In this episode sports parent and life coach Stephanie Burge joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘Deselection, Release and Transition’ and how we can help support young people through this incredibly challenging time.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Intense parental emotions: shock, grief, helplessness
• The emotional fallout of deselection and the importance of parental support
• The importance of being present as a parent rather than trying to “fix” the situation
• Helping young athletes to develop interests and skills outside of sport throughout the journey
• Supporting dreams but also working through some ‘What if?’ scenarios alongside this
• Creating emotionally safe environments and validating young people beyond their performance
• Recognising that grief is not linear and that ending a sporting chapter can often lead to new freedom and opportunities

Stephanie Burge is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and ICF qualified Life coach with a powerful story of resilience, reinvention and mindset mastery. As the sole survivor of a serious car accident, she has turned trauma into a driving force for personal growth, purpose and helping others navigate life’s toughest transitions.

A mother to two daughters, one a successful entrepreneur with ADHD, and the other an ex-GB and England hockey player now thriving in her career, Stephanie understands the highs and lows of the neurodiverse brain and the player journey after elite sport. She is passionate about ensuring athletes, parents and professionals develop the right mindset, and get the right support, to thrive beyond competition.

Alongside supporting parents to show up in the best way to enhance their child’s sporting journey, Stephanie also coaches injured, de-selected and often psychologically broken athletes. Her objective is to facilitate them to process their loss, rediscover their identity and build fulfilling new careers. Often much time has elapsed before athletes finally realise they need to make peace with their past and reconnect with the joy of sport.