This week on A Load of BS on Sport, Daniel Ross and Dan Biggar welcome back former England cricketer, national selector, and leadership expert Ed Smith.

In this fascinating deep dive into the psychology of leadership in sport, Ed shares insights from his groundbreaking work with the Institute of Sports Humanities at Loughborough University. We explore the complex transition from athlete to leader, examining what truly makes someone worth following and whether leadership can be taught or simply revealed under pressure.

Ed draws on his unique experience as both elite performer and decision-maker to unpack the delicate balance between intuition and analysis in high-stakes environments. From his time as England's national cricket selector to his current work developing the next generation of sports leaders, he reveals the art of building diverse teams, navigating uncertainty, and sustaining success.

This episode tackles the fundamental questions facing modern sport: How do you create leaders who can thrive in today's complex sporting landscape? What's the secret to winning away from home? And how do we prepare athletes for their crucial "second act" beyond playing?

With typical eloquence and insight, Ed challenges conventional thinking about leadership development, emphasising the importance of drawing from multiple disciplines, embracing risk, and understanding that the best leaders never stop evolving.

• The launch of the Institute of Sports Humanities and its mission
• Why leadership in sport requires drawing from multiple disciplines
• The psychology behind decision-making under extreme pressure
• Building effective teams with diverse characters and capabilities
• The balance between data analysis and human intuition
• Why some aspects of leadership are innate while others can be taught
• The challenge of sustaining success and avoiding complacency
• Preparing athletes for leadership roles beyond their playing careers
• Learning from other industries to enhance sports leadership
• The emotional connections that make sport universally compelling

• "What makes someone worth following?"

• "Leadership dynamics in sports are evolving."

• "The transition from athlete to leader is complex."

• "The best leaders always want to get better."

• "Human judgment can never be got rid of."

• "We need to be very open to instinct and intuition."

• "Some aspects of leadership are innate."

• "You have to bear the risk of being different and worse."

• "Mission command stops bureaucratic log jams."

• "The magic of sport connects us with our past."

• "You want to equip professional athletes with the tools for their second act."

• "Understanding history is crucial for effective decision-making."

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with your friends or anyone interested in leadership, sport, and human performance. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations to your ears each week!

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This week on A Load of BS on Sport, Daniel Ross and Dan Biggar welcome Olympic silver medallist and badminton champion, Gail Emms.

Speaking to us from sunny Mallorca ahead of a pickleball tournament, Gail opens up about her remarkable journey from Olympic podiums to finding new purpose in sport. In a candid and often emotional conversation, she shares the brutal reality of athlete retirement—describing walking away from sport as "harder than losing a final"—and how the loss of identity nearly broke her.

We explore Gail's transition from badminton to pickleball, where she's rediscovered the joy of competition and community that once defined her life. She reflects on the lessons learned from losing, the crucial importance of team dynamics, and how her mother's pioneering football career shaped her sporting journey.

This episode delves deep into the psychological challenges elite athletes face when the spotlight fades, the pressure of Olympic expectations, and the emotional cost of pursuing excellence. Gail's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of rediscovering what you love—even when it looks completely different from what came before.

With typical honesty and humour, Gail also shares why badminton is the fastest sport on earth, her dream doubles partners, and her surprising guilty pleasure of raving to house music.

• The emotional reality of athlete retirement and identity loss
• Transitioning from Olympic badminton to competitive pickleball
• Why walking away from sport is harder than any defeat
• The speed and intensity of elite badminton (shuttles at 265mph!)
• Lessons learned from losing and the importance of team chemistry
• Her mother's pioneering role in women's football
• Redefining success beyond medals and trophies
• The psychological pressure of Olympic competition
• Finding joy and community in sport again
• Dream doubles partners and guilty pleasures

• "Walking away from sports is harder than losing a final."
• "Badminton is the fastest moving sport, with shuttles reaching 265 mph."
• "The loss of identity after retirement can be challenging for athletes."
• "Losing in sports is a learning opportunity, not a failure."
• "Rediscovering sport can reignite passion and community."
• "Building strong relationships with coaches and teammates is crucial."
• "The pressure of elite competition can overshadow the joy of the sport."
• "Success can be redefined in everyday life beyond competitive achievements."
• "My 15-year-old self would be proud of my accomplishments."
• "I describe myself on court as chaotic and energetic."

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with your friends or anyone who loves sport and great stories. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations to your ears each week!

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This week on A Load of BS on Sport, Daniel Ross and Dan Biggar welcome former World Number 4 tennis player and two-time Grand Slam finalist, Todd Martin.

In a refreshingly honest conversation, Todd opens up about the psychology of choking in high-pressure moments—a topic most elite athletes shy away from discussing. From his composed upbringing that shaped his mental approach to tennis, to standing across the net from legends like Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Todd shares what it's like to be an "elite underdog"—so close to greatness, yet just missing the ultimate prize.

We explore the mental battles of competing at the highest level, the weight of expectation when you're one point away from glory, and the often brutal reality of transitioning from professional sport. Todd reflects on his coaching experiences with Mardy Fish and Novak Djokovic, the subjective nature of greatness debates, and why success should be measured by personal growth rather than just trophies.

This episode offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of someone who reached the pinnacle of their sport whilst navigating the fine margins between triumph and heartbreak—and what happens when the spotlight fades.

• The psychology of choking and why athletes rarely admit to it
• Growing up with composure as a core value and how it shaped his career
• Competing against tennis superstars and the mental challenges that brings
• The pressure of Grand Slam finals and critical match moments
• Coaching elite players like Novak Djokovic and Marty Fish
• Transitioning from professional sport and finding new identity
• The greatest tennis player debate and why it's beautifully subjective
• Lessons on defining success beyond statistics and scores

• "It's rare to hear someone admit they choked."
• "I was born to two amazing parents."
• "Composure was a priority in my upbringing."
• "I was raised with calm, cool and collected."
• "I knew I was walking out with a superstar."
• "Winning the right points is crucial."
• "It's definitely a choke moment."
• "Champions come from within."
• "Only you know if you're good enough."
• "I was remarkably unprepared."
• "Success is doing the best you can."

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with your friends or anyone who loves sport and great stories. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations to your ears each week!

#ToddMartin #Tennis #SportsPsychology #ALoadOfBS #Choking #Mindset #Podcast

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