Author: Ekaitz Saies
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Behind the medals: The relentless drive of Saúl Craviotto
On 11 March 2023, I filmed a short video that, to most, might have seemed unremarkable. A few seconds of an athlete catching his breath between training sets. Saúl Craviotto, now the most decorated Olympian in the history of Spanish sport, lying flat on his back beside the water, exhausted,…
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What watching Kipyegon taught me about one of my own sporting dreams
On Thursday evening, my children and I sat utterly transfixed, eyes glued to the screen as Faith Kipyegon toed the start line with history in her sights. She wasn’t just running a mile – she was chasing the elusive sub-four minute barrier. No woman had ever done it. The anticipation…
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British food isn’t unsophisticated, it’s about standards
For this post, I’m stepping away from my usual focus on high performance sport to reflect on something a little closer to home – the food we eat, and the standards we set around it. It’s a sweltering Saturday afternoon and I’m having lunch in the garden with my kids.…
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No time to waste: the Luis Enrique blueprint for early domination
Every time I watched a PSG match this season, I found myself drawn in immediately by the sheer intensity they brought from the first whistle. There was no easing into the rhythm, no waiting for the game to open up. Under Luis Enrique, PSG attacked with a purpose that was obvious from…
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BEYOND COMFORT: Why true champions embrace the hard path
There’s a phrase that an Olympic triple medallist once shared with me many years ago that still resonates in my mind: “If you want to enjoy competing, your training must be tougher than the competition itself.” Of course, not every training session can or should be punishing. Personally, I lean toward…
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Embracing Loss and Failure as Part of Growth
I find it interesting that even in the world of science, where objectivity is paramount, the majority of published research highlights positive results. Studies that fail to prove a hypothesis or that encounter unexpected outcomes often remain unseen, tucked away in drawers rather than shared with the wider community. This…
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Before you lead, listen.
There is a Māori saying that goes: “The first stage of learning is silence, the second is listening.” In a world that feels increasingly loud—where the pace is relentless and attention is a scarce commodity—silence has become a rare luxury. And with the absence of silence, genuine listening becomes all…
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Basque Cheesecake
This post is a bit of a departure from my usual content on high-performance sport and leadership, but after I shared a video on Instagram of the Basque cheesecake I made to celebrate my son’s birthday, many of you messaged me asking for the recipe – so I’m happy to…
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Racing Brave, Dreaming Big
I couldn’t have asked for a better Selection Races. The day had pretty much everything I had hoped for – from beautiful weather and promising performances across many categories to the chance to connect with so many passionate people. If there’s one thing that unites us all, it’s our love…
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The Mirror Effect: How Coaches Influence Beyond Words
Over the years, through my journey across high-performance environments—as an athlete, a coach, and later as a performance director—I’ve seen firsthand just how deeply we influence one another. I’ve been shaped by the people around me: mentors, teammates, leaders. And I’ve come to realise the responsibility that comes with being…
EKAITZ SAIES 