more to him than even an Olympic medal, highlighting the notoriously difficult qualification process in boxing where only one person per country can qualify per weight category, and his light middleweight division was the most highly contested.Overcoming Adversity and Silencing the Naysayers: Lewis transparently shares the relentless doubts he faced throughout his career – "He's not strong enough. He's not big enough. He's not fit enough. He's not good enough". He details significant challenges, including a bad back injury in 2018 and the difficult Tokyo Olympic cycle where he faced the world number one on his 23rd birthday.The Gut-Wrenching Weight Category Dilemma: Learn about the crushing blow when his long-standing 75kg Olympic weight category was removed, forcing him to consider moving up or down. Having boxed at 75kg since he was 16, the decision to drop to 71kg seemed nearly impossible, sparking widespread disbelief. Lewis shares how he defied these expectations, proving his doubters wrong at every step.Rediscovering Purpose in the Crossroads: Lewis openly discusses the "lack of direction" and "lack of purpose" he felt in 2022-2023 when his Olympic dream seemed over and the professional path wasn't aligning. He credits working with a clinical psychiatrist and taking a "Powered by Purpose" course and the True Athlete Project with helping him "look within" and "rediscover himself".The Power of a Trustworthy Team and Loyal Sponsors: Lewis emphasises the critical importance of surrounding yourself with "people you trust" in the "shark's business" of boxing. He outlines the essential team members, from a good coach, manager, promoter, and lawyer to a nutritionist and psychologist. He also passionately highlights the vital role of loyal sponsors like Maldon Demolition (since 2016) and Datum Group (since 2017), emphasising the importance of deep, non-transactional relationships.Beyond the Ring: Life, Hobbies, and Humility: Get to know Lewis beyond his athletic prowess and his commitment to being a positive role model for the next generation.Post-Paris Highlights of a Hometown Hero: Lewis gushes about his incredible experiences since Paris, including turning on the Christmas lights in Colchester (his hometown) and meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.This episode is a masterclass in resilience – defined by Lewis as "being able to grow, being able to come back from adversity, and being a better person off the back of it". Lewis' story is a testament to the power of unwavering self-belief and the profound impact of having the right support system when defining your own success.Connect with Lewis:Instagram: @LewisJRichardsonTikTok: @LewisJRichWebsite - https://lewisrichardson.org/ Email the podcast at info@defineyoursuccess.uk

🚀 We delve into the world of sports law, anti-doping, selection policies, commercial contracts for athletes and the journey of athletes navigating these challenging arenas. 🎙️ In this episode, Olympian Abigail Irozuru has the pleasure of speaking with Imani, a dedicated athlete and aspiring sports lawyer. We cover: 🔹 How We Met: Training after an injury led to deep conversations and mutual respect. 🔹 Imani's Journey into Law: From her love of sports to understanding the impact of sports lawyers on athletes and teams. 🔹 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs): Discussing notable cases like Diane Modahl's and CJ Ujah's, and the principle of strict liability. 🔹 Balancing Motherhood and Career: Unique challenges and opportunities in sports law. 🔹 Selection Policies: Insights on fair criteria for the Paris Olympic Games. 🔹 Commercial Contracts: Key tips for navigating kit contracts. 🔹 What Sports Law Encompasses: From endorsements to regulatory compliance and transfer agreements. Imani's journey from a what she refers to as a "mid-level athlete" to a sports lawyer provides invaluable insights and inspiration. Her definition of success? Wait to the end to find out. 🌟 #SportsLaw #AthleteJourney #AntiDoping #LegalInsights #PodcastEpisode #ImaniSpeaks

Transgender women's inclusion in women's sport has been a contentious, divisive issue for several years. Listen to an expert's perspective on this episode hosted by Abigail Irozuru with Sharron Davies - a broadcaster, author, former ITV Gladiator and Olympic swimmer who is passionate about fair sport.  During Sharron’s swimming career, she and her colleagues personally experienced the damaging effects of unfair sport through East Germany's dominant era, as a result of their state-sponsored doping regime. Sharron ultimately sees transgender inclusion in the women’s category as another example of unfair sport, which she also expresses in her most recent book - Unfair Sport, the battle for Women’s sport, co-authored with Craig Lord.  This is a conversation in 3-parts The East German era of doping and its impact of which Sharron was personally victim to Women’s sport - it’s growth and transgender inclusion  Perspective and predictions for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in track and field and swimming https://www.sharrondavies.com/ Podcast Link - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success // Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7ntkYxL444R6mOtlyQmcYn // Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/define-your-success/id1595377040  Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message  Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk  Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/  Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK  Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru  Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US  Connect with Sharron Social Media / Email Connect with Abigail and the podcast:Show Notes

A captivating conversation with Team Fiji Olympic athlete Danielle Alakija, as she shares her remarkable journey from childhood running superstar to becoming an Olympian at just 16 years old. Beyond the track, we delve into Danni’s passion for climate advocacy, particularly her efforts to amplify the voices of the Global South in discussions around climate change solutions. She's reimagining the UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure inclusivity and fair representation, addressing historical inequalities and uplifting marginalised communities through her passion project - SOLI.  And here’s our call to action for athletes and listeners passionate about climate advocacy - you can get involved with her latest project - SOLI - by sharing letters and information about personal experiences of climate change.  Email: danielle@soli.earth  Social Media (Instagram, etc): @daniellealakija Web: www.soli.earth  Throughout our discussion, Danielle's creativity, resilience, and commitment to making a difference shine through, inspiring us all to pursue our dreams and create positive change in the world.  And, of course, stay tuned until the end to hear Danni’s definition of success and personal experiences of resilience in her own world. 🌍✨ Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message  Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk  Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/  Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK  Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru  Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) Connect with Abigail and the podcast:Show Noteshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson is a Canadian Olympian and a Performance Lifestyle Advisor with the UK Institute of Sport, working with British Athletics and British Shooting World Class Performance Program athletes.  The second key conversation of the 2024 season with Define Your Success is between host Abigail Irozuru and Erika, a member of the elite high performance team.  Key Discussion Points: Athlete and Sport Engagement with Performance Lifestyle Teams: Delving into the significance of athlete engagement with Performance Lifestyle Teams, Erika sheds light on how these teams play a crucial role in supporting athletes throughout their careers. Transition and Mental Health Support: Drawing from her own experiences transitioning from elite sport, Erika compares the support systems in the UK and Canada, highlighting the need for robust mental health resources tailored to athletes' diverse needs. Six Pillars of High Performance: Erika outlines the six pillars integral to developing a well-rounded, high-performance athlete, emphasizing the importance of addressing various facets of athletes' lives beyond their athletic endeavours. Transitions Beyond Retirement: The conversation expands to encompass transitions beyond retirement, demonstrating that transitions are not limited to exiting the sport but encompass various life changes. Personal Journey with Mental Health Advocacy: Erika shares her personal journey with mental health challenges, which spurred her advocacy efforts and led her to pursue a Psychology degree, ultimately shaping her current work at the UK Institute of Sport. Self-Directed Development Strategies: Offering valuable insights, Erika discusses self-directed personal development and transition support strategies for athletes who may not have direct access to elite programs, catering to both developing athletes and those at higher levels. Coaching and Mentoring Models: Exploring coaching and mentoring models, the discussion underscores the importance of athlete buy-in when collaborating with Performance Lifestyle practitioners. Useful Resources Discussed: More To Me Initiative: https://uksportsinstitute.co.uk/article/eis-helps-athletes-expand-coaching-skills-through-more2me-initiative/ A program aimed at expanding athletes' skills. UKSI (UK Sports Institute): https://uksportsinstitute.co.uk/ Providing comprehensive support for elite athletes. TASS (Talented Athlete Support Scheme):  https://www.tass.gov.uk/ Supporting young, developing athletes. NGB (National Governing Body) - UK Sport: https://www.uksport.gov.uk/ Focusing on Olympic and Paralympic high-performance goals. --- Social Media / Email  Podcast Link - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success // Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7ntkYxL444R6mOtlyQmcYn // Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/define-your-success/id1595377040  Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message  Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk  Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/  Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK  Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru  Credits Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US 

Second of the two-part conversation hosted by Olympian, Abigail Irozuru with Team England Commonwealth Games' rhythmic gymnast, coach and business-owner Mimi-Isabella Cesar. Key takeaways from the conversation include: 1. Aesthetic sports like gymnastics involve subjective judging based on the athletes' appearance and execution. 2. Collaboration with experts in various fields is crucial for athletes' holistic development. 3. MIC Gymnastics offers tailored training programs and a supportive community for athletes of all ages and levels. 4. Mimi's multifaceted career includes coaching, commentating, and aspirations in media, property, and investment. 5. Embracing challenges and using personal experiences to drive positive change is essential for growth and success. Connect with Abigail and the podcast: Send us a voice message - https://anchor.fm/define-your-success/message  Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk  Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/  Twitter: @DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK  Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru  Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US  Show Notes

The first episode after a year-long hiatus (sorry - I went AWOL!) Conversation with 2 x Team England Commonwealth Games representative in rhythmic gymnastics, Mimi-Isabella Cesar.  In this first part, we speak about the highs and lows of Mimi’s competitive career and lead into her journey into entrepreneurship, inspired by righting the wrongs she experienced to be a better coach and leader to the next generation of rhythmic gymnasts.  Some topics explored: Suffering emotional abuse about her body weight and shape, and subsequently her age The best feeling of rhythmic gymnastics - the silent moment Top highlights in the sport I’ve never felt enough Holding sports leadership to account - coaches, judges, key decision makers Recognising abuses of power and what that may look like in those you love - parents and guardians  The hope with a new coach - Australian coach and sports psych - helping her gain confidence and rewrite the decade-long narrative  At the end of the episode, we lead into what the second part will feature - introduce MIC and entrepreneurship, her growth and how MIC started during COVID, her global reach and extensive support network for gymnasts of all age ranges on MIC, her media and broadcasting work, and her vision for the future. Hot Pepper by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/  Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Get In Touch! Stay Connected... Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk  Instagram: @ Definesuccessuk - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/  Abigail - Instagram: @absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/ 

In this episode, hear various short clips of how Britain's best athletes and coaches define success.  Long form definitions of success and the more challenging narrowing it down to three words.  How do you define success?  Before listening to their responses, why not define success for yourself first and share it with our listeners!  Send in a voicenote with your definition to info@defineyoursuccess.uk or send a voice message.   Featuring: Jodie Williams; Richard Whitehead MBE; Benjamin Williams; Martyn Rooney; Dan Greaves; Cindy Sember; Tiffany Porter; Laviai Nielson; Stef Reid; Beth Partridge; Kare Adenegan; Curtis Beach; Daryll Nieta; Louise Bloor; Aston Moore MBE; Leon Baptiste; Dr. Rob Miller; Morgan Lake. 

In this episode of #DYSPodcast, hear the wisdom and joy Tiffany Porter (ex-Team GB 100m Hurdler) shares around athletics, retirement from sport, motherhood, including training and competing whilst breastfeeding and (all in 2021, post-baby) winning European Indoor Bronze, becoming British Champion and representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games - all whilst being a mother to her Rainbow Baby, Chidera. Listen to this conversation around Tiff’s illustrious athletics career; retirement from sports; and family including being a Rainbow Mom. Social Media Twitter - @tiffofili - https://twitter.com/tiffofili Instagram - @tiffofili - https://www.instagram.com/tiffofili Website & Blog - www.tiffofili.com Tiffany’s Honours - https://worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/tiffany-porter-14318196 Tiffany’s Retirement Announcements - World Athletics - https://worldathletics.org/news/news/tiffany-porter-hurdles-retirement Run Blog Run by Stuart Weir - https://www.runblogrun.com/2022/03/tiffany-porter-reflects-on-retirement-and-life-after-hurdles-part-2.html Connect with Abigail and the podcast: Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk Instagram: @DefineSuccessUK - https://www.instagram.com/definesuccessuk/ Twitter: @ DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK Abigail - Instagram: @ absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @ airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru

Vertigo - what is is (symptoms) and its causes Storytime - how it happened “Health issues seem to be quite common in athletes and not as understanding as injuries, it seems.” - a quote from a friend that prompted me sharing this episode Baseline - balance and proprioception work whilst brushing your teeth Baseline for your holistic health Achilles Tendon Rupture Recovery - Knee-to-wall Baseline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py9y62vwzYk&ab_channel=ABIGAILIROZURU - what it is Resting HR Baseline and how tracking this can help you navigate training intensity, the onset of and recovery from illness Achilles tendon stages for recovery mentioned - https://abigailirozuru.com/2016/07/15/sports-an-achilles-tendon-rehab-program-videos-week-8-post-op/ Connect with Abigail and the podcast: Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk Instagram: @ Defineyoursuccess.uk - https://www.instagram.com/defineyoursuccess.uk/ Twitter: @ DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK Abigail - Instagram: @ absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @ airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru

In this second part of the conversation with USA Track and Field Paralympian, Lacey J Henderson, we discuss: the instability of the contracting life, self-employed status that we all take on as athletes; the unfairness of the broad range of disability categories for Paralympians and what Lacey is doing to challenge and change that for the better. Lacey’s Sports Psychology Masters’ degree: how we might manage and overcome stress responses after trauma, particularly sexual assault in sport. Content Advisory: There is some swearing in this episode + mention of sexual assault. Connect with Lacey: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laceyisyourfriend/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/lacesyourfriend Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Laceyjhenderson/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/laceyisyourfriend LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/laceyisyourfriend Connect with Abigail and the podcast: Email - info@defineyoursuccess.uk Instagram: @ Defineyoursuccess.uk - https://www.instagram.com/defineyoursuccess.uk/ Twitter: @ DefineSuccessUK - https://twitter.com/DefineSuccessUK Abigail - Instagram: @ absisdabest - https://www.instagram.com/absisdabest/  // Twitter - @ airozuru - https://twitter.com/Airozuru

Originally published 15th November 2022. British Athletics' Strength & Conditioning Coach   A conversation with S&C Coach, Rob Miller Rob is co-owner of Informed Performance, alongside Michael Johnston (MJ).  https://www.informedperformance.co.uk/  Both work at British Athletics as part of the Strength & Conditioning Performance Team. https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/  Discussion Points -  The opening / warm up convo - COVID Lockdown Training Diaries (gym kitted out by Blk Box Fitness - https://www.blkboxfitness.com/ ), which is a reminder of the importance of accountability to produce positive results, and also the convenience benefits of ‘100 rep sessions’ - not for high performance, though! ‘The deep stuff’ - from approx the 10 minute mark onwards Coaching Philosophy, highlighting the importance of trust and buy-in in any coaching relationship, not just the theoretical and technical knowledge of the coach S&C Philosophy, including how Rob structures a training program, his perception of ‘technical excellence’ and his tips for anyone looking to improve their Olympic lifts, specifically cleans and snatch World-class lifting numbers in the track & field world (how does your PB match up against Britain’s best athletes in the power clean?)  Hobbies (jiu jitsu, cooking and music - singing and guitar)  PhD on Muscle Morphology for Elite Sport Running, which was funded by British Athletics and, in year one, by EIS (the English Institute of Sport) https://eis2win.co.uk/  Definition of Resilience and Success.  Social Media Handles  Instagram  @Robem10 - https://www.instagram.com/robem10  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-miller-726844b0/?originalSubdomain=uk  Twitter - https://twitter.com/robem10  Informed Performance - https://www.informedperformance.co.uk/  PhD - https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/thesis/The_muscle_morphology_of_sprinters/19722865 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33009196/  Article on PhD by the National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine - https://www.ncsem-em.org.uk/2020/10/02/buttock-size-matters-researchers-reveal-a-large-gluteus-maximus-is-key-for-sprint-speed-and-performance-after-examining-the-anatomy-of-elite-athletes/

Part One of a 2-Part Conversation with Lacey Henderson, Team USA Paralympic Athlete & Performance Psychology Consultant  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laceyisyourfriend Performance Psychology Consultant @parallelperformanceconsulting LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/laceyisyourfriend This episode is for you if you’re grieving the loss of a job, a role, a life; if you’re looking for some practical sports psych tips or if you just want a laugh. Conversation centres on her Sports Psychology Masters, USOPC (US Olympic & Paralympic Committee), the mental health toll of high performance sport when athletes are seen as or at least made to feel as disposable by their federations ; dynamic identity - how we face and journey through grief and loss - the healthy and unhealthy ways from our experiences and from a trained psychologist’s perspective on the best way through. Fun fact: Lacey's Sports Psychology Masters is led by Team GB Rio 2016 Olympian, Lennie Waite - https://twitter.com/lenniew8  A favourite quote on this episode - 'everything waits for you’. Finally, full disclosure - there are a few swear words dotted through this conversation, but they’re few and far between so don’t let that dissuade you from listening. Subscribe to be notified of Part Two when the episode drops next Tuesday

Kare Adenegan has so many medals to her name, I don’t even know where to begin- She has won medals at every major championships: British, European, Commonwealth, World and Paralympic Games - and she achieved these great feats alongside her studies, most recently having graduated from the University of Warwick. Congratulations! As we warm up into this conversation, things get a little deep. Equality in diversity -  specifically between non-disability and disability sport as we saw exemplified at the CWG - that oneness and cohesion of the team; the superhuman Paralympic trope and her perspective on that vs the real daily struggle of a disabled person, athlete or not; her faith; and her tips for future Paralympians in any sport, not just on the track. I also ask, how do we get more coaches involved with para sport to increase access to sport for disabled people. Finally, as a Black-British female wheelchair athlete, she may have experienced racism; but she says ableism features more profoundly in her life as a form of discrimination than anything else. So… What is ableism? And how can we ensure we aren’t complicit, passive bystanders or even instigators to this form of discrimination? Please listen up and let me know your thoughts on this enlightening and informative conversation. Kare on Twitter - @adenegank  Instagram - @kareadenegan Email: info@defineyoursuccess.uk  Twitter: @definesuccessuk Instagram: @defineyoursuccess.uk Kare mentions under-eating and its connection with RED-S which refers to relative energy deficiency syndrome. Unfortunately, I didn't explore this topic further with her, but you can find more info on it here - https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/health/a33589189/red-s-relative-energy-deficiency-running/  P.s. I use the term 'able-bodied' and have recently learned this isn't a term some will be comfortable with, so I apologise if I have offended you. Please share your preferred terminology, so I can make the right changes! Also rather than editing this term out, I wanted to keep this an example of the fact we all have lessons to learn to be less discriminatory and more inclusive in our language and behaviour re disability!

This episode is a solo conversation with you and your host, Abigail about Collaborative Coaching: a hybrid of the self-coached and the standard coaching model. Get an insight into how it can work well to create successful outcomes, e.g. her 2018-2021 seasons and how it can disappoint without the "four C's" / 4 C Thinking in place (think 2022 season! Yikes!). Share your thoughts on this episode and how you can apply 4 C Thinking in your workplace or coaching set up with Abigail on Instagram @absisdabest , Twitter @airozuru , email or LinkedIn! If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5* review ;) #DYSPodcast #4CThinking Finally... how do you define your success? Share your definition in a voice message (max 60 seconds) via the link below on Spotify!

Kicking off season 2 of Define Your Success with my friend and teammate, 100m hurdles Commonwealth Bronze Medalist and New British Record Holder, Cindy Sember (nee Ofili).  We discuss:  - the surprises of the 2022 season - the highs of medals and national records; the lows of disappointment and distress at the European Championships.  - what keeps Cindy going - her faith in God and belief in her gifts and calling, including her favourite Bible verses (Psalm 46:5 & Jeremiah 29:11) - how Cindy got into the sport - her sister (Tiffany Porter, nee Ofili) as an incredible role model - Cindy's life after sport  - her Nigerian heritage and how it connects her with some of her competitors  - Cindy's advice to us all to achieving success, practising resilience and living healthier, happier lives! Stay connected with Cindy on social media - Instagram : @cindyofili Twitter : @cindyofili YouTube Channel  

Louise Bloor is a Performance Nutritionist for British Judo, Diving and Athletics' teams.  Her food philosophy, which is helpful for us all to remember, is explored in this half hour conversation - 'food is fuel, fun, emotional and you've got to enjoy it' - as we discuss the following: fuelling correctly around training sessions - before, during and after - to optimise performance, reduce injury and retain a high level of focus and engagement from the start to the finish  long term and acute weight loss and weight management strategies female athletes' weight management around their menstrual cycle a human-first approach to performance nutrition    I also did a little bit of digging and found one of Louise's docs from 2016: An introduction to performance nutrition for British Judo -  Introduction to Performance Nutrition for British Judo - 42 page doc This episode also discusses in brief Louise's entry into performance nutrition, where she works with the following British Teams - Judo, Diving and Athletics - helping these elite performers to make and manage their weight, gain a healthier relationship with food and learn from not only her theory of performance nutrition, but also her own personal experience as an Olympic sprinter. I hope you enjoy this episode as part of the 'Athlete Experience' series of the Define Your Success Podcast.  If you did, please rate, review and subscribe.  Follow Louise Bloor on Social Media! Instagram: @louise.bloor Twitter: @louise_bloor Also mentioned: The English Institute of Sport IG, FB, TW: @eis2win Feel free to drop me an email on info@defineyoursuccess.uk

9 x British Champion in Triple Jump. And only 23-years old. But that's not all...  This conversation with Naomi covers her creative side, delving deep into NFTs - relevant for you whether you're a newbie and have never heard of the term or you're a pro; it's all inspiring and educational.  We also cover her other creative exploits, including Three-Point Start (which she was supported and advised in the development of by her mentor at the Women's Sport Trust, Unlocked Program) and her recent partnership collaboration with House of Marley.  Naomi is all about taking ownership of her future and the conversation; shining a spotlight on who she is beyond sport and what she and other athletes and marginalised groups (specifically black women in tech and arts) can achieve in every area of their lives.  Tags - AfrochicksNFTS - https://mobile.twitter.com/afrochicksnft  https://mobile.twitter.com/randizuckerberg Randi Zuckerberg Three Point Start blog - https://threepointstart.com/  Women's Sports Trust - https://www.womenssporttrust.com/  Livewire Sport - https://www.livewiresport.com/ Twitter Spaces hosted by Naomi & @WomenInNFTs It's not too late to get involved in NFTs - https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/nft-ownership-metaverse-crypto-bitcoin-b1986530.html - NFT ownership is concentrated to just 0.1% of crypto owners