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Patch Times
Practice Positivity and Make it a Habit
Are you a Positive Peter or a Negative Nellie? Are you a Pooh bear type of person, who sees wonder in every little thing or a Tigger, bouncing around spreading joy wherever you go? Or are you more of an Eeyore? Human beings tend to default towards an Eeyore-like...
One Step at a Time – Learning to Trust
I may have watched ‘that puppy video’ a few too many times this week. But it was just so similar to what I see when I watch skaters trying out something new! At the beginning he takes one look at that high staircase and his little face just says “Nope” and heads off...
Horses to water – Six reasons why you’re not getting results
Have you ever been asked for your advice, then given it and seen the person who asked you completely ignore it and carry on doing what they were already doing which didn’t work? There’s a saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. And I’m...
More and More Skaters Going Public with Disordered Eating
In the lead up to PyeongChang 2018 there was a lot of coverage of Gracie Gold's decision to step out of the limelight, take time for self-care and deal with her eating disorder. Adam Rippon talked publicly about his own struggles with disordered eating, and of course...
Blue Monday
How did Blue Monday go for you? Did you know there’s even a mathematical formula for it? Where W = Weather, D = Debt, d = monthly salary, T = time since Christmas, Q = time since failing New Year’s resolutions, M = low motivational levels and Na = the feeling of...
What Christmas and the Perfect Turkey Can Teach Your Skater
Some of you who’ve been following me for a while – or who have watched the Parents’ Masterclass, will remember me saying that you are “a mirror to your child”. Our children learn to handle challenges and life situations by watching those closest to them – and most...
What it takes to overcome real challenges and become a National Champion
An interview with British Advanced Novice Ladies Champion Miesha Cooke Smith After the British Championships in Sheffield last week, I caught up with Miesha Cooke Smith and her mum, Laura, to get some insight on how Miesha uses the tools she has learned from working...
A Week is a Long Time in Skating…
It’s always an amazing week at Ice Sheffield when the British Championships are on – and I look forward every year to chatting with mums, dads, coaches and skaters about their challenges and their achievements. I especially love to catch up with ‘my’ skaters – whose...
5 Great Tips to Keep the Competition Gremlins at Bay
For some of you, this time of year is a bit of a nail biter as you make your last minute preparations for the national championships - and all those little gremlins are sitting in the wings, just waiting for a crack in your mindset armoury, a glimpse of daylight to be...
So you didn’t qualify? Try ‘Intelligent’ Skating
The last competition to qualify for the British Championships is over and there will no doubt be a number of disappointed skaters who didn’t quite achieve the required score to secure them entry. It may sound harsh, but if you were counting on sliding in at the last...
