How to Strive - with Nick Adkins
Hi I am your host and coach Nick.
With over 14 years of experience in professional sports coaching, I have dedicated my career to player and coach development across a variety of sports and industries. My expertise spans both on-field coaching and strategic development roles, where I’ve worked to enhance performance, build high-functioning teams, and foster long-term growth in athletes and coaches alike. In addition to my work in sport, I have also collaborated with businesses to transfer my coaching skills and principles into organizational development, helping teams and leaders thrive in dynamic environments through my transformational leadership approach. My commitment to continuous learning and fostering a growth mindset drives me to always pursue excellence in every aspect of my work.
Episodes
62 episodes
Creating and developing winning teams - Nigel Adkins
In this episode of How to Strive, I sit down with Nigel Adkins to explore the leadership, culture and human behaviours behind sustained success in elite sport.Nigel shares the lessons and principles that helped him guide Southam...
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Mindset
Why do some people grow through challenge… while others shrink from it?In this episode of How to Strive, we explore the powerful concept of mindset, inspired by the work of Dr Carol Dweck, and how it quietly shapes your performa...
Alignment
How to Strive: Aligning Your Behaviours to the OutcomeMost people know what they want.Very few align how they live to get there.In this episode of How to Strive, we explore the powerful connection between ...
Direction
What if the biggest barrier to progress isn’t effort… but direction?In this episode of How to Strive, we explore why clarity is the foundation of meaningful progress and how aligning your actions with your purpose allows your ef...
How we learn
Why do we forget so much of what we learn… and what actually makes something stick?In this episode of How to Strive, we explore the science behind learning, memory, and behaviour change, so you can move from simply consuming inf...
The role of developer
What does it really take to develop elite coaches?In this episode of How to Strive, we explore the challenge and opportunity of working with expert and master practitioners. When someone already performs at a high level, traditi...
How to maximise a developer
Are you truly maximising the support around you?In this episode of How to Strive, we turn the lens onto the coach. Having access to a mentor or coach developer is a privilege, however the real impact comes from how you show up t...
Anthony Limbrick
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick is joined by Anthony Limbrick, who is a highly respected football coach with experience leading professional teams and developing elite footballers internationally.Anthony brings an methodi...
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2026 Continuing intentions
As a new year begins, this episode of How to Strive invites you to maintain your progress and align intentions heading as we move into 2026. Using the Striver Table concept, Nick guides you through a powerful process...
Paul Holder
Nick is joined by Paul Holder AKA Noddy who has supported the development of many players and coaches through his energetic coaching style. This insightful episodes will be fantastic for people Striving to be better at supporting th...
Leave Well - Neil Mullarkey
In this final episode of How to Strive’s mini-series on Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills, Nick explores the essential and often overlooked skill of leaving well.Drawing on Neil’s insights from ...
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Neil Mullarkey
In this special episode of How to Strive, Nick is joined by the brilliant Neil Mullarkey; actor, author, comedian and co-founder of The Comedy Store Players, Europe’s longest-running improv troupe.Neil shares insights from his book Seven...
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Lighten - Neil Mullarkey
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick explores Step Six of Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills 'Lighten'.Humour, as Neil reminds us, is about connection. It’s a leadership tool that builds t...
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Link - Neil Mullarkey
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick explores the next step in Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills 'Link'Link is the step that connects all the others where learning, looking, listening, and let...
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Listen - Neil Mullarkey
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick explores the third step in Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills, Listen.Neil reminds us that hearing is automatic, but listening is a skill, one ...
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Let - Neil Mullarkey
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick explores one of his favourite chapters from Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills, Let.We dive into the quiet power of pausing, creating space in conver...
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Look - Neil Mullarkey
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick explores the second step in Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills Look.We dive into the power of presence and the art of seeing what isn’t said, the bod...
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Learn - Neil Mullarkey
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick dives into the first step of Neil Mullarkey’s Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills Learn.We explore how real learning happens through doing, reflecting, and applyin...
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Sunday Strive 19th October 2025
In this episode of How to Strive, Nick guides you through a powerful weekly reflection practice designed to help you pause, reflect, and realign before stepping into a new week.Together, we:Celebrate last week’s wins ...
Sunday Strive 12th October 2025
In this episode, Nick explores how journaling can become a powerful daily tool to help you strive. Nick breaks it down into three key benefits:Clarity – Understanding yourself more deeply and spotting patte...
Monday 6th October 2025
You space to set great intentions for you day to help you stay accountable for your striving.
Sunday Strive 5th October 2025
A guided insight in to how Nick structures his Sunday Strive with reflections and intentions.
Dr Sally Needham
In this powerful episode, Nick is joined by Dr. Sally Needham, a leader in human development and performance.Sally shares incredible insights from her experiences shaping performance by truly understanding the individuals you work...
Sunday Strive - September Reflections October Intentions
Nick guides you through your September reflection to inform your October intentions. He also shares two excellent clips from the episodes with Cody Royle and Dr Phil Hopley, relevant to performing in elite sport, dealing with extern...