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TFK Stories

a story of two international rowers

John

John was an athlete with all the attributes to make it to the top of the rowing rankings with his raw, natural talent. In harnessing his talents, John would become frustrated if an event or a training session was not going to plan and not commit his all. Preparation for training and sessions were holding John back from realising his potential, and this under-preparation was evident in big races as he did not have the mental toughness to dig in.

After working with Think Feel Know, John was able to become far more focused on his rowing. He is now in the Under 23 National set up in the UK, his times on the ergo have dropped from 6:24 to 6:08, he achieved a bronze in the Under 23 European Championships, and he won the trail to be the number sculler in the Under 23s.

John said that working with Think Feel Know "helped me to use all of my strengths. I used to get stressed and now I am able to exploit that stress and channel it to good use as an aggressive energy in my training and racing. I am meticulous about all aspects of my sport. I am a lot more positive, and it used to be ‘a day at the office' but now I love it. There has been a general shift in attitude which helps me to realise my potential."

Tash

Tash is an elite rower who has been in the GB rowing squad for a few years. She lacked the confidence in her mental ability and her performance suffered in international and national events. Her training ability placed her as one of the elite rowers in the GB Women's Heavyweight squad, yet this did not directly translate into a seat in the prized pair. She was ranked approximately 8^th to 10^th out of a squad of 16 rowers, thereby gaining a position in the GB eight, instead of the GB pair.

After working with Think Feel Know she made the following comments:

"I am a lot calmer. I am keeping in control of what I can control. I now have set processes that help me with my confidence. When I look back at the work we did, the deep breathing to start with, it gave me something concrete to do. I am now calmer instead of losing my head. I feel a lot more confident within myself, without relying on others as much. With the one-to-one coaching it was more personal, and allowed me to talk things through."

Her achievements include:

• Won a bronze medal in the world championships 2007;
• Won the pairs trial, placing in the Top 5 each time over the 2007 season;
• After illness she lost her position in the pair and became the top bowside stroke for the GB eight;
• A 3^rd placing in a world cup event in the GB eight;
• Rowed for the GB team at the Beijing Olympics, with the eight making the final