Professor TD Noakes MBChB, MD, DSc, FACSM, (hon) FFSEM Professor TD Noakes MBChB, MD, DSc, FACSM, (hon) FFSEM Discovery Health Professor of Exercise Discovery Health Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, and Sports Science, University of Cape Town and University of Cape Town and Sports Science Institute of South Africa Sports Science Institute of South Africa GBE Pursuing Excellence Conference Lord Charles Somerset - Somerset West - September 18th 2009
Discovery Health Professor of Exercise and Sports Science,Discovery Health Professor of Exercise and Sports Science,University of Cape Town andUniversity of Cape Town and
Sports Science Institute of South AfricaSports Science Institute of South Africa
GBE Pursuing Excellence Conference
Lord Charles Somerset - Somerset West - September 18th 2009
One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. in a tree.
Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland
‘‘I do not I do not know,’know,’Alice Alice
answered. answered.
‘‘Which road do Which road do I take?’I take?’
she asked. she asked. His response was a His response was a
question: ‘Where do question: ‘Where do you want to go?’you want to go?’
‘‘Then,’ said Then,’ said the cat, ‘it the cat, ‘it does not does not
matter.’ ”matter.’ ”
Individuals can make a differenceIndividuals can make a difference
Medical consultant to Medical consultant to Springbok Rugby Team Springbok Rugby Team
2004-20072004-2007
Preparing the 2008 Preparing the 2008 Ikey TigersIkey Tigers
Concept of teamConcept of team
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Preparing the 2008 Preparing the 2008 Ikey TigersIkey Tigers
Concept of teamConcept of team
CharacterCharacter
IntellectualismIntellectualism
The issue of characterThe issue of character
Brown’s ideal player was one of impeccable Brown’s ideal player was one of impeccable character and intellect. His conception of building a character and intellect. His conception of building a successful football team was based on his determination successful football team was based on his determination that the game was as much about people as it was about that the game was as much about people as it was about strategies, tactics and motivational techniques. He strategies, tactics and motivational techniques. He contended that if he placed the best contended that if he placed the best individualsindividuals (not (not necessarily the most talented football players) in the necessarily the most talented football players) in the most advantageous positions, winning would almost most advantageous positions, winning would almost come naturally. A Paul Brown individual was one who come naturally. A Paul Brown individual was one who was totally devoted to winning football games and was was totally devoted to winning football games and was willing to sacrifice his entire lifestyle in order to achieve willing to sacrifice his entire lifestyle in order to achieve that ambition. that ambition.
The Issue of Character -The Issue of Character -And Intelligence And Intelligence
He had to possess an unselfish attitude and never put He had to possess an unselfish attitude and never put personal considerations ahead of the organization’s personal considerations ahead of the organization’s goal of championship football. In addition, Brown goal of championship football. In addition, Brown greatly valued a player’s learning capacity. ‘Knowing a greatly valued a player’s learning capacity. ‘Knowing a man’s capacity to learn before we drafted him helped man’s capacity to learn before we drafted him helped us calculate his potential’. In Brown’s system his us calculate his potential’. In Brown’s system his intelligence-level measurement was even more intelligence-level measurement was even more important than it was with other teams. important than it was with other teams.
He required every player to know the entire playbook. He required every player to know the entire playbook. Brown felt that if the players were aware of all Brown felt that if the players were aware of all functions on a given play, there was a much better functions on a given play, there was a much better chance for a successful outcome.chance for a successful outcome.
J. Dent. The Undefeated. September 2001.J. Dent. The Undefeated. September 2001.
The will to prepare is the juncture of where it The will to prepare is the juncture of where it all happens. It is about the player who can get out all happens. It is about the player who can get out of bed at six-fifteen in the morning when he is sore of bed at six-fifteen in the morning when he is sore and he is stiff and he does not want to practice. and he is stiff and he does not want to practice. But he goes to practice. And he gears up and doesBut he goes to practice. And he gears up and doeshis best totally in every drill of his best totally in every drill of that practice. The will to prepare that practice. The will to prepare is what develops the discipline is what develops the discipline and the know-how that and the know-how that transforms itself on game day transforms itself on game day into the will to win. More into the will to win. More importantly, preparation importantly, preparation engenders the confidence that engenders the confidence that enables the will to win.enables the will to win.
Coach Wilkinson - The will to prepareCoach Wilkinson - The will to prepare
Hence the performance is decided Hence the performance is decided by the player’s attitude which is by the player’s attitude which is pre-determined by the player’s pre-determined by the player’s
character. character.
Focus on the processFocus on the process““I may say that this is the greatest I may say that this is the greatest factor – the way in which the factor – the way in which the expedition is equipped – the way in expedition is equipped – the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, which every difficulty is foreseen, andand
Roald AmundsenRoald Amundsen
precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. Victory awaits him who has everything in Victory awaits him who has everything in order – luck people call it. Defeat is certain order – luck people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck”.bad luck”.
Preparing the 2008 Preparing the 2008 Ikey TigersIkey Tigers
Concept of teamConcept of team
CharacterCharacter
IntellectualismIntellectualism
Self beliefSelf belief
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The role of self-belief
““You have just won the under-21 Rugby World Cup. You will win the 2007 Rugby World Cup”. You have just won the under-21 Rugby World Cup. You will win the 2007 Rugby World Cup”.
Jake White on his first meeting with the Springboks - May 2004
The role of self-belief
““You have just won the under-21 Rugby World Cup. You will win the 2007 Rugby World Cup”. You have just won the under-21 Rugby World Cup. You will win the 2007 Rugby World Cup”.
Jake White on his first meeting with the Springboks - May 2004
J. White with Craig Ray. In Black and White p.1, 2007.J. White with Craig Ray. In Black and White p.1, 2007.
What are my dreams for the future? My What are my dreams for the future? My greatest dream is to play rugby, especially greatest dream is to play rugby, especially for the Springboks. But even to become their for the Springboks. But even to become their coach. coach.
I have seen how you can I have seen how you can make people believe in make people believe in themselvesthemselves; how you can ; how you can show people that every show people that every single person can be a single person can be a winner if you want it.winner if you want it.
Seventeen year-old Jake White’s essay on his future goalsSeventeen year-old Jake White’s essay on his future goals
““I want to speak to you tonight about the most I want to speak to you tonight about the most important lesson I have learned in 38 years of important lesson I have learned in 38 years of
studying the human body. For you would think studying the human body. For you would think that after studying the body for so long I would that after studying the body for so long I would
say that it is your perfectly trained bodies that will say that it is your perfectly trained bodies that will win the Rugby World Cup for you. I used to think win the Rugby World Cup for you. I used to think
that but I do not anymore”. that but I do not anymore”.
““What I now believe is this: What you What I now believe is this: What you reallyreally believe will happen is exactly what will happen”. believe will happen is exactly what will happen”.
Cape Town, August 13th 2007Cape Town, August 13th 2007
The role of self-belief:The role of self-belief:An untestable hypothesisAn untestable hypothesis
““In other words for something to happen, you In other words for something to happen, you really have to believe it is going to happen”.really have to believe it is going to happen”.
““Now I am not sure how you achieve this - if we Now I am not sure how you achieve this - if we knew, none of our teams would ever lose”. knew, none of our teams would ever lose”.
““But what I am certain about is that to win the But what I am certain about is that to win the World Cup, even before you play the first game, all World Cup, even before you play the first game, all 30 of you have to believe absolutely that it is your 30 of you have to believe absolutely that it is your
destiny to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup”.destiny to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup”.
Cape Town, August 13th 2007Cape Town, August 13th 2007
The role of self-belief:The role of self-belief:An untestable hypothesisAn untestable hypothesis
““I have a premonition that this is I have a premonition that this is going to be a great tournament for going to be a great tournament for you and for South African rugby you and for South African rugby and that you have the opportunity and that you have the opportunity
to be remembered as one of the to be remembered as one of the greatest Springbok rugby teams of greatest Springbok rugby teams of
all time”.all time”.August 13August 13thth 2007 2007
In the end, the players In the end, the players achieved what the coach achieved what the coach
said they would on the first said they would on the first day he coached them.day he coached them.
Roger Bannister (UK) Roger Bannister (UK) 3:59.43:59.4
66thth May 1954 May 1954
““Mile of the Century” Mile of the Century” Vancouver Empire GamesVancouver Empire GamesSaturday 7Saturday 7thth August 1954 August 1954
John Landy (AUS) John Landy (AUS) 3:58.0 3:58.0
2121stst June 1954 June 1954
The Race to be the first to run The Race to be the first to run the mile in less than the mile in less than 4 minutes4 minutes
SirSir
The GovernorThe Governor
Self - CoachedSelf - Coached
Coached by an Australian Coached by an Australian
Franz StampflFranz Stampfl
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Progress in the Mile record 1931 - 1954Progress in the Mile record 1931 - 1954
3:543:54 4:004:00 4:064:06 4:124:12 Time (min:sec)Time (min:sec)
77YearsYears
99YearsYears
46 days46 days
Glen Cunningham 1934Glen Cunningham 1934
Jules Ladoumegue 1931Jules Ladoumegue 1931
Sidney Wooderson 1937Sidney Wooderson 1937
Jack Lovelock 1933Jack Lovelock 1933
Roger Bannister 1954Roger Bannister 1954
Gunder Haegg 1942Gunder Haegg 1942
Arne Andersson 1942Arne Andersson 1942
Gunder Haegg 1942Gunder Haegg 1942
Arne Andersson 1943Arne Andersson 1943
Arne Andersson 1944Arne Andersson 1944
Gunder Haegg 1945Gunder Haegg 1945
John Landy 1954John Landy 1954
Glen Cunningham 1934Glen Cunningham 1934
Jules Ladoumegue 1931Jules Ladoumegue 1931
Sidney Wooderson 1937Sidney Wooderson 1937
Jack Lovelock 1933Jack Lovelock 1933
Gunder Haegg 1942Gunder Haegg 1942
Arne Andersson 1942Arne Andersson 1942
Gunder Haegg 1942Gunder Haegg 1942
Arne Andersson 1943Arne Andersson 1943
Arne Andersson 1944Arne Andersson 1944
77YearsYears
““Frankly, I think the four minute mile Frankly, I think the four minute mile is beyond my capabilities. Two is beyond my capabilities. Two
seconds may not sound much, but to seconds may not sound much, but to me it’s like trying to break through a me it’s like trying to break through a brick wall. Someone may achieve the brick wall. Someone may achieve the four-minute mile the world is wanting four-minute mile the world is wanting
so desperately, but I don’t think I so desperately, but I don’t think I can”.can”.
John Landy, 1954John Landy, 1954
Sir Roger Bannister. May 6Sir Roger Bannister. May 6thth, 1954., 1954.
Why did Bannister really break the four Why did Bannister really break the four minute mile? minute mile?
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The influence of Australian coach Franz The influence of Australian coach Franz StampflStampfl
““The crucial thing that he (Stampfl) said The crucial thing that he (Stampfl) said was: ‘Well I think you can run a 3:56 was: ‘Well I think you can run a 3:56
mile. If he believed that - I hope he did - mile. If he believed that - I hope he did - it certainly was a helpful comment. it certainly was a helpful comment. And And he said if you have the chance and you he said if you have the chance and you don’t take it you may regret it for the don’t take it you may regret it for the
rest of your liferest of your life”.”.
Sir Roger Bannister. May 6th, 1954.Sir Roger Bannister. May 6th, 1954.
N. Bascomb. Excerpts from The Perfect Mile. P.264N. Bascomb. Excerpts from The Perfect Mile. P.264
The role of the coachThe role of the coach
Chris Chatataway best explained what these Chris Chatataway best explained what these conversations with their coach provided: ‘It was conversations with their coach provided: ‘It was a sort of pre-race mental calisthenics. I would a sort of pre-race mental calisthenics. I would say I was tired, and he would explain why hesay I was tired, and he would explain why hewas absolutely convinced that my was absolutely convinced that my finishing burst would be strong. finishing burst would be strong. In a way, I knew he didn’t know In a way, I knew he didn’t know any better than I did whether or any better than I did whether or not I would win, because it was a not I would win, because it was a totally unknown quantity, but totally unknown quantity, but just hearing someone say the just hearing someone say the things … was useful’.things … was useful’.
The influence of Coach StampflThe influence of Coach Stampfl
““Training is principally an act of faith. Training is principally an act of faith. The athlete must believe that through The athlete must believe that through
training he will become fitter and training he will become fitter and stronger… He must believe that through stronger… He must believe that through training his performances will improve training his performances will improve and continue to improve indefinitely as and continue to improve indefinitely as
long as he continues to train to long as he continues to train to progressively stiffer standards”.progressively stiffer standards”.
Franz Stampfl, 1954.Franz Stampfl, 1954.
““The great hurdle was the mental The great hurdle was the mental barrier”. barrier”.
Franz Stampfl, 1954.Franz Stampfl, 1954.
The same is true of all aspects of The same is true of all aspects of life.life.
Let’s talk about goals,” he began. Let’s talk about goals,” he began. “What do you think you can do a mile in?”“What do you think you can do a mile in?”
““This year?” I said. “Oh, I don’t know, This year?” I said. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe-”maybe-”
““Not this year,” interrupted the coach. “I Not this year,” interrupted the coach. “I mean by the time you’re a senior… mean by the time you’re a senior… ultimately.”ultimately.”
I’d never really given it any thought. “I I’d never really given it any thought. “I maybe 4:10,” I said… “I’m talking about maybe 4:10,” I said… “I’m talking about the four-minute mile, Jim. No high school the four-minute mile, Jim. No high school boy has ever run one. I think you can be boy has ever run one. I think you can be the first… I’m convinced you can do it.”… the first… I’m convinced you can do it.”… “Coach, I think you’re crazy!“Coach, I think you’re crazy!
At the time, I had no idea what a four-minute mile At the time, I had no idea what a four-minute mile signified. … I was only fifteen years old, basically still a signified. … I was only fifteen years old, basically still a child. …He was certain of my ability, even if I wasn’t child. …He was certain of my ability, even if I wasn’t myself. He had already tutored several very successful myself. He had already tutored several very successful milers and believed in his coaching system. …As difficult as milers and believed in his coaching system. …As difficult as it was to make the adjustment to consider myself a it was to make the adjustment to consider myself a champion, a front runner, as a “good” athlete, I did my best champion, a front runner, as a “good” athlete, I did my best to trust in the coach’s judgment and to believe his words.to trust in the coach’s judgment and to believe his words.
Though I was initially dumbfounded by his prediction, it Though I was initially dumbfounded by his prediction, it did in fact prove not only to be accurate but to set me on did in fact prove not only to be accurate but to set me on target for what would be the essence of my life for some target for what would be the essence of my life for some time to come.time to come.
G. Noll & Andrea Gabbard. DA BULL - Life Over The edge, p.149, 1989.G. Noll & Andrea Gabbard. DA BULL - Life Over The edge, p.149, 1989.
Greg Noll - Hawaii 1969Greg Noll - Hawaii 1969 I looked out the window and listened to this I looked out the window and listened to this incredible symphony as we banked over incredible symphony as we banked over Honolulu, and Honolulu, and I was overwhelmed by the I was overwhelmed by the feeling that there wasn’t a wave that God feeling that there wasn’t a wave that God could produce that I couldn’t ridecould produce that I couldn’t ride. I visualized. I visualized
men going into battle in the men going into battle in the days of King Arthur, not days of King Arthur, not knowing if they would live or knowing if they would live or die, but feeling supremely die, but feeling supremely confident and alive, full of confident and alive, full of adrenalin and raw enthusiasm.adrenalin and raw enthusiasm.
Paul Tergat, Paul Tergat, KenyaKenya
Hendrik Hendrik Ramaala Ramaala
South AfricaSouth Africa
““What I realise is that once the mind accepts What I realise is that once the mind accepts anything, the body will respond. … If you don’t anything, the body will respond. … If you don’t convince yourself that you are going to win, then you convince yourself that you are going to win, then you aren’t going to win it. For New York, I have to tell aren’t going to win it. For New York, I have to tell myself thousands of times that I am going to win this myself thousands of times that I am going to win this thing. I have done it before and I must do it again – thing. I have done it before and I must do it again – before the start, at the start, during the race and at before the start, at the start, during the race and at the finish. I have to tell myself that I am going to win the finish. I have to tell myself that I am going to win it and that I am better than the other guys. it and that I am better than the other guys. You have You have to talk to yourself otherwise you are not going to to talk to yourself otherwise you are not going to win… You have to say: ‘Whatever happens I am win… You have to say: ‘Whatever happens I am going to win’.going to win’. In my opinion, the person who wins In my opinion, the person who wins the race has already won it inside his head before the race has already won it inside his head before the start of the racethe start of the race”.”.
Hendrik Ramaala - Lawyer - Johannesburg, South Hendrik Ramaala - Lawyer - Johannesburg, South AfricaAfrica
But how much time do we spend developing
this self-belief, either in sport or in our
professional lives?
Atlantic rowing raceAtlantic rowing race
““You must believe you are You must believe you are going to win even before your going to win even before your
start”. start”.
The philosophy of Coach StampflThe philosophy of Coach Stampfl
““Its simple.Its simple.All you have to do All you have to do is want to is want to do it enoughdo it enough, then go and do , then go and do
He who has a He who has a whywhy to live for, can to live for, can bear with almost any bear with almost any howhow . .
Friederick NietzcheFriederick Nietzche
Viktor Frankl 1946Viktor Frankl 1946
Man’s Search for MeaningMan’s Search for Meaning
What man actually needs is not a What man actually needs is not a tension-less state but rather the tension-less state but rather the
striving and struggling for some goal striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him.worthy of him.
Everything can be taken from a man but Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given choose one’s attitude in any given circumstances, to choose one’s own way. circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
Viktor Frankl 1946Viktor Frankl 1946
Man’s Search for MeaningMan’s Search for Meaning
Life ultimately means Life ultimately means taking the taking the responsibility to find the right answersresponsibility to find the right answers to its to its problems and to fufill the tasks which it problems and to fufill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual. constantly sets for each individual.
Goal settingGoal setting
See the future as the pastSee the future as the past
Preparation Preparation
The special nature of successful teamsThe special nature of successful teams
The mental hurdle is the great barrierThe mental hurdle is the great barrier
Self belief Self belief
Mike Horn to NASAMike Horn to NASA
““If you drop me on the moon, I If you drop me on the moon, I will walk around it”.will walk around it”.
Personal excellence begins Personal excellence begins with vision, is determined by with vision, is determined by
character, sustained by character, sustained by preparation and willed by self-preparation and willed by self-
