Performance Lifestyle

Performance Lifestyle assist athletes in developing the life skills they need to optimise their sporting performance. It is a national (UK) programme, delivered regionally, and available to all athletes on an area institute programme.

Performance Lifestyle Coaches work with athletes in 3 main areas:

· Lifestyle support
· Educational guidance
· Career development

We also provide support in dealing with personal and family crises, and have a referral network of experts in various fields to whom athletes can be referred. Advisers see themselves as very much part of the team supporting athletes, and work closely with coaches and other service providers, such as sports psychologists and dieticians, to ensure athletes receive an integrated programme of support.

As many ESIS athletes are still in education, much of our work involves negotiating flexible study with schools and further education establishments to enable athletes to manage their training and academic requirements. Whatever the backdrop to an athlete’s training environment, a Performance Lifestyle coach is trained to recognise pressure points in an individual’s life and can provide support and strategies to make it through these transitions.

In addition to working one to one with athletes, Performance Lifestyle organise a number of workshops throughout the year on topics like time management, cooking skills (in conjunction with nutritionists), and media training. The exact programme is tailored to fit the needs identified by coaches and athletes themselves.

Ruth Coker and Fiona McNeilly deliver Performance Lifestyle services in the East of Scotland Institute of Sport.