The World According to Gar
The World According to Gar is a completely personal podcast based on the unique life experiences of Gar Leyshon. Gar is currently a track and field coach, and more specifically the personal coach of The World's Greatest Athlete: Damian Warner, the Olympic Gold Medalist in decathlon from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. But this podcast is not just about sports and coaching the decathlon; Gar also talks, rants and swears about politics, pandemics and pinheads who piss him off. And he does so from the perspective of a man who has lived and worked in Taiwan, Australia, England, Scotland, the USA and on an oil rig in the arctic. On top of that Gar, who retired from teaching in 2021, has taught and coached for 25 years, has a wife and 2 teenaged sons, and STILL doesn’t drink! He does however, have a bad attitude and an ugly ass beard to match. So, if you are looking for a sports themed podcast about coaching world class athletics, with plenty of bizarre stories, strong opinions and foul language, then you are in the right place!
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 197
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2024
Episode 137: The IOC and World Athletics get it wrong, again!
The ridiculous announcements this week by the IOC and World Athletics reveal that nothing has changed at the top.
Episode 136: Great pictures, gas stoves and deliberate practice
I talk about the overwhelming daily documentation of every aspect of our lives, the lunatic fringe and their latest target, and Malcolm Gladwell.
Episode 135: Conspiracies, Memories and Examining the Superlative
The dying doctors conspiracy theory, all the places I've been, and why a closer examination of the very best is a good idea.
Episode 134: Damian's Full Training Schedule, Week of Jan 9th-14th
How we plan and execute Damian and Nate's training schedule and the specific workouts they do each day of the week.
Episode 133: Damian Warner's 2022 Season in Review
The good the bad and the ugly from 2022, and what it means moving forward.
Episode 131: Training Camps
The where, when and why of training camps and their value to athletes living in Canada.
Episode 130: The Pressure of World Cup Penalties
The psychology behind mental toughness and self talk among athletes as it relates to taking penalties at the World Cup.
Episode 129: Coaches Need Education and Athletes Need Challenges
I talk about how coaches learn and how they learn it in the internet age. I also talk about doing hard things and facing challenges. And dragons!
Episode 128: Interview with Kris Mack
I talk to coach Kris Mack about how he coaches various athletes from different countries and various abilities.
Episode 127: Damian Warner, Banting-Best-Collip-Macleod
Damian gets inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame along with fellow Londoner Frederick Banting.
Episode 126: Who is the best decathlete ever?
I look at the numbers to try and determine the best decathlete ever, and talk about Covid numbers again!
Episode 125: Dennis explains why Nate is so good for Damian
I talk to Dennis Nielsen about the changes that are helping make this season unique.
Episode 123: Sorrow and Joy
We lost part of Team Warner this week. Jeff Fischer was my friend and Damian's agent.
Episode 122: The Tao of Repeatable skills!
I quote Justin Tucker on the art of kicking field goals and explain the similarities to what decathletes do.
Episode 121: Context is Important!
This week I talk about context and how important it is to athletes and coaches who are struggling.
Episode 120: Building Confidence and Resiliency
I talk about the new book by Steve Magness called "Do Hard Things" and how old ideas about toughness and how to build it are outdated and ineffective.
Episode 119: Why banning books is ridiculous
I talk about my own experience with banning books and explain why books are not the problem and banning them is wrong!
Episode 118: What does it take to be a 9000 point decathlete?
I crunch the numbers and try to explain the difference between a good decathlete and a great one!