Welcome to Coaching Chat, an ALTIS vodcast series where Education Director – Ellie Kormis – chats with coaches, coach educators, and teachers who coach – from High School coaches, to Pro coaches, to new coaches, to the seasoned warhorses of our profession.
Episode 4 sees us joined by Coach Stu McMillan.
Currently in his 28th year of professional coaching, Stuart McMillan is CEO and Short Sprints Coach at ALTIS. Stuart has worked with professional and amateur athletes in a variety of sports with a focus on power and speed development, and he has personally coached more than 70 Olympians at nine Olympic Games, winning over 30 Olympic medals.
He has worked as part of national governing bodies in six countries and has been part of and/or led integrated support teams in the United States, Canada, and the UK. Stuart has also accrued the unique experience of coaching at three home Olympic Games, working with American athletes in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Games, Canadians in 2010 at Vancouver-Whistler, and British athletes in 2012 at the London Olympics.
Most recently, he coached British sprinter Jodie Williams to a sixth-place finish in the 400m at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
- How Stu has changed his outlook over the past two decades
- Being authentic as a Coach
- The importance of working to, and towards an athlete’s strengths, as well as your strengths as a Coach
- How to learn how to communicate – fast
- Coaching children versus elite performers
- A message to his younger self
- Top piece of advice for new coaches
- The ALTIS Mentorship Program