I'm a psychologist and coach who is passionate about helping people to understand and leverage the critical role that psychology plays in our performance, wellbeing, relationships and communication.I started my career in psychology 24 years ago as a mature student studying a Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Chichester, UK. I still remember being shown this clip in the large lecture theatre and being told "if you haven't got goosebumps, you're in the wrong place" I was certainly in the right place! But what's more, I was intrigued by the commitment, motivation and mental strength that was displayed in this performance.
I had embarked on a degree because I wanted to be a teacher, but learning about sport psychology and understanding the challenges and opportunities that understanding the psychology of human performance provides, had me hooked. Studying psychology in the context of holistic performance (physiology, biomechanics, performance analysis, sports injury & prevention etc) kept me grounded and helped me to appreciate that psychology is just one part (albeit critical!) of human performance. This laid the groundwork for my holistic approach.
Following my degree, I completed a PhD is team dynamics in sport. I also completed my training to become British Psychological Society Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and Health and Care Professions Council registered psychologist.
I've worked in a range of sports including motor sport, wheelchair basketball, cycling, clay pigeon shooting, rugby, volleyball and golf. I work with both amateur and elite athletes. I'm also a strong advocate of support staff, coaches, leaders and organisations becoming more psychologically informed to ensure that a consistent performance culture is embedded and consistently applied.
I still love my work as a sport psychologist, but now also work with individuals businesses and organisations to help them to fulfil their potential, applying the knowledge and skills from sport psychology that I have. There's nothing that I learnt in sport and exercise psychology that I haven't found useful when working with individuals, businesses and organisations!
I retrained as a coaching psychologist in 2008, and I work as a coach, consultant and facilitator, coaching individuals and working with organisations, executives, and their senior leadership teams. I'm particularly passionate about supporting a deep and sustainable performance and wellbeing culture. I also offer multiple stakeholder group coaching to help organisations find effective, sustainable solutions to complex problems.
I am also a qualified exercise instructor (mainly Pilates these days), and have worked in the health and fitness industry for many years with qualifications in weight management, cardiac rehabilitation and exercise referral for medical conditions, and work one-one and run small group sessions to support people to improve their physical and psychological wellbeing.