‘Records are made to be broken’

Could this increasing pressure be driving athletes away from the sport and subsequently, due to rising standards could more athletes be developing injuries as a result?

‘But that’s part and parcel of being an athlete…’

For athletes in Olympic and Paralympic Sports, high calibre performance represents the pinnacle of what they hope to achieve (Henrickson et al, 2017). Granted, pressure is a very open term, whilst many athletes will experience worries and stress …

Having spent the last five years managing academic commitments at a boarding school (Eton College) alongside the demands of athletics training and competition; I’ve identified three things that I would like to have known sooner.

The combination of athletics and boarding school has led to success for several athletes; Jazmin Sawyers (2023 European Long Jump Champion), who studied at Millfield; and Lawrence Clarke (4th 110mH 2012 Olympics) who attended Eton College. When you’re on the way back fr…

Shoe technology in athletics has made some huge advances in recent years. The new wave of shoes in the sport have been dubbed ‘super shoes’ they generally feature carbon plates and/or thick soles.

The developments have not been without controversy with some saying that athletes’ performances have improved significantly with the new shoes and therefore the shoes should be banned. Others argue that there is not enough scientific data to prove whether the shoes are actually making athletes perform…

If you know me, you will know I try to be a positive person - easier said than done in 2020!

With all that life throws at us, humans have to figure out a way through. Sometimes, we can manage this alone, but often, we could use a bit of help from others, even if it is just a pointer or kick up the bum.

We’ve all experienced ups and downs.

To some, these may be minor bumps in the road, but to others, they are something more. I am extremely lucky to have had supportive people around me in b…

How do you sleep?

How often do you think about and reflect on your sleep as an athlete? Maybe once or twice a month, maybe in passing as you bemoan how tired you are feeling before training? For something that we do for several hours every day of our lives, sleep is often relegated to an afterthought, something that we have to do but if anything is a bit of an inconvenience.

My name is Sandy and I was previously a sprinter for Bath University and Scotland. Having left the sport through injur…

Featured episode 👆 

Introduction to The Visions Podcast:

My name is Destiny Ogali, I am an u23 International Sprinter that has represented GB and England at both the senior and junior levels. The sport of Track & Field has created so many opportunities for me that I am forever thankful for. Despite having some competition experience, I would still say I’m quite “new” to the sport in relation to understanding the inner workings of it all. Overall, I’m blessed to be able to do what I lo…

Before we get started, Matt has recently created a FREE Psychological Playbook to help you unleash your potential! Find out more at the end of this blog 🤝

●  We are never defined by what we achieve.

●  The only real limits you’ll encounter are those created in your mind.

●  Happiness exists now, not when you achieve your next goal.

●  Listen to your body, it doesn’t lie. You can kid yourself, but you will get injured if you push too hard.

●  Everyone is born with different gifts but e…

📸 by Geoff Lowe

When I was around 4 years old, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder known as Selective Mutism. For those who don’t know what this is, it’s when a child or adult does not refuse or choose not to speak at certain times, they’re literally unable to speak. The expectation to talk to certain people triggers a freeze response with feelings of panic, like a bad case of stage fright, and talking is impossible.

Although I got help when I was younger, this anxiety disorder manife…

Author Biography:

Name: Brydon Duncan

Age: 17

Event: Discus Throw

Performance Level: National Level

Contribution topic area: Mental Health

Who Am I?

My name is Brydon Duncan, I’m from Bromley, south-east London and I’m approaching my 18th birthday. I started athletics in 2019, as an upper U15. The reason I started doing discus is largely due to the fact that I was so much bigger than my peers, throughout my entire childhood. I’ve always been a large person, reaching 6ft tall before my 1…

Track and field is tough.

Grinding it out almost every single day, through bitter, cold winter nights, all to try and make the smallest improvements that could be the difference between representing your country or not in major Championships. The one saving grace is that our sport is based on facts; who can run the fastest time, jump the highest, throw the furthest, so in theory if your performance is better than your rivals, the selection is guaranteed, right? Well, apparently not.

My career …