Welcome to an episode of chaos - this week we have a short rescued snippet from our episode with Sophie Capwell which due to my technical ineptitude unfortunately did not record as planned. The podcast will be taking a brief two week hiatus while me and Matt get married and move house and then will be back ready to plague your ears again!

Sophia Heath and Matt Aldridge share their experiences in rowing, the importance of mental health in sports, and the dynamics of support in relationships. They discuss the challenges faced by women in sports, the significance of daily training routines, and the memorable adventures of their dog, Winnie. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about mental health and the value of support systems for athletes.

A personal episode ahead of the summer competitions - take any bits you feel are relevant and good luck with any summer sport you might be involved with! This episode includes insights as an athlete, focusing on the importance of training, mental well-being, and preparation for race day. I discusses the challenges of balancing competition with personal life, offers practical tips for athletes, and emphasizes the significance of self-care and mental health in sports performance.

Esme Booth, World medalist and Olympic silver medallist in rowing, shares her journey in the sport, discussing both the highs and lows of her experiences. The discussion delves into the importance of recovery, nutrition, and the often inadequate facilities for women's sports. Esme also shares humorous anecdotes from her university days and emphasizes the need for athletes to take their performance seriously while still finding joy in their sport. Esme and Sophia delve into the intricacies of preparing for races, the emotional highs of memorable sporting moments, and the relative joy of winning at different levels. The conversation also touches on the need for collaboration within the sport to enhance accessibility and participation

This episode contains many a personal experience, including the realities of running, such as chafing, and the significance of finding joy in the sport. We will be delving into the gender gap in sports facilities, the impact of menstrual health on athletic performance, and the representation of female athletes in the media. The discussion highlights the need for better facilities, safety in sports, and the significance of controlling personal health factors to enhance performance. Hopefully you'll find the conversation relatable and informative!

References:

https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/game-on-about

https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/

https://kathrineswitzer.com/1967-boston-marathon-the-real-story/

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/thousands-of-men-are-spitting-on-women-runners-its-happened-to-me/ar-AA1FxsU5

https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ssj/16/2/article-p79.xml

In this episode we explore the importance of mentorship, the evolution of women's sailing, and the impact of events like the Women's America's Cup. The conversation also touches on the need for female-focused equipment in sailing and concludes with memorable moments from their sporting careers. Saskias advice for athletes is my absolute favourite - timestamped at 56:30

Some of the audio is not at its best but the messages are still good! We spent a lot of time trying to make sure we got the tone of this episode right - believe it or not it’s not just man bashing for an hour. This episode is a bit raw at times but it is lived experiences and hopefully you will feel you will either relate or finish the episode feeling included in the conversation!

Buckle up to discuss the complexities of coaching, particularly focusing on the experiences of female coaches in a male-dominated environment. We explore the importance of social connections, emotional challenges, mentorship, and the need for a supportive community.

In this Episode we cover a variety of topics from the Importance of sports bras, to learning from mistakes in sports, redefining femininity in sports and setting boundaries. There is a lot to cover. I hope this podcast can be used to help start productive or difficult conversations whether that be Coach to Athlete or vice versa, Athlete to Parent or maybe just help an individual with abit of direction!