This characteristic is a ultimate interview of Jodie Williams, a three-time Olympian, Olympic medalist, European medalist, Indoor and outside, and Commonwealth Video games medalist. Jodie Williams introduced her retirement this previous fall.
Jodie Williams on coaches
Within the ultimate piece from my December 2024 interview, Jodie talks about what she expects from a coach. Jodie had 5 coaches in her profession:
Stanley Madiri 2010-2013 (Together with World and European Junior gold medals)
Christine Harrison-Bloomfield 2013-15 – together with the 2014 together with her European and Commonwealth 200m silver medals)
Ryan Freckleton 2016-17
Stu McMillan 2017-20
Ryan Freckleton 2021-2024 (Together with 2021 and 2024 Olympics)
What do I anticipate from a coach?
I’m an inquisitive individual, and I wish to know. I’m not likely an athlete that may simply be advised what to do, and I’m simply gonna nod alongside – which, for some athletes, that’s what they want. They simply wish to be advised what to do, they usually’re gonna get on with it. I’ve by no means been that manner, and a few coaches can discover that fairly difficult. I’m at all times an athlete that desires to work with you and desires to grasp why. Don’t get me unsuitable; you’ll inform me this session, and I’ll do it. However I would like to essentially purchase into what’s happening. I’d additionally wish to be concerned within the discussions.
Later in my profession, I used to be extra concerned in programming as I do know my physique very properly and know what works for me and what doesn’t. Later in my profession, I had way more enter into my program. However I would like a coach who’s open sufficient and prepared sufficient to have these discussions with me. It’s extra of a partnership. There are some dynamics the place the coach is in cost, and the athletes do what they’re advised, however that’s by no means labored for me. It doesn’t work for me on the whole life. I don’t do properly with simply being advised what to do. I like to grasp why. And that makes a way more vital buy-in for me, and we’re each gonna get much more out of it. I undoubtedly like a partnership with my coach.
All of the coaches I’ve ever had have been like that. And it’s at all times deeper than only a coach-athlete relationship. All of my coaches are very shut, virtually like members of the family to me. So these are the sorts of relationships that I wish to have with my coaches.
