Ep8 - Dr Steven Thompson Stumbles - "I was too rigid in program design..."

Listen time - 28mins (and a chance to win £600 worth of mentorship) In part two of the series with Steve, we dig into his reflections on his mistakes and what he learned from them. He discusses the importance of considering the athlete in the overall programming and training solutions decision, rather than relying solely on research and needs analysis.   Steve also shares his experience of being too rigid in program design and lacking flexibility and the importance of experiential learning. He emphasises the need for coaches to create an authentic coaching identity and adapt their coaching style to different environments.   Steve also discusses the benefits of reflective meetings and the challenges of managing relationships and leadership.   Takeaways from the episode: Consider the athlete in the overall programming and training solutions decision, rather than relying solely on research and needs analyses. Be flexible in program design and willing to adapt in the moment based on the athlete's needs and circumstances. Learning experientially and getting reps under the bar is crucial for coaches to develop their skills and understanding. Create an authentic coaching identity that aligns with your values and allows you to build strong relationships with athletes. Reflective meetings and discussions with other practitioners can provide valuable insights and help improve coaching practices. Managing relationships and adapting coaching styles are important challenges for coaches to navigate. Technology should assist coaches, but coaches should not rely on it entirely and should remain present in the coaching environment. I hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to win over £600 worth of mentorship courtesy of Collaborate Sports and TeamBuildr, simply head to this link to enter! Good luck!