Episode #58

Richard Young – Simplify to Perform

What makes elite athletes perform? Not just become Olympians, which is a feat in itself, but become a medal winning Olympian. What do the athletes, their coaches, technical staff, and systems they are training in, do differently to those athletes who work hard – but don’t peak at the right moment – and miss out on a podium finish.

Episode 58 - Richard Young

What makes elite athletes perform? Not just become Olympians, which is a feat in itself, but become a medal winning Olympian. What do the athletes, their coaches, technical staff, and systems they are training in, do differently to those athletes who work hard – but don’t peak at the right moment – and miss out on a podium finish.

These are just some of the questions I asked Richard Young. An athlete who has won gold medals in cycling, coached world champions, and created medal-winning programmes for three countries using his research, innovation and experience across 10 Olympic cycles.

In this conversation we discuss common barriers that prevent people performing at their best, why simplification is essential to success, how we can alter our behaviour in the moments that matter, as well as the important role reflection plays on performance.

I hope you extract some lessons around your own leadership and performance in this conversation with Richard Young.