Going Upstairs
Opening Up Cricket's 'Going Upstairs' podcast where we talk sport, fitness and mental health.
Episodes
Kate offers her insight on how she proactively considers her mental health in the demanding world of international cricket.
Change can be exciting, it can be daunting. Ethan and Tom share their reflections on their experiences of transitions such as moving clubs, new roles and fluctuations in form.
We're glad to have our one hundredth episode on the pleasure of playing cricket. In the case of our guest Chris Laker, this happens to have been at the top of the club game in England. The positives discussed can be applied to anyone playing the game, whatever the standard.
If this is your first listen or you've taken in all episodes so far, thank you.
Cricket gives us a vital chance to take time away from our screens and properly connect with others. Mark gives his view on this increasingly important issue in this episode.
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Jonathan Haidt was mentioned in this episode. You can read about his work on youth phone use here and in a similar vein there is a perspective from the US surgeon general here
The second episode on this theme has Opening Up Cricket trustee & Sunday Times Football Correspondent Jon Northcroft sharing from another sport. We hear a range from Fergie to Guardiola on how wellbeing and team bonds are forged at the top level of football.
It's fascinating to think about what we can learn from these examples.
This pre season, we have a focus on how team environments can best support their members. To start with, Ethan Bamber draws on his experiences in the professional games, as we aim to find the ways we can all look out for those around us.
Ethan and Tom shared their reflections on how the close season changes how they see themselves.
This was recorded just before their return to pre season training at Middlesex and Sussex.
Henry returns with his second guest, Matty Jackson of Liverpool CC, for a chat focused on captaincy in the club game.
Thanks to Henry Eccles of Southport & Birkdale CC for this chat with his club's former overseas player Will Affleck, reflecting on the realities and pressures that can feature in the weekend game.
Clevedon CC in Somerset have seen success with their own scheme to promote mental wellbeing through cricket at their club.
Dan, the lead for this, joined Mark to share the background and strategies used.
Mark considers what is left unsaid during Mental Health Awareness Week
The second Coaches Conversation focuses on passion and how far it can take you. We got a look at this from a rugby union perspective with guest Adam Canning of Old Leamingtonians RFC joining Mark to share his thoughts.
Our first Coaches Conversation was recorded last night (26.03) with burnout being the topic. Chris Laker, who works with Lancashire CCC pathway and in club cricket, joined Mark to share his thoughts.
Ethan spoke with friend and current team mate down under Miles Hammond, of Gloucestershire CCC. Topics included...
- Life as an overseas player
- Finding the balance between cricket and the rest of life
- How talking therapy made the difference
Identity, particularly how much we define ourselves by our job, is a topic of almost endless discussion. Sussex keeper/batter Tom Alsop gave his insight to Mark during this episode.
The focus was on how over the course of his career, he has come to see himself as more than just a cricketer.
Mark reflects on a personal experience of going beyond what was healthy to commit to.
The books mentioned in this episode were:
Mike Yardy- The Hard Yards
Brene Brown- Daring Greatly
Tim Cantopher- Depressive Illness: The Curse Of The Strong
Josh Sivier, known across social media as 'The WK Coach' shared with Mark his passion for wicket keeping, as a player and coach.
Topics include:
Technical fundamentals
Resilience
The love of the game
Sean chatted with Mark about the reality of playing Grade, or as it is now known, Premier Cricket in Australia.
Having played at first class and international level, it was interesting to hear his perspective on the club game.
Topic discussed include:
* Creating the ideal environment
* The intensity compared to the professional game
* Adapting from other levels of cricket
Tara Norris of Sussex, Southern Vipers, Southern Brave and the USA joined Mark to discuss:
Her transition into professional cricket
Routine and structure
Self motivation
What is your coaching philosophy?
Mark shares how Carl Rogers, more familiar in the counselling world, has helped shape his.
The blog post mentioned in the episode can be found here
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