Inside The Coaching Grid

This week I sat down with Amy Thompson, GB Hockey international and East Grinstead player, who's turned a broken kneecap into a masterclass in resilience and perspective. We talked about her journey from being a five-foot teenager who didn't make county level to breaking into the GB program, the reality of balancing a nine-to-five job with Premier League hockey, and how breaking her kneecap the day after signing her first professional contract became an unexpected gift. Amy opened up about the mental challenges of watching teammates compete at the Euros while on crutches, learning to walk again after 10 weeks in a straight leg brace, and why sometimes the best thing an athlete can do is learn to chill out. From growing seven inches in her late teens to taking a year off hockey at 19, this is an honest conversation about setbacks being the norm not the exception, the importance of having an escape from your sport, and why she'll never take running for granted again. Amy shares valuable insights on the intensity jump from club to international hockey, the power of good coaches who see potential, and why it's never too late to chase your dreams - even if you're starting at 24. Subscribe for more weekly conversations with top athletes - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGrid Follow The Coaching Grid on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachinggrid?igsh=ZTFzYWNjeWtlMzNw&utm_source=qr Follow The Coaching Grid on TikTok here - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachinggrid?_t=ZN-8zoARyAGyaE&_r=1 Follow George on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ealham-555815247

This week I sat down with Yousef Majid, Surrey spinner who's taken an unconventional path from left-arm seamer to off-spin bowler. We talked about his journey from watching his dad play club cricket to making his T20 and Championship debuts for Surrey, the mental shift that changed everything, and why focusing less on proving people wrong and more on enjoying the game has been crucial to his development. Yousef opened up about being rejected by Surrey's academy at 15, how that fueled his determination to prove them wrong, and the role his Cranley coach played in completely transforming him from a pace bowler who once broke someone's toe at age nine to becoming a professional spinner. He shares honest insights about dealing with the yips on his T20 debut at Taunton, managing the pressure of playing for England's most successful county, and learning from international stars in Surrey's dressing room. From balancing Ramadan with professional cricket to recovering from back-to-back hamstring injuries that nearly broke him mentally, this is a raw conversation about resilience, faith, and finding perspective in professional sport. Yousef discusses the importance of switching off from cricket, why consistency is the most boring but crucial aspect of spin bowling, and his ambitions to break into regular first-team cricket and eventually play internationally. Subscribe for more weekly conversations with top athletes - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGrid Follow The Coaching Grid on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachinggrid?igsh=ZTFzYWNjeWtlMzNw&utm_source=qr Follow The Coaching Grid on TikTok here - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachinggrid?_t=ZN-8zoARyAGyaE&_r=1 Follow George on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ealham-555815247

This week I sat down with Ben Geddes, professional cricketer at Middlesex who's carved out an impressive path through the county game. We talked about his journey from starting cricket Surrey at age eight to playing alongside internationals, the reality of moving counties after spending his entire career at Surrey, and what it takes to succeed in professional cricket. Ben opened up about winning three championships in four years, learning from legends like Kane Williamson, and the mental challenges of dealing with selection and form. From winters in Perth to captaining in the One Day Cup, this is an honest conversation about the sacrifices, the lonely moments, and the small habits that build towards success in cricket. Ben shares valuable insights on developing power hitting, staying focused through four-day games, and why enjoying the process matters more than the destination. Subscribe for more weekly conversations with top athletes - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGrid Follow The Coaching Grid on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachinggrid?igsh=ZTFzYWNjeWtlMzNw&utm_source=qr Follow The Coaching Grid on TikTok here - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachinggrid?_t=ZN-8zoARyAGyaE&_r=1 Follow George on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ealham-555815247

This week I sat down with Connor Slevin, a young rugby player carving out his path in the professional game. We talked about his journey through the age groups, breaking into senior rugby, and the challenges that come with trying to make it at the top level. Connor opened up about setbacks he’s faced, what keeps him motivated, and the advice he’d give to anyone looking to follow a similar path. It’s an honest chat about the reality of chasing a career in sport. The good days, the hard ones, and everything in between. Subscribe for more weekly conversations with top athletes - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGrid Follow The Coaching Grid on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachinggrid?igsh=ZTFzYWNjeWtlMzNw&utm_source=qr Follow The Coaching Grid on TikTok here - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachinggrid?_t=ZN-8zoARyAGyaE&_r=1 Follow George on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ealham-555815247

What’s the honest reality of life as a professional hockey player? In this episode I sit down with Sam Taylor, England and GB hockey international, to talk about his journey from grassroots to the international stage, the highs of his debut, and the setbacks and injuries that shaped his career. Sam opens up about the mental and physical challenges of competing at the top level, recovery methods, and how friendships, coaching, and advice from others have kept him grounded. From travelling the world with England to future goals and advice for the next generation, this is a raw and inspiring conversation about life in elite sport. Subscribe for more weekly conversations with top athletes - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGrid Follow The Coaching Grid on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachinggrid?igsh=ZTFzYWNjeWtlMzNw&utm_source=qr Follow The Coaching Grid on TikTok here - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachinggrid?_t=ZN-8zoARyAGyaE&_r=1 Follow George on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ealham-55581524

What is it really like to play international rugby sevens? In this episode, I sit down with Grace Crompton, GB Sevens and Harlequins star, to explore her journey, the demands of the game, and how she’s inspiring the next generation of girls in rugby. From her first England camp to the mental challenges of elite sport, Grace opens up about the pressures of international rugby, how she prepares differently for 7s and 15s, and what success truly means to her. She also shares reflections on her coaches, role models, and the growth of women’s rugby. This is an honest, motivating conversation with one of the brightest young talents in the women’s game. Subscribe for more weekly conversations with top athletes - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGrid Follow The Coaching Grid on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachinggrid?igsh=ZTFzYWNjeWtlMzNw&utm_source=qr Follow The Coaching Grid on TikTok here - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachinggrid?_t=ZN-8zoARyAGyaE&_r=1 Follow George on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ealham-555815247