ELITE ATHLETE | PERFORMANCE COACH | P.E. TEACHER
Knowledge applied is the process of gaining both the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience to excel in the shortest possible time. My thirst for knowledge has driven me to travel the world, seeking new ideas and different perspectives. I've never been intimidated by those who are better than me — I see them as an opportunity to learn and push myself to the next level.
However, it’s my dedication to training and my willingness to take calculated risks that have, over time, given me invaluable experience on the track, in business, and in education.
These days, if you want to know something, you can ask ChatGPT, an AI bot, or even just Google it! Knowledge is more accessible than ever before. But what remains elusive, and what I’ve focused on as an elite performance coach in sport, business, and education, is how to apply that knowledge in high-stress environments or real-world situations. I aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice in elite performance.
Throughout my career, I’ve encountered many individuals who knew the theory but struggled to apply it on the track. I’ve also met those with extraordinary natural talent who didn’t dedicate themselves to studying the art of athletics and, as a result, didn’t reach their full potential. Of course, both theory and experience are essential in the pursuit of elite performance, but the real question is: How do you get there?
Knowledge applied requires, first and foremost, an insatiable thirst to learn more. Every moment, every challenge, and every person you meet is an opportunity to learn. Then, you must sift through the relentless flow of data we all receive daily, identifying what information is meaningful for you and will help you achieve your individual goals. Finally, you must apply what you’ve learned. This will often involve risk—perhaps you’ll fail a couple of times or feel uncomfortable. However, the path to true wisdom is often paved with failure, embarrassment, and, at times, even a good dose of calamity. So, be warned: your quest for knowledge applied will be a rocky ride, and you’ll need to roll with the punches!
The Intersection of Technology and Sport
I have always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and sport. The idea of combining science and technology with the grit, determination, and power of an elite athlete creates a perfect storm—a blending of both theory and practice, pushing you to your limits.
During my time in athletics, I worked closely with Adidas, a world leader in wearable technology. In 2005, Adidas was developing the ‘PowerWeb’ sprint suit, designed using TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to reinforce the suit’s elastic properties and assist the muscles during the recovery phase of a stride, ultimately increasing leg speed and making an athlete faster. I was attracted by the potential of wearable technologies to give me a competitive edge, and it made perfect sense to me.
The problem with TPU, however, is that if not applied correctly, it can create too much resistance in a real race environment, ultimately slowing the runner down. The theory was excellent, and lab tests were conclusive, but when the theory was applied on the track, it didn’t pass the test. The researchers at Adidas were unperturbed and continued working with me to develop new sprint suits that worked both in theory and in practice, benefiting both professional and amateur athletes.
The innovators at Adidas understood this. They worked with the best in science and technology and collaborated with elite athletes. They recognized that failure is an inherent part of the learning, research, and development process. Their relentlessness in creating wearable technologies that worked in both theory and practice paid off, leading to significant advances in performance.
Bringing Knowledge Applied to BISS Puxi
World-class institutions like MIT and BISS Puxi, part of Nord Anglia Education, also understand the value of applied knowledge. They encourage students to solve real-world problems and push them to engage with their learning by designing, testing, failing (quickly!), and improving. BISS Puxi has partnered with MIT to create a unique Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) program for their students.
As part of this program, I had the opportunity to share my experiences of using and developing wearable technologies in the classroom. But we didn’t stop there. Once the theory was completed, I worked with students on the track, testing different types of wearable tech and sports equipment. Together, we assessed how we could scientifically measure performance and identify the variables we could control—and those we couldn’t! We were surprised at how much data we could collect and how tiny changes could make a significant impact on performance.
This was valuable experience, but it wasn’t yet knowledge applied. During STEAM week, the school set real-world problems for students to solve. Inspired by nature, they were tasked with understanding, designing, testing, and creating their own solutions in one of the state-of-the-art innovation centers at BISS Puxi. The students at BISS Puxi are incredibly fortunate to have access to such facilities and support. However, whether they embrace the theory and practice of knowledge applied is ultimately up to them. The opportunity is there, but, like athletes, it’s up to the students to take that opportunity and apply it.
Next week, we will look at "L" for losing. I definitely have plenty of experience to share on that one! So until then, good luck!
However, it’s my dedication to training and my willingness to take calculated risks that have, over time, given me invaluable experience on the track, in business, and in education.
These days, if you want to know something, you can ask ChatGPT, an AI bot, or even just Google it! Knowledge is more accessible than ever before. But what remains elusive, and what I’ve focused on as an elite performance coach in sport, business, and education, is how to apply that knowledge in high-stress environments or real-world situations. I aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice in elite performance.
Throughout my career, I’ve encountered many individuals who knew the theory but struggled to apply it on the track. I’ve also met those with extraordinary natural talent who didn’t dedicate themselves to studying the art of athletics and, as a result, didn’t reach their full potential. Of course, both theory and experience are essential in the pursuit of elite performance, but the real question is: How do you get there?
Knowledge applied requires, first and foremost, an insatiable thirst to learn more. Every moment, every challenge, and every person you meet is an opportunity to learn. Then, you must sift through the relentless flow of data we all receive daily, identifying what information is meaningful for you and will help you achieve your individual goals. Finally, you must apply what you’ve learned. This will often involve risk—perhaps you’ll fail a couple of times or feel uncomfortable. However, the path to true wisdom is often paved with failure, embarrassment, and, at times, even a good dose of calamity. So, be warned: your quest for knowledge applied will be a rocky ride, and you’ll need to roll with the punches!
The Intersection of Technology and Sport
I have always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and sport. The idea of combining science and technology with the grit, determination, and power of an elite athlete creates a perfect storm—a blending of both theory and practice, pushing you to your limits.
During my time in athletics, I worked closely with Adidas, a world leader in wearable technology. In 2005, Adidas was developing the ‘PowerWeb’ sprint suit, designed using TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to reinforce the suit’s elastic properties and assist the muscles during the recovery phase of a stride, ultimately increasing leg speed and making an athlete faster. I was attracted by the potential of wearable technologies to give me a competitive edge, and it made perfect sense to me.
The problem with TPU, however, is that if not applied correctly, it can create too much resistance in a real race environment, ultimately slowing the runner down. The theory was excellent, and lab tests were conclusive, but when the theory was applied on the track, it didn’t pass the test. The researchers at Adidas were unperturbed and continued working with me to develop new sprint suits that worked both in theory and in practice, benefiting both professional and amateur athletes.
The innovators at Adidas understood this. They worked with the best in science and technology and collaborated with elite athletes. They recognized that failure is an inherent part of the learning, research, and development process. Their relentlessness in creating wearable technologies that worked in both theory and practice paid off, leading to significant advances in performance.
Bringing Knowledge Applied to BISS Puxi
World-class institutions like MIT and BISS Puxi, part of Nord Anglia Education, also understand the value of applied knowledge. They encourage students to solve real-world problems and push them to engage with their learning by designing, testing, failing (quickly!), and improving. BISS Puxi has partnered with MIT to create a unique Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) program for their students.
As part of this program, I had the opportunity to share my experiences of using and developing wearable technologies in the classroom. But we didn’t stop there. Once the theory was completed, I worked with students on the track, testing different types of wearable tech and sports equipment. Together, we assessed how we could scientifically measure performance and identify the variables we could control—and those we couldn’t! We were surprised at how much data we could collect and how tiny changes could make a significant impact on performance.
This was valuable experience, but it wasn’t yet knowledge applied. During STEAM week, the school set real-world problems for students to solve. Inspired by nature, they were tasked with understanding, designing, testing, and creating their own solutions in one of the state-of-the-art innovation centers at BISS Puxi. The students at BISS Puxi are incredibly fortunate to have access to such facilities and support. However, whether they embrace the theory and practice of knowledge applied is ultimately up to them. The opportunity is there, but, like athletes, it’s up to the students to take that opportunity and apply it.
Next week, we will look at "L" for losing. I definitely have plenty of experience to share on that one! So until then, good luck!
