Developing performance habits: Enjoying the journey; The richness of life through sport; Unpacking the puzzle of performance; Dealing with the unexpected death of her husband; Managing through change and bereavement; Transitioning out of sport; The importance of the team around you; Building back high performing transferable skills and so, so much more…
I particularly like the following quote Rowena shared which I think is really relevant in the changing and uncertain world we are in.
”Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end”
Rowena represented Great Britain in the 1996 Olympics, and is a former European Judo Champion and National Coach. She then went to on to coaching the coaches, working with a wide variety of performance sports coaches.
The lessons learnt through high performance sport have served her well, providing her with a framework to lean on when life throws one of those curved balls. She also continues to enjoy practising a bit of judo in the local club.
On reaching her 50th year, Rowena chose a change of direction, retraining as a financial adviser. In this role she coaches individuals and businesses on their financial fitness. As part of their team, she brings financial planning expertise to the table, advising on financial resilience, efficiency and performance to align with and help achieve their wider goals.
Rowena’s motto is “Be serious with a Smile”, that is be serious about what you do, but never forget to have fun along the way.
Success Quote or saying:
“Be serious with a Smile”
”Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end”
Quick fire questions:
The books that you would recommend are?
Riders by Gilly Cooper (very relaxing!!!) Mindfulness Guide for the frazzled by Ruby Wax Becoming: A guided journal for finding your voice by Michelle ObamaWhat is the most useful and or valuable Technology you use (apps, equipment etc…)?
Zoom, as being connected and continuing to train with friends is really important
How do you relax and re energise yourself to enable you to perform at your best?
Do less rather than more, trust what I know and look after the basics. (Rest, food, Exercise and contact with friends)
In one sentence – What advice would you give to your teenage version of yourself?
Enjoy the journey!
Who has made a big impact on you?
· My husband Ryan (Got on with no Procrastination)
· Steve Pullan (My coach who coached the person)
· My Mother
Whos’ Sport Story would you be really interested in hearing?
· Jessica Ennis Hill
Coaching questions I would like to pose:
1
What small steps do you need to put in place to begin forming new positive habits?
2
How are you going about solving the [work or life] ‘puzzles’ you are faced with and how could you become more effective?
Contact info:
Website
https://www.prestfieldwm.co.uk
rowena.birch@sjpp.co.uk
linkedin.com/in/rowenabirch
Danielle Brown MBE - 2x Paralympic Gold Medallist, 1st Para athlete to represent England in able-bodied, Speaker, Children’s Author
Christophe Ridley - Professional Rugby Union Referee and Performance Leadership Coach
Sarah Green – Performance Coach Developer and Football Coach
Sam Parfitt – CEO/Founder of the True Athlete Project and former Tennis Player
Will Jefferson - Founder of Performance Catalyst Ltd and Former 1st Class Cricketer
Eboni Usoro-Brown (Nee Beckford-Chambers) - England and TeamBath netballer, solicitor, wife and mum
Karen Brown MBE – Former 3x Olympic Hockey Player and 3x Olympic Hockey Coach now Coach Developer
Lou Englefield – Director of Pride Sports UK, Campaign Director of Football v Homophobia, Fare Network board member & sports activist.
Kevin Nicholson - Head of Coaching at Exeter City Football Club and former professional footballer
Lucy Moore - Head of Professional Workforce at Sport England, Trustee at Activity Alliance, PhD student with The Open University.
Steve McCormack - Head of Welfare at Rugby League Cares and former Head coach of the Scotland Rugby League team
Dr Cath Bishop – Author of The Long Win, business coach, medal winning Olympic rower and former diplomat
Kevin Sinfield MBE – Director of Rugby at Leeds Rhinos and marathon fundraiser for MND Association.
Chris Ratcliffe - CEO Boccia England and previously represented GB in the 1985 Deaflympics (Water Polo) and Wales Deaf Rugby
John Blain – Former Yorkshire, Northamptonshire & Scotland Cricketer and now Director of Cricket at The Grange C.C. in Edinburgh.
Prof. Damian Hughes – Co-host High Performance Podcast, international speaker and best-selling author
Sport Stories Podcast: Review of the first 30 episodes
Greg Baker – Head Coach British Para Table Tennis, Performance Mentor and Executive Coach
Emma Brunning - Head Triathlon Coach, People Developer and Founder of Activblu
Jen Lace – Head of Sports Psychology and Personal Development at Nottingham Forest Football Academy previously at Burnley FC.
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