Being unprepared.

And vulnerable.

Having gone through many surgeries,

I found myself in the pre-operation debrief with a realisation:

I am not prepared.

I had pushed it to the back of my mind.

Treated it like just another surgery.

That tactic didn’t work.

This time, it was my eyes.

Now it’s sink or swim.

I better get my shit together. Fast.

As I write this, it all seems easy.

It wasn’t.

I had found my edge.

And it’s damn uncomfortable.

I lie down for the set-up.

A cover placed over the top half of my body.

Only my right eye exposed.

My heart felt like it was going to burst through my chest.

My body tensed.

Screaming to get up and shout STOP!

Panic was setting in.

Yet.

My eye found the light above.

Blurry.

But a target all the same.

A focal point.

Breathing slows.

My body starts to calm.

Not gone, but shifting.

I’m fascinated by what’s happening.

Fear had shown up as clever as ever.

Yet, I was able to be with it., AND stay in the game.

Phewww…

Now onto the surgery.

My Mission:

Maintain my eye on the focal point above, no matter what.

So simple.

• Focal point.

• Breathe.

If I lose focus.

Recognise and refocus.

That’s it.

Seems too simple.

My right eye done.

Now rinse and repeat for my left.

New Mission.

Same process.

We go through the same set-up.

My body activates again.

This time it’s 10x more.

Stronger surge.

More tension.

More resistance.

My body reacting with more aggression.

I refocus back to.

• Focal point.

• Breath.

My body starts to calm.

Control returns.

Procedure complete.

Surgery a success.

This whole process fascinated me.

A rollercoaster of activation and de-activation.

Even though I’ve been through bigger challenges.

This lit me up like a Christmas tree.

The shift.

Chaos to Control.

It showed me my edge.

And proved something I’ve always believed:

You don’t rise to the moment.

You fall back on your training.

A humbling experience.

With some cool feedback from the surgeon:

“That’s some focus you’ve got there, Mr Neill.”

Thank you.

I felt proud.

Because I knew I had put in the training.

And it showed up when I needed it most.

Something I could trust.

A simple process:

Mission.

Focal point.

Breath.

So here’s the question:

What training will you rely on when you find your edge?

Something simple.

That holds under pressure

With Fire,

Coach Damian

Hello Team,

I’ve spent the last three decades setting goals.

Some massive ones achieved, even ones I was told were impossible, and some massive failures too.

I’ve also watched countless others ride the same roller coaster.

Looking back, there’s a common pattern of play happening.

I’m not even sure where I first heard this idea, but it stuck.

The more I’ve reflected on it, the more useful it’s become.

What if goals weren’t something to chase… but something to build a relationship with?

What if we started being better teammates to our goals?

Using that idea, I started thinking about how I’ve treated goals over the years.

At times, I didn’t even clarify the vision I had for the relationship.

Sometimes I would meet them once, and forget about them.

Other times I’d have a couple of dates and then drift off, moving onto something new or different.

The more I thought about this idea of goals.

As something you value, something to invest time and energy in.

The more things started to shift.

You don’t just choose better goals.

You choose goals you actually want to look after and care for.

They stop being something you HAVE to, or MUST do.

Becoming something you GET to nurture and cultivate over time.

Looking back I used goals to validate my worth, to prove something.

All consuming wIn at all costs mentality.

And what followed was a roller coaster of highs and lows.

If our goals are a relationship, then maybe the question isn’t whether we can push harder.

Effort matters; 100%.

But what if this is less about pushing and more about being a little smarter?

A little more honest

A little more intentional

A little more gracious in how we treat the things that matter to us.

After all; No one does big things alone!

And maybe our goals are no different.

So if you’re willing to sit with this idea, here’s a question I’m asking myself:

How could I be a better teammate to my dreams, goals and aspirations right now?

I’d genuinely love to know.

In your corner

Coach Damian

I was reading back through an old newsletter recently.

It was written through the lens of international rugby; the build-up, the preparation, the intensity of game day.

The way we show up differently.

From the moment you wake up.

• How you prepare.

• How you interact.

• How you make decisions.

• How you respond to the pressure.

It’s the standards you’ve set, and the vision you lock onto.

In life, it’s easy to forget this.

You give everything to the game, or to your work.

• You start living reactively.

• Arriving home depleted.

• Snapping at small things.

• Carrying a quiet frustration of knowing what matters, but not living it consistently.

That gap slowly erodes self-respect.

Championship Days close that gap.

• Not through intensity.

• Not through motivation.

Through integrity and consistency.

Integrity between what you say matters and how you actually live your day.

This newsletter isn’t about doing more.

It’s about stacking days where your actions align with your own definition of success.

It’s about the 24 hours in front of you.

• Where you show up with intention.

• Where the people closest to you get the best of you — not what’s left.

Some days will feel like a podium finish and others will feel ordinary.

They all count.

Because self-leadership means leading in every arena.

It’s how you live; Not just what you achieve.

• Not for New Year’s resolutions, that fade away

• Not when things calm down.

• Not when things are perfect.

One Championship Day at a time…..A one-day contract….

Set a New Day Resolution.

Right here. Right now.

Today + Today + Today.

Everyday is day one and who do I need to be today.

Wishing You The Greatest 2026 Ever.

Damian

There is something special that happens during the build up and the day of an International game.

We show up differently from the moment we wake up.

There is a different intensity to the day.

A relentless focus on preparation.

Every minute is planned for; before the game, during the game and after the game.

There’s more intention to what we do, to our interactions and routines.

Decisions are swift.

Distractions destroyed, quickly and effortlessly.

There is a compelling vision that shines brightly in the cinema of our mind.

A winning story that cultivates the deepest meanings within us.

A grander purpose beyond the game or day, that unites us.

A cause that fuels the inner fire like no other.

Causing us to bring forth our best.

Deep sense of connection and togetherness.

A language and terminology used so that we are all on the same page.

The game plan, and our roles are second nature.

The counter-strategies to oppositions tactics are locked in.

Our standards are ingrained.

We are free to express our very best.

Most of all there is a knowing, a feeling, that you can’t define, or describe.

We just know we are ready and that we are going to perform.

There is no doubt, nothing will stand in our way.

Imagine for a moment!

What would be possible if we attacked each day in this way?

What if we stacked these days together, one after another.

NOT, for what happens between the two whistles.

But for the whole experience of that day and what we choose is most important to us.

That there was an unshakeable clarity about who you are, what you stand for and how you want to show up. Such that you could be yourself in any environment.

Grounded by your core principles.

Your thoughts, words and actions aligned with precision, power and presence.

What would be possible?

How would you show up and play a bigger part?

What contribution would you make?

What impact would you want to create?

Go forth and BE Great Team,

In your Corner,

Coach Damian

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Hello Team,

I travelled back to Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿for Christmas, I was like a child soo excited to see my family, and catch up with friends.

Usually when I get back, it’s a flying visit and I don’t get the opportunity to connect with as many people I would like to.

This time it would be different as I would be back for two weeks.

Perfect, enough time to catch up with those I haven’t seen in years.

When I go back to Wales it’s like I never left even though I’ve been away for twenty years,

It still continues to have a special hold over me.

Before we left, my daughter became sick with the flu.

Before we knew it, the flu was attacking us all.

Sharing is caring as they say :) and we all know man flu is the worst 😆

Those were my plans smashed to bits. "Everyone has a plan until they get punched 🥊in the mouth." as Mike Tyson said.

The reality was I was feeling pretty rough and I couldn’t do the things I had set out to do. GUTTED!

Rugbys first principle of play in an attack - gain possession of the ball 🏉

The opposition (flu) had hold of the ball.

It is what it is…

⏰ time to take 💯% responsibility for my situation, and get the ball back.

After all, it’s a bend in the road, not the end of the road…

Practice what I preach.

There is always VALUE that we can extract from any experience.

In my example:

💡What can I gain from this experience that could cause me to bounce-back better?

🎁 I could think about how lucky I am to be here with my family, with a roof over my head, warm at home with good food.

- Many are not and are suffering all over the world!

🎁 I could invest my time in being present with my family the best I could, and treasure our time together.

- Rather than think about what I should be doing, or what I’m not doing!

🎁 I could invest in getting better at a few daily fundamentals; sleep and hydration to accelerate my recovery.

- Or be choosing was makes me feel good in the moment, but slows down for halts my recovery!

🎁 I could work on being patient and showing world class respect for myself (tough one for me).

- Rather than beat myself up about being weak!

🎁 I could experiment to create a best practice of how to bounce back to full wellness from the flu.

- Rather than figure it out next time!

🎁 I could invest some time in looking back at the memories over the year and upgrade my vision for the future.

- Rather than forget all about them and use them like a tick box ✅ NEXT!

The above would cause me to be more grounded, thankful, present and optimistic about my future. 🙏🏻

Thank you flu for the gift 🎁 of helping me become a better human being 🤝

If in the future if you get a set-back, please use it as an opportunity for a set-up to your UNIQUE WINNING COMEBACK 🚀

We need you creating your unique ripple in the World.

🚦It all starts with a question…

💡What can you gain from this experience that would cause you to bounce-back better?

Here’s to you bouncing-back better…..

In your corner

Coach Damian

P.S I tried to bounce back a little too quick and the flu came back for a second attack. Still learning, and being imperfect; one day at a time

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Hello Team,

Wishing YOU a Happy New Year.

Let’s make 2025 Your Greatest Year Ever, a Championship Winning Year where you not only smash the goals you set, but show up as your greatest self.

Looking forward with the greatest of optimism for 2025.

Let’s go team

In Your Corner,

Coach Damian

Hello Team,

Wishing You The Most Wonderful Christmas Possible.

I love that I GET TO send you a heart felt message of gratitude on Christmas Eve.

Gratitude 🙏🏻 truly is a super power, bringing us into the deep now. Releasing those feel good chemicals. Grounded to what’s most important to us.

A opportunity to strengthen our bonds as great team mates to those we care about.

I deeply appreciate that we are able to connect together, and thank you so much for being part of the team.

Merry Christmas 🎄

In your corner,

Coach Damian

Hello Team,

A quick trip back down memory lane.

I received a career-ending injury in my late twenties, resulting with a disability.

I don’t feel much from the knee down in my left leg. I am unable to move my foot or toes upward, and my knee is a mess; IT SUCKS

A couple of years after the injury, my dad received a message about a clinic that make a silicone foot brace.

The purpose of the brace is to help people have more mobility.

I’m Up for that…

The clinic was in Dorset, England a four-hour drive for me.

It was a four hour drive of feeling sorry for myself.

The reality that I would never play the game I loved; SUCKED.

I would never be able to play the sports I loved: SUCKED.

Not being able to walk properly again, and will always have a limp: SUCKED.

Tripping up and falling over every day: SUCKED.

Further operations: SUCKED.

Having to wear a brace for life: SUCKED.

I could go on, but you get the idea, lots SUCKED!

We arrived as the clinic was opening, and waited in reception for my appointment.

I was glancing through the display cabinets, to see all kinds of prosthetic limbs; amazed at their life-like quality.

The doors to the clinic open and I observe a young girl being pushed through in a wheelchair, her big smile and energy was contagious.

It was heartbreaking to see she had no lower limbs, yet she was so happy and jolly.

A moment later someone else came in with limbs missing.

I never felt so out of place. Here I was feeling sorry for myself, because of my injury and it was nothing to what others had or were going through.

Get a grip; Damo….

A reality check; that there is always something or someone worse off!

I was focused on comparing myself to who I was, and what I used to do, and it shouldn’t be this way.

My injured leg, sucked!

Compared to what? not having a leg! I was lucky I got to play, travel and meet amazing people.

When things suck; Try this…

Compared To What?

We can change our perspective and outlook in moment using the three magic words:

Compared To What?

Thank you for being here and I look forward to meeting you again soon.

In your corner

With Fire

Coach, Damian Neill

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Hello Team,

Making my way up to Lake Louise in the Banff Mountains.

I stopped to appreciate the power of one of the rivers I was crossing.

How it shapes itself around obstacles without losing its way.

It reminded me of a recent game, where a simple lapse pulled us off course.

We were one point behind, in possession of the ball, and deep in the opposition’s half.

The lure of chasing the result, we moved the ball wide.

Away from the strength of our pack and our competitive advantage.

The opposition turned us over, and run in to score a try under the posts.

It was a crushing moment to see an opportunity to win slip away.

The lesson was clear:

When we fixate on results, we force play and make errors.

The River’s Lesson: Flow Like Water

The river flows toward its destination, yet it’s not fixated on the end results, it stays true.

Shaping itself to find solutions, around, through and over any obstacle.

What if we approached high-stakes moments this way?

The Winning Self

When we let go of obsessing over results, we find our strength in the moment. Outcomes don’t define us—our values do.

When we show up, and perform in alignment with our Winning Self, we build a different kind of resilience.

One that strengthens us regardless of the result; grounded and in control.

It’s not about forcing the win. It’s about aligning with who you are and letting that guide your actions.

Performing in a way that reflects your values, empowers you to focus on what matters.

The Cool Part

When you perform in alignment with your values, you’re reinforcing who you are.

Becoming more adaptable, flexible, and anti-fragile.

Each challenge you face becomes an opportunity to rehearse who you want to be and become.

You’re building a version of yourself that can thrive in any environment.

Building an Unstoppable YOU.

In your corner,

With Fire 🔥

Coach Damo

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Hello Team,

Last week during one of our games there was a winning moment I would like to share.

The reason I would like to share this is because....

Having the opportunity to witness the WINNING MOMENTS when players do SHOW UP at their BEST is special.

And, connecting those WINNING MOMENTS to build WINNING STORIES is what brings me the greatest joy, it’s what I love helping people with most.

Here we Go.....

In the last quarter there was a line break by one of the opposition attackers.

He seemed to be clear of our defenders, and on route for a try, yet he was taken down on the touchline to the delight of the spectators.

Yes, the young lad came from no where to pull off a try saving tackle that any player would be proud of. 

What made this a defining moment was NOT the OUTCOME of the successful tackle. 

It was the way in which he made the tackle, the PROCESS.

Let’s unpack this for a moment.

There was something special that brought the spectators to clap and cheer.

There was a clear INTENTION 🎯

A burning DESIRE 🔥

An extraordinary EFFORT 💪🏼

And a 💯% COMMITMENT

He was on a MISSION and nothing was getting in his way of giving it his all out EFFORT. 

In this wonderful moment, he found his BEST.

Love it ♥️

A formula we can use to create what we want to achieve.

To become the type of person who is MISSION FOCUSED.  

Something we have total control of; How we SHOW UP! 🔥

Here's to you applying this formula wherever you want to SHOW UP at your BEST.

On or off the field of play.

Go Team

Build Your Winning Moments and Craft Your Winning Story 📖 🎥

In Your Corner,

Coach Damian

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Hello Team,

Here is part two of 'How to NOT beat yourself up after a game'.

In the previous post here. 

I shared a conversation I had with a player after the game who focused on his one mistake. 

Beating himself up for falling short of a perfect performance.

What movies do you think he was playing in his mind?

What one focuses upon; expands :)

Outcome: At the end of this post you will a tool to improve your next performance

Learning to make the mental shift from what you truthfully done well, and why. will support you in doing more of it.

A common mistake that slows down progress is trying to improve everything all at once. 

Those that want to go further faster, become obsessed with improvement.

They are always looking for ways to get better. 

Focusing on one thing is an accelerant to improvement.

Process: The following questions will help you take action towards improving your performance:

1. Based off my last performance what is the one thing I want to improve or get better at? 

2. Knowing that; What is the one action step I am going to do to make that improvement? (make this action concrete, where and when).

If you have answered the above questions; you have an edge on those who have not.

Simplicity wins.

Getting it done and celebrating your progress………no matter how small….

Builds ‘Mother Mo’ momentum

And momentum is your best team mate here

We are building a habit of doing performance evaluations.

So celebrate…….you deserve it

Next up will be, how you can 10x your improvement to fulfil your potential.

Stayed tuned in team…

In Your Corner,

Coach Damian

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A couple of hours after a game, a player approached me for feedback on his performance.

Love it ….

Coach you give me some feedback on my performance today. 

Yes of course, but first tell what is on your mind?

He tells me about his one mistake/error, and how he felt he left himself and his team down.

It’s amazing, this young player did many things well and the team won by more than 20 points, yet his whole focus was on the one mistake.

This type of problem centric thinking is the enemy of mental toughness and feeds a perfectionist mentality.

It’s does a great job at focusing us on our short comings, what we didn’t do perfectly, and what we are lacking.

We can do ninety nine things right and one thing wrong, and it’s what we do wrong we focus on. 

Are you prioritising what has gone well or what didn’t go so well?

Curiosity really is a super power here.

You can flip the switch and become a detective of all the good stuff. 

Getting after the good things you done well. Write them out or record them into your phone.

Let’s be the best at getting better, training our brains to find those small wins, making deposits into our confidence bank account.

Here are some questions to get you on your way.

• What went well?

• Reasons why it went well?

• How will you continue and do more of what you did well?

As you write each one, give yourself a tap on the back to celebrate and lock in the good stuff. You deserve it.

Being a great coach to the most important person; YOU.

Changing your post performance story to one that will foster your confidence.

Remember it’s way more productive to focus on; what went well and what you want to have happen next time.

In Your Corner,

Coach Damian

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Hello Team,

It sure is good to be back :)

I am now living between Canada, Malta and Wales.

Yes I am one lucky human and have received a wonderful welcome here in Alberta, Canada.

I took a decision to press pause on this newsletter. 

Life was throwing me problems from all directions and through many personal and professional lessons learned. Pause was the right thing do. 

What’s funny is;

I was always searching for the problem free life. 

I thought that those that were crushing it were problem free.  

Now I look back and can’t believe I thought that way. 

What kind of dumb rule would make this game of life so difficult to win.

“Where there’s a will; there is always a way” 

Is a saying my mum used with me and my sister growing up.

I didn’t pay much notice to it until I started coaching, and since then it has become a guiding principle that has served me and others so well.

Being creative and gaining satisfaction from always finding a way. Focusing on solutions, rather than on the problems.

One simple question that can help us move away from the problem, towards finding a solution; 

• What is the ONE Thing I can do right NOW to make this situation better?

This one question helps us to continue to move forward, and not stay stuck in the problem.

As problems are not the problem, staying stuck in the problem is!

Think about it; why me? why now?

Isn’t useful to us and will only keep us in a holding pattern.

When we know, that no matter the problem, struggle, or challenge.

We will always be able to find a way; WE BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!

Adversity becomes our Advantage and a game to play and win.

By focusing our mind on the solution, rather than the problem.

WE ARE WINNING.

That’s mental toughness right there, and something we are in total control of.

‘BE UNSTOPPABLE”

In Your Corner,

Coach Damian

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Hello Team,

‘It can be one word that creates a shift in experience for players’.

We were in a play-off match against Switzerland and just before we took the pitch, a player came to me and said; “I’m feeling soo nervous”

Me; AND?

Player; AND what?

Me; you’re feeling nervous, AND you can still perform!

Player; Huh

Me; I am feeling nervous, AND I can still perform, Yes?

There was a shift I could see in his face, and I walked off.

Having the trust and knowing the player gives us a perspective on what might be helpful to them in the moment.

He had done the preparation, he was more than capable of dealing with what may come his way in the game.

There was no time to have a chat about what’s going on for him.

He played well. However, Switzerland won the game.

The following International, we had the opportunity during our preparations to have a chat pitch side. 

I love chatting with players pitch side.

There is something about the outdoors and grass that connects people. 

Our conversation went like this:

Player; I don’t know; I never felt like that before. I was getting stressed. 

When you said to me ‘AND’, I had no idea what you meant. 

But then,……for some reason I stopped worrying and got on with it.

Me; cool man, what did you learn?

Player; I learnt, I can be nervous ‘AND’ still perform

Me; what happened when you decided; I can still perform, even though I'm feeling nervous?

Player; I was still feeling nervous, but it didn’t have the hold on me like it did leaving the changing room. 

I was trying to be positive in the changing room, but it wasn’t working, it was making matters worse.

It can be one word that creates a shift in experience for players.  

That one word 'AND' was a helpful tool in the moment for this player.

Allowing him to be with the feelings of nervousness and still perform.

Maybe it can be for you too.

You’ve got this…..

In Your Corner,

Coach Damian

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One of the ways we can train how to play under pressure is to remove the unknown

What do I mean by unknown?

- In this context it is being prepared for possible events that may be outside your awareness

The purpose behind this strategy is?

- Having counter strategies for these unknowns allows us to react effectively with speed

I love unknown surprises; yet on the field of play a new event in front of you can slow you down. Even if it is for a moment.

I’m a bit of a preparation freak and I like the certainty it provides me with.

A process I use is called: 'Making the Unknown - Known'

On Thursday before an International match I deliver this process in a team meeting or as part of a mock halt- time break in a training session.

The structure can be as a group or in small groups depending on time available.

I’m looking to bring a mindful awareness to the group of what may happen on the day, and how we can respond to such events.

Event + Response = Result

Knowing the possible event ahead of time, will help us to respond in a way that gets us the result we want.

Finding solutions empowers the players with the gift of ownership.

It brings quite a few laughs too, as you always have some joker come out with something unique (I hope they do).

Couple of questions to kick this off:

• If you could imagine that we were invisible. Able to be in the opposition team meeting, what would the coaches and players be discussing about us? Would they even be discussing us?

• What would they say about how we will attack? From set piece? Phase play? From transitions in play?

• What parts of our game do the opposition see that they could expose us in attack?

• What parts of our game do the opposition see that they could expose us in defence?

• How would the opposition put pressure on us? where and when?

• Who can think of anything logistically that could get in our way, or slow us down?

We would go through each answer and discuss what our counter strategy be?

Feel free to go into more detail as you see fit.

This is a great exercise where one group come up with the problem and the other find the solution. I like how the groups compete against each other.

This exercise paints a picture in the theatre of the mind.

So when we experience events on our field of play, we have already experienced it in our minds.

Giving us the competitive intelligence to respond effectively and with speed.

Yet, the greatest advantage is who we are becoming.

We forge greater awareness, curiosity, creativity, persistence, courage, and excellence etc.

These values can not be taken away and will serve us in any arena of life.

Learning that no matter what event is in front of us; we can adapt and conquer.

We are becoming better people.

After all, rugby can be an environment for forging better people.

The arena’s of our lives may be different; yet, we all are doing our best to show up in a way that is useful for ourselves and team human.

My intention is that this will be useful for you.

As always, if you want to support in how you want to show up, then jump on a complimentary coaching session here. 

Your biggest fan

Coach Damian

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Hello Team,

In your pursuit of finding your best, have you ever felt the weight of the world is on your shoulders? 

Unable to express your best on your field of play.

I know the feeling, and shared in a previous post Playing To Win, how the more effort we put in, the more we underperformed.

Every opportunity felt like an obligation rather than a privilege. 

Suffocating our trained-ability.

But then, we made a shift - a simple yet profound change in perspective.

• Instead of "We HAVE to win the tournament," it became "We GET the opportunity to represent our country."

• Rather than "We HAVE to perform in front of the home crowd," it was "We GET to showcase our skills to our friends and family."

• And in place of "We HAVE to win every game," to "We CHOOSE to play for the love of the game, give our best and see what’s possible.”

It's a small shift, but man, did it make a big difference.

The pressure lifted, replaced by a sense of gratitude and purpose.

No longer were we suffocated by “HAVE TO”.

The joy came back. And guess what? Our performance soared.

The players were empowered and back in control of their performance. 

So, if you're feeling the resistance of “HAVE TO" weighing you down.

I urge you to give “GET TO" and “CHOOSE TO” a go. 

Experience the freedom it brings, the space it creates for a more powerful you, and puts you back in control. 

Because when you change your mindset, you can change the game, and explore more of what’s possible.

Mindset Leads Performance. 

You’ve got this…..

With Fire 🔥

Coach Damian

Your Biggest Fan

Certified Peak Performance Coach

P.S. Ready to unlock your best? If you're an athlete or achiever ready to perform at peak levels; continually. Book a complimentary coaching session here. 

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

One of the greatest fears to competitive athletes and teams is choking in key moments.

Overthinking what we have to do.

Becoming careful and focusing on not making mistakes.

Choosing to take the safer options.

Playing to avoid losing. 

Our trust, instincts and trained ability evaporates.

Below is an example of us playing in an International Sevens Competition in front of a home crowd.

Expectations were set to win the tournament and gain promotion in European Competition.

We won our first two games, yet it was a shadow of how we looked in our preparations before the tournament:

• We were taking the safer options

• Holding onto the ball and going for contact. 

• Lacking urgency to make the most of the opportunities.

Our wins were covering up the cracks. 

Players knew deep down they were capable of more.

Yet, being capable of more is in our heads, our bodies are showing something different out there on the pitch.

We know what we have to do, yet we are not doing what we say we will do, we are out of integrity.

We discovered some unsupportive meanings we had placed on ourselves:

• Players not wanting to let me down, their Country, and themselves.

• Feeling that it was a must win tournament.

• Making mistakes and errors would be fatal.

The third and final game of day one; we were showing progress.

Moving the ball, avoiding the contact, and making better decisions.

The shift gave an opportunity for us to see the contrast in how we were showing up.

The evening of day one and the morning of day two we invested in using game footage and conversations as an opportunity to reshape our meanings.

There was a new found excitement and feeling of freedom within the group.

The lift in energy transferred nicely onto the pitch, blowing the opposition off the park in the first two games. 

We were in the final.

Our first score was a gem; our fly-half threw a 20m pass into space, not knowing if our wing would run onto it or even catch it.

He nailed it without breaking stride. 

The players never looked back after that moment, going on to win by 30 points.

Making the shift from playing to avoid losing - to playing for the love of the game, each other and to win.

Even more they had learnt a lesson that would serve them in life. 

The change was remarkable and credit to them for flipping the switch, and allowing their trained ability to thrive.

That’s one of those peak level moments I will treasure as a coach. 

Here’s to you flipping the switch.

In your corner

With Fire 🔥

Coach Damo

Need support in flipping the switch? Drop me a message below:

Hello Team,

Let's push the boundaries on what's possible.

Athletes come to me with:

Coach, my dream is to get selected for the National Squad?

My answer:

Is that all you want, to get selected for the National Squad?

It’s like I've hit them on the temple with a toffee apple.

Experience has taught me, that those who have a dream to be part of the National squad may get there, but won’t stay there.

Their dream has a invisible glass ceiling, limiting them from what they think is possible.

What would be even better than that?

The athlete gives a 'huh' matched with silence, their eyes start rolling over.

There is an internal shift going on as they start to break through their glass ceiling.

Why not in the starting line up? Why not the best in Europe? Why not the best in the World?

The ones that say; I want the No: 7 shirt, I want a professional contract, I want to be my best, I want to become more.

They go further, faster.

My hope is that the shift will help them see beyond their current level of thinking.

To break through their glass ceiling and push the boundaries on what’s possible for them.

As many others have done:

Athletes who thought World Championships was out of sight. Yet made the shift, and competed beyond what they thought was possible.

Athletes who thought returning from injury a better athlete was out of sight. yet made the shift, returned and performed at a level above their previous best

Athletes who thought their International careers were over. Yet made the shift and are still competing.

Here’s to you breaking through your glass ceiling and going for a bigger, bolder dream.

You could be one question away….

What would be even better than that?

Have fun

In your corner

Coach Damo

If you need support in making the shift?

You can book a complimentary coaching session by clicking the link: Clarity Session

Share Performing at Peak Levels In Sport & Life

Hello Team,

Hearing the words of an athlete; I'm stuck; the harder I train, the more I push the worse things seem to get for me.

I know I’m capable and can achieve more, yet I can’t seem to improve my times.

I won’t make selection for the up and coming games, and miss out on representing my Country.

I’m not enjoying it anymore, this will be my last event, I’m done and I’m tired of all this.....

Fighting their way through the problem,wasn’t working.

Caught in the trap of results.

I shared a personal story of mine and where my love of sport started.

I grew up at a time when a Nation was in love with the game of rugby.

Our dad’s wearing red scarves and bobble caps. Walking and singing to catch the bus to Cardiff or to the clubhouse to watch Wales play.

It was a religion and my love of the game started with a dream of playing for Wales one day, like every boy in my school class.

My mates and I would play on a patch of grass behind a chapel, that we called our pitch. I would run from home full of excitement in the anticipation to play.

We would place our hoodies and tracksuit tops down to make try lines, choose teams and the games would begin. It could be raining, snowing, or sunny, it didn’t matter, we would play for hours.

We played for Wales every time we played on our pitch.  

We were super competitive and I loved the feel of the ball in my hands. The feeling of making a tackle and getting the ball back.

I loved seeing good play, it didn’t matter to me who did it.

I was happiest being on the pitch.

On Sunday’s we would play for the local team and I remember our first tournament, we won and didn’t even know it.

It felt like we were back behind the chapel experiencing the joy of the game.

Jumping back to the athlete:

We discussed about when they first fell in love with their sport.

Exploring what their sport meant to them and how it made them FEEL.

The memory started to bring a glint in the eye.

It didn’t take long before the meanings of why they do what they do came through. The joy and satisfaction written all over their face.

The athlete had decoupled themselves from the results.

Free to explore what’s possible with a new sense of freedom.

The results improved, they got to represent their Country, and were happier in and out of their sport.

It’s an inside out job, and your love of the sport and why you perform is in your control

My hope is that this will help you connect to your love of the game/sport. How it FELT for you and the freedom and space it can create.

The effect is profound and has proven itself time and time again no matter what your craft or field of play.

Let me know how you get on?

I’m excited for you….and in your corner

Coach Damo

Hello Team,

Key moments are situations or events that have the greatest effect on our success. 

As part of our process as a squad in preparations for an up and coming International, is showing game film.

The film could be from our previous game or looking at our opposition.

I would play a particular segment of footage, and players would take notes in micro groups. Summarise the information and then share their findings with the larger group.

We would be looking for the key moments that had made the biggest difference to our performance.

What I found is that the group could get caught up in trying to fix everything all at once. 

My role was to help the players find those key moments that give us the best chance of success. 

I love this part of my work, problem solving and being creative in thinking of ways to find and win these key moments.

When we focus on those key moments we can accelerate progress, performance and profound change.

I use the same process when working with individuals.  

Here is an example;

Working with a goal kicker (put the ball through the uprights, the big H on the playing field of rugby). 

Now this is the type of player with high confidence. 

He has a kicking percentage of 90% success in Internationals. 

He would call for the kicking tee before the referee even signalled for a penalty. 

Waiting for the opportunity to win the game for his team.

The team was training and I noticed he wasn’t his normal self. 

Kicking percentage in training was around 60%, and his presence on the field was low.

I observed for the rest of training, and at the end said I would like to speak to him back at the hotel.

He shared with me that his confidence has gone and his whole game was off. 

His game wasn’t off, but that’s how he was viewing it. 

I asked him what would make the greatest impact to his performance? 

My kicking, when that’s going well it lifts my whole game, even off the field. 

We now had the situation we could delve deeper to what was going on? 

The key moment was the referee blowing their whistle for a penalty.

Key moment found. 

We made the change, he got to work, and in one more training session the swagger was back. 

He Kicked the points and scored an outstanding try under the posts to seal the win. 

Getting to those key moments is the difference that can make the difference.

Here’s to you finding your key moments…

I would love to know how you are showing up with swagger at your best, or not.

In your corner

Coach Damo