Best In The World With Richard Parr

Nobody has won more World Cup titles than Gregor Schlierenzauer and he is our guest on this edition of the Best in the World with Richard Parr. On this podcast Gregor reveals what made him take a break from the sport and his new goals. The Austrian talks about competing in pain at the 2017 World Championships in Lahti. The large hill team Olympic Champion shares details of his diet and explains what goes through his mind before a jump. You can learn more about Gregor on instagram @gregorschlierenzauer and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gregor.schlierenzauer You can support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At just the age of 16 Brooke Bennett won the 800 metres freestyle event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. On this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr, Brooke describes being bullied at school after winning gold. The American reveals the biggest influences on her career and how she coped with competing against more experienced swimmers Brooke shares the changes she made to her training to win two more Olympic gold medals in the 400 and 800 metres in Sydney. With two young sons and her own Academy, Brooke also discusses the importance of children learning to swim. You can learn more about Brooke and her swim academy at bbswimacademy.com Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hayley Wickenheiser is a four-time Olympic Champion in ice hockey. On this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr, Hayley talks about retiring from the sport at the start of 2017. The Canadian discusses her plans to go to medical school, her businesses and her position on the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission. The seven time World Champion reveals the greatest moments of her career, which players she was closest to and what it was like playing in Europe. Hayley also talks about representing Canada in softball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. You can learn more about Hayley at hayleywickenheiser.com and @wick_22 on Twitter. You can support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“I started living a career through the journey as opposed to the result”. After winning gold in the parallel giant slalom at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Jasey-Jay Anderson changed his perspective. On this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr, Jasey-Jay admits he now sacrifices results for information to help him improve the snowboards he produces for his company. The Canadian has appeared in five Olympics and discusses the highs and lows of his career with Richard. In this fun interview, Jasey-Jay chats about how a clown helped him learn to ski, what his mother said to him before the 2010 games and explains the story behind his lucky socks! You can learn more about Jasey-Jay and his snowboards on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jasey-Jay-Snowboards-155219767856056/ If you enjoy our podcasts and would like to support our show please head to patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on the Best in the World with Richard Parr the Olympic curling champion Brad Jacobs joins us. Alongside Ryan Fry and his cousins, Ryan and E.J. Harnden, Brad led Canada to a gold medal at the 2014 Sochi games. On this podcast, Brad tells Richard what it’s like competing with his cousins. The skip talks about the level of competition in Canada and the pressure of performing for the country at a Winter Olympics. Brad also reveals his fitness regime, diet and pre-game routine. You can learn more about Brad and his team at teamjacobs.com. Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“I couldn’t be me anymore”. After winning gold in the parallel giant slalom at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Patrizia Kummer decided to take a long break in Hawaii. On this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr the snowboarder reveals the difficulty she had in adjusting to be an Olympic Champion once the games were over. Richard and Patrizia talk about her work with a mental coach and her studies in sports psychology. They also chat about Patrizia’s mission statement: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." (Neale Donald Walsh). Plus Patrizia explains why she never gets nervous. You can follow Patrizia’s journey on Instagram @patriziakummer or on Facebook facebok.com/kummerpatrizia Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In January 2016 Laura Massaro became the World Number One in squash. This week on the Best in the World with Richard Parr, Laura talks about her journey to becoming number one, the moment it happened and how she coped with the pressure of being the best. The English player also discusses competing in an era where Nicol David was the World Number One for nine years. She also gives her thoughts on why Egypt is now a dominant force in the sport. The 2013 World Open winner also talks about the importance of having the support of sponsors. You can follow Laura on Twitter @ljmassaro and LIKE her page on Facebook facebook.com/LauraMassarosquash. If you like this or any of our previous podcasts and would like to support us then please head to patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kim St-Pierre is a three-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Ice Hockey Champion. Kim is our guest on this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr. The Canadian reveals what it was like to face the United States on their home soil in the 2002 final in Salt Lake City. The goalie reveals her disappointment on not starting the 2006 final and also describes what it was like to compete in a home Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. On this episode you will find out about the turning point in Kim’s career, her keys to success and what she is up to since retiring. You can learn more about Kim on her website kimstpierre.com. If you would like to keep our podcast going then please help us at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“I was showing up to tournaments. Beat, home, depressed. Go to the next tournament. Beat, home… it was just horrible.” In 2006 Graeme Dott won the World Snooker Championship for the first time. Following that success Graeme suffered with depression and he opens up about it on this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr. Graeme also talks about his two other final appearances at the crucible in 2004 and 2010. Graeme discusses the mental exhaustion involved in the sport, how he broke his wrist playing football in China and his thoughts on World Snooker today. The Rangers fan also shares his experience of parading the World title at Ibrox. Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“I’ve always loved playing team events”. Representing England, Jenny Duncalf won the World Team Championships in 2006 and is this week’s guest on the Best in the World with Richard Parr. The Liverpool FC fan reveals how a Football Association ruling led her to take up squash. Jenny talks about what she learned growing up around squash players. Jenny discusses her relationship with fellow squash player Rachel Grinham. The former World Number Two also talks about starting to commentate and announce at squash events. You can learn more about Jenny on Twitter at @jennyduncalf and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jenny-Duncalf-320894262021. Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

UFC fighter and former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Antonio Carlos Junior is this week’s guest on the Best in the World with Richard Parr. In this revealing interview, Antonio talks about how panic attacks following the death of his close friend led him to meditation. The winner of Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 discusses the transferable skills between different martial arts and his need to improve his wrestling. The Brazilian talks about learning Jiu-Jitsu with Junior dos Santos, learning to speak English and his favourite shows on Netflix. You can follow Antonio on Twitter and Instagram @caradesapatojr. Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“It means more when you become an Olympic Champion at the end of a career”. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, at the age of 34, Mario Matt became the oldest person to win an alpine skiing gold medal in the men’s slalom. Mario has since retired and talks about running his own apres-ski bar the Krazy Kanguruh in St.Anton and breeding horses. The two-time World Champion is this week’s guest on the Best in the World with Richard Parr. The Austrian discusses the difficulties of traveling for a skier. He also talks about his diet, his family and competing in front of his own fans. You can learn more about mariomatt.com. Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bas Rutten is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and this week’s guest on the Best in the World with Richard Parr. The Dutch fighter reveals what he did differently, after losing to Ken Shamrock, to go 22 fights unbeaten. Bas discusses his friendships with former rival Frank Shamrock and his podcast co-host Mauro Ranallo The UFC Hall of Famer talks about time management, acting and his bucket list. The MMA star also explains how his O2 trainer cured him from asthma. You can learn more about Bas at facebook.com/basrutten and on Twitter @basruttenmma Please support our podcast at patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Did you know the night before Julia Mancuso won Gold at the 2006 Olympics she ate Pop Tarts and slept in a RV? The Olympic Giant Slalom Champion shares her story on this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr. Julia Mancuso is now attempting to compete in the Olympics for a record fifth time. She gives Richard an update on her progress following a second hip surgery. Julia suffers from hip dysplasia and talks about coping with this on the podcast. Julia gives an amazing insight into the mental side of sports and having a positive attitude. The American also talks about efficient training, journaling and neurokinetic pilates. You can learn more about Julia at @juliamancuso on Twitter and Instagram. If you want to support our podcast please head to patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“There was no chance for redemption.” On this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr, U.S. softball pitcher Cat Osterman opens up about her disappointment at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Cat won silver at those games but with the sport removed for the next two Olympics, she was not given the chance to get another gold. The four-time All-American was already an Olympic Champion at the 2004 Athens Olympics. We talk about her being the youngest member of that team, how psychology has helped he as a pitcher as well as nutrition on this podcast. Cat is now an assistant coach at the Texas State University. She discusses the transition from player to coach. You can follow Cat on Twitter and Instagram @catosterman as well as on Facebook: facebook.com/catosterman If you want to support our podcast please head to patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dan Severn is a former UFC Superfight Champion. Also a WWE Superstar in the 1990s. He is a UFC Hall of Famer. Dan is this week’s guest on the Best in the World with Richard Parr podcast. The American explains to us his interpretation of what the ring name ‘The Beast’ means to him. He talks about the differences between cage fighting and mixed martial arts today. He also discusses what is different between MMA and professional wrestling. This is one of the longest conversations we have had on the podcast but we barely scratch the surface with Dan. You can learn more about him at dansevern.com. If you want to support our podcast please head to patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we learn from Jorrit Bergsma, the 10,000 metres speed skating Olympic Champion. Following our interview with Jan Blokhuijsen in episode 75, Jorrit gives his side of the story on why he withdrew as the Dutch substitute for the Team Pursuit at the 2014 Olympics. The three-time World Champion shares stories of his childhood, growing up on a houseboat in Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands. Bergsma reveals how close he came to representing Kazakhstan at the 2010 Olympics. He also talks about being married to a fellow speed skater, the four-time World Champion Heather Richardson-Bergsma. You can continue to follow Jorrit’s journey on instagram and twitter @jorritbergsma If you want to support our podcast please head to patreon.com/bestintheworld  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“My life changed pretty much a minute after I won this gold medal”. 2016 Olympic Canoe Slalom Champion Denis Gargaud joins us on this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr. As well as being a canoe slalomist Denis is also an entrepreneur. On this podcast he talks about his Mulebar energy bar brand – mulebar.com. In particular, he explains how his knowledge as a sports star helps his business and how he manages his time. The 2011 World Champion opens up about his disappointment of not competing at the 2012 London Olympics. Denis also explains why former France and Manchester United forward Eric Cantona is one of his idols. You can learn more about Denis on Twitter @DENISGARGAUD.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What’s the difference between being good and very good at Darts? 3-time World Champion John Lowe tells us on this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr. John talks about becoming the first player to achieve a nine-dart finish on television back in 1984. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M4p1LFcxSk John opens up about his rivalry and friendship with Eric Bristow, his nickaname Old Stoneface and his role in forming the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The British darts player also shares how he began playing the sport at the age of 21. John even talks about being fed snake by fellow Darts player Paul Lim! You can learn more about John Lowe at John-lowe.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By making incremental changes, Ben Hunt-Davis and the British men’s eight rowing team managed to make huge differences in their performance. This led to them becoming Olympic Champions at the 2000 Sydney games. Using this experience, Ben is now a performance consultant for his company Will it Make the Boat Go Faster and he joins us on this week’s Best in the World with Richard Parr podcast. Ben shares the entertaining story of the morning before he won gold, why friendships are not critical in rowing and whether he was close to quitting the sport. You can learn more about Ben at willitmaketheboatgofaster.com and on Twitter @OlympianBen.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.