Whether on the track or in the boardroom, 400m Olympian Andrew Steele's story proves that mental toughness and reinvention are key to success.

His ability to push through challenges and adapt shows resilience is a skill we can all carry with us, whatever the arena.

Here are my three takeaways from our conversation:

1️⃣ Resilience is a transferable skill
→ The mental toughness Andrew built as an athlete prepared him to tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship head-on.

2️⃣ Focus on the process, not just the result
→ Whether in sport or business, daily consistency and commitment are what drive success.

3️⃣ Reinvention is success
→ After athletics, Andrew co-founded DNAFit, a health-tech company that was later acquired. His journey proves success is about evolving and finding new passions, not just collecting accolades.

Andrew’s story reminds us that life’s twists shape us – it’s how we respond that defines us.

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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

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 talent

Creating 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 performance

Philosophy on Risk and Reward
Boyd’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 rugby

Building 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 growth

Empathy 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 people

Developing 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 sport

The 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 success

Coaching Style: Balancing the Carrot and Stick
Boyd 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

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

• Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here
• Find out more on our website
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• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

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."

Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy!

• Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here
• Find out more on our website
• Follow the podcast on LinkedIn
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• Follow Dan R on Twitter
• Follow Dan B on LinkedIn
• Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto