In this episode one of the UK’s leading performance psychologists Katie Mobed joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss her reflections from a lifetime in sport as an elite performer, a performance psychologist and now a novice sporting parent.
During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:
- Katie’s background in gymnastics & sports psychology
- Some of the challenges we face in gymnastics and youth sport
- The role of psychology in High Performance – success being more than just the medals
- The role of parents in helping to support a healthy identity in their young people
- The importance of joy and balance in sport including setting environments that promote personal growth and autonomy along with providing breaks away from sport
- Modern Challenges for Gen Z and both the positive and negative influence of technology
- Her own novice sports parenting journey and acknowledging the challenges that may exist when parenting styles clash
- Re-evaluating the definition of success in sport
Katie is one of the UK’s leading Performance Psychologists with over 20 years of experience working alongside individuals and teams to explore their potential and navigate the journey toward meaningful
success. Her career has taken her across a range of high stakes performance environments – from Olympic start lines to corporate boardrooms, helicopter pads to operating theatres – supporting people to grow, connect, and thrive under pressure. Katie’s clients include Olympic champions, international sports teams, CEOs, and
education leaders, and she considers it a privilege to play a small part in their wider journeys.
For the past 15 years, Katie has been embedded within Team GB, supporting athletes and coaches to deliver outstanding performances at four consecutive Olympic Games, from London 2012 to Paris 2024.
In the business world, she works closely with leaders to co-create environments where people flourish, fostering a culture of high performance grounded in trust and purpose. Her keynote talks, shaped by her experiences and lifelong curiosity about human potential, focus on resilience, the neuroscience of performance, and the art of building winning teams.As an experienced executive coach, Katie partners with leaders to develop authentic, sustainable approaches to leadership that inspire and empower others. Her work is guided by a fascination with how the brain works, a deep belief in the power of human connection, and an appreciation for the shared challenges and triumphs of life.
Commitment to young people is a vital part of her work. Through her collaboration with 21st Century Legacy, she has co-created programmes that have reached over 250,000 young people, helping them build essential life skills. She has also co-authored two best-selling children’s books with the inspirational footballer Marcus Rashford MBE.
Additional Reading
Trains well but struggles in competition. Sound familiar?
The curse of the clock
