A Load of BS on Sport: The Behavioural Science Podcast with Daniel Ross and Dan Biggar

In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, we sit down with one of England's most charismatic cricketers, Graeme Swann. A key figure in  3 England Ashes victories, Graeme opens up about his unconventional approach to spin bowling, the team dynamics that fuelled success, and his transition from the cricket field to coaching. With his trademark humour, we reflect on the highs, lows, and everything in between, offering unique insights into the mental game that defined his career.Show Notes:The Psychology of Spin Bowling: Graeme details his mental approach to the game, likening it to a battle of wits with batsmen. He explains his strategy of bowling aggressively and using field placements to create opportunities for catches."When you're bowling spin, there’s no magic, no gamesmanship, just pure outthinking the batsman and creating an environment that makes them second guess themselves."The Theatre of Spin Bowling: Graeme describes his belief in taking wickets from the first ball and how the theatre of the game added to his success.The Intensity of Team Dynamics: We discuss his relationship with teammates like Kevin Pietersen, the importance of team dynamics, including the role of conflict in driving success. He shares insights into the famous Ashes campaign of 201/11 and the energy of the changing room.Career Highlights and Transition: We reflect on his peak Ashes performances and the unexpected and abrupt end to his career due to a debilitating injury. He shares how he struggled with the transition from active cricket to coaching, revealing how returning to coaching reignited his passion."I didn’t have time to think about retiring. One day I couldn’t feel my hand, and by the next, I was finished. It was a brutal end to a career I loved."Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy! Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

Dan Biggar and Dan Ross step out of their comfort zone to dive into the world of boxing with none other than Carl Frampton—Northern Ireland’s first two-division world champion, renowned not just for his incredible achievements in the ring, but also for his resilience, humility, and ability to unite people across divides.In this episode, Carl opens up about the mental and physical challenges of being in one of the most gruelling sports, the hard lessons he’s learned, and what really drives him—whether it’s legacy, family, or simply the love of the fight. From his most gruelling battles to the life lessons he carries with him today, Carl shares a truly fascinating story.Show Notes:Early Beginnings & Boxing Passion: Carl reveals how he started boxing at age seven. Despite finding the repetitive training tedious, it was the sparring and the thrill of the fight that ignited his passion for boxingHard Work vs. Talent: Carl reflects on his career by stating, "I wasn’t naturally talented, but I worked hard." Carl pushed through the pain and overcame early doubts, earning his place as one of the best in his weight classResilience & Mental Toughness: Carl gives an inside look at what goes through his mind before a fight. He talks about the nerves that hit on fight day, especially the pressure of making weightTough Fights & Lessons Learned: A defining moment in Carl's career was his European title fight against Kiko Martinez. He recounts the brutal nine rounds where both his hands were broken, and he was hurt to the body and head, but fought through to win. "That was a moment where I knew I could hang with the best," Carl saysThe Pressure of Being a Champion: After becoming a world champion, Carl felt the pressure to constantly perform at his best. He recalls the heightened expectations after his first world title win in 2014, where every fight seemed to carry more weight. He admits, "It’s nice when people buy you drinks and congratulate you, but there’s pressure too."The Breakdown with Barry McGuigan: Carl openly discusses his fallout with his former manager and mentor. The experience taught Carl not to trust people blindly and to be more cautious in his professional relationshipsLife After Boxing: Now a commentator for TNT Sports, Carl is still deeply involved in the boxing world but enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle. He talks about how, after years of gruelling training camps, it's refreshing to stay involved in the sport without the physical tollLegacy and Lessons: Carl expresses pride in being the first Northern Irishman to win world titles in two different weight divisions. "I want to be remembered for exciting, tough fights," Carl says, acknowledging his battles with Kiko Martinez, Josh Warrington and Leo Santa CruzPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy! Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

In this episode of A Load of BS on Sport, Dan and Dan sit down with Ben Ryan, the Performance Director at Brentford FC and former coach of Fiji's Olympic-winning Rugby Sevens team. Ben shares his remarkable journey from the world of English rugby to leading Fiji to gold at the Rio Olympics, and now shaping performance at Brentford. He talks about the importance of leadership, discipline, and cultural sensitivity in creating high-performing teams, as well as the balance between structure and freedom that allows athletes to thrive. Tune in for insights on coaching, team dynamics, and what it truly takes to build a winning culture across sports.Show Notes:Ben discusses his journey from rugby coach to Performance Director at Brentford FCReflections on leading Fiji to Olympic gold and the lessons learned in team cultureBen shares how discipline and structure helped transform the Fijian team’s performanceThe importance of balancing freedom with high standards in elite sportInsights into the challenges of transitioning from rugby to football leadershipBen talks about the power of alignment and communication in building successful teamsThe role of player care and cultural sensitivity in managing a diverse squadBen critiques the obsession with marginal gains and emphasises the importance of solid foundationsPlease leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy! Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto

Join us as we dive into the mind of Sir Andrew Strauss, one of England's greatest cricket captains. From leading his team to Ashes glory twice to navigating the highs and lows of elite sport, Strauss shares powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and life beyond the game. This is a conversation about more than runs and wickets—it's about legacy, culture, and what it truly means to thrive under pressure.Show Notes:"Cricket requires players to accept the randomness of fate - a hard pill for perfectionists."Three key takeaways:Resilience and adaptability in elite sport: even the top batsmen in cricket go through periods of poor form and this can take a mental toll on players: "Batsmen must be philosophical. You fail more often than you succeed, and you have to price that in." Developing coping mechanisms and a mindset to manage these ebbs and flows is keyImportance of team culture: "Athletes thrive when they feel cared for and supported. If they feel cared for, they’ll forgive many of your weaknesses as a leader." A strong culture and the importance of balancing family life with cricket are critical – particularly when some players are away 300 days a yearLeadership: the role of leadership is to balance the needs of individual with collective goals. "You can’t afford to let everyone do exactly what they want, but successful teams allow for individuality within a shared framework"Please leave a review if you like the podcast; and share with friends. Your support makes us very happy! Get the podcast in your inbox every week by subscribing here Find out more on our website Follow the podcast on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on LinkedIn Follow Dan R on Twitter Follow Dan B on LinkedIn Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto