A LOAD OF BS ON SPORT

A LOAD OF BS ON SPORT

A LOAD OF BS ON SPORT: The Behavioural Science Podcast dives deep into the psychology of what makes elite performers tick; how they think about success and failure, how they find and maintain peak performance, how they manage fear and adversity, how they make decisions under pressure, how they deal with risk and uncertainty.Daniel is a behavioural science expert, entrepreneur and sports fanatic, while Dan has lived his dream on the rugby field for the past 17 years, winning three Six Nations titles, earning over 100 caps for Wales (including the captaincy) and touring twice with the British & Irish Lions. Currently playing for RC Toulon, Dan is loving this rugby-mad town, fully embracing the French lifestyle.

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Episodes

011: Chris Boyd - Inside the Mind of a Rugby Coach
Dec 18 2024
011: Chris Boyd - Inside the Mind of a Rugby Coach
Today we’re joined by Chris Boyd, highly respected rugby coach with extensive experience in both New Zealand and the UK. Known for his tactical expertise and leadership, Chris shares insights into his coaching journey, including his time with the Kiwi U20s, the Hurricanes and Northampton Saints; as well as the mental side of high-performance sport. As a close mentor to Dan Biggar, their relationship adds an extra layer of depth to the conversation, offering a unique perspective on coaching, leadership, and team dynamics.Show notes:Continuous Improvement for Elite Players"The very best players are gifted in one part of their game... but there's always something to work on."Boyd emphasises the importance of consistent self-improvement, regardless of a player's talentCreating a Culture of Empowerment"People that feel empowered, belong, connected are always going to want to try harder and perform better."Boyd fostered a culture at Saints where players felt supported and empowered, leading to better team cohesion and performancePhilosophy on Risk and RewardBoyd’s allowed players to take risks: "The Kiwi attitude probably is a little bit more..., if we can hold on to the ball... we’re back in the game."He contrasts the risk-averse mindset of Northern Hemisphere teams with the more fluid, risk-taking style from New Zealand rugbyBuilding a Resilient Team"You can’t grow culture, culture grows itself."Boyd reflects on how setbacks, such as tough defeats, can be used to build resilience and foster a team’s growthEmpathy and Connection in Leadership"Coaching rugby is a pleasure and a privilege... life experiences teach you to be calm."Boyd discusses the importance of emotional intelligence, both in coaching and managing peopleDeveloping Players Beyond Rugby"You get used to living on big wages... but when the game stops, you can fall off the cliff."He warns about the challenges players face post-retirement and importance of planning for life beyond sportThe Importance of 'Why’Boyd introduced a "Why Board" at Saints, where players would place personal photos to remind themselves of their purpose: "The last thing you saw before going out onto the pitch was why you were doing it."This initiative reinforced the idea that personal motivation connects with team successCoaching Style: Balancing the Carrot and StickBoyd contrasts his coaching style with that of other famous coaches: "Eddie Jones wanted to keep you on your toes... with me, it was black and white."He believes in being clear and consistent with players, empowering them to express themselves without fear of failure Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
010: Graeme Swann UNFILTERED on Cricket, Comedy, and The Ashes
Dec 11 2024
010: Graeme Swann UNFILTERED on Cricket, Comedy, and The Ashes
In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, we sit down with one of England's most charismatic cricketers, Graeme Swann. A key figure in  3 England Ashes victories, Graeme opens up about his unconventional approach to spin bowling, the team dynamics that fuelled success, and his transition from the cricket field to coaching. With his trademark humour, we reflect on the highs, lows, and everything in between, offering unique insights into the mental game that defined his career.Show Notes:The Psychology of Spin Bowling: Graeme details his mental approach to the game, likening it to a battle of wits with batsmen. He explains his strategy of bowling aggressively and using field placements to create opportunities for catches."When you're bowling spin, there’s no magic, no gamesmanship, just pure outthinking the batsman and creating an environment that makes them second guess themselves."The Theatre of Spin Bowling: Graeme describes his belief in taking wickets from the first ball and how the theatre of the game added to his success.The Intensity of Team Dynamics: We discuss his relationship with teammates like Kevin Pietersen, the importance of team dynamics, including the role of conflict in driving success. He shares insights into the famous Ashes campaign of 201/11 and the energy of the changing room.Career Highlights and Transition: We reflect on his peak Ashes performances and the unexpected and abrupt end to his career due to a debilitating injury. He shares how he struggled with the transition from active cricket to coaching, revealing how returning to coaching reignited his passion."I didn’t have time to think about retiring. One day I couldn’t feel my hand, and by the next, I was finished. It was a brutal end to a career I loved." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
009: Carl Frampton on Grit and Boxing Greatness
Dec 4 2024
009: Carl Frampton on Grit and Boxing Greatness
Dan Biggar and Dan Ross step out of their comfort zone to dive into the world of boxing with none other than Carl Frampton—Northern Ireland’s first two-division world champion, renowned not just for his incredible achievements in the ring, but also for his resilience, humility, and ability to unite people across divides.In this episode, Carl opens up about the mental and physical challenges of being in one of the most gruelling sports, the hard lessons he’s learned, and what really drives him—whether it’s legacy, family, or simply the love of the fight. From his most gruelling battles to the life lessons he carries with him today, Carl shares a truly fascinating story.Show Notes:Early Beginnings & Boxing Passion: Carl reveals how he started boxing at age seven. Despite finding the repetitive training tedious, it was the sparring and the thrill of the fight that ignited his passion for boxingHard Work vs. Talent: Carl reflects on his career by stating, "I wasn’t naturally talented, but I worked hard." Carl pushed through the pain and overcame early doubts, earning his place as one of the best in his weight classResilience & Mental Toughness: Carl gives an inside look at what goes through his mind before a fight. He talks about the nerves that hit on fight day, especially the pressure of making weightTough Fights & Lessons Learned: A defining moment in Carl's career was his European title fight against Kiko Martinez. He recounts the brutal nine rounds where both his hands were broken, and he was hurt to the body and head, but fought through to win. "That was a moment where I knew I could hang with the best," Carl saysThe Pressure of Being a Champion: After becoming a world champion, Carl felt the pressure to constantly perform at his best. He recalls the heightened expectations after his first world title win in 2014, where every fight seemed to carry more weight. He admits, "It’s nice when people buy you drinks and congratulate you, but there’s pressure too."The Breakdown with Barry McGuigan: Carl openly discusses his fallout with his former manager and mentor. The experience taught Carl not to trust people blindly and to be more cautious in his professional relationshipsLife After Boxing: Now a commentator for TNT Sports, Carl is still deeply involved in the boxing world but enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle. He talks about how, after years of gruelling training camps, it's refreshing to stay involved in the sport without the physical tollLegacy and Lessons: Carl expresses pride in being the first Northern Irishman to win world titles in two different weight divisions. "I want to be remembered for exciting, tough fights," Carl says, acknowledging his battles with Kiko Martinez, Josh Warrington and Leo Santa Cruz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
007: Andrew Strauss on Leading with Care and Thriving Under Pressure
Nov 20 2024
007: Andrew Strauss on Leading with Care and Thriving Under Pressure
Join us as we dive into the mind of Sir Andrew Strauss, one of England's greatest cricket captains. From leading his team to Ashes glory twice to navigating the highs and lows of elite sport, Strauss shares powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and life beyond the game. This is a conversation about more than runs and wickets—it's about legacy, culture, and what it truly means to thrive under pressure.Show Notes:"Cricket requires players to accept the randomness of fate - a hard pill for perfectionists."Three key takeaways:Resilience and adaptability in elite sport: even the top batsmen in cricket go through periods of poor form and this can take a mental toll on players: "Batsmen must be philosophical. You fail more often than you succeed, and you have to price that in." Developing coping mechanisms and a mindset to manage these ebbs and flows is keyImportance of team culture: "Athletes thrive when they feel cared for and supported. If they feel cared for, they’ll forgive many of your weaknesses as a leader." A strong culture and the importance of balancing family life with cricket are critical – particularly when some players are away 300 days a yearLeadership: the role of leadership is to balance the needs of individual with collective goals. "You can’t afford to let everyone do exactly what they want, but successful teams allow for individuality within a shared framework" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
004: Shaun Edwards on rugby coaching styles, cultural differences & player development
Oct 30 2024
004: Shaun Edwards on rugby coaching styles, cultural differences & player development
In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, we sit down with Shaun Edwards, the legendary defence coach of the French national rugby team and a former playing great who has shaped the careers of countless athletes, including our very own Dan Biggar.We dive deep into Shaun’s coaching philosophy, the cultural nuances of rugby and the secrets behind building a winning mentality. Show notes:Coaching StyleShaun emphasises clarity and simplicity in coaching, advocating concise communication Cultural DifferencesShaun notes the strong work ethic and commitment of French players, challenging stereotypes about their approach to the gamePlayer InsightsDan B shares his perspective on Shaun as a coach, highlighting his commitment to improving players and fostering a strong team cultureEmphasis on importance of personal connections and understanding players' motivationsTeam DynamicsThe importance of conflict and differing opinions in creating a successful team environmentLegacy and InfluenceShaun reflects on his impact as a coach and the importance of being approachable and relatable to playersDan B acknowledges Shaun’s ability to make defence engaging, fostering a culture of pride in defensive performancePlayer DevelopmentDesire for Improvement: Shaun values players who show a willingness to improve and engage with the coaching process. He appreciates when players have opinions and ask questions, indicating their investment in the gameIndividualised Feedback: He focuses on giving targeted, actionable feedback to players, allowing them to see specific areas for improvement and reinforcing what they do wellCoaching and LegacyImpact Beyond Defense: Shaun expresses his desire to be seen as a coach who cares deeply about his players’ overall development, not just their defensive skills. He aims to be remembered for creating a positive environment where players feel valued and understoodLearning from Experience: Both Shaun and Dan B reflect on the importance of learning from past experiences and failures, shaping their approach to coaching and playingPersonal InsightsSelf-Doubt and Humility: Shaun acknowledges that even successful coaches experience self-doubt and emphasises the need for humility in leadership roles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
005: Nick Compton on the mental game in cricket
Apr 10 2024
005: Nick Compton on the mental game in cricket
This week, we are joined by former England international cricketer Nick Compton. Nick is the grandson of the great Dennis, but a very fine 1st class cricketer in his own right playing for Middlesex, Somerset and 16 tests for England scoring 2 centuries in that time.Nick wrote his memoir 'Legacy' just last year and it is a moving, poignant, searingly honest, at times harrowing story of someone who was supremely talented at his craft, but for whom it became too all consuming and challenged Nick's mental health to the edge of his survival. Nick's psychological journey is the subject of this conversation.Show notes:Nick's journey of self-discoveryThe mental marathon of performanceThe realities of life as a professional athlete, beyond the glamour and accoladesThe legacy and weight of familyThe complexities of team dynamics and personal sacrificeHanging out with Virat Kohli’s girlfriendA Load of BS EventsLiam and I are hosting our inaugural business of sport and entertainment event on June 17th early evening in London.We will be joined for discussion and drinks by Lord Ian Botham, Sir Andrew Strauss and Mo Bobat at the fabulous Patrick Mavros atelier on the Fulham Road.If you’d like to join us…We have a handful of seats available to podcast listeners. If you’d like to come, please email danielsjross@gmail.com with subject line: ‘A Load of BS Events RSVP’Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.