This week’s guest is Mel Marshall. As a swimmer Mel made five Olympic finals at two Olympic games’ and she is one of the most decorated swimmers for England at the Commonwealth Games. You’re likely to know Mel as much for her reputation as an elite swimmer as the coach of perhaps the most dominant swimmer on the planet at the moment – the imperious Adam Peaty.
Mel has coached Adam from his pre-teenage years taking him to the top of the Olympic podium in the 100m breaststroke at the Rio Olympics and having devastated the 100m breaststroke world record breaking it on five occasions.
Mel shares her tensions about what the COVID-19 crisis has taught her and how she needs to balance her energy and frustrations and when she’ll switch her focus. She shares her philosophies of coaching and how these evolved over the 12 years she’s been out of the pool and guiding others. And in a fascinating section Mel lets us in on the 4 facets of what makes Adam Peaty great, how he’s always had these and how it’s up to her to channel his voracious athletic and competitor talents.
Show notes
Adapting to COVID-19 personally and professionally creating working environments, winning each round but struggling with the lack of buzz personally
12 weeks out of water, what is lost in terms of physicality and psychology?
Innovating programmes
Building momentum for 2021, accepting and moving training forward confidently
Supporting confidence with short term goals
Mel is ‘on’ but she’s not ‘on on’!
Mel the coach and Mel the swimmer
Sticking to the process and making the coaching athlete centred
Mel’s reason for becoming a coach
Adam Peaty and his abilities physically and psychologically
Preparation minds and bodies
The difference between club level and elite level sport
Mel’s proudest achievement, her relationship with Adam
Coaching the shit out of emotions
Knowing athletes and what makes them tick
Mel’s favourite day as an athlete…it may surprise you!
Coaching into the unknown and the emotional toll it takes
Links
You can follow Mel on twitter at
https://twitter.com/massivemel
Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs
Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve
Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions
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