New Post #35 Winners Wednesday

Hi Friends

YES 😀 - The Masters is next week!!!

Who is your pick?

Rory? Scottie? Colin? Man like Min Woo?

These are the latest odds from Paddy Power. And I have to agree, I think Scottie will win.

It’s always after you press publish that the thought comes to you,

The issue I sent out last Thursday about ClearKeyGolf was titled “Technique Thursday” and of course it should have been titled “Thinking Thursday”

You live and learn…………

Right, What makes a champion? There’s a question.

Before we get into that, did you know that I have a diploma in Sports NLP-Hypnosis Psychology?

Trained and accredited by Dr Karl Morris (Karl has been mind coach to the likes of Darren Clarke, Louis Osterhasen and Lee Westwood)

I did a course with him way back in 2007, in Madchester, and side note, also in attendance was Nigel Edwards (Walker Cup player/Captain and now England golf Performance Director) - who Karl did some mild hypnosis on to demonstrate the process to us, Tying in a trigger into Nigel’s subconscious to use when he was playing golf.

I’ve been reviewing what we went through and I’ll be doing more newsletters on some of that excellent content going forward.

Karl brought along 2 guest speakers that week Phil Richards (strength coach) and a guy called Dr Chris Walton (Performance psychology coach)

I thought I’d give you a little insight today into some of what Phil Richards taught us,

Phil Richards at the time was strength coach to Amir Khan and and the Leicester Tigers Rugby Union team.

His presentation was called “What Makes a Champion” - hence the title of this newsletter. - My only caveat is this info is from 2007 so bear that in mind.

Phil says “today’s preparation equals tmrws performance”

and he goes on to give his

10 Nutrition and lifestyle habits for Optimum performance.

Habit 1. Decrease toxicity

The performance of your cells and mitochondria will dictate the performance of YOU

Stay away from Parabens, teflon coated pans, microwaves and diet drinks

Heavy metals are stored in your body fat

Habit 2. Decrease deficiency

Eat Organic and free range - 40% more nutrients than commercially grown food

Take relevant supplements - high quality fish oil, magnesium, Multi vit, zinc (Phil, owns a supplement company so no surprise on this advice)

Habit 3 . Ancestral nutrition and metabolic type

Your genetics haven’t really changed and you have the same needs as a human had 10,000 years ago.

Your metabolic type will make a huge difference on the diet you should be consuming

Resource Phil suggested: Metabolic Typing Diet - William Wolcott (I haven’t read this)

for example,

An Eskimo - Has greater need for protein and fat

Where as an Aboriginal or African hunter gatherer - Has a greater need for carbs

70% of calories eaten today were not available 10,000 years ago (it was at this point I put down my bacon roll)

Habit 4. Digestion = Health

You have 2 brains (1, The regular brain in your head and 2, the enteric nervous system)

A miserable gut = a miserable you

The single nutrient MOST linked to digestive problem is wheat

Habit 5. Eat every 2-3 hours

To stay lean and healthy

Breakfast is the meal of Kings and Queens - don’t skip breakfast

1st thing you eat in the morning will determine your brain chemistry for the rest of the day

Sumo wrestlers skip breakfast, knowing that it will increase body weight

Habit 6. Hydration

Dehydration impairs both physical and mental performance

Studies have shown you need to drink about 150% of the fluids lost during any activity, in order to reach hydration

Habit 7. Pre - During - post exercise

Pre:

Training on empty great for fat loss but load up on amino acids (not pre golf advice!)

Phil is a fan of Ketosis - especially for fat loss

During:

Stay hydrated - remember replenish 150% of fluids lost

Also replenish carbs (sports drinks can help but be weary of high sugar brands)

Post:

BCCA’s/Glutamine/Creatine all great supplements

Infra red saunas great for detox and recovery

At one point 80% of the national Canadian athletics team budget was spent on massage - that’s how powerful they thought it was

Habit 8. Acid - Alkaline

The majority of the foods and drinks we consume are acidic, such as meat, grains, and sugar, with colas, alcohol, coffee and other soft drinks being very highly acidic. So unless you have a diet full of fresh vegetables, your body is more likely to be acidic, which creates an environment where disease can manifest.

Eat fruit and vegetables with every meal

Habit. 9 Sleep

Sleep is a hugely important performance factor (funny that this is now being talked about more and more 18 years later!)

The body will crave sugar the later you go to bed !!

1 hours sleep B4 midnight is worth 2 hours post midnight

Habit 10. Decrease body fat

Direct correlation between body fat and performance

Biggest spot to reduce fat is belly fat (for performance and health)

Manage stress to help control cortisol

This is just some soundbites from the information he delivered. I also bought his weighty book so he must have impressed me!

Was really interesting that Dr Karl decided to invite Phil Richards to teach on this course - showing what makes a champion is a holistic endeavor not just about swing plane, wrist angles and impact positions.

And finally,

I have made a few promises in previous editions about interviews with elite golfers, and hopefully they will still get published.

BUT

This Friday I 100% do have an interview with a golfer who finished 19th in The Open - THE OPEN!

He has won the biggest amatuer event in Kent (The Kent Amateur), multiple Club Championships and multiple Scratch Opens, done the US college golfer thing, played for his County and Country, turned pro and played European Challenge Tour, has a great story about playing golf with Dustin Johnson and did I mention he has the played and made the cut in The OPEN!!

And along with being a serious impressive golfer, he is a thoroughly nice guy - Now he teaches golf and you can see him for a lesson.

Arrivederci,

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this is not health advice. Please see your GP for nutritional advice.