Roddy Mackay on Gymnastics, Gladiators and a Life in Sport

ABOUT THE EPISODE: Host Winston Powell sits down with Roddy Mackay, an ex-GB gymnast from the late 80s and early 90s, former Gladiators contestant, ex-British freestyle skydiving champion, and now a gymnastics club owner and school coach in Newcastle. Roddy reflects on how the sport has transformed over the past 40 years, the foundations laid by John Atkinson that built modern British gymnastics, his journey through television and skydiving after retirement, and why fun and early success matter more than long term promises in coaching. KEY TAKEAWAYS: The success British gymnastics is seeing today is built on foundations laid by John Atkinson 30 years ago, who predicted it would take 25 years for the results to come through. Gymnastics in the 80s and 90s was regimented and results focused, with very little safeguarding. The modern child-centred approach is a huge step forward for the sport. Late developers can absolutely thrive. Roddy did not hit his stride until around 17 to 20 years old and felt he could have continued competing for another five years had he stayed in. Men's artistic floor has lost much of its artistry. The skill of athletes like Neil Thomas in the 80s and 90s showed how dance elements and tumble passes could sit together. The volume of training hours in gymnastics deserves serious scrutiny. More efficient, focused sessions could deliver the same results while protecting kids' education and wellbeing. A career in gymnastics opens doors well beyond the sport. Roddy moved into Gladiators training and casting, TV stunt work, competitive skydiving, and now school coaching and club ownership. Coaches owe it to their gymnasts to put them in environments where they will experience success and recognition, not just promise rewards 10 years down the line. The greatest lesson sport teaches is resilience. Falling off the pommels 10 times and getting up for the 11th is what carries you through everything else in life. BEST MOMENTS: "What I've started now, you won't see the results for 25 years." (John Atkinson) "Gymnastics is the best foundation for any sport or activity you can do." "When you get knocked down, get up, dust yourself off, keep going." "The results will come if you enjoy it." "Coaches owe it to their gymnasts to put them in environments where they are going to have success." "There's a million different ways to do the same thing and you just have to keep going." LINKS: Website: https://winstonpowell.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winstonpowell5 E-book: https://payhip.com/b/f6RjV ABOUT THE HOST: As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals, qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.