#24 Coach James Mortimer - Leading Individual Athletes

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What a pleasure to introduce one of NZs best individual coaches, James Mortimer.

A former NZ track star, who competed in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, James is not coaching some of NZ brightest, and fastest athletes.

The current coach of NZ fastest ever female athlete, Zoe Hobbs, James is striving to win NZ first ever sprint medal at a Commonwealth or Olympic level.

I’ve often wondered how coaching individual athletes is different from coaching team sports. In this episode, we explore the differences and learn from each other's worlds. This was a great chat.

Ok, Let's go!

James Mortimer Bio

Athlete:

• Over 15 years of international hurdles and sprinting
• 100m Hurdles (NZ champion, 2003-2009)
  • NZ Record Holder (2007)
• 200m Hurdles (NZ champion, 2015)
• 400m Hurdles (NZ champion, 2011, 2012)
• 12 x National Champion
• 4 x 100m Relay
  • 2006 Commonwealth Games
• World Championships 2002

Coach:

• Over 15 years experience
• TM Track Club – Sprint Coach (2009 – present)
• Vodafone Warriors - Speed & Acceleration Specialist
• Diocesan School for Girls – Sports Manager
• Athletics NZ - Lead Sprints / Relays & Hurdles
• Athletes that include:
  • Zoe Hobbs
    • NZ fastest ever female
      • 2013 Youth Olympic Games
      • 2022 Commonwealth Games
      • 2024 Olympic Games
  • Liam Malone
    • 2016 Paralympics
      • 2 Gold, 1 Silver medals
  • Portia Bing
    • 2014 & 2022 Commonwealth Games

QUOTE:

“James has honed his skill set, learning from some of the best coaches in the world and gaining international recognition for his methods. He prides himself on coaching the athlete in front of him and delivering what they need without compromise.”

Chapters

• 4:00 James NZ & Australia national titles
• 9:00 Individual sport mentality
• 17:00 Athlete to Coach transition
• 30:40 Systems to support the individual athlete
• 37:30 Working in a team environment - Vodafone Warriors
• 44:00 NZs fastest women – Zoe Hobbs
• 51:30 James as Ted Lasso, Gareth coaching Zoe
• 56:00 Rapid Fire Questions