Play Train Grow

Part 2 : How do we heal a bullied brain Lets use the brain gym. we work out our body at a gym but not our brains!! why dont we work out our brains!! How do we start to look at a bullied brain as a broken brain that can be healed. Its not easy and it will take time but we can heal the scars of our past.    In this episode i ask one the worlds leading experts on this topic   how we can use the people around us to heal our scars i give personal examples from my own life to try and connect the dots between the past and future we finish with the most important question of all How do we cause lasting change?   https://www.bulliedbrain.com           

Let's focus on a bullied brain and how we are built to normalise a bullying culture Do you really understand the damage caused by bullying and the normalisation of it?  The brain does not lie but we can not see it like we see a physical injury like a broken arm. what is a broken brain? Let's look at and talk openly about the damage bully can cause!!    in this episode i ask 4 questions  1. Is there a difference between the development of a bullied brain vs un bullied? 2. old school environment's and negative phrases which reflect negative role modelling. 3. unpicking why unhealthy environments thrive 4. negative self talk, bullying yourself. Jen shares his thoughts and knowledge and helps guide us through the reasons why we need a new approach to bullying.  https://www.bulliedbrain.com    

Whats it like from the coaches perspective in academy football?  having spent over a decade in football coaching from grassroots to 1st team. Matt shares his experiences from building an academy with Torquay FC through to post 16s coach and tutor with Plymouth Argyle FC at the time of recording.  Full time coaching is all consuming and there is a struggle for a work life balance and matt expresses how relentless the journey can be as a nomadic coach. Having spent time in every stage of football development Matt shares his thoughts on coaching, sessions, styles, success and how success can change based on your environment.  The gem here is that coaching is a cake but how you decorate your cake is decided by the coach!  

Jennifer Fraser PHD is about to help change our understanding and approach to bullying with aim of healing the mental scars it creates.  YES we can heal the scares but why don't we talk about the brain!! This conversation will open the door to change and build a foundation to help you understand why we need a new approach. you can teach an old dog new tricks!! We want to be healthy, fit and active yet we constantly ignore the brain from the equation. We discuss the foundations to change with Emotions, memories, neural plasticity explained so you can find your own path to understanding why bullying has such a massive effect on your health years after it has finished. Jennifers web site  https://www.bulliedbrain.com/    Jennifers Twitter https://twitter.com/teachingbullies

Marks journey to a 1st team is in stark contrast to almost all others.  From dropping out of football after being released by Celtic at 16 to a pro contract at 23 via junior and university football. The trials and tribulations of dealing with the pressure of chasing the football dream. Mark helps to explain and explore how you have to managing self expectations and talks the transition from full time football. this comes as he realises that a change to part time football is needed for life after football.  

Chris explains the support provided within his role as the PFA Scotland Development officer.  We chat about his career in football from his youth days at Motherwell to the first team at Clyde, Dunfermline and East Fife. Chris also spent time coaching in the youth academy at hearts so we get his thoughts on development and what he thinks can help on the journey to the 1st team. Chris gives a great insight into life as a footballer and how the need to go the extra mile and work harder than others is vital to success. 

Reece is incredibly honest and open in this episode. Reece reflects on his time in academy football, dealing with injury, his thoughts on luck and how it can really effect people. He opens up on how difficult it can be adjusting to new coaches and new environments. Reece explains what it is like going from the highest of highs to real lows and i am so thankful and really respect the bravery he shows in this episode. 

Dr Adam Kelly works as an interdisciplinary educator and author who has worked, coached and played within professional football. In this episode we talk about the oppertunities and drawbacks within the youth development pathways of professional football. We also talk about early engagement in sport, Relative age effect and playing up in football which are specialist areas of Adams. Adam talks about current research and how we can improve our selection pathways within football. This episode really opens up the academic perspective of youth development. Is it time to think a little bit more in how we develop athletes?  

Adam opens up on his journey so far through academy football and into the full time environment. A really open and honest conversation. Some great examples around learning from mistakes and discovering other areas of life that can help you improve. Adam talks about the transitions to full time training and key moments which helped him develop into person he is today. We also find out why Adam will never be late again!!

Richard shares his knowledge and thoughts on his approach to supporting, nurturing and improving key sporting relationships. We discuss conflict, relationship building, key areas for communication and ways of giving feedback. We also discuss the power a coach/club has. Positive ways to improve the learning support network. Failure, emotions and how to build the foundations for a great parent, athlete, coach relationship.