The Athlete EQ Podcast

This episode is with Nelson Boachie-Yiadom, power forward and #32 for Davidson College in the United States. In this episode, Nelson and I discuss what it's like to manage your life as a student athlete and the impact of transferring from high school in London to prep school in the US. Nelson takes a moment to recount some of the amazing mental skills imparted to him by his coaches and mentors and what it's like representing UK players and UK basketball abroad.

This episode is with Brant Minor, Assistant Men's Coach and Recruitment Coordinator for Pacific University in Oregon, USA and the founder of Max Hoops. In this episode, Coach Minor and I discuss life as a student athlete at collegiate level and what mental skills are needed to succeed. We talk about the recruitment process for college basketball and the importance of being unique and standing out. And finally we get fired up about how important it is to prepare, whether it’s for a game or just for practice because you’ll only rise to the level to which you are prepared.

This episode is with Dr. Delice Coffey, sport psychologist and mental game coach. In this episode Dr. Coffee and I speak about the importance of visualisation and how mental skills training, is a lifestyle. We talk about building confidence using a confidence resume and what kind of commitment it really takes to make it at NBA and WNBA level. And finally Dr. Coffey inspires us with the D. Coffey Foundation for Athletics and Education, dedicated to transforming the lives of student-athletes using sports as a platform.

This episode is with Hannah Shaw, centre for Team GB and current Commonwealth games silver medalist. In this episode Hannah and I discuss the struggle of playing a women’s minor is sport in the UK and how more needs to be done to support the mental health of athletes at all stages of their careers. Hannah speaks of the impact of living and playing abroad and what goals she’s set for herself going forward.

This episode is with Matthew Bryan-Amaning of the London Lions. In this episode,  Matt and I discuss the ins and outs of recruiting season in Europe and abroad, what it’s like to have a new team almost every year and how that has become he version of normal. Matt speaks to dealing with the jump in competition and pressure as players rise through high school or secondary school through to university and then on into the pros. We evaluate Game 7 of the NBA playoffs game between the Thunder/Rockets and what I call the "Bubble of Belief" before Matt gives some really great advice to young athletes everywhere, from every sport and every background.

This episode is with Sophie Carrigill, member of Team GB’s wheelchair basketball team and current International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World silver medalist. In this episode Sophie and I discuss the age old question of nature vs nuture when it comes to her choice to make the best of her new life following her accident. Sophie also expresses her opinion on the current point system controversy in wheelchair basketball and discusses how Team GB are beginning to prepare again for Tokyo with their sight set on the podium.

This episode is with Sophie Carrigill, member of Team GB’s wheelchair basketball team and current International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World silver medalist. In this episode Sophie and I discuss the age old question of nature vs nuture when it comes to her choice to make the best of her new life following her accident. Sophie also expresses her opinion on the current point system controversy in wheelchair basketball and discusses how Team GB are beginning to prepare again for Tokyo with their sight set on the podium.

This episode is with Carl Wheatle, power forward for Team GB and Pistoia in Italy. In this episode Carl and I discuss the pressure of being scouted at a young age and the difference between playing for your professional team and representing your country. We talk about keeping the love of your sport a live within yourself when things get difficult and the importance of finding your niche in your sport early on.

This episode is with Kieron Achara, Olympian, Scotland and Team GB international and former No 20 for the Glasgow Rocks. In this episode Kieron talks about how sport, especially basketball allowed him to embrace his differences growing up in Scotland and recounts lessons he’s learned beyond the sport throughout his career. We discuss thee importance of having a support network as a pro player and how vital it is to ask for help when you’re not okay. And finally before offering final words of advice, Kieron speaks his mind on the state of the game in the UK and how discrimination is still very much a reality in many aspects.

This Episode is with Wumi Agunbiade, mentee coach for Raptors 905 in the NBA G League and founder of Hoopers Loop, an initiative that aims to empower, equip and enable young female basketball players in Canada. In this episode  Wumi and I discuss how pressure is both a positive and a negative for athletes and what it means to turn a setback into an opportunity to grow. She gives insight on what she does to prep players for big games and what advice she gives young aspiring hoopers in her native Canada.

This episode is with Troy Culley, head coach for Team GB U16 boy’s team and  academy coach at Myerscough College. In this episode  Troy speaks about holding players accountable and what it takes reach a higher level as a player when it comes to performing under pressure. We talk about recovering and learning from losses and what he sees in players that indicates they are going to be something special.

This episode is with Ed Lucas, No 2 for the London Lions in the British Basketball League. In this episode which is divided into two parts, Ed speaks about the best and worst part of being a pro athlete and the responsibility that comes with influence and inspiration for the next generation. Ed recalls the influence of one Isaiah Thomas following family hardship and how those on his basketball journey have become a second family for him.

This episode is with Ed Lucas, No 2 for the London Lions in the British Basketball League. In this episode which is divided into two parts, Ed speaks about the best and worst part of being a pro athlete and the responsibility that comes with influence and inspiration for the next generation. Ed recalls the influence of one Isaiah Thomas following family hardship and how those on his basketball journey have become a second family for him.

This episode is with Raegan Moore, video coordinator for Boston College Women’s Basketball program and former guard for Duquesne University and Huima Aanekoski in Finland.  In this episode Raegan and I speak of the weight of expectations and the importance of athletes knowing themselves beyond the court. Reagan recounts her gratitude for being able to play the game and the impact she wants to have on the game and the world going forward.

Part 2 of the episode with Dzaflo Larkai, international basketball scout, 2x member of Team GB, 4x Basketball Japan League Winner and former no8 for the London Lions. In part 2, Flo and I talk about some difficult subjects and the content may not be suitable for everyone. We talk about depression, suicide and the impact of events that changed his life forever. We also speak about racism in both the US and the UK after the recent murder of George Floyd. And finally, Flo offers his key pieces of advice to young athletes and even to me.

This episode is with Dzaflo Larkai, international basketball scout, 2x member of Team GB, 4x Basketball Japan League Winner and former no8 for the London Lions. In this episode, which is divided into two parts, Flo and I speak of the early childhood influence of Jimmy Rogers and others at the Brixton Topcats, the dedication and determination it takes to get to the US to play and go to school and what it’s like to play in Japan, a nation not necessarily recognised for the sport of basketball. We get real about the pressure that comes from injury and Flo speaks hard truth about believing in yourself as a young player.

Interview with Nate Lucas, Strength & Conditioning Coach who’s experience includes the Angola National Team, the London City Royals and the Luol Deng Foundation. In this episode Nate recalls the challenges of being a young athlete, his move to my home state of Oklahoma and his transition from athlete to coach. Nate recounts how his own struggles with his conditioning fuels his passion for his work with other athletes and the need for more focus on the mental aspect of the game. We talk about everything from the Olympics to the impact of Covid-19 to mentality needed in the off-season to the key piece of advice he’d give to his younger self.

Interview with Justin Robinson, number 10 for the London Lions. Justin is a two-time British Basketball League MVP, one of only five people and the only British-born player to claim this honour. He has played for Team GB and his career as spread from the US to Europe. In this episode Justin speaks of early childhood influences from Micheal Jordan and Allen Iverson as well as what kept pushing him towards his dream of being a professional player and the value of playing across Europe. We get real about what it was like to come home to London to play and what basketball needs more of in the UK going forward. And finally, after giving us an insight to what life has been like since the outbreak of COVID-19, Justin offers some words of wisdom to young athletes everywhere, from every sport and every background.