Todd Astle
For Professional Cricketer Todd Astle, the road to success has been filled with stories of getting knocked down and being able to pick himself up to keep pushing toward achieving his goals. Becoming Canterbury’s leading wicket taker and representing New Zealand as a leg-spinner was more than Astle could have dreamed of after getting dropped as an opening batsman in his early 20s.
Throughout Todd’s teenage years, he showed all the makings of becoming New Zealand’s next great opening batsmen. But his first four years as a professional proved tougher than he expected and questioned whether he was good enough to continue his career. Todd decided to put more focus into his part time leg-spin bowling and it was a decision that turned (excuse the pun) out to be a smart one. Over the next seven years Todd managed to string together a number successful seasons with the ball which resulted in Canterbury winning five championships and making his debut for the Blackcaps.
Although the success Todd was having in the domestic competition, he was struggling to nail down a regular starting spot in the Blackcaps. Making nearly twenty appearances for New Zealand across all three formats over his 15-year career. Poorly timed injuries, the pressures of international cricket and selection have been valuable character builders for Astle. These experiences have driven him to start a business called INNERSPIN, Todd has harnessed his experiences and learning’s with his aim to inspire and empower others to maximize their potential.
In this episode, Astle gives host van Beek an insight to a career full of ups and downs. From his being the “Boy Wonder” to early failures; the turning point at Sydneham Park; Dealing with untimely injuries and setbacks; Long gaps between test matches; how to gain perspective and gratitude early in your career; the Australian 2019/20 Test Series; How does a young athlete understand their WHY? Gain perspective and gratitude early; How do you get IN THE ZONE during a match; Starting INNERSPIN – transitioning out of Cricket and getting into real world.
Chapters
o Retirement from Red Ball Cricket (2:53)
o “Boy Wonder” and dealing with early failures (4:15)
o Becoming a Leg Spin bowler (9:46)
o Turning Point – “the day at Sydneham Park (11:30)
o The ‘Recipe for Success’ when things started to go well (16:02)
o Making your Blackcaps debut (17:53)
o Long gaps between Test Matches (21:15)
o Australia Test Series 2019/20 (22:52)
o Dealing with untimely injuries/setbacks (26:02)
o Developing mental skills through the setbacks (30:40)
o How does a young athlete understand their WHY? Gain perspective and gratitude early? (33:50)
o Mentors that you have looked up to for advice (36:04)
o Example of Roger Federer’s mindset during a match. Times when you have been IN THE ZONE? Times when you were too worried about the outcome? (37:35)
o How do you get IN THE ZONE during a match? (42:57)
o Letting bad performances go (46:07)
o Starting INNERSPIN – transitioning out of Professional Cricket and starting a business (49:42)
o What is the hardest part of Career Transitioning? (54:33)
o Why People/Businesses/Schools/Sports teams should use INNERSPIN? (55:43)
o Dealing with different personalities in a team to get them moving in the same direction? (57:34)
o What are the best qualities of coaches you have had that you will take into your coaching career? (1:00:40)