The Long Win in Sport

The Long Win in Sport

I have met too many gold medalists who have felt empty, depressed, unfulfilled, despite crossing the line first. Why? Because their definition of success was based on a fleeting moment in time, on an inanimate object (a medal or trophy) and lacked in any greater sense of purpose or lasting success. The pursuit of excellence (and sustainability of that excellence) requires us to define success as exploring what’s possible, not simply beating others, and to connect that to a wider purpose and a community of people around us on that journey. The 3Cs framework offers us a way to set ourselves up to explore what’s possible together which I have used with athletes, coaches and sports organizations.

This page contains references, stories and downloadable worksheets to help deepen your Long Win Thinking and develop practical ideas for how to put it into practice in your business. They accompany the Stories of Long Winners in the new Chapter of the second edition of The Long Win.

Stories:

A Long Win story by Laurence Halsted from his interview with 2021 Canadian Olympic rowing Champion Andrea Proske.

“10 strokes for Michelle!”

“10 strokes for Kathleen!”

Those were the words of coxen of the Canadian women’s 8 rowing boat that took them over the line at the Tokyo Olympics to win the gold medal, just 0.91 seconds ahead of the New Zealand crew. This was the first time in 29 years that Canada had won that event – the previous time involved the Kathleen named in that last, heartfelt call. More about her later. This win was particularly impressive because just two years previous, right before the Covid pandemic struck, the Canadian crew were at best, outside shots for a medal at the Games. Then the world closed down, racing stopped, and everyone had to find their feet in a new world of training for an Olympics in isolation from their entire squad.

But that is only scratching the surface of the incredible journey of this crew over those two years, that led them to an historic and profound gold medal, but from a far darker starting point.

Read the full story (PDF)

The True Athlete Project believe in creating a more compassionate world in sport and build their programmes, projects and workshops around the interconnected pillars of Performance, Wellbeing and Social Impact. You can read more about one of their simple yet innovative and impactful projects in a gymnastics club here: Enigma Gymnastics Club – The True Athlete Project 

Most athletes want to be seen as more than ‘just an athlete’ and to use their platform and opportunity to be role models for causes they believe in.

To support and help develop this, UK Sport ran a programme ‘Powered by Purpose’ delivered by the True Athlete Project (which I am part of delivering). It’s a great start to showing the greater potential sport has to be a vehicle for positive social change. You can read more about it here.

Read the full story (PDF)

Share Your Long Win Story from Sport Here

References & Long Win Thinking materials:

I write monthly articles for The Guardian on topics of culture in sport #longwinthinking: Cath Bishop | The Guardian   Some might be of particular interest, eg Looking beyond glory: rediscovering the soul of sport in front of us | Sport | The Guardian

Steve Magness, Do Hard Things  Do Hard Things | Steve Magness   Brad Stuhlberg, The Practice of Groundedness Books — Brad Stulberg     Brad and Steve write a brilliantly weekly newsletter and share lots of resources and references that align closely with The Long Win at The Growth Equation

Laurence Halsted, Becoming a True Athlete, you can read the Prologue here: Becoming a True Athlete – Prologue (laurencehalsted.com)

Jonny Wilkinson has gone on a spiritual journey to rediscover himself beyond the medals and trophies he won as a rugby player and discusses it on his podcast:   I Am… With Jonny Wilkinson on Apple Podcasts

Linda Flanagan, Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania are Ruining Kids’ Sport – and Why it Matters

Matt Hart, Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and its Culture of Deception

Downloads: Long Win Worksheets

Long Win Thinking Reading List (PDF)

Long Win Thinking Daily Reflection Questions (PDF)

See also:

The Long Win in Business

The Long Win in Education

The Long Win in Society

Writing & Media

Testimonials

‘Looking at life from a different point of view is a rare skill. Built on in-depth research and broad experience as well as original thought, this book will change your outlook on everything.’
Clare Balding OBE
‘It is easy to overlook and underestimate how deeply the cultural obsession with “winners” and “winning at all costs” runs, but Cath shines a much-needed light on the topic. She makes a powerful and convincing argument as to why it is high time we updated and evolved our way of playing, educating and living. The Long Win presents a compelling vision of a healthier, happier and more creative way of being, and I believe it has arrived at exactly the right moment in human history.’
Simon MundieBBC Broadcaster
‘I wholeheartedly support the thoughts in this book. I firmly believe the only way to change a culture is through educating society as to why it should be changed. And then offer a better way. This book proposes many thought-provoking questions that will serve to inspire the change our world needs and our youth deserve.’
Valorie Kondos FieldUCLA Gymnastics Coach, PAC-12 ‘Coach of the Century’
‘This book is powerful and brilliant. Cath clearly has a deep understanding of what athletes go through and goes further to give a way forward in pursuit of improved performance and personal growth, with concepts I have experienced and observed to work and produce results in elite sport. A must for any manager in elite sport, any teacher, any leader.’
Dr Eva CarneiroConsultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine, Former Premier League Doctor
‘In sport and life your sense of value depends on the measures of success you choose to judge yourself against. Cath’s book will help you open up a whole new freedom to succeed on your own terms and to render outcome hijack and results obsessions things of the past. Don’t change the game, change what it means to win, for you.’
Dr Chris ShambrookDirector of Planet K2, Psychologist to British Olympic Rowing Team 1997–2019
‘This book is so relevant, timely and exciting for any person or organization wanting to investigate what success means to them. It couldn’t be a more relevant book right now and Cath’s exceptional ability in so many areas of life make it a gripping read with a lot of key takeaways whatever your area of interest. I wish every leader could immediately read this book as the world would be a better place if they did!’
Goldie SayersOlympic Medalist in the Javelin, Business Coach
‘In this time of change, The Long Win provides an excellent, much-needed perspective of how we should be viewing success in the future. I’d rank Cath’s writing and insight alongside that of Matthew Syed and Malcom Gladwell. It’s a must-read book for anyone interested in developing themselves and others.’
Ben Hunt-DavisOlympic Champion in Rowing, Founder of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? Ltd
‘Intelligent. Articulate. Timely. Cath Bishop has written a crucial read for anyone whose life is linked to performance. This GB Olympic rower floats a simple question, “Why does winning matter so much?” And, perhaps, more importantly, how does our obsession with being the best ultimately serve us, our goals and the greater good? Told with gripping and, sometimes, poignant story-telling, The Long Win presents a compelling case for reflecting, re-thinking and re-strategizing the way we strive for and achieve success.’
Jason DorlandAuthor, Coach and Olympian
‘The Long Win is a thrilling book for anyone who believes that there must be better ways of achieving our potential, both as individuals and societally. It’s not a simple fix but this book highlights precisely where we must shift our focus, across multiple disciplines. Cath’s captivating experiences at the pinnacle of three such disciplines provide the book’s hypothesis with both authenticity and authority. I am convinced that within sport the Long-Win approach will lead to more positive, engaging experiences and better performance. I want every athlete I work with to be exposed to the insights held within this book.’
Laurence HalstedPerformance Coach, Director of Mentoring at The True Athlete Project, Olympian
‘The Long Win fills a gaping and growing chasm in our understanding of what defines success. It is indispensable for anyone interested in not only achievement but in finding a way to shape our pursuits for the better. While reading The Long Win I was informed, emboldened and energized by the way Cath has meticulously and comprehensively laid out the case for strategic thinking that stretches beyond the now, the immediate, the results, to a stronger way of being!’
Dr Steve InghamDirector and Performance Scientist at Supporting Champions
‘The Long Win is a genuinely thought-provoking and fascinating insight into the potential benefits of redefining our mindsets both on an individual and collective basis. Cath’s refreshingly honest account of her own experiences provides a unique backdrop to the concepts of her philosophy. I would thoroughly recommend The Long Win and I challenge anyone not to take something from it.’
Sophie Hosking MBELegal Counsel at the FA and Olympic Champion in Rowing
‘I love this book and all it stands for. Whether you think you have won it all, or you think you’ve never won in life, Cath skilfully blows apart our taken-for-granted notion of winning and all that we take it to mean. Using her own poignant story and drawing on many other walks of life, she gives us an inclusive view of what winning means, so we can create a healthy and sustainable 21st century world.’
Dr Alison MaitlandSport Psychologist, HR Director and Consultant
‘A book which challenges the reader to re-examine their fundamental beliefs about the nature of success and reward. Cath has experienced the top level of elite sport as well as the cut and thrust of diplomacy in conflict zones, giving her a unique personal perspective on the question of how we can redefine winning and losing.’
Annie VernonJournalist, Author and Olympic Medalist in Rowing
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