Jodie Williams, on coaches

This characteristic is a ultimate interview of Jodie Williams, a three-time Olympian, Olympic medalist, European medalist, Indoor and out of doors, 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 along 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 particular person, and I prefer to know. I’m probably not an athlete that may simply be instructed what to do, and I’m simply gonna nod alongside – which, for some athletes, that’s what they want. They simply wish to be instructed what to do, they usually’re gonna get on with it. I’ve by no means been that method, and a few coaches can discover that fairly difficult. I’m all the time an athlete that wishes to work with you and desires to know why. Don’t get me improper; you’ll inform me this session, and I’ll do it. However I would like to actually purchase into what’s happening. I’d additionally prefer 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 nicely and know what works for me and what doesn’t. Later in my profession, I had rather 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 instructed, however that’s by no means labored for me. It doesn’t work for me on the whole life. I don’t do nicely with simply being instructed what to do. I like to know why. And that makes a way more vital buy-in for me, and we’re each gonna get much more out of it. I positively like a partnership with my coach.

All of the coaches I’ve ever had have been like that. And it’s all the time deeper than only a coach-athlete relationship. All of my coaches are very shut, nearly like members of the family to me. So these are the sorts of relationships that I prefer to have with my coaches.

Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 occasions a 12 months together with all most international championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys discovering the quirky and obscure story.

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