After hearing Drew Ginn OAM, talk about the GB 8+ approach to performance, and the simple rule that they created "Will it make the boat go faster", I was curious to speak with the man that brought the crew and the team together to win in 2000 and to uncover some of the insights and approaches that led to the crews success.

Martin McElroy is probably best known for guiding the British Olympic Team’s men’s rowing eight to gold at the Sydney Olympic games in 2000 and is credited with creating a simple yet insightful phrase that has become ubiquitous in sport and business “Will it Make the Boat Go Faster”, a simple question that focuses on what makes a difference. He has always been fascinated by the ability of people and teams to come together in the pursuit of extraordinary outcomes. He’s led sport and business teams on a daily basis, and supported other business leaders, teams and organisations as they’ve worked towards their goals.

Martin works with sports and business organisations supporting their efforts to improve personal, professional and organisational purpose, still finding time to coach young athletes in his home town of Victoria in British Columbia. His lifelong interest in the topic of people and performance, experience of failures and successes, and a continuous desire to reflect on what he’s learned over the years leads to a fascinating conversation in this podcast.

Books and resources Martin mentioned in the podcast:

Podcasts. Don't tell me the score, BBC
Books, The Fifth Discipline, Peter Senge
Power Breath
RP3 ergometre
The 'black boat' was a Vespoli 8+

Connect with Martin

Martin on Twitter @McElroy_MJP
Martin on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/martin-mcelroy-484161

Learn from the world's best rowers and coaches, how to create your own training plan. The Masters Training Courses, are the most comprehensive guides that I’ve ever put together to help Masters Rowers go really fast. 'How to create your Training Plan' will enable you to build your own training plan and know what you need to do, to train smarter and so that you can go faster. Click here to find out more.

This podcast is brought to you by FASTER with Bill Chambers. To find out how you can transform your personal, business and rowing performance, visit www.whchambers.com

Matt Draper International Rowing Events Manager

Faster with Bill ChambersBy Bill ChambersMar 25, 2024