Best In The World With Richard Parr

Tom Shields was part of the 4x100m Medley team that won Gold for the United States at the Rio Olympics. The swimmer talks about his experience competing in the heats and his disappointment at his individual events. Tom tells Richard about his daily routine, nutrition habits and workout plan. The American studied Religious studies at the University of California, Berkeley and discusses his time-management skills on the show. Tom also mentions what are his favourite books, podcasts and video games. You can follow Tom on Twitter and Instagram @beefytshields. This episode is brought to you by Sportuccino, a new sports breakfast show on Facebook LIVE. Please LIKE the Facebook page:

The 2x Olympic Rowing Champion Mahe Drysdale is our guest this week on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. The New Zealand rower covers a number of topics including how he recovered from being hit by a car to win a gold medal, how he deals with osteoarthritis and his rivalry with Ondrej Synek. Mahe also tells Richard about how he was nervous on the day of the 2012 final and talks about the photo-finish victory in Rio. We also hear how the appeal of drinking alcohol at University got Mahe interested in rowing to begin with. For more about Mahe please check out his website: mahedrysdale.com and Twitter. This episode is brought to you by Sportuccino, a new sports breakfast show on Facebook LIVE launching on October 3. Please LIKE the Facebook page: facebook.com/sportuccino.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jeff Henderson is the reigning Olympic Long Jump Champion and is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’.    The American won gold in dramatic fashion in Rio in August.     He tells Richard about that experience and his time at the Olympic village.    Jeff discusses the perfect jump and his target to be successful in sprinting.    In this fun chat, Richard and Jeff also talk movies, music and being recognized.    You can follow Jeff on Twitter and on Instagram    This episode is brought to you by Sportuccino, a new sports breakfast show on Facebook LIVE launching on October 3. Please LIKE the Facebook page.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken Shamrock is this week’s guest on the Best in the World with Richard Parr. Known as The World’s Most Dangerous Man, Ken Shamrock was the first ever UFC Superfight Champion. On the show he recalls winning that title at UFC 6 when he fought Dan Severn. Shamrock was also a star in professional wrestling with WWE. The former Intercontinental Champion talks about his feud with The Rock and how he enjoyed facing Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Undertaker.   Richard covers a whole range of subjects with Ken including nutrition, training and movies. Ken also talks about why he believes the use of steroids should be allowed and regulated in sports. For more about The World’s Most Dangerous Man go to kenshamrock.com. This episode is brought to you by Sportuccino, a new sports breakfast show on Facebook LIVE launching on October 3. Please LIKE the Facebook page: facebook.com/sportuccino.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

5-time Olympic Champion swimmer Nathan Adrian is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. The University of California, Berkeley graduate talks about his experience at the Rio Games and his proudest achievement. He gives Richard his views on the hack into the WADA database along with how important his sleep routine is. We also open up the show to his fans on Twitter and Nathan talks about karaoke, Pokemon and Game of Thrones! You can learn more about Nathan on his website nathanadrian.com and you can follow him on Twitter. This episode is brought to you by Sportuccino, a new sports breakfast show on Facebook LIVE launching on October 3. Please LIKE the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/sportuccino  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gretchen Bleiler is this week’s guest on the 'Best in the World with Richard Parr’ podcast.   Gretchen is a 4-time X Games Champion, former World Superpipe Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist.   Now retired from competitive snowboarding, Gretchen is now an environmental advocate working with Protect Our Winters to help raise awareness of climate change.   Gretchen tells Richard on the show about the importance of Yoga and Meditation.    The American also talks about food and nutrition along with her own water bottle design, the ALEX Bottle.   You can learn more about Gretchen at gretchenbleiler.com and follow her on Twitter. You can also find out more about the ALEX Bottle at alexbottle.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ podcast.   Tanni won 11 Paralympic Gold Medals throughout her career as a Wheelchair Racer and set over 30 World records.   After a career as an athlete, Tanni is now a crossbench peer in the House of Lords.   In her chat with Richard, Tanni talks about family support, music and setting goals.     The 6x London Marathon winner gives an insight into her nutritional and training programmes.   There is a wide range of topics in this conversation from disability rights, Brexit and the power of social media.   To learn more about Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson you can go to her website and follow her on Twitter.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ podcast is Laura Geitz. Australia’s netball captain is a two-time World Champion. Laura tells Richard about how she began playing netball and how it felt making her international debut. The new Australian netball league is discussed along with Laura’s hopes that the sport may one day be included in the Olympics. Laura gives her thoughts on Netball being promoted as a game for women and not for men. The Australian also talks about the new life-size statue that is being made of her in Queensland. You can learn more about Laura at laurageitz.com.au and follow her on twitter @laurafirebirds. For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ head to richardparr.net and you can...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The reigning IBF Featherweight Boxing Champion of the World Lee Selby is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. After a successful title defence in April, Lee talks about his potential next opponent. In his chat with Richard, Lee discusses the training routine and eating habits needed to become a World Champion. The boxer also talks about adapting to fighting in different locations and how he put together his champion team. You can learn more about Lee at leeselby.com and on Twitter @leeselby126. For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ head to richardparr.net and you can follow Richard Parr on Twitter @richard_parr.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The World’s Greatest Athlete is our guest this week on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. American Bryan Clay won the Gold Medal in the Decathlon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On the podcast, Bryan tells Richard why he stayed outside of the Olympic Village, his training routine and the dangers of overtraining. He explains what was the difference between winning Silver in 2004 to claiming Gold four years later. Bryan is also very strong on methods athletes can use to get funding. If you want to know more about Bryan you can buy his book ‘Redemption’. His website is bryanclay.com and you can follow him on Twitter @bryanclay. For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ head to 

Olympics Beach Volleyball Champion Kerri Pottharst is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. Alongside Natalie Cook, the Australian pair won bronze at the 1996 Atlanta games and then four years later claimed gold on home soil in Sydney in 2000. Kerri tells Richard that had it not been for a serious knee injury while playing Indoor Volleyball she may have never even competed in Beach Volleyball. In this show we learn about Kerri’s three important areas for success and she also explains the three different types of Olympians. Plus if you are into goal setting then this is the podcast for you. Kerri Pottharst is an accomplished motivational speaker and there is a lot to learn from this Olympic champion. To keep learning you can go to kerripottharst.com or follow her on Twitter

Liz McColgan is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ podcast. The Scottish runner claimed gold in the 10,000 metres at the 1991 World Championships. McColgan won the New York City, Tokyo and London Marathons during her career. In her chat with Richard, Liz talks about her life in Qatar, training her daughter Eilish and the nutrition that helped her reach the top. She tells Richard about how she kept in shape while she was pregnant and then within a year won both the World Championships and the NYC Marathon. Liz also discusses pre-race rituals and post-race recovery techniques. And the former BBC Sports Personality of the Year explains why she isn’t disappointed with her Olympic Silver medal anymore. You can keep up with Liz’s work in Qatar at dohaathleticclub.com and follow her on Twitter

2000 Sydney Olympics Shooting Double Trap Champion Richard Faulds is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. Don’t worry if you are not sure what ‘double trap’ is, Richard explains it in the podcast! Some very interesting discussions on psychology on this week’s show including what went through the mind of Richard’s opponent Russell Mark in the 2000 Olympic final. Faulds also talks about the pressure of being a defending champion, why competition is just as important as practice and why a “little and often” amount of training is the most productive. Richard also tells the story of how his PE teacher once put in his school report that he didn’t have very good hand-eye coordination! Richard currently runs the Owls Lodge Shooting School with his wife Tanya http://www.owlslodgeshootingschool.co.uk/. You can follow Richard Faulds on Twitter

This week we learn from 2005 Judo World Champion Guillaume Elmont on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ podcast. Guillaume is also a trained psychologist and a performance coach at the Dutch football team Ajax Amsterdam. In his chat with Richard, Guillaume talks about whether he and his brother had any pressure to take up Judo from their father, who competed in the sport at the 1976 Olympics for Suriname. He explains what went wrong for him at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. The Dutchman also discusses nutrition, visualisation and recovery techniques. It’s another fun and fascinating show and Guillaume explains why he has now taken up Salsa. You can find out more about Guillaume at elmontsolutions.nl and on his Instagram page: guillaume_elmont. For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stephen Hendry is the most successful Snooker player of all time. The Scot has won a record 7 World titles and is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. Stephen tells Richard he felt “invincible” when he won five World crowns in a row between 1992-96. He explains the psychological edge he had against his opponents at Snooker’s most famous venue the Crucible. Stephen won a record 36 World ranking titles and completed 775 competitive century breaks. He discusses on the podcast his feelings towards rivals such as Steve Davis and Jimmy White as well as what he misses most since he retired from the sport. You can follow Stephen on Twitter @SHendry775 although as he explains it mainly contains pictures of food! For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ head to richardparr.net and you...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Olympic Champion Shannon Miller was part of the USA’s famous ‘Magnificent Seven’ gymnastics team that won gold on home soil in Atlanta in 1996. 20 years later she continues to inspire and is our guest this week on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. Miller is the most decorated gymnast in American history and promotes balanced and healthy living through the Shannon Miller Lifestyle. The Double Olympic Champion successfully battled cancer in 2011. In her chat with Richard she explains how her experience as a gymnast helped her fight with cancer. Miller talks about how she keeps a positive attitude even in the most difficult times. The former artistic gymnast explains why it is harder to get onto the Olympic team than it is to win a medal. Miller also discusses the importance of goal setting, team work and giving back.  You can follow Shannon on Twitter

Shaun Murphy won the Snooker World Championship in 2005 and is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. Shaun is about to become a father and discusses how it might affect his snooker career.  The Triple Crown winner explains to Richard his training routine as a snooker player. Shaun talks about his ideas of enhancing the viewers experience for the sport and its current global popularity. The Englishman enjoys interacting with fans on Twitter and you can follow him @Magician147. For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ head to richardparr.net and you can follow Richard on Twitter @richard_parr  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jon Potter won Gold at the 1988 Olympic Games with the Great Britain Hockey team.   Now he is at the top of his game in marketing and business. Jon is a managing director at Moët Hennessy and is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’.   In his chat with Richard, Jon gives examples of how to make great teams both in sport and business.   The British businessman talks about getting the right people for the right roles on the pitch and in the office. He discusses setting goals and boundaries as well as visualising success.   Jon also explains what it’s like to spend a day with former F1 World Champion Jenson Button at a Grand Prix.   You can follow Jon on Twitter @jonpotter6 and on Instagram: jonpotter6.   For more on the ‘Best in the World...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Coxless Crew became the first all women team to row across the Pacific Ocean. They travelled 8446 miles for 257 days. Lizanne van Vuuren was one of the six crew members and is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr'.   Lizanne tells Richard about how chance meetings can change your life. While continuing as an osteopath, Lizanne worked with the British Olympic team rowing coach and a sports psychologist to prepare for the voyage. Lizanne talks to Richard about the importance of writing a daily diary as well as how audiobooks helped her on her journey. The Coxless Crew were rowing for the charities Breast Cancer Care and Walking With the Wounded. You can find out more at www.coxlesscrew.com For more on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’ head to richardparr.net and you can...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damien Rider broke three endurance World Records when he paddle boarded 800 kilometres from the Gold Coast to Bondi Beach in Australia. He did it to raise awareness for his charity ‘Paddle Against Child Abuse’. Damien is this week’s guest on the ‘Best in the World with Richard Parr’. The reigning Men’s Health Man of the Year in Australia, Damien talks about pushing yourself beyond the limits, functional training and paddling in shark-infested waters. He tells Richard how he kept his mind occupied during the paddle and the type of fuel he needed for his body to last 800 kilometres. Damien’s journey was also made into a documentary on Nat Geo Australia called ‘Heart of the Sea'. Damien can be followed on Facebook: www.facebook.com/damienriderextreme You can learn more about ‘Paddle Against Child Abuse’ here: