The River Tiger Podcast from Dynamics Coaching

In this episode of the River Tiger Podcast Marianne is joined by Professor Harry Heft, one of the leading voices in ecological psychology and a scholar deeply influenced by James and Eleanor Gibson. Harry shares how growing up amid the social change of the late 1960s, and his frustration with psychology’s neglect of real living environments, led him into a lifetime of work on environment–behaviour relations.The conversation explores the core ecological idea that perception is not about constructing an inner picture of the world, but about detecting richly structured information in the environment. Harry explains how James and Eleanor Gibson reframed perceptual learning as a process of differentiation and attunement rather than “enriching” impoverished sensory inputs. Using concrete examples, from wine tasting to children learning to move safely, and from driving to riding horses, he shows how organisms become more finely tuned to the affordances of their surroundings.Marianne connects these ideas to equestrian and adventure sports (riding, paddling, surfing, paragliding, mountain biking), where we move through the world as person–animal or person–equipment systems, rather than isolated individuals. Together, they discuss how riders, horses, and other animals co-adapt, how agency and control shape learning, and why allowing animals (and humans) to actively explore is crucial for genuine skill development.The episode broadens out into questions of place, culture, and development. Harry reflects on:- How noise, housing, and urban environments affect children’s perceptual learning.- Why early experiences in rich, structured, but not over-controlled environments are so powerful and hard to “overwrite.”- The importance of situated and joint perception, we learn to see the world through interactions with others, human and non-human.- The social and ethical implications of social media, homeschooling, loss of free play, and reduced face-to-face interaction for children.Finally, Harry talks about his current interests in meaning, culture, and social affordances, how objects and places are never neutral but imbued with significance through shared practices and histories. Throughout, the conversation keeps circling back to a central theme: how we and the animals around us learn to move, act, and live meaningfully in our environments, within both possibilities and constraints.If you’re curious about how environments shape perception, learning, and culture, and what this means for coaching, education, animal welfare, and everyday life, this episode offers a rich, thoughtful, and accessible introduction.My guestHarry HeftLink to Harry’s ResearchGate profile https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harry-HeftDenison University profile https://denison.edu/people/harry-heft 

In this episode of the River Tiger Podcast, host Marianne Davies speaks with Danny Hatcher, whose work sits at the intersection of sports coaching, ecological psychology, Deaf awareness, and technology/AI.Danny introduces his background in strength and conditioning and sports coaching and explains how a seemingly simple example about a table having “affordances” drew him into ecological psychology. He shares his lived experience of being half deaf and half blind, his journey into British Sign Language (BSL), and his growing involvement in the Deaf community, where he now volunteers and advocates for Deaf awareness in “hearing world” environments such as sport.A major thread of the conversation is Danny’s ecological approach to coach development and skill learning at his trampoline club. He describes how most of trampolining is really about “safe crashing” and “falling with style,” and how traditional coaching models, focused on a single “correct” technique, can create fear and hesitation in parents, helpers, and newcomers. Instead, he designs open, exploratory environments where participants (including adults and parents) learn by exploring movement, making mistakes, and discovering multiple solutions to motor problems, rather than trying to reproduce one ideal model.Marianne and Danny unpack common safety concerns in sport, contrasting the perceived danger of “doing it wrong” with the actual reality of well-managed, exploratory practice in maintained, supervised environments. They highlight how changing the environment (e.g., adding or removing mats) changes perception and action, and how being skilled often means being good at adapting and recovering from errors, not just performing a perfect form. Throughout, Danny links these ideas back to ecological psychology, disability, and how we can shift coaches’ and parents’ questions from “How do I correct this?” to “What motor problem is this person solving, and how can I help them explore more solutions?”  

This podcast was recorded in response the publication of 'The myth of Optimality in Human Movement Science' by Madhur Mangalam.I recorded this episode some time ago but it has been a tough year and I have not published any podcasts. I lost my beloved River Tiger this year - it's still very raw but I do want to discuss that in another episode. My motivation is stronger for continuing to explore skill adaptation in equestrian and adventure sports so despite the need to prioritise my PhD thesis, I will endeavour to publish some episodes this year.The "myth of optimality" in human movement science critiques the idea that there's one "perfect" way to move, arguing that evolution produces sufficient adaptations, not perfect solutions, and that movement is dynamic, context-dependent, and adaptive. This flawed concept, often used in biomechanics and motor control, ignores the body's ability to find flexible solutions based on task, environment (e.g., running on a track vs. trail), and internal states (fatigue), proposing instead that performance emerges from complex, multi-scale processes, not a fixed, optimal blueprint. This discussion explores the concept of optimality in human and equine movement sciences. Madhur Mangalam, an assistant professor of biomechanics, critiques the optimality framework, arguing it oversimplifies complex movements. He emphasises the importance of variability and context in movement, citing his viral paper on the myth of optimality. Marianne and Madhur discuss the need for a more empathetic, constraint-aware approach in coaching and the limitations of lab-based research in capturing real-world movement dynamics.This is a link to my guest on this episode: https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-education-health-and-human-sciences/biomechanics-core-facility/about-us/directory/madhur-mangalam.phpMadhur Mangalam is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He has a stellar academic background, earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Life Sciences from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Pune, India. His insatiable curiosity and passion for understanding the human mind led him to complete his Ph.D. in Psychology at the renowned University of Georgia in Athens, followed by rigorous postdoctoral training in Neuroscience at Northeastern University in Boston.Dr. Mangalam's research pursuits are at the forefront of interdisciplinary innovation, primarily focusing on unraveling the nonlinear dynamical principles that underlie perception-action mechanisms and embodied/embedded cognition. His scholarly journey is marked by a commitment to advancing our understanding of these intricate processes. Furthermore, he is a pioneer in developing cutting-edge nonlinear analytical methods, which play a pivotal role in uncovering and deciphering these fundamental principles. With his exceptional academic journey and dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, Dr. Mangalam continues to make impactful contributions to biomechanics, psychology, and neuroscience.This is the paper we are discussing:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390322410_The_myth_of_optimality_in_human_movement_scienceThe paper by Jane Clark:This is an excellent overview of the paper by Rob Gray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgR5g7rZxT4Clark, J. E. (1995). On Becoming Skillful: Patterns and Constraints. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 66(3), 173–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.

Ed Baggs, assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark, joins me for a conversation about his research on affordances. I invited Ed to join me after reading his latest (preprint) paper ‘The Affordance Hypothesis. In this paper Ed and his co-author Vicente Raja delve into affordance research, using examples like an African fish eagle hunting bee-eaters to illustrate direct perception. Ed discusses his journey from traditional cognitive science to exploring affordances in language and human interactions. Though the paper they reference, among many others, James's Principles of Psychology and Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, to contextualise Gibson's work. Ed emphasises the need to move beyond categorisation-based thinking to a field-based approach, using action boundaries to operationalise affordances.As a key part of the operationalisation problem (how to study affordances without falling back into categorical thinking), Ed explains the long-standing debate over affordances' ontological status, referencing Fodor and Pylyshyn's critique and Turvey et al.'s response. In their paper, Ed and Vicente propose viewing affordances as regions of movement space rather than categories. The discontinuity problem addresses how humans use language to categorise things, and therefore perceive affordances differently from other animals. The conversation also touches on the practical implications for coaches and athletes, emphasising the importance of shared perceptions and meaningful affordances.There is so much in here. It is worth listening to Episode 60 with Dr Andrew Wilson for an introduction to affordances, and to Episode 1 with Dr James Stafford and Warren Lampard for a conversation about action boundaries and using affordances in practice.About my guestEdward Baggs is assistant professor in humanities at the University of Southern Denmark and a fellow at the Danish Institute for Advanced Study. His work focuses on the problem of scaling up embodied cognitive science beyond the individual mind to encompass collaborative activity as well as cognitive development and language. His current interests include direct social perception theory and developing field-based methods for observing cognition in everyday settings.LinksEd Baggs on ‘x’ https://x.com/edbaggs/status/1867584095720779812Preprint full paper DOI https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/xu4wkYouTube clip of the African Fish Eagle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW-BSDZ7iqc&pp=ygUWYWZyaWNhbiBmaXNoIGVhZ2xlIGJiYw%3D%3D Karen Adolph visual cliff research clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WanGt1G6ScAHow direct is visual perception?: Some reflections on Gibson's “ecological approach.' J.A. Fodor, & Z.W. Pylyshyn (1981)  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0010027781900093?via%3DihubEcological laws of perceiving and acting: In reply to Fodor and Pylyshyn (1981)  Turvey et al. (1981) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/16000703_Ecological_laws_of_perceiving_and_acting_In_reply_to_Fodor_and_Pylyshyn_1981  

Yuji Suzuki, a strength and conditioning coach and chiropractor based in Portland, Oregon, discusses his transition to an ecological approach in his work with youth and remote clients. He explains how the COVID-19 pandemic led him to explore online resources, which introduced him to the ecological principles of human movement learning. Yuji emphasises the importance of allowing clients to explore their own movements rather than imposing rigid biomechanical models. He also highlights the benefits of remote coaching, which encourages clients to become more independent and self-regulating in their movement practices.Yuji and I discuss the evolving understanding of pain, emphasising its complexity and the shift from singular to multifaceted approaches. Yuji highlights the importance of considering individual contexts, histories, and environments in pain management. Yuji describes the role of clinicians as guiding rather than just diagnosing, focusing on continuous support. We explore the cultural attitudes towards aging and movement in the UK and US. Additionally, we delve into the role of chiropractic care, with Yuji emphasising a more ecological approach beyond spinal adjustments, and the importance of movement exploration and behavioural adaptation.About my guest:Yuji works as a strength and conditioning coach in Portland, Oregon, USA working mainly with the youth population locally. Additionally, he utilises his background as a chiropractor to provide remote coaching for individuals navigating pain and performance related obstacles. He is an advocate for adopting an ecological dynamics approach in performance training, pain management and rehabilitation.Where to find Yuji:Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/yujgains/X profile: https://x.com/yujisuzukidc

This is a special edition of the podcast. I'm not only passionate about coaching and learning in adventure and equestrian sports, they are an integral part of my life. In this episode I am joined by the three amazing women with whom I shared a wonderful adventure this summer. Sue Couling, Jenna Sanders and Louise Royle join me to capture our summer adventure stand up paddle boarding around the beautiful Isle of Anglesey in North Wales. The most amazing and special thing about adventure and equestrian sports are the people. I count myself blessed to have been able to spend my time with so many amazing people this year, on the yard, out hiking, and playing on the water. Our nonlinear (of course) circumnavigation around the Isle of Anglesey was the highlight of my year and a chance to get out and immerse myself in the stunningly beautiful seascapes of my home country with some special people.My guests on this episode:Louise, Sue and Jenna are all active coaches. If you would like some coaching or coach development with these three amazing women, here are their contacts.Louise Royle https://www.instagram.com/louise.royle.paddler/Sue Couling https://www.facebook.com/sue.couling.3Jenna Sanders https://www.facebook.com/flyinggeckooutdoors

This is a conversation that I have been looking forward to for a long time. We covered a lot of ground especially defining affordances and linking affordances not only to individual movement, but to multi organism and multi species interactions. On the way we connected affordance perception, calibration, flow, and many other importance concepts. Andrew Wilson, an ecological psychologist at Leeds Beckett University, discusses the concept of affordances, emphasising their central role in skill acquisition and movement. He explains that affordances are properties of the environment that enable or constrain action, and that perception of these affordances is crucial for successful interaction. Andrew contrasts affordances with traditional stimulus-response models, highlighting their intrinsic meaningfulness and the importance of complementarity between organisms and their environments. He also addresses the application of affordances in human-horse interactions, stressing the need for mutual calibration and adaptability. The conversation then touched on the potential connections between Gibson's concept of affordances and other emerging frameworks like the free energy principle and predictive processing.My guest on this episode was Dr Andrew WilsonEmail: [email protected]: https://bsky.app/profile/adw.bsky.socialBlog: https://psychsciencenotes.blogspot.com/Full episode notes:Where nextExplore the concept of affordances further, particularly in the context of skill development and human-animal interactions.Consider how the language of affordances can provide a more nuanced and ecologically-valid way of understanding behaviour, compared to traditional approaches.Discuss the potential connections between affordance theory and other emerging frameworks like the free energy principle and predictive processing.

In this podcast Eric Brymer discusses the human need for adventure, likening modern life to a metaphorical cage that strips away fundamental human experiences. He explores the motivations behind extreme sports, noting that while initial motivations vary, continued participation is driven by profound relationships with nature, clarity of mind, and ineffable experiences. Eric emphasises the importance of understanding these experiences through phenomenology and the hermeneutic approach, which involve deep reflection and language limitations. He also highlights the benefits of adventurous physical activity in nature for mental health and well-being, advocating for a life that integrates physical activity, nature immersion, and adventure.About my guest:Eric Brymer - Associate Professor, Human Sciences, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Australia. Eric's research interests are Performance, Extreme sports and environments, Health and wellbeing, Nature experiences, Learning design, Adventure.Eric is interested in the psychology of performance, wellbeing and learning in adventure and nature-based contexts. His research is particularly focused on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and wellbeing and the design of effective interventions. Eric can be contacted at Southern Cross University at https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/profile/eric_brymer/overviewFor Eric's publications see his profile on ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric-BrymerPaper examples:Adventure and Mental Health:an Ecological Perspective.‘Leave Your Ego at the Door’: A Narrative Investigation into Effective Wingsuit Flying.

How we do research has a significant impact on the results we get.Overview:In this conversation, I had the pleasure of hosting Louise Evans on the podcast to discuss her innovative research paper titled "Whoa, No Go." As the first author, Louise provided valuable insights into her study, which explores horses' use of model-based strategies* during an inhibitory control task.We started the discussion by delving into the original aims of her research, which was to examine how horses' physiological arousal levels might predict their performance on an inhibitory control task. However, Louise highlighted an unexpected finding: rather than improving their performance over time, the horses were making more errors. This unexpected result led her team to pause and reconsider their approach. Louise shared how they introduced a light cue that signalled when the horses should inhibit their learned response of touching a target for a food reward. Intrigued, they explored several hypotheses regarding the horses' behaviour, including the idea that they might not find the light cue salient or could have established that ignoring it did not result in any disadvantage. To investigate further, Louise explained how they implemented a time-out penalty for errors, which revealed that the horses significantly reduced mistakes when faced with this consequence. The implications of these findings suggested that horses possess the ability to engage in model-based learning rather than just model-free associative behaviours.Throughout the conversation, we considered the broader implications of giving horses agency in their interactions. Louise emphasised the importance of curiosity in understanding equine behaviour, advocating for a shift away from merely fixing issues to exploring why certain behaviours occur. We also discussed the high welfare standards maintained for the study's horses, which allowed them to engage fully in the learning tasks. Louise illustrated how this positive environment likely contributed to the horses' eagerness to participate.As we moved towards the conclusion, Louise shared her excitement about future research directions, including studies on reward sensitivity and the physiological impacts of learning tasks on horses. Overall, this enlightening conversation underscored the significance of understanding equine cognition and raised important questions about how we can enhance horse-human relationships through better training practices. I left the discussion feeling inspired by the potential for further research and the new perspectives it could bring to the equestrian field.*I will add a short blog article about how a model-based theory links to direct-perception vs representation based theories.The paper we are discussing:Louise Evans, Heather Cameron-Whytock, Carrie Ijichi,Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task,Applied Animal Behaviour Science,Volume 277,2024,106339,ISSN 0168-1591,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106339. Free to access - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874About my guest: Louise Evans.I've been working with and studying horses for about twelve years; what started as a hobby has developed into the beginnings of an academic career in animal and equine science. I recently passed my PhD VIVA exam at Nottingham Trent University where, with my wonderful supervisors and co-authors Dr Carrie Ijichi and Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock, I conducted the "Whoa, No Go" study. My PhD was on equine cognition, physiology and welfare and the paper we're discussing formed part of my thesis. I'm currently working at the University of Bristol as a Research Technician in Professor Mike Mendl's Animal Welfare and Behaviour group.I can be contacted via email at

In this episode of the River Tiger podcast, Dr. Alex Lascu joins me to discuss nonlinear pedagogy and its practical applications. Alex explains that nonlinear systems lack proportionality, meaning small changes can have unpredictable impacts, and emphasises the importance of understanding stability and noise in movement. We explore how these concepts challenge traditional coaching methods, advocating for adaptability and responsiveness over rigid plans. Examples include cricket coaching, where focusing on head movement rather than footwork enhances agility, and the slow development of tendon strength in climbing. The conversation highlights the need for coaches to embrace uncertainty and foster adaptable, meta-stable states in their athletes.About my guest:“Dr Alex Lascu is a learning scientist working in coach development for grassroots cricket in Western Australia. Their recent PhD in talent development and skill acquisition was all about how to design pathways and training to better support athlete development and inspire a lifelong love of learning and sport. Now, they spend their days thinking about how we can help coaches explore their learning too, by translating research and practice into real world experiences for coaches. You can find their work at skillacqlascu.com across podcasts, social media, newsletters, and consultancy services.”

In this second part of me conversation with  David Farrouk we explore the intricate relationship between ecological psychology, constraints, and the practical implications for coaching and learning. The discussion delves into the differences between behaviourism and ecological psychology and systems approaches, emphasising how the latter offers a more dynamic understanding of behaviour by considering wider time frames, nested events, broader environmental contexts and the fluidity of various interacting scales.Key themes arise around the concept of constraints, highlighting how both broad laws of nature and local constraints influence behaviour. David points out that effective coaching requires an understanding of these interactions, enabling practitioners to manipulate constraints to promote desired outcomes. The conversation address the nature of learning and its measurement, advocating for an integrated perspective where learning leads to measurable changes, reflecting a deeper understanding of environmental interactions. The role of theories is examined as tools that help practitioners navigate their environments and facilitate learning. As theories evolve through practical application, they bring new insights into how constraints affect behaviour and performance.Through a metaphor of building a dam in a stream, David illustrates how constraints shape dynamics in movement. This conversation invites listeners, particularly coaches and practitioners in sports and animal learning, to re-examine their understanding of learning and leans into a more ecological viewpoint that considers the fluidity of interaction between an organism and their environment in skill acquisition and performance.This blog post provides an overview to support the main themes of the conversation https://dynamics-coaching.com/learning-and-pedagogy/learning-theories-behaviourism-and-ecological-psychology/My guest on this episode: David Farrokh is a PhD candidate in the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University. His research adopts an ecological dynamics perspective to investigate multiscaled properties of flow experiences, context-sensitivity, and co-adaptation in sport.X @bigpicsoccerFurther readingFultot et al What are nervous systems forPolanyi Life's irreducible structureJohnston & Turvey A sketch of an ecological metatheory for theories of learning

In this episode of the River Tiger Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome David Farrokh, who is currently finishing his PhD at Sheffield Hallam University. Our conversation takes a deep dive into various learning theories, including behaviourism, cognitivism, and ecological psychology, with a focus on how they shape our understanding of human (and animal) learning and behaviour.In part 1 David shares insights from his research on the concept of flow in sports and highlights interesting points of tension he encountered during his literature review. We discuss the historical evolution of psychological thought, particularly the significant shift from behaviourism to cognitivism sparked by critiques like Noam Chomsky's evaluation of B.F. Skinner’s work.A key point of discussion is the limitations of behaviourism, especially its simplistic stimulus-response framework. David argues that behaviourism fails to account for the complexities of language acquisition and the arbitrary nature of symbols. We also explore the 'symbol grounding problem' in cognitivism, which struggles to connect abstract symbols to real-world experiences.David advocates for ecological psychology as a more nuanced approach, emphasising the dynamic interaction between organisms and their environments. This theory offers valuable insights into how we perceive affordances, opportunities for action based on our capabilities. We highlight how ecological psychology integrates agency and context, providing a comprehensive view of learning and behaviour over multiple scales.As we conclude, I’m excited about the potential for ecological psychology to inform practical applications in areas like education and animal training. I hope this episode inspires you to reflect on the diverse theories of learning and their implications for understanding ourselves and others. Enjoy listening!This is just the first of 2 parts of the conversation!This blog post provides an overview to support the main themes of the conversation https://dynamics-coaching.com/learning-and-pedagogy/learning-theories-behaviourism-and-ecological-psychology/My guest on this episode: David Farrokh is a PhD candidate in the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University. His research adopts an ecological dynamics perspective to investigate multiscaled properties of flow experiences, context-sensitivity, and co-adaptation in sport.X @bigpicsoccerFurther readingFultot et al What are nervous systems forPolanyi Life's irreducible structureJohnston & Turvey A sketch of an ecological metatheory for theories of learning

In this episode of the River Tiger podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Rebecca Williams, a clinical psychologist and climbing coach. Our discussion centred on the vital interplay between fear management and performance in adventure sports. Rebecca shared her nearly 25 years of experience in psychology and how her passion for climbing shaped her coaching approach.We tackled the misconception that fear and confidence are opposites. Rebecca clarified that fear is a natural emotional response essential for survival, and learning to manage it—rather than eliminate it—is crucial. She emphasised that fear conveys important information, encouraging athletes to recognise and understand their unique responses to fear.We also discussed societal pressures that can affect women's confidence in sports, sharing personal stories about empowerment through peer support. Rebecca highlighted the importance of understanding that skill development isn't linear, especially during significant life changes like puberty and menopause.Our conversation addressed coping with traumatic experiences in sports, underscoring the need for a compassionate, gradual return to activities after such events. We also examined the roll of “falling practice,” advocating for a focus on a holistic approach rather than simply overcoming the fear of falling.Rebecca concluded by discussing her books, "Climb Smarter" and the "Fear of Falling Workbook," which provide essential tools for athletes to navigate anxiety and boost their confidence. This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand and manage fear in high-stakes environments.My guest on this episodeDr Rebecca Williams BSc D ClinPsy is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and performance psychology coach, working with climbers for the last 18 years.  She’s trained and experienced in psychotherapy, including CBT and ACT, holds a level 7 certificate in coaching and mentoring, and is a qualified climbing instructor (RCI).Rebecca has delivered thousands of hours of individual coaching, group workshops, coach education and lectures, for climbers and coaches interested in improving their headgame for climbing.  She has facilitated workshops for Mountain Training Association, the Diploma in Mountain Medicine, NICAS, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), and many climbing and mountaineering clubs.  In 2018, she delivered the psychology keynote speech at the International Rock Climbing Research Association Congress in Chamonix, and is a founder member of the International Association of Psychologists in Climbing.  She is passionate about using making psychology accessible and practical, and translating psychological research into mainstream techniques and coaching practices. www.smartclimbing.co.ukAuthor: Climb Smarter: Mental Skills and Techniques for Climbinghttps://www.sequoia-books.com/catalog/climb/

This episode with Joe Kelly, widely known as the Barefoot Athlete, was a treat to record, and equally fascinating to re-listen to before publishing.With over 25 years in movement coaching, Jo's journey spans fitness, rehabilitation, and adventure sports, leading to profound insights into skill acquisition and the importance of embodiment in athletic performance.Jo emphasises "thinking with your feet," highlighting the intelligence present in our bodies, which allows us to make real-time decisions based on tactile feedback from our environments. He advocates for training environments that embrace variability and the possibility of error, asserting that such conditions promote resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for effective coaching and performance.A key theme in our conversation was the relationship between confidence and competence. Jo argues that confidence stems from navigating challenging situations successfully, so creating safe training conditions where individuals can experiment without fear of catastrophic failure is vital. Ultimately, Jo's philosophy encourages athletes to engage dynamically with their surroundings and to appreciate the learning journey. By fostering a culture that celebrates curiosity and resilience, while accepting mistakes as part of growth, coaches can help individuals cultivate a lifelong love for movement. As Jo embarks on a master's in performance psychology, he aims to enhance his understanding of these concepts, inspiring others to explore their movement experiences creatively and fearlessly.My guest is Joe Kelly and you can find him on X (Twitter) @BarefootAthlete and on Instagram: @barefootathleteI will be adding more detailed show notes and lots of links to books, film clips and other resources. Here is the film of the paraglider with the tangled wing that Joe talks about in the podcast https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzITu4ZoJz7/?igsh=MWRwaHFlYzRxNHN2And some videos of the catch game that Joe mentions from the sessions he runs: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvT8nUQHSav/?igsh=MXhqb2I4dzNmZm40eQ%3D%3Dhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BtQrzKLHQAC/?igsh=MTc5Nmk1cDhsY2RyeA%3D%3D

In this episode, my guest, Steph Bradley shares her research into the impact of menopause and peri-menopause on women in equestrian sports. In this refreshingly candid and open conversation, Steph delves into the challenges faced by women and the importance of sustaining women's participation in equestrian and other sports. She examines the various symptoms that may lead some women to step away from the sport, while also highlighting the necessity to become more informed and the value of establishing strong support networks for female equestrians. The discussion focusses on the impact of menopause on women in the equestrian community, addressing the physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms that a high proportion of women experience. Steph shares examples of the many challenges that arise when striving to stay engaged and/or maintain peak performance during menopause. Finally, she reflects on the significance of adapting coaching strategies to better support older riders and emphasises the importance of decision-making and agency in different contexts. This conversation aims to inspire and empower women to remain active and engaged in the equestrian world and any other physical sport or activity.My guest on this episode is Steph Bradley from Freedom Saddlery and Whitegate Farm. "Steph offers a fully qualified, independent professional saddle fitting consultation service. She is an S.M.S. Qualified Master Saddle Fitter & Approved Retailer, qualified Master Saddle Fitting Consultant, she has an MSc in Professional Coaching Practice, is a qualified UKCC Level 3 coach/ BHS Accredited Professional Coach, British Equestrian Level 4 Coach, and a member of B.E.T.A."Website: https://www.freedomsaddlery.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitegatefarmliveryandtrainingcentre

Kathy and I have been excited about recording this episode for months. We finally managed to get the time (although I was on a stand up paddle board trip so not at home or on my own computer), and Kathy did not disappoint. Days before we were due to record, one of the worlds top dressage riders withdrew from the Olympics because of the sharing of a video of a coaching session. We do not focus on the incident or the details, but thought that it was important to share some possible ways forward for training without the need to use whips or force.This episode is about finding ways forward, embracing contemporary science in the fields of movement and motivation, and leaning in to finding the joy of movement. If you enjoy this episode, you may want to listen to episode 6. Links:Kathy's website and information about her pain science courses and free resources.The spider robot that learnt to limp.Self-determination theory. How do we create optimal learning environments?Learning the ugly zone.

Staying fit, healthy and injury free is so important to all riders and horses, regardless of age or level of activity.This conversation covers a wide range of topics around how we can improve both horse and human performance and longevity by improving movement ability, fitness, resilience (or anti-fragility), and rehab.Katie Wood is a Reg. Physiotherapist, MSc in Equine Science, eventer, gaited horse trainer, and equestrian performance expert. Katie describes her role as "Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education." Her multi disciplinary approach is refreshing and powerful.Katie finishes this episode with some great ideas about what we can all do to improve our own, and our equines, performance and health.My guest Katie Wood"I work with horses, riders, athletes, and anyone with a body. I understand how important it is to have a rehab professional in your corner that understands the demands of your sport. Whether you’re struggling with an injury, pain, performance issue, or just looking for ways to empower your role in the rider-horse relationship, I’ve got solutions for you."Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/theequestrianphysio/Websitehttps://www.theequestrianphysio.ca/

This is a great conversation for coaches and participants of all sports. Kit and equipment design has always fascinated me. Since my early days of learning to kayak in boats, wearing clothing and using paddles that were designed for men (not people shaped like me), I have been intrigued by how much our kit and equipment can impact skill development and motivation. Nowadays company's are designing equipment scaled for children, and designed for women. Many coaches understand how important scaled equipment is to support perception-action coupling and skill development. Corran Addison has always combined designing kit with using it. I wanted to find out more about his understanding of how his kit and equipment design was rooted in his unique perspectives on movement within his performance environments and of how design could support or thwart the development of skill by highlighting or dampening perception action coupling. We also talked about motivation, play and the importance of safe environments for developing confident, competent and happily active and adaptive youngsters.About my guest:Corran Addison runs the Soul Adrenaline Factory. "A boutique brand focused squarely on innovation: in design, execution and overall appearance is our company philosophy. We have capitalized on the illustrious design career of Corran Addison, who throughout his years as paddler, surfer, snowboarder, designer and manufacturer, has been known for his innovative work."At Soul, everything we do is about making our products the very best. We cut no corners, and spare no expense.  Our designs are forward thinking and fill specific niches, our kayak outfitting is second to none, and we use the best plastic that money can buy. Our snowboard designs and construction materials are as unique as our kayaks, as are our paddle boards. Everything about our products says “you’re getting the very best” - all backed with a LIFETIME warranty.   For more about Corran check out what SOUL is to him, and who it is for here:https://www.soulwaterman.com/pages/about-usSOUL Waterman Websitehttps://www.soulwaterman.com/

My guest this episode is Pete Edwards of Prowess Coaching. Firstly I need to say a huge thank you to Pete for taking some time out a few days before his wedding to talk to me. As with most of my conversations, this is (I hope) of interest to all coaches of all sports.I have always loved my conversations with Pete so I was delighted that he agreed to let me record one of them. In this conversation we explored many topics around coaching including the evolution of different sports, developing a personal philosophy, ethics in sports, sports with socially constructed rules, and designing practice.  The golden threads through the conversation were evidence informed practice and coach learning.Here are some of the articles and films we recommended in the conversation.Games climber play, by Lito Tejada-flores, Alpine Journal, 1968. https://www.alpinejournal.org.uk/Contents/Contents_1968_files/AJ%201968%2046-52%20Tejada-Flores%20Games.pdfRotpunkt, Alex Megos and the Advent, the Agony and the Art of the Redpoint | Patagonia UTube 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbWvFjUIt5kValley Uprising, Yosemite's Rock Climbing Revolution, 2014 (film). Riding Giants, 2004 documentary about the evolution of big wave surfing.Pete EdwardsPete Edwards is a professional climbing coach, running his own business, Prowess Climbing Coaching. He runs private sessions with climbers of all ages and abilities, as well as nationally recognised coach-education courses. He recently completed the Mountain Training Performance Coach Training - the top level of coaching award for climbing coaches in the UK - as one of only 24 coaches to have currently been trained, and is currently working towards assessment. Pete also has a Master's degree in Elite Performance from the University of Central Lancashire and is building towards starting a PhD next year. Prowess Climbing Coachinghttps://prowesscoaching.co.uk/+44 7792 854 863On FacebookOn LinkedIn

I love all of my podcast episodes, but every now and again I get to record and be part of a conversation that I could have a profound influence on both me and other equestrians. This is one of those conversations.For the full length introduction and links to research papers, go to the Dynamics Coaching website page -  https://wp.me/paOEAX-sgMy guests on this episode are Bonny Mealand and Emily Kieson:Bonny Mealand DEP MEPABonny’s niche is trimming the hooves of wild horses, combining her extensive experience as an Equine Podiatrist , fascination with equine behaviour, and her skill as a trainer of the “untrainable”.Web site - https://www.touchingwild.com/ Online Course - https://community-touchingwild.mn.co/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/touching_wildFacebook (Learning Wild) - https://m.facebook.com/learning.wild.global/Facebook (Touching Wild) - https://m.facebook.com/TouchingWild/Emily Kieson PhD, MS, PgDipEmily Kieson serves as Executive Director at Equine International, a US-based nonprofit focused on research, education, and outreach in the fields of equine behavior, welfare, and equine-human interactions. Emily holds a PhD in Comparative Psychology, a MS in Psychology, and a graduate degree in Equine Science. She also holds multiple certifications in various models of equine-assisted activities and recently served as Chair of the Equine Welfare Committee with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH). 

I reached out to Sara Bref after reading a translation of one of her articles for the Swedish equestrian magazine Hippson. After a brief exchange of emails, I invited Sara to be a guest and Sara asked if she could bring Petra with her. I know I always say that my guests are awesome (they are), but this was a very special and rich conversation that also left me feeling more hopeful and thoughtful about the future of equestrianism and equestrian sports. I hope that you enjoy listening to the conversation and please do follow my guests and their wonderful journalism (mot of it is in Swedish so google-translate might be a good companion and well worth the effort to translate).Sara wrote an article about my concept paper 'Can’t jump, won’t jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach. (Davies, M., Stone, J. A., Davids, K., Williams, J., & O’Sullivan, M. (2023). Can’t jump, won’t jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(4), 1313-1319). Research article -https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221107379Hippson article -https://www.hippson.se/artikelarkivet/forskning/forskare-belyser-var-syn-pa-hasten.htm?fbclid=IwAR2wse5e49Wj0TyqADTsRq_wH7QwzqHQBev9VPteV5yokoT4Dtc7JiliafM My guests on this episode were: Sara Bref Sara has a degree in Animal Science and is also a journalist. Sara currently works at the Swedish Farmers Association, before that she worked with science communication at a Swedish university. Sara has also been writing popular science for horse magazines (mostly hippson.se) for 15 years. Sara can be reached on her LinkedIn, though she only posts in Swedish: Sara Bref | LinkedInPetra AnderssonPetra has a PhD in practical philosophy and has a position as a researcher and teacher in practical philosophy at The University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Most of Petra's teaching is in environmental ethics and animal ethics. Most of her research is about horse welfare.Petra is on Facebook and can be contacted through her university email at [email protected]

In this episode I caught up with my good friend Tyler Yearby from Emergence and US Ski and Snowboard to discuss his work in strength and conditioning, movement technique, biomechanics, and coaching.I hope that you enjoy this episode. Please get in touch with your reflections and feedback. Research Papers(Re)conceptualizing movement behavior in sport as a problem-solving activity - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1130131/fullReserachGate Proflie https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tyler-YearbyContactingTylerX - @TylerYearbyLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-yearby-59b89b5a/

I came across Karen's research while reading up for the discussion section of one of my PhD study papers. In this conversation we explore systems thinking, how it applies to horses and equestrianism, welfare, training and lots more. I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.My guest on this episode is PhD candidate, Karen Luke.Karen Luke researches rider motivation and safety as well as horse welfare and welfare assessment at Central Queensland University. Her work includes developing a new approach to horse welfare based on systems thinking and a new ridden horse welfare assessment tool that she used to show a connection between horse welfare and rider safety. She has also investigated equestrians’ understanding of horse welfare and most recently, why equestrians make the choices they do when it comes to horse keeping and training. Karen lives in Melbourne, Australia and when not researching, enjoys riding and training her own horses.Recommended books:The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision. Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi.Ways of Being. James Bridle.Karen's ReserachGate profile:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen-Luke-2Twitter/ X@K_L_LukeJust Equestrian Solutions Website:https://justequestriansolutions.com/index.htmlThe research on rats, motivation, welfare, and learning (lego cars and fruit loops):https://urnow.richmond.edu/video/article/-/19727/rats-who-ride-see-the-latest-from-urs-motoring-rodents-.html?utm_source=www&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=video-story

In this episode we revisit the importance of considering where an athlete or learner is focusing their attention and why focus of attention is so important for skill acquisition, retention, and transfer. My guests bring the topic to life with an overview of the research literature to date. We also discuss some of the challenges of research, application to practice and why this area is so important for coaches to be aware of.  Findings in the 'focus of attention' literature for the benefits of an 'external focus'  has been one of the most replicated phenomena in sports science. But, is it that simple? More recent research is challenging the simple internal vs external focus dichotomy and looking at what perceptual information might be most important for the performer to be attuning to. We also discuss the importance of researchers learning from practitioners. My guests on this episode are Dr Vicky Gottwald and Dr Robin Owen.Vicky GottwaldX @GottwaldVickyUniversity profilehttps://www.bangor.ac.uk/staff/spss/vicky-gottwald-016917/enRobin OwenX @RobinOwenPsychUniversity profilehttps://www.hope.ac.uk/si/dr-robin-owen.htmlUseful Links Gottwald et al, (2023). Every story has two sides: evaluating information processing and ecological dynamics perspectives of focus of attention in skill acquisition https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1176635/fullHarnessing the power of attention: Exploring 'focus of attention' theories, practice, and myths. In book: Myths of Sport Performance (Due in Spring 2024). Publisher: Sequoia.Draft version: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377416924_Harnessing_the_power_of_attention_Exploring_'focus_of_attention'_theories_practice_and_myths 

My guest Mark O'Sullivan is an associate professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and an 'A' Licence Football Coach. Mark is also a co-author on my concept paper, 'Can't jump, won't jump.' In this conversation we explore why Mark chose to go back into academia and follow a PhD researching coaching and skill acquisition from an ecological dynamics perspective.The conversation follows our curiosity and wanders through a variety of topics starting with Mark's motivation to 'fall into a PhD' at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK with James Rumbold and Keith Davids alongside his full time job as Head of Development for 8–12 years olds at AIK FC in Stockholm. The conversation centres on the challenges and opportunities of trying to move from a more linear to nonlinear pedagogy in sports coaching practice. Mark challenges many of our current coaching practices, myths, coach education, and the pervasiveness of socio-cultural influences.For those of you who are paying attention, Mark is also one of my co-authors on the paper 'Can't jump, won't jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach.' Davies at al, 2022.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17479541221107379Here are some of Mark's open access academic papers:The Learning in Development Research Framework for sports organizations, O'sullivan et al, 2021. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13573322.2021.1966618Not just to know more, but to also know better: How data analysis-synthesis can be woven into sport science practiced as an art of inquiry, O'sullivan et al, 2023. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13573322.2023.2261970Researchgate (if you are not familiar with this site, it's a great place to search for academic researchers and often has copies of papers available as open access): https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-O-Sullivan-PhdTwitter (X): @markstkhlmMark's Blog: https://footblogball.wordpress.com/

On this episode I am joined by event rider and equestrian coach, Alex van Randwyck. I met Alex through mutual coach development work and found her insightful, humble and with the ability to connect with others and communicate with refreshing clarity. So of course, I asked her if she would consider being a guest on my podcast!I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Alex shares so many insights and examples about how we can all be proactive in our own development and learning as coaches. Especially in learning from, and supporting each other. As always, although we are focussed on equestrian sports, this podcast is as relevant for any sport or activity. Getting in touch with Alex. Alex's social media is packed with great advice, ideas and loads of fun facts. https://www.alexvanrandwyck.com/https://www.instagram.com/avanrandwyckcoaching/https://www.facebook.com/avanrandwyckcoaching/About my guest. "In 2013 I went to the University of Leicester to study Geology and I became involved with student riding. I qualified for nationals in 2015 and was awarded a Sport Scholarship in my final year. In the autumn of 2015 I competed in my first Student Riding Nations Cup representing the Netherlands where we won team silver. Through these competitions I was able to compete all over Europe in places like Poland, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland and in 2016 I was selected to be part of the team for the World University Equestrian Championships.In 2017 I went to work for Nick Gauntlett. I spent 2 years there and it was a great experience to be part of a larger set up. I had the opportunity to groom at overseas events, ride lovely young horses and work with the stallions and youngstock. It was also really helpful to have someone so experienced on hand to go to for advice and training. Working here allowed me to gain experience with lots of different horses and helped me to pass my A Test in 2019.In the autumn of 2019 I set up on my own and even though we were in the middle of a global pandemic my business has grown quickly. I teach regularly for the Wokingham and Garth South pony club branches in addition to training the area 13 AH Test candidates. I really enjoy teaching as it’s so lovely to watch partnerships grow and be involved in their journey. I particularly enjoy teaching younger children and riders who lack confidence as I am good at breaking down concepts and making sure the rider has all the skills they need to progress and work on their own." 

Where performers direct their focus of attention has significant impacts on performance and learning.  Coaches typically use instructions and practice design to direct a performers attention, intentionally or not. However there is generally a miss-match between coaching practice (instructions that are internally and form/technique focussed) and research (which advocates an external focus of attention).This episode is a joint production with 'Locked in Shed' podcaster Richard Barbour. Locked in Shed podcasts https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lockedinshed/episodes/Locked-in-Shed-series-1---episode-9-eie7ccInstagram https://www.instagram.com/lockedinshed/UK Snowsports Coaching Conference details and tickets Open access research paper - Every story has two sides: evaluating information processing and ecological dynamics perspectives of focus of attention in skill acquisition https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1176635/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Sports_and_Active_Living&id=1176635

Part 2 of my conversation with US show jumper, Lacy Stormes.

Show notes to follow.My fabulous guest, Dr Gal Ziv can be found on Research Gate at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gal-Ziv'Gal's main research interest is the role of attention and perception in human performance of motor skills. Specifically, he is interested in the role that visual attention plays when learning complex skills such as flying an aircraft or performing surgery.'This is the paper that inspired me to connect with Gal for a conversation about his research (open access) - An embodied and ecological approach to skill acquisition in racecar driving.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1095639/full

My fabulous guest this week is USA showjumper, Lacy Stormes.In the first part of this episode Lacy shares how she ended up with a barefoot horse and becoming more curious and, almost accidentally, going against the 'do what has always been done, how it's always been done' advise. This was a fascinating conversation and I learnt so much. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Part two will be out soon!Contacts for my guest: Lacy Stormes•Stormes Horsemanship and Showjumping • Lacy Stormes Barefoot ShowjumpingProfessional rider and coachOn Instagram: Stormes ShowjumpingOn Facebook:Stormes Horsemanship and ShowjumpingLacy Stormes Barefoot Showjumping USALacy Stormes and barefoot L.A. LOVE2023 Grand Prix of Flintridge 8th place finishLacy Stormes and barefoot Totem Du Phare2023 Shamrockin Show Speed StakeChampionPhoto Credit: Grandpix

My guest on this episode is Dr Carrie Ijichi.I reached out to Carrie after reading some of her research about how horses cope and respond to stress. Her research is refreshing, much needed and will hopefully help us to understand our equines better. In this conversation Carrie brings to life how a horses personality is influenced by biology and experience, and how in turn, that influences the way they cope and the way they experience pain.About my guest"I'm interested how coping style affects the expression of negative states including differences in pain behaviour & stereotypy between individuals & whether these can be explained by personality. More recently, I've been investigating various factors that influence how well animals cope with human handling including pressure headcollars, handler bond and welfare during learning. I use behavioural analysis, salivary cortisol, heart rate variability and infrared thermography in my research."ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carrie-Ijichi

Nia is an Equine Nutritionist and Podiatrist with a particular interest in species appropriate feeding and management of the horse for optimum health and performance. She is a Director of Finer Forage, a natural horse food and supplement company. She is also a tutor at Areion Academy where she teaches equine nutrition, and co-owns Pony Pedicures with Ali.www.areion.co.uk/eenwww.finerforage.com www.facebook.com/equineandpetnutritionAli is an Equine Podiatrist, working with Nia and Harriet at Pony Pedicures. He has a particular interest in the rehabilitation of hoof pathologies and believes that rebuilding the hoof structures to improve function, comfort and performance is usually possible when a whole horse approach is employed, by working collaboratively with other professionals such as physiotherapists, nutritionists and vets. www.ponypedicures.comwww.facebook.com/ponypedicuresHarriet is a horse trainer focussing on harmonious partnerships and healthy biomechanics and is passionate about rehab work and holistic horse care and management. She is also an Equine Podiatrist working with Ali Taylor at Pony Pedicures and runs her own business H&H training and hoof care.https://www.facebook.com/Horses.Hattie

My guest this week is the fabulous equine ethologist, Renate Larssen. We covered so many topics exploring the intersection of equine ethology, learning and skill acquisition. I know that this is a long podcast again, but it was so worth it. We delved into so many areas including, philosophy, ethics, relationships, agency, research directions, and lives worth living. My guest, Renate Larssen Ethologist (MSc) | Equine behaviour specialist | PhD student human-animal relations BODY-POLITICS/University of Leicester. "I have a BSc in Veterinary Medicine from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and a MSc in Applied Ethology from Linköping University. My published research can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159122001095Currently enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History, where I apply modern ethological research into animal cognition, emotion and behaviour to re-theorize human-animal relations in the Scandinavian Iron and Viking Age as part of the ERC-funded BODY-POLITICS project. Did a brief eight-year stint in politics so I know a bit about policymaking, public affairs, and communications, too. I write about horses and science:  https://theequineethologist.substack.com/Recommended books from the podcast:Susanna Forrest, The Age of the HorseStephen Budiansky, The Nature of HorsesCarl Safina, Becoming Wild and Beyond WordsJames Bridle, Ways of Being

My guest on this episode is Dr Niels Feddersen. Niels is a postdoctoral researcher in sports science. He studies organisational culture and power relations in elite sports organisations in the UK, Norway, and Denmark.Niels obtained his PhD from Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. In the research, he collaborated with several Olympic sports organisations, the FA, and Premier League football clubs.Niels currently works at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology researching Social Psychology, Sports Psychology and Organizational Psychology. Current projects include culture and policy in Danish elite sports; sport psychology in football; and recreational exercise activities as a lifestyle intervention for people with stress, anxiety, and depression.Here is the link to Niels' academic profile and research https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/niels.feddersenResearchGate profile https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Niels-Feddersen

I am very excited to share this podcast with you. My guest Dr Paula Silva is a researcher who I have been a fan of for many years, and has been hugely influential to me.I'll add some topics to these show notes later - I'm doing a late night edit.

I am very excited to share this podcast with you. My guest Dr Paula Silva is a researcher who I have been a fan of for many years, and has been hugely influential to me.In part 1 we explored many themes including:1. What is anti-fragility?2. How does anti-fragility differ from resilience?3. Why we might want to stop trying to train/ coach perfect form and patterns.4. How bodies learn to move and be skilful.5. Can we use operant conditioning like they do in AI and robotics?6. An introduction to meta-stability.Here is a link to a video that supports the conversation about AI and training robots: https://youtu.be/5jL5wRGrCvk My guest Paula Silva received a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG (Brazil) in 2000, a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science from the same university in 2002, and a PhD degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 2009. Paula also obtained a Certificate in Quantitative Methods from the University of Connecticut and is an Associate Professor and Co-director of graduate training in the Psychology Department  and one of the primary faculty members of the Center for Cognition, Action & Perception.Paula's research primarily focuses on human performance from the perspectives of complexity science and ecological psychology. Specifically,  action strategies employed by individuals of different ages, with and without pathological conditions, when performing various tasks. Her research has three complementary aims: (a) advancing general theoretical principles to explain coordination and perceptual regulation of biological movement supporting successful performance in diverse circumstances, (b) revealing and explaining changes in action coordination and perceptual capabilities associated with pathological conditions, and (c) applying these principles to design methods for assessing and enhancing resilience of individuals with movement-related disability and those at risk for sports injury.Complete list of Journal Publications:https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&view_op=list_works&gmla=AJsN-F4CL3SrNy-iuSs5Alrk3OIvDRJyO6g0425q3xOwib09l8oZuCyFj6trqtE2ih84Yr_PXU2qhJk6m_AzKfgdeaAI7dnnZMnAKj4tMbYyrhHmA_RAoRU&user=z9FExgcAAAAJ 

For episode 30 I am delighted to welcome back one of my guests from episode one. Dr James Stafford joined me to explore the practical applications of measuring perception-action coupling, this time applied to concussion.James can be contacted [email protected] Twitter @JamesStafford94 Videohttps://youtu.be/YlidtcdMxyQWebsitehttps://incisiv.tech

I believe that this is probably the most important topic that I have explored on these podcasts, and that embracing and using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHPE) could transform equestrian sports.Firstly, I need to apologise to Sue for being over enthusiastic and not the best host. It was due to my excitement and passion for supporting what she has been doing. This is a conversation that I will be listening to again a few more times.My guest is Dr Sue DysonSue Dyson qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a year in private equine practice in Pennsylvania, Sue returned to Great Britain to the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Sue ran a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance, attracting clients from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe for 37 years. During this period Sue was also awarded a PhD and Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. From 2019 she has worked as an independent consultant, combining her horsemanship skills with her previous veterinary experience, with the aim of maximising performance potential.Sue’s key interests are improving the diagnosis of lameness and poor performance and maximising the opportunity for horses to fulfil their athletic potential at whatever level, taking a holistic approach to the horse, rider and tack combination, and improving approaches to diagnosis and management. She has been involved not only in providing clinical services, but also clinically relevant research and education. Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 400 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging and has lectured worldwide to veterinarians, paraprofessionals, coaches, riders and judges.Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is currently scientific advisor to the Saddle Research Trust and Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre. Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses from novice to top national level in both eventing and show jumping. Sue holds the Instructors and Stable Managers Certificates of the British Horse Society (BHSI).Sue has been awarded many international accolades for her work including induction into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame for outstanding contributions to research in equine veterinary science, Honorary Membership of the British Equine Veterinary Association and Societa Italiana Veterinari Per Equini, Italy, the American Association of Equine Practitioners Frank J. Milne Award and the Tierklinik Hochmoor Prize, Germany, for outstanding, creative and lasting work in equine veterinary medicine.The 24 behaviour website is here https://www.24horsebehaviors.org/Sue can be contacted on her ResearchGate profile (below) and at the Saddle Research Trust https://www.saddleresearchtrust.com/meet-the-team-2/The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain: Shifting the Paradigm of How We See Lameness at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZgtrqbMVIThis is Dr Sue Dyson's profile on ResearchGate where you can get access to most of her research papers https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sue-Dyson-2Other useful links: Lorimer Moseley - Why Things Hurt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwd-wLdIHjs

Themes covered in this episode include:How our personal philosophies can be constrained by external metrics such as what we judged on (medals for example).Staying open to being surprised by what others can do.Replacing expectations and 'supposed to' with attentive responsiveness.Challenging our assumptions.Finding spaces to have time and the environment to explore thinking.How we might find out what others think our philosophy is.A guide to ontology, epistemology, and philosophical perspectives for interdisciplinary researchers. This is an excellent short article to explore philosophy in research a little deeper. My fabulous guests on parts 1 and 2 are:Dr Alex Lascu is a skill acquisition specialist by trade and currently lectures at the University of Canberra. Her passion for talent development and community sport is contagious, and she enjoys existing in the gap between research and practice in the hopes of bringing these two worlds together.Find Alex on Twitter at @skillacqlascu At her website https://skillacqlascu.com/Or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alascule/?originalSubdomain=au Dr Carl Woods is a Senior Research Fellow within the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University. His research interests reside at the intersection of ecological psychology, social anthropology, and sport science, where he explores concepts of knowing, skill, learning and education. He has an extensive background in both academia and the industry, having held various positions within multiple Australian Universities and the Australian Football League.Contacting Carl -Carl is on Twitter - @CarlWoods25ResearchGateHere are a few of Carl's recent papers -Thinking through making and doing: sports science as an art of inquiry.Craig Morris is an Olympic Canoe Slalom Coach and High Performance Coach consultant with over 17 years of experience in performance coaching.Personal coach to 1 individual senior Olympic, World and European podiums and over 30 World Cup podiums, across multiple athletes and 4 Olympic disciplines, Craig is regarded as one of the World’s leading Canoe Slalom coaches and skill acquisition specialists.More recently Craig has become a Director and Performance Coach for Cultured Coaching Ltd, offering high performance bespoke development and executive coaching and mentoring to individuals and teams across a myriad of domains.Wherever Craig goes he aims to be innovative in his coaching practice and is increasingly engaged worldwide in fields including leadership, coach development, skill acquisition, mentoring and ecological approaches to performance coaching. Craig and Carls paper 'On the Wisdom of Not Knowing: reflections of an Olympic Canoe Slalom coach Craig can be contacted via email at [email protected] On Twitter @MorrisCraig_ LinkedIn  Craig MorrisDavid Farrokh is a PhD candidate at Sheffield Hallam University (with Prof Keith Davids, Dr Joe Stone, and Dr James Rumbold) researching flow from an ecological dynamics perspective.Find David on FaceBook and Twitter @bigpicsoccer

Themes covered in this episode include:What is a coaching philosophy and do we need one?Understanding experiences from others perspectives.Learning through corresponding/ interacting together.Best intentions, staying curious and humble.My fabulous guests bios and links to other content and resources are in part 2 due to word constraints.BibliographyThe meaning of some 'long words' used in the podcast. Despite the complexity of the words, these are important and useful concepts to think about regarding philosophy and guiding principles in coaching.Critical phenomenology examines how our experiences are shaped by power, social structures, and historical contexts. It emphasises the importance of understanding individual and group experiences, while also acknowledging larger societal forces. It critiques traditional phenomenology's focus on individual subjectivity and advocates for social and political critique to empower marginalised groups and create more equitable societies.Eco-feminism highlights the connection between women's oppression and environmental degradation, both caused by the patriarchal system. It advocates for more egalitarian and sustainable societies, emphasising the interdependence of all living beings.Positivistic objective philosophy emphasises empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand the world, seeking universal laws and objective truths while excluding subjective experiences and values. It prioritises quantitative data and a neutral observer to eliminate bias from scientific investigation.Ethnography is a qualitative research method used to understand human cultures and social phenomena by systematically observing and analysing people in their natural environment. Ethnographers aim to produce detailed accounts of social and cultural contexts through extended fieldwork, interviews, surveys, and document analysis, often using an emic (insider) or etic (outsider) perspective.Participant observation is a research method where the researcher becomes a participant in a social setting while observing and recording the behaviour of others. It provides a deep understanding of the cultural practices and beliefs of the group studied by experiencing them firsthand, and often involves note-taking, interviewing, and engagement with group members.Anthropocentric philosophy prioritises humans and their needs above all other living beings and the environment. It assumes nature exists solely for human benefit, promoting an unsustainable relationship with the natural world. This perspective neglects the interconnectedness of all life and has been criticised for being destructive.Pedagogy is the practice and theory of teaching and education, encompassing methods and strategies to facilitate learning, selecting appropriate materials, designing lesson plans, and creating an engaging environment. Effective pedagogy considers individual needs, promotes active participation, and varies by subject matter, age group, and cultural context.Ontology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence, including the concepts of being, becoming, and reality. It is concerned with questions about what exists, what entities can be said to exist, and how such entities can be grouped, related within a hierarchy, and subdivided according to similarities and differences.Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. It explores questions related to how knowledge is acquired, the criteria for evaluating knowledge claims, and the limits of what can be known. Epistemology also examines the various sources of knowledge, such as perception, reason, and testimony, and investigates the methods used to validate knowledge claims, such as the scie

Welcome to the podcast's first anniversary episode!My guest on this episode is Dr. Anne Bondi. Anne Bondi was a successful professional rider who competed at international advanced level both in eventing and dressage. In 2017, Anne was awarded a doctorate from the University of Sunderland for her novel research of horse, saddle and rider interaction and teaches world-wide, sharing her passion for this complex but fascinating subject.I am delighted to have had the opportunity to have a conversation with Anne, and could have recorded for hours. We covered many topics, but focussed mainly on saddles. Among the threads we explored were:- Saddle history, their design, fit, and how they influence the horse and rider. - Being part of 'Circles of Support' with more holistic and multi-disciplinary teams working together to support horses and riders.- Using the Ridden Horse Performance Checklist (RHPC) as one way of listening to our horses under saddle.- Where saddle design is, and could go in the future.- The work of the Saddle Research Trust.- Future research, sponsorship and ways to support.- Happy Horse competitions.If you would like to contact Anne you can through the Saddle Research Trust websiteat https://www.saddleresearchtrust.com/Or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anne-bondi-a53b3825/?originalSubdomain=ukThis is Anne's bio from the Saddle Research Trust website.BHSI, PGDip, PhD. Chair of Trustees, SRT FounderAnne Bondi was a successful professional rider who competed at international advanced level both in eventing and dressage. Inspiration and development as a rider came from training with Olympians Jane and Christopher Bartle and world-renowned coach, Baron Hans von Blixen – Finecke. As a trainer, she prepared pupils for both competition careers and professional exams and was a Senior Examiner of the British Horse Society. Anne currently competes at a more relaxed amateur level and owns international horses that compete at 4* eventing level and 1.45 show jumping with professional riders.In 2006, driven by a lack of research, innovation and development of saddle design Anne founded Solution Saddles, an innovation company which manufactures the SMARTTM range of award-winning, fully flexible sports saddles. Anne’s unique designs, which have also been awarded five patents, have established the company as a market leader in saddles that promote equine welfare and performance.In 2009, Anne founded the Saddle Research Trust to promote the welfare and performance of the ridden horse and to educate and raise awareness of the widely underestimated complexities surrounding the horse, saddle, rider interaction. SRT is now internationally recognised for its ground-breaking work.In 2017, Anne was awarded a doctorate from the University of Sunderland for her novel research of horse, saddle and rider interaction and teaches world-wide, sharing her passion for this complex but fascinating subject. Anne is actively involved in research projects in the field, has authored and contributed to many scientific papers and book chapters and is a peer reviewer for academic journals.

This is an audio version of the Motivation series I wrote a few years ago. It provides an introduction to motivation and learning and how coaching behaviours can have a big influence on both.The key themes covered are:Part 1. Motivation TheoriesThere are many theories about motivation, but the one we’ll look at here is particularly useful for sports coaches and leaders. It is called the Self Determination Theory, or SDT for short. SDT is made up of a number of micro-theories one of which is called the Basic Psychological Needs Theory. According to the Basic Psychological Needs Theory, motivation to engage in an activity is influenced by the support, and subsequent satisfaction of, three innate basic needs. These are the need for:Autonomy (a sense of control over your own life and personal volition),Competence (the need to be effective and skilful),Relatedness (the desire to feel connected to, and cared for, by others).Part 2. Autonomy-supportive coaching behavioursAccording to Mageau and Vallerand (2003), the coach’s autonomy-supportive behaviours directly influence the participant or athlete’s perceptions of competence, autonomy and relatedness.So, how do we ensure that we are being autonomy supportive in our coaching? Mageau and Vallerand have come up with seven autonomy-supportive coaching behaviours.Provide choice within structure, specific rules and limitsProvide a rationale for tasks and limitsAcknowledge negative feelingsProvide opportunities to take initiatives and work independentlyProvide non-controlling competence feedbackUse non-controlling language, avoid controlling behaviours, and use competition and rewards wiselyPromote a mastery rather than ego involvement (promote achievement).Part 3. Increasing skill acquisition - who is making the decisions?Within more traditional sports, as well as equestrian and adventure activities, deliberate practice has typically consisted of coach-led sessions. In a coach-led session, the coach makes all the decisions. The coach defines the learning environment and provides the technical and tactical content considered necessary for developing skilful performance, and gives error correcting feedback. The research that guided this practice paid little attention to how coaches could support the needs of those they coached.  In fact, motor learning research did not consider motivation at all until recently. There appears to have been an assumption that in sports settings people are already self-motivated. Motivation was, therefore, something that was only important if someone did not have any at all. (And then, only to get people active who needed to be for health reasons.)Thankfully, there has been a recent change in focus.  Both researchers and practitioners have moved away from considering movement learning as just being about how a coach can effectively impart information. This wider view has resulted in an approach that is more learner-focused.This is the link to the articles on the Dynamics Coaching website https://dynamics-coaching.com/our-blog/motivation-and-optimal-learning-environments/

On this episode, my lovely guest is Chris Adderson from For The Horse. About my guest:Chris is an equine educator and consultant, top level rider and an equine and human movement expert.Chris helps passionate riders confidently achieve their riding dreams and goals without fears, doubts, so they can ride with ease and flow. From understanding and communicating with your horse on a deeper level to consistent, exhilarating rides, Chris will help you clarify your riding with your partner who you are absolutely passionate about being the best you can be with.Chris is a sought-after clinician, having taught thousands of riders and their horses worldwide. She has studied with, and instructed for, many of the world’s greatest classical dressage and horsemanship people such as Ray Hunt, Roy Yates, Peggy Cummings, Margrit Coates, Philippe Karl, Pat and Linda Parelli, Lee Smith, and George Malleroni, but none so great as the horse itself.  An instructor of 44 years, many of my students have become equine professionals and ridden to the highest levels.Find Chris on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChrisAddersonFortheHorseOr her website at https://forthehorse.com/

On this episode, my lovely guest is Chris Adderson from For The Horse. It has taken me a long time to get this first part out, partly due to my work and PhD commitments and partly due to poor internet and difficulty in moving the recording from another computer. Please accept my apologies for the time and the sound quality. I hope that it does not effect your enjoyment of the great conversation. About my guest:Chris is an equine educator and consultant, top level rider and an equine and human movement expert.Chris helps passionate riders confidently achieve their riding dreams and goals without fears, doubts, so they can ride with ease and flow. From understanding and communicating with your horse on a deeper level to consistent, exhilarating rides, Chris will help you clarify your riding with your partner who you are absolutely passionate about being the best you can be with.Chris is a sought-after clinician, having taught thousands of riders and their horses worldwide. She has studied with, and instructed for, many of the world’s greatest classical dressage and horsemanship people such as Ray Hunt, Roy Yates, Peggy Cummings, Margrit Coates, Philippe Karl, Pat and Linda Parelli, Lee Smith, and George Malleroni, but none so great as the horse itself.  An instructor of 44 years, many of my students have become equine professionals and ridden to the highest levels.Find Chris on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChrisAddersonFortheHorseOr her website at https://forthehorse.com/

Link to the blog article https://dynamics-coaching.com/coaching/snow-rabbits-and-pooh-sticks-motivation-arousal-and-focus-of-attention-in-the-ugly-curve/

This is an audio version of the blog post 'Learning in the ugly zone: the importance of play and exploration.'The out-take at the beginning is Snoopy (my border collie) helping me by highlighting play and exploration with his 'squeeky piggy' Christmas present.The full blog post including the diagramme of the Ugly Curve can be found on the Dynamics Coaching website by following this link https://dynamics-coaching.com/articles/learning-in-the-ugly-zone/Dynamics Learning (ugly) Curve (Davies and Davies, 2019)The dynamics challenge-performance learning curve, adapted from Davies and Davies (2019) is an ecological dynamics model of optimal challenge for learning. It is based on the self-organising properties of movement dynamics (e.g. Kelso, 1984) the ‘cusp catastrophe model’ (Thom, 1923; Hardy & Fazey, 1987) the ‘challenge point framework’ (Guadagnoli & Lee, 2004) and Dave Alred’s (2015) concept of the ‘ugly zone’..

I met Martina when I attended the Athletic Skills Model (ASM) Advanced Instructor course earlier this year. The course was excellent and I have used the practical elements regularly in all of my coaching and own practice since. I am exploring how to develop it for using with horses to help diminish the movement poverty that many horses suffer and to support healthy, happy and skilful movement in horses as well as humans.  For open courses in the UK in 2023 (London and Sheffield) or for bespoke courses with a focus on your own sport contact Dr Martina Navarro.The Athletic Skills Model website (English overview). https://www.athleticskillsmodel.nl/en/about-asm/ An open access academic paper about the ASM theoretical underpinnings .https://www.athleticskillsmodel.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Creating-adaptive-athletes-the-athletic-skills-model-for-enhancing-physical-literacy-as-a-foundation-for-expertise.pdfDynamics Coaching blog articles link https://dynamics-coaching.com/our-blog/Martina Navarro'I joined the Department in August 2017 from the University of Bern, Switzerland, where I was working as a post-doctoral research fellow. I hold a BSc degree in Sport Science from the School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Sao Paulo (EEFE-USP), Brazil. At the same institution (USP), I did my PhD in Human Physiology (Neuropsychology) focusing on the effects of training strategies and high levels of stress and anxiety in human cognition (eg. attention and decision making) and motor control. During my PhD I joined a Sandwich program and did part of my PhD research at the MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam at the VU University Amsterdam. In 2013 I worked at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, at the School of Medicine of the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as Post-Doctoral Fellow. In 2016, I was awarded an excellence post-doctoral research fellowship by the Swiss Government, and subsequently joined the Institute of Sport Science at the University of Bern. During my Fellowship, my research focused on testing Bayesian Decision Making Theory in sports and human performance. In addition, I have worked with sports consultancy companies and professional sports teams and international sport organisations, most notably, in Brazil and the Netherlands.My research interests are focused on understanding the intricacies of the key elements (perception, action, cognition and emotion) in human performance psychology. Specifically, my work investigates how high levels of anxiety and stress and different skill acquisition strategies may affect attentional resources and consequently decision-making process.'Academic contact [email protected]

This episode is a recording of a webinar. Nicky Fuller joined a number of experienced equestrian coaches (all previous guests of the podcast) to have a conversation about why we ask questions as coaches, how we can become more skilled at asking questions, and when asking questions may not be the most effective coaching tool.There are some parts of this where the sound quality is not great, but hopefully it does not detract from the value or enjoyment of the conversation.Nicky FullerNicky set up Connected Equestrian Coaches with Showjumping coach Mandy Frost. She is a learning and development professional with 25 years’ experience of designing, developing, and facilitating learning and mentoring programmes. She has worked with coaches across many sports and over several decades, is continually curious to find more effective ways to serve coaches in their desire to improve. Nicky likes to integrate contemporary thinking and research into everyday practice, helping coaches to make sense of what they do and why they do it!​Based in the UK, Nicky frequently works with national governing bodies of sport to help develop solutions to learning problems in the UK and overseas. Nicky holds a MPhil postgraduate degree and an advanced certificate in Adult Learning and Assessment. She is a former International netball player and now coaches junior players at club level.Our other guests are Emma Slater, Mia Palles-Clark, Jane Randall and Warren Lampard.

Welcome to the first of three new podcasts for you to listen to over the festive season!I am delighted to share this fascinating and informative conversation with @drgilliantaborphysio  about how you can keep your horses healthy and moving well, when to get help, and how to navigate the complexity of so much information online.My guest on this episode is physiotherapist Dr Gillian Tabor. I have followed Gillian's research for many years, and more recently her social media channels.  In this conversation we cover many topics including;How to navigate some of the claims made on social media. Neuroplasticity, pain and restoring your horse's confidence in moving.A deeper dive into understanding pain.What does the horse need movement-wise in order to carry a rider.Where to get support and advise - and links to Gillian's podcast and social media.I loved this conversation and I hope you do too. Please share your thoughts and reflections with myself and Gillian.Hartpury University Profile. Dr Gillian Tabor is a Chartered Physiotherapist who has been working as an ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist for 20 years. Experience as a guest lecturer led to a part time role, teaching Rider Performance, at Duchy College in Cornwall. Gillian then joined Hartpury as a lecturer in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2013. Having progressed to a Senior Lecturer position and becoming the Programme Manager for the MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy course at Hartpury University, Gillian now has additional roles within Hartpury's research community. In 2020 she completed her doctorate, the first for Hartpury entitled 'The use of objective measurement in Veterinary Physiotherapy'. As well as teaching students Gillian, continues to undertake research in this thematic area both in her own equine projects and via supervising students.Social media linksGillian's podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-equine-physio-rehab-podcast/id1603299526Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drgilliantaborphysio/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drgilliantaborphysio

"If we could start again and design sport around the needs of children, would the sports still look the same as they do now?" Mark O'Sullivan asked this question at a conference a few years ago, and I keep revisiting it, thinking about it from the perspective of the needs of horses.With the continuing issues of abuse in sports,  this episode explores what the issues are and whether there are cultural aspects to the way sports have emerged that may make abuse easier to perpetrate and harder to eradicate. Does a historical focus of developing obedience and compliance undermine agency and consent. And if so, how can we move forward and have youth and equestrian sports that are safe, ethical, and meet the needs of those partaking?Thank you to this weeks guests, authors Dr Jennifer Fraser and Julie Taylor, for joining me for a conversation about abuse and bullying, the impact that it has on individuals and how sports are perceived by those outside of the current systems. This was a difficult but important conversation for me. I am passionate about not losing equestrian sports, but equally passionate that much needs to change moving forward or we will lose them and with good reason.My guests on this episode are:Julie Taylor is a journalist and author of 'I Can't Watch Anymore': The Case for Dropping Equestrian from the Olympic Games.'  'Catalogues what happens to sport horses in plain sight ... should be compulsory reading for all of us who care about horses.' - Professor Paul McGreevy BVSc, PhD, FRCVS; author, Equine BehaviourPassionate, yet rigorous and meticulously researched, this eye-opening book holds equestrian sport up to Olympic standards and finds it sadly wanting.'Find Julie on Twitter @eponatv Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eponatv and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/eponatvDr Jennifer Fraser is the author of 'The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health.' 'Bullying and abuse are at the source of much misery in our lives. Because we are not taught about our brains, let alone how much they are impacted by bullying and abuse, we do not have a way to avoid this misery, heal our scars, or restore our health.'Find Jenniferon Twitter @bulliedbrain