Jim Harte: Telling Stories in Physical Education

What if physical education was about inviting young people into a story and living that story through the school year? This is an approach that coach and teacher Jim Harte has developed during his long career as a physical education teacher. The story is lived through in songs (musical learning) and a performance that finishesContinue reading “Jim Harte: Telling Stories in Physical Education”

Dr Teemu Pauha: Understanding Religion and (New) Spiritualities in Sport

Especially in Western Europe, a growing number of people choose not to be affiliated with organised religion. But does it mean that they reject everything religious? And does sport have something to offer for spiritual life, at least for some? Dr Teemu Pauha visited the podcast to share his thoughts on these issues. Although myContinue reading “Dr Teemu Pauha: Understanding Religion and (New) Spiritualities in Sport”

Dr Ross Wadey: Telling Stories of Adversity in Sport

Adversity is something most people will inevitably encounter in sport and life. Yet, the way we give meaning to these experiences through storytelling can be very different for different people. Dr Ross Wadey visited the Meaningful Sport podcast to share his exciting work on stories of sport injury and adversity. What are the consequences ofContinue reading “Dr Ross Wadey: Telling Stories of Adversity in Sport”

Physical Activity Guidelines for Meaningful Living?

I have been long troubled by the fact that physical activity recommendations for the public are almost exclusively produced from a medical perspective. The goal is the promotion of physical and psychological health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Typically, the minimum amount is identified for producing the benefits. I mean, who would wantContinue reading “Physical Activity Guidelines for Meaningful Living?”

Prof. Kitrina Douglas: What can Narrative Theory tell us about Meaning in Sport?

I had the honor to interview Prof. Kitrina Douglas – whose work has inspired me throughout my academic life – on her work on narrative identity in sport. Part 1 here: Kitrina played professional golf for a long time before becoming a researcher, and her autoethnographic work demonstrates how she felt completely disconnected from theContinue reading “Prof. Kitrina Douglas: What can Narrative Theory tell us about Meaning in Sport?”

On finding or losing our (athletic) self

Different strands of psychology and philosophy have ended up with different conclusions about the importance of ‘finding’ or ‘constructing’ a coherent and strong identity, or a sense of who we are. Should we develop this strong identity, or realise that identity and self are illusions that distort our view of the nature of reality? AndContinue reading “On finding or losing our (athletic) self”