![Susie Brown](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/susie-brown.jpg)
Susie Brown
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Susie has supported a wide range of athletes across multiple sports in her role as Performance Lifestyle Advisor. Susie has completed the Institute of Leadership and Management Level 5 course in Coaching and Mentoring. She worked at Loughborough University as a Research Associate in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and more recently in the Careers Network and Business School Placements team. Susie was selected to run for England in the 400m Hurdles and 4x400m relay.
![Lewis Clifford](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/lewis-clifford.jpg)
Lewis Clifford
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Lewis taught in a Leicester Sixth Form College following the completion of a PGCE in Physical Education at Loughborough University. During his teaching career he has also been a Professional Development Co-ordinator, a Pastoral Care Manager and Head of Sport. Now retired from full-time teaching, he coaches rugby at a number of different levels and has been involved with Leicester Tigers Academy as their Education and Welfare Officer. He played rugby for Leicestershire and Leicester Tigers and retain links with the club as a part-time Head Coach for Youth Rugby Camps.
Emily Hansell
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Emily has been based at Loughborough since she arrived as an undergraduate student in 2015. During this time, she completed her BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, and MSc in Strength & Conditioning. Since 2021, Emily has worked in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences as a member of academic staff, teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the areas of S&C, physiology, nutrition, and anatomy. She is also completing a part-time PhD in sports nutrition and neuromuscular function. Emily has experienced high performance environments in several different support roles and brings expertise from an academic/education perspective. Emily has been a member of the Performance Lifestyle team since 2022 and is an ex-competitive gymnast and dancer.
Sarah Holt
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Sarah is a Loughborough University graduate and previous sports scholar, having studied Geography and Sport Science. Her sporting background was within athletics where she specialised in the hammer throw. Career highlights include competing in two Commonwealth Games (Delhi and Glasgow), European U23 bronze medallist, second on the UK all-time list and GB team Captain. Sarah is a Performance Lifestyle Advisor for Loughborough Sport and EIS and also works within the commercial team for Loughborough Sport.
Carly Jones
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Carly has previously studied a BSc in Outdoor Studies with Geography at Manchester Metropolitan University and after graduating in 2010 went to work for London Ambulance Service as a trainee paramedic. In 2017, she decided to have a career break from the NHS and study an MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning).
Having received performance lifestyle support while studying on her MSc, she recognises the challenges of balancing a busy lifestyle and the impact this can have on well being. Carly has personally experienced balancing studying for her BSc and MSc with Taekwondo training, national competition and her career in the NHS. The support she received while on her MSc inspired her to undertake the Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support Level 3 course and begin to work in performance lifestyle.
She now currently works in primary care as a paramedic, with an interest in mental well being and holistic person centred care. In order to support this, she is currently undertaking training in counselling and has recently completed Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education.
![](/media/media/sport/PennyRaboneheadshot.jpg)
Penny Rabone
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Penny completed her Sport and Exercise Science degree in 2009 at The University of Worcester, and went on to complete a PGcert in applied management, whilst also training and competing in athletics. She has recently completed her TALs qualification, and currently training to be a mental health first aid instructor with MHFA England.
Penny has a background working with the NHS within their Physiotherapy department, and more recently has worked at Swim England for 5 years as their Health and Wellbeing Manager. Penny now works for a Sports charity (Sported) part time as their Wellbeing lead, supporting grassroots sports coaches and young people with all things relating to their mental and physical Wellbeing.
Ola Krukowska-Burke
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Ola is a Loughborough University graduate, having completed her PhD in Sport Psychology. She currently works as a University Teacher delivering sessions to the students on the Psychology, Sport Science, and Sports Science Coaching and Physical Education programmes. She used to compete in volleyball representing Loughborough University Students Club. Ola is passionate about helping student-athletes balance the demands of their dual careers and realise their full potential.
![Alex Laybourne](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/alex-laybourne.jpg)
Alex Laybourne
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Alex completed his undergraduate (Psychology) and postgraduate (Sports Coaching) at Loughborough then went on to work in the Sports Development Centre as the Rugby Club and Coach Development Officer. He was also Head Coach of the Women's Rugby Programme during this time. Alex moved into Education, taking on a Head of Rugby role at an Independent School before progressing into Pastoral care and pupil development as Deputy Head of 6th Form, Head of Careers and running PSHCE. Alongside these current roles he is the Director of Rugby for the Lambs Rugby programme. He was previously Head Coach of Scotland Women's Rugby U20s.
![Jenny Maxwell](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/jenny-maxwell.jpg)
Jenny Maxwell
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Jenny is a rugby player for both Loughborough Lightning and Scotland Women. She has twenty-five full International caps and fourteen Scotland 7s caps. Alongside this she has an MSc in Sport and Exercise Physiology and currently works as an Elite Sport Tutor, helping young athletes to reach their full potential inside and outside of their sport.
![Sonia McGeroge](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/sonia-mcgeorge.jpg)
Sonia McGeorge
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Sonia studied PE and Sports Science at Loughborough University, graduating in 1987, whilst training and competing in Athletics. Sonia worked at the University full time in a translational research centre, representing GB at many major championships. The pinnacle being competing over 5000m at the Atlanta Olympics. Sonia has experienced balancing the demands of elite sport alongside education and work commitments and understands the challenges this presents and how these can be overcome. Sonia coaches within Athletics, working with athletes of all ages and range of abilities from beginners to international athletes. She is currently an athletics coach at Loughborough University as part of the team working with the men’s endurance squad.
![Chris McGeorge](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/chris-mcgeorge.jpg)
Chris McGeorge
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Chris’s experience includes a career as an elite athlete, representing GB & England as a senior athlete. Chris had to balance his training and competitions alongside studying for a degree at Loughborough, graduating in 1988. Since retiring as an athlete, he is currently working as a coach at Loughborough with the men’s endurance squad. He also worked as a volunteer Endurance Coach for Team GB at Youth Olympics, World & European Junior Championships. Chris spent thirty years teaching PE and had the roles of Deputy Head and Head of Boarding. He worked at Loughborough College as their Elite Athlete Education & Welfare Officer working with elite athletes in a wide range of sports leading up to and beyond 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
![Brodie Miller](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/brodie-miller.jpg)
Brodie Miller
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Brodie graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science and is currently studying Exercise as Medicine MSc. She played international level Badminton from ten years. Brodie has experience of student-athlete lifestyle, being a TASS athlete for two years and has experienced first-hand how Performance Lifestyle can benefit an athlete. This is what sparked her interest in pursuing a career as a Performance Lifestyle Mentor.
![](/media/media/sport/CampbellOswaldphoto.jpg)
Campbell Oswald
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Campbell graduated from Loughborough in 1991 with a degree in Economics. He played a multitude of sports whilst at Loughborough including representing the English and British Universities at cricket. Campbell worked in professional services with Deloitte for 30 years with over half of them as a Partner leading large global teams.
During this time he was also extensively involved in recruitment, coaching and mentoring. He has continued to train and play competitive sport throughout his business career and still captains one of the teams at his local hockey club. Accordingly, he understands some of the time pressures of combining work commitments with his own and his children's ongoing sports commitments.
![Helen Roberts](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/helen-roberts.jpg)
Helen Roberts
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Helen has worked with in Higher Education Performance Sport for the last decade recently taking a move into professional sport as Player Care Manager at Aston Villa Football Club. Previously having worked in the English Institute of Sport as a Lifestyle Advisor, British Universities and College Sport as Performance Sport Manager and as Performance Athlete Manager, working alongside multiple organisations such as TASS and various NGBs. Helen studied at Sheffield Hallam University completing a Sports and Exercise Science BSc, MSc and more recently a PGDip in Mentoring and Coaching.
![Saskia Thompson-Kobus](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/Saskia-thompson-kobus.jpg)
Saskia Thompson-Kobus
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Saskia has been a competitive athlete (rugby), graduated from Loughborough with an MSc in 2017 and currently works there as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. This has equipped her with the knowledge and understanding of the similar challenges our athletes face on a day to day basis. She has been a Lifestyle Advisor for five years.
Ceara Toal
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Ceara is a triple international para-sportswoman representing the country in Deaf Football, Deaf Futsal and Indoor Cricket in 10 countries worldwide. She is a current member of the England Deaf Women’s Football squad and has over 20 caps. She graduated from Staffordshire University with a BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology and then MSc in Sport Psychology from Brunel University. Sport have been a huge part of Ceara’s life and is passionate about ensuring that athletes can find the perfect (or near enough!) balance between sport, studies and social aspects as well as developing professionally and personally as a person.
![Amy Ward](/media/media/sport/AmyWardheadshot.jpg)
Amy Ward
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
After completing both her degree in Social Psychology and her Masters degree in Work Psychology at Loughborough University, Amy has gone on to complete research in Athlete Transitions and to work within education and learning & development across a variety of industries. She particularly specialises in Early Talent, including Apprenticeships and Graduate Programmes, and within sport focusing on Athlete and Workforce development. Amy currently manages leadership and talent development programmes for a range of clients, whilst career coaching individuals through key transitions. Amy is also part of the Loughborough University Alumni Advisory Board.
![Laura Whittle](/media/media/sport/images/performance/performancelifestyle/laura-whittle.jpg)
Laura Whittle
Performance Lifestyle Mentor
Laura studied Publishing with English at Loughborough University while also representing Great Britain in athletics. The highlight of her athletics career so far has been competing in the 5000m at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. She also finished 6th in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and won the 5000m at the European Under 23 Championships in 2007.
After graduating from Loughborough University she worked part-time in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Admissions, before progressing into an Admissions role within the Business School, while also balancing the demands of being an elite athlete. Laura therefore understands first-hand the challenges placed on athletes when balancing sport and academic commitments.