Parents in Sport Podcast

Gordon Maclelland
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This monthly podcast covers a wide range of topics helping to bring a greater understanding of the world of youth sport. We have an amazing lineup of guests sharing their knowledge and personal experiences including world leading authors, olympians, professional athletes and coaches, sports parents, sports psychologists and industry experts.From topics on sports parenting, effectively managing match-day and competition, developing resilience in young people, running effective parental engagement programmes and the good, the bad and ugly of football academies, there is something for everyone.

  1. 'A conversation with Kate Shilland and Fran Taylor(Performance Canteen)' - How to feed a Young Athlete

    1D AGO

    'A conversation with Kate Shilland and Fran Taylor(Performance Canteen)' - How to feed a Young Athlete

    In this episode Sports nutritionists Kate Shilland and Fran Taylor and the founders of 'Performance Canteen' join Gordon MacLelland to discuss supporting young athletes through proper nutrition. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Challenges like misinformation and the need for clear communicationProgress and not perfection in building small, sustainable changes that fit around real family lifeThe dangers of fad diets such as bulking and cutting, advocating for simple, consistent nutrition practicesNutrition being vital for growth, health, and performanceThe importance of teaching children cooking skills to empower them and improve their dietary habitsThe emotional side of feeding young athletes and the pressure and challenges parents face'How to Feed a Young Athlete' - why Kate and Fran wrote their new bookIf you would like to buy a copy of their new book in collaboration with us here at Working with Parents in Sport then click here. 'How to Feed a Young Athlete' isn’t just another nutrition book it’s the resource we wish our parents had had. It is built from thousands of conversations with parents of young athletes. We’ve listened to all their questions, challenges, frustrations and wins and created a toolkit. You’ll find practical answers and actionable solutions to the nutrition challenges every parent faces, complete with interviews with parents of elite level young athletes and exercises to try. Talent and training absolutely matter, but what children eat directly impacts their energy, recovery, mood, development and performance, whether they’re on the field, in the classroom, or at home. Nutrition really is sport’s unsung hero, and this toolkit is part of our mission to change that. Featuring unique insights and nutritional tips from parents of high performing athletes. Kate Shilland is a leading Sports Nutritionist with over 16 years’ experience, working with youth athletes of all levels from recreational to world champions. She has been head of nutrition at Crystal Palace Football Club for the past nine seasons. Fran Taylor is a highly regarded Public Health Nutritionist with over 17 years’ experience working in nutrition communication with parents, schools and sports clubs.

    40 min
  2. 'A conversation with Brad Stulberg' - The Way of Excellence

    JAN 28

    'A conversation with Brad Stulberg' - The Way of Excellence

    In this episode best selling author and coach Brad Stulberg joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his new book 'The Way of Excellence' which explores what sustainable excellence really looks like and what it potentially means for us all in supporting young athletes. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Building excellence through rhythm and balanceThe dangers of outcome obsessionSupporting our young people to build and maintain a 'stable sense of self'Helping our young people build confidence through effective preparationThe importance of discomfort for growth but not chaosHelping young people interpret failure as information, not a final verdictCreating support systems and environments full of clarity and consistency that help develop resilience and self-awarenessBrad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change, and is the co-author of Peak Performance with former guest Steve Magness.   Brad regularly contributes to the New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast “excellence, actually” and is on the faculty at the University of Michigan.

    41 min
  3. 'A conversation with Danny and Kate Cowley' - Working together to support young high performers

    JAN 4

    'A conversation with Danny and Kate Cowley' - Working together to support young high performers

    In this episode sporting parents Danny and Kate Cowley join Gordon MacLelland to discuss the value of working together as a parent team to support a young high performing athlete. Together, Danny and Kate offer a dual perspective as coaches, educators, parents, and lifelong learners. Their daughter, a youth international footballer, and their son an ex gymnast have given them valuable insight into the experiences of young people navigating elite sport. They bring a wealth of lived experience to the show with Danny a highly respected professional football manager and Kate a former international athlete, both with backgrounds in education. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The importance of context with no one-size-fits-all approach to sports parentingHaving distinct parent roles matter based on relationships with the child and individual strengths and weaknessesThe importance of proactive and clear communication between clubs, coaches, teachers, parents and childrenUnderstanding the nuances of feedbackRecognising mistakes, setbacks, and disappointment are normal and vital for developmentHelping to build confidence by reinforcing hard work and repetition and highlighting evidence of progressThe continuous balancing act of tough love vs unhealthy pressureFocussing more on role modelling over lecturingBoth Danny and Kate share a passion for sport, education, and supporting young people to reach their potential both on and off the field. Having been together since childhood, their shared love of sport has shaped both their personal and professional journeys. They began their careers working together at The FitzWimarc School, one of the UK’s top-performing secondary schools, where they combined their experience in teaching, coaching, and athlete development to help students grow and succeed. Danny has since built a respected career in professional football management, recognised for his people-focused approach and commitment to developing players and teams. His time at clubs including Lincoln City, Huddersfield Town, and Portsmouth has been defined by an emphasis on teamwork, learning, and creating positive environments. Kate’s career has also been in high-performance sport and education. A former senior international athlete supported by the National Lottery’s Podium Potential programme, she has worked across elite sport and athlete development.

    52 min
  4. 'A conversation with Kristen Cunliffe' - Financial Fitness and helping our young athletes thrive

    10/03/2025

    'A conversation with Kristen Cunliffe' - Financial Fitness and helping our young athletes thrive

    In this episode Founding Director 'Red Star Education' Kristen Cunliffe joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss Financial Fitness and how we can help our young athletes thrive with their finances. The recent BBC documentary 'Footballs Financial Shame'  has brought the importance of this topic back into the limelight.  During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Many athletes facing financial struggles due to poor advice, exploitation, and lack of early financial awareness.Documentaries 'Football’s Financial Shame' and earlier 'Football's Suicide Secret' raised concerns about the long-term effects of poor financial decisions and predatory advisersThe importance of education being independent, without commercial agendas or selling products, to maintain trust and integrityChallenges for young athletes with the pressure from expectations of peers, families, and sporting organisations, the fear of making financial mistakes and a lack of basic knowledge about taxes, budgeting and savingThe importance of parents having open, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about money, learning together with their kids rather than pretending to know it all and modelling balanced spending and saving habitsWhen speaking with advisors parents trusting their instincts whilst checking qualifications, experience, and fees and avoiding any snap decisionsAllowing our young athletes to enjoy some of their earnings, but encourage habits of setting money aside for the futureKristen Cunliffe is the Founder Director of Red Star Education, a company dedicated to giving young athletes the knowledge and confidence to make sound financial choices. With over 22 years’ experience as a multi-award-winning financial planner, independent financial educator and certified financial coach, Kristen combines expertise with a genuine passion for education. She is a strong advocate for keeping commercial partnerships out of player care, ensuring Red Star’s sessions are always focused on support, not sales.

    42 min
  5. 'A conversation with Barry Collie' - Developing confidence, self-esteem and self-worth in young athletes

    09/03/2025

    'A conversation with Barry Collie' - Developing confidence, self-esteem and self-worth in young athletes

    In this episode British Gymnastics National Head Coach and sports parent Barry Collie joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'Developing confidence, self-esteem and self-worth in young athletes' along with how we can create the best environments possible for young people to thrive both in and out of their sport. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Applying lessons from his own sporting journey to his own parentingEncouraging young people to find joy and bring energy to their passions and pursuitsNurturing passion, purpose and persistenceEncouraging children to laugh, learn, and try again after mistakesParents adapting their approach to suit each child’s personalityThe importance of positive reinforcement particularly in sports with high demands and a focus on mistakesWhy optimism and hope is so important for all of usEncouraging conversations about life beyond sport for both coaches and parentsExpressing love and pride in our children as people, not just when they achieve successBarry Collie is a visionary leader and passionate advocate for British gymnastics, currently serving as the Head National Coach for Men’s Artistic Gymnastics. With over 20 years of elite coaching experience, Barry has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to athlete development, team success, and the long-term growth of the sport. Known for his optimistic and driven approach, Barry brings an innate ability to inspire those around him. His leadership style is collaborative and empowering—he listens, learns, and leads with purpose, fostering environments where gymnasts and coaches alike can thrive. Barry’s coaching philosophy centres on co-production, ensuring that individual Gymnast Performance Plans are developed in partnership with athletes and clubs to create a unified and high-performance culture. Barry’s track record includes leading the British junior men’s team to historic success at the European Championships, where his strategic planning and emotional resilience helped secure multiple medals and build future Olympians. His coaching is grounded in strong values, meticulous preparation, and a belief in the power of confidence, routine, and reflection. A devoted family man, Barry balances his professional intensity with personal warmth, bringing humanity and heart to every aspect of his role. His vision for British gymnastics is bold and inclusive—one that celebrates excellence, nurtures talent, and builds a legacy of pride and performance.

    50 min
  6. 'A conversation with Elliott Newell' - Supporting the development of mental skills for our young athletes to thrive

    08/04/2025

    'A conversation with Elliott Newell' - Supporting the development of mental skills for our young athletes to thrive

    In this episode sports psychologist Elliott Newell joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss how as sporting parents we can help support the development of mental skills for our young athletes to thrive. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Personality flaws or just skill deficits?The importance of modelling emotional regulation during those tougher momentsImagery, breath work, mindfulness and journallingHelping our children meet the demands of their sportThe importance of vulnerability and honesty in building trust and openness in parent-child relationshipsUsing daily life and sport experiences as teachable moments for emotional and mental developmentOur goal in raising self-aware, emotionally skilled, and self-regulating individuals, not just successful athletesElliott is a sport psychologist and director of The Thrive Academy. He has worked in a wide range of Olympic and Paralympic sports as well as in Rugby and Football. Elliott specialises in environments and the way people interact. If you get the environment right, then you can have profound impact on the performance, development and well-being of people within it and this is the primary focus of Elliott's work.

    53 min
  7. 'A conversation with Stephanie Burge' - From devastation to elation - how can we best support our young children released and transitioning out of sporting programmes?

    07/03/2025

    'A conversation with Stephanie Burge' - From devastation to elation - how can we best support our young children released and transitioning out of sporting programmes?

    In this episode sports parent and life coach Stephanie Burge joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss 'Deselection, Release and Transition' and how we can help support young people through this incredibly challenging time. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: Intense parental emotions: shock, grief, helplessnessThe emotional fallout of deselection and the importance of parental supportThe importance of being present as a parent rather than trying to “fix” the situationHelping young athletes to develop interests and skills outside of sport throughout the journeySupporting dreams but also working through some 'What if?' scenarios alongside thisCreating emotionally safe environments and validating young people beyond their performanceRecognising that grief is not linear and that ending a sporting chapter can often lead to new freedom and opportunitiesStephanie Burge is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and ICF qualified Life coach with a powerful story of resilience, reinvention and mindset mastery. As the sole survivor of a serious car accident, she has turned trauma into a driving force for personal growth, purpose and helping others navigate life’s toughest transitions. A mother to two daughters, one a successful entrepreneur with ADHD, and the other an ex-GB and England hockey player now thriving in her career, Stephanie understands the highs and lows of the neurodiverse brain and the player journey after elite sport. She is passionate about ensuring athletes, parents and professionals develop the right mindset, and get the right support, to thrive beyond competition. Alongside supporting parents to show up in the best way to enhance their child’s sporting journey, Stephanie also coaches injured, de-selected and often psychologically broken athletes. Her objective is to facilitate them to process their loss, rediscover their identity and build fulfilling new careers. Often much time has elapsed before athletes finally realise they need to make peace with their past and reconnect with the joy of sport.

    54 min
  8. 'A conversation with Molly Sacker' - Supporting young high performers and gearing up for Los Angeles 2028

    06/02/2025

    'A conversation with Molly Sacker' - Supporting young high performers and gearing up for Los Angeles 2028

    In this episode British Sailing Squad member Molly Sacker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss her own sporting journey, the lessons she has learned, how we can best support young high performers and life gearing up for Los Angeles 2028. During the conversation they discuss amongst other things: The importance of consistent messaging to young athletes from parents and coachesSacrifices or individual choices?Motivation and commitment and the importance of disciplineThe dangers of early success if it leads to complacencyThe logistical and emotional strain on parents who support young high performersMollys mantra of 'It’s not that deep—it’s meant to be fun.'Female athletes perhaps needing specific support environments, especially in male-dominated sportsPromoting balance, independence and emotional well-being alongside performanceMolly Sacker is a member of the British Sailing Squad campaigning for the LA2028 Olympic Games and is a Masters Graduate in Conflict, Security and Development.

    48 min
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About

This monthly podcast covers a wide range of topics helping to bring a greater understanding of the world of youth sport. We have an amazing lineup of guests sharing their knowledge and personal experiences including world leading authors, olympians, professional athletes and coaches, sports parents, sports psychologists and industry experts.From topics on sports parenting, effectively managing match-day and competition, developing resilience in young people, running effective parental engagement programmes and the good, the bad and ugly of football academies, there is something for everyone.

Information

  • Creator
    Gordon Maclelland
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parents in Sport Podcast
  • Show Website
    Parents in Sport Podcast