Martial Attitude Voice

From anti-ableism to the power of play, from storytelling in schools to representation in toys. In this episode of Martial Attitude Voice, I sit down with Dr Sian E. Jones, Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Education at Queen Margaret University, to explore how we can reshape our understanding of disability, starting in childhood. Sian works alongside Dr Clare Uytman who are the founding voices behind the Toy Box Diversity Lab, a research hub using children's toys and material culture to challenge ableism and promote authentic disability representation in early education by addressing the lack of disability representation in children’s toys. Over time, their work has expanded to include inclusive education environments, children's books, films, video games, teacher training, and parental attitudes. Sian shares how her work is challenging systemic barriers and transforming education. We also dive into the social model of disability, the importance of touch for visually impaired learners, and how Martial Attitude Training could play a role in inclusive schooling.

Drawing on two decades of experience as a school psychologist and sport psychologist practitioner Adrian Moldovan shares insights from his recent program with a boys’ basketball team aged 10 to 12. He describes how he approached the challenge of making mindfulness accessible to children still developing their body awareness and emotional regulation skills. From simple, sensory-based exercises like the “candy exercise,” which invited the young athletes to experience an ordinary object through all their senses, to playful group activities designed to build team cohesion, Adrian reveals how mindfulness can help young athletes become more present and engaged without feeling overwhelmed or judged. The conversation also touches on the common barriers and misconceptions that arise when introducing these practices, such as initial skepticism from parents and coaches or the children’s difficulty understanding abstract concepts. Adrian also explains the importance of modeling non-judgmental acceptance, especially when exercises, like the body scan, don’t unfold as planned, and reflects on the “mental training paradox,” where everyone acknowledges the importance of mental preparation but struggles to implement it consistently. Throughout the episode, he offers practical suggestions for professionals and parents who want to nurture self-awareness, focus, and resilience in children, while respecting their developmental stage and keeping the process engaging. Whether you’re involved in youth sports, education, or simply curious about applied sport psychology, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives on helping young people grow from the inside out.

In this episode of Martial Attitude Voice, we sit down with Jason Smyth, the Irish sprint legend often called the world’s fastest Paralympian. Born with Stargardt’s disease, Jason has competed at the highest levels of both para and non-para athletics, holding world records in the 100m and 200m sprints despite relying almost entirely on blurred peripheral vision. Jason shares how sport became both an escape and a path to self-acceptance, why he once struggled to embrace para sport, and how he learned to “feel” his performance when seeing it wasn’t an option. We also explore the power of touch exchange, the idea that movement, presence, and contact are their own language, and how it shaped Jason’s journey on the track and on Dancing with the Stars. Whether you’re interested in adaptive sport, coaching, or the deeper experience of living in a visually driven world, Jason’s perspective is a reminder that our limitations often reveal unexpected strengths.

In this powerful episode, M.S. Sport Psychologist Andrea Stojanović joins us to explore how the relentless pursuit of success can trap athletes in fear and rob them of joy. From young tennis prodigies weighed down by parental expectations to elite competitors haunted by past achievements, Andrea shares candid insights into why so many athletes feel they’re never “enough” and how they experience guilt under the pressure of not letting people around them down. Together, they unpack the difference between success, greatness, and mastery—and why redefining these ideas is crucial for well-being. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or simply someone striving to grow, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on how to reconnect with your true value beyond medals and results.

Professor Anthony Montgomery is a leading scholar in occupational and organizational psychology and a Full Professor at Northumbria University. Together, we unpack why even the smartest organizations, including elite sports clubs, keep making foolish decisions. From functional stupidity and skilled incompetence to the illusion of expertise and the myth of heroic leadership, this conversation explores how culture, conformity, and systemic pressures shape bad choices. Professor Montgomery also reflects on the power, and limits of reflexivity, and why sports organizations often repeat the same mistakes despite all their resources and data. Along the way, they discuss powerful examples, including football’s obsession with scapegoating managers, the contradictory demands of modern sport as both business and community anchor, and how short-term pressures crush thoughtful decision-making. If you’ve ever wondered why clubs hire the “best” managers who still fail, or why organizations so often avoid asking hard questions, this episode will challenge your assumptions. Listen now to explore how stupidity isn’t just an individual flaw, but a systemic issue woven into how we organize, lead, and compete.