The Mind Game Podcast

Former dancer turned psychotherapist Cai Tomos joins The Mind Game to explore resilience you can actually feel in your body. We dig into somatic tools for anxiety, how to “befriend” difficult sensations, why true rest is more than a day off, and the power of imagination to prime performance. Cai shares hospital-based work, community healing, and the small practices—like noticing your outbreath or lifting your eyes to the “horizon”—that help athletes (and all of us) move from stuck to steady. If you push hard, struggle to switch off, or want a calmer, stronger mind on and off the field, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Mind Game, I’m joined by ultramarathon coach Giles Penfold, who’s redefining what it takes to go the distance. We dive into how athletes can perform better by training smarter — not harder — and why your beliefs, mindset, and self-talk are often the real finish line.Giles shares how he went from injury and burnout to building a coaching method focused on strength, recovery, and mental resilience. We talk about managing fear, breaking through self-doubt, and why 95% of people are more capable than they think.Whether you’ve just completed your first 5k or dream of tackling an ultra, this conversation will show you how to push past limits, manage the “dark miles,” and rediscover the joy of movement.🎧 Tune in to learn how to master the mental game — one step at a time.

In this episode of The Mind Game, I speak with Dr. Jess Piasecki, Olympian marathon runner and Associate Professor of Female Physiology. Jess takes us through her incredible journey from playing hockey as a child to representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics, and balancing elite sport with an academic career.We dive into her mental strategies for coping with the pressures of elite competition, how she finds joy in sport even after retiring from professional running, and the lessons she’s learned about resilience, preparation, and staying true to your values. Jess also shares insights from her work in the Female Athlete Development Program at Nottingham Trent University, helping the next generation of athletes thrive both mentally and physically.Whether you’re an athlete, a professional looking to improve focus and resilience, or someone navigating high-pressure environments, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you master your mind and your game. If you’re looking for 1:1 support to build confidence, manage anxiety, or enhance your performance—whether in sport or life—get in touch with me for a personalised session and start your journey to feeling calmer, more focused, and more like yourself.

In this inspiring episode of The Mind Game, I sit down with endurance coach and elite ultra-runner Tim Pigott, just days before he takes on the legendary Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). Tim’s story is extraordinary: 25 years ago, he was told he would never walk again after a devastating car crash left him with multiple fractures and a 10% chance of survival. Against all odds, Tim not only relearned how to walk but went on to complete Ironmans, break course records in ultramarathons, and become a sponsored Scarpa athlete.We talk about resilience, mindset, and the mental strategies that carried him from a hospital bed to some of the toughest races in the world. Tim shares his techniques for staying focused under pressure—like chunking, reframing setbacks, and visualising success—and offers practical advice for anyone facing injury, setbacks, or self-doubt.If you’ve ever wondered how far the human mind and body can be pushed, this conversation will leave you rethinking what’s possible.

In this episode of The Mind Game, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Tom Randall — one of the world’s leading crack climbers and co-founder of Lattice Training.Tom’s known for pushing himself to the edge physically and mentally, whether that’s hanging upside down on a horizontal roof crack or dreaming up wild endurance challenges that most of us wouldn’t dare attempt. But what struck me most in our conversation was his honesty about fear, failure, and how mindset plays a central role in every climb he takes on.We spoke about:How a finger injury led him down the unlikely path of crack climbingWhat it really means to train for pain tolerance and not just strengthHow he reframes discomfort, fear, and failureThe mental side of elite climbing — and how Lattice Training is changing the way athletes train for psychological performanceWhy enjoying the process matters more than any resultWhether you’re an athlete, a coach, or just someone who’s fascinated by the mental side of performance, I think you’ll love this episode. It’s a raw, inspiring look into what it takes to operate at the edge — and to keep coming back for more.I’m Einir Trimble — a clinical hypnotherapist working with athletes, performers, and professionals who want to feel more focused, confident and mentally strong when it counts. If this episode struck a chord and you’d like support building your own mindset, feel free to get in touch. You can find out more at www.ethypnotherapy.com or drop me a message on Instagram @einir_trimble_hypnotherapy.Let’s master your mind — and your game.

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, I sit down with Abigail Douglas, a holistic life coach and founder of The Wellbeing Garden, to explore her powerful journey from burnout and chronic eczema to self-healing and a life of purpose.Abigail shares how a life-changing yoga retreat in Italy opened her eyes to the importance of tuning inwards, and how simple but consistent tools like journaling, meditation, and "pockets of wellbeing" transformed her health, career, and mindset.We talk about learning to listen to your inner wisdom, navigating career changes, the reality of self-care as a mum, and how small, intentional steps can nurture even the biggest dreams.If this conversation resonates and you’re ready to feel more like yourself again—calmer, clearer, and more confident—I offer 1:1 hypnotherapy sessions to help you get unstuck and reconnect with the version of you that’s been waiting underneath the stress.💬 To book a free consultation or find out more, visit www.ethypnotherapy.com or message me on Instagram @einir_trimble_hypnotherapy.

This episode was recorded a few weeks before the 2025 London Marathon with the inspiring Naz Khan – also known as @naztheblindrunner on Instagram. Naz is a visually impaired runner who has made it her mission to normalise disabled running and show what's possible with the right mindset and support.We talk about her experience training through Ramadan, the unique role guide runners play in her journey, and her incredible challenge of running twelve half marathons in twelve months – all in support of VICTA UK, a charity that empowers blind and partially sighted children and young adults (ages 0–29) and their families across the UK.If you'd like to follow Naz’s journey, head to Instagram and follow @naztheblindrunner.

In this inspiring episode of The Mind Game, I sit down with Master Paul Summer, 5th Dan Black Belt and head of Tang Soo Do Neath Dojo. We dive into his personal journey—from a spirited child to a disciplined martial artist—and how the values of Tang Soo Do shaped his path through life’s biggest challenges.Paul opens up about his back injury and the mental resilience it took to keep going when things got tough. We talk about what it really means to lead with purpose, how he trains young people not just in technique but in mindset, and why he always focuses on solutions when problems arise.We also explore the exciting future of Neath Dojo, his reflections on being trained by masters before him, and the legacy he’s building for the next generation.If you're an athlete looking to sharpen your focus, overcome mental blocks, or build lasting confidence—1:1 hypnotherapy can help you master your mind and your game.👉 Learn more at www.ethypnotherapy.com