Episode 2 of That Lionesses Podcast connected by EE features Esme Morgan and Aggie Beever-Jones, discussing how they deal with major tournament prep and big tournament moments.
They also talk about other important topics, including what you should eat during the menstrual cycle.
QUOTES
Talking on major tournament prep
Harriet: Esme, you’ve been part of the Lionesses squad for a few years now. How has your approach to the tournament prep changed with your experience?
Esme: That’s a great question. I feel like I’ve always approached things kind of the same, just trying to understand my role in the team, working hard every day, constantly trying to review things, improve, find learnings so I don’t think over the years it’s changed a great deal to be honest. I think I can draw on experiences from previous major tournaments like at the World Cup, the noise inside the stadiums was just incredible. And I feel like that experience helped to prepare me for what might be to come in future. And so I’m really grateful for those experiences. But I think prep wise, you’re always just trying to evolve and constantly find improvement.
Harriet: Absolutely. I mean, Aggie, this is still quite new for you at senior level. How different does it feel from the development team camps that you’ve been part of before?
Aggie: Yeah, I think for me, obviously, I’m quite lucky. I came through the pathway at England, so I feel like the transition is always a little bit easier, just because I think at the u23’s, they prep you for, obviously the moments when you do obviously get the call up. But I think for me, I’m just trying to be a sponge in this environment. I feel like I’m still quite young, and I’m learning a lot, and I think I’ve been in the setup for nearly a year now, and I think each camp I’m still learning, still learning off of people on and off the pitch, and just making sure I’m ready for whatever happens really.
Esme gives Aggie tips on how to deal with big tournament moments
Harriet: And Esme, what tips do you have for Aggie for dealing with say for example things like that level of noise and stuff like that, the big moments that you it’s kind of like that thing where you can prepare and prepare and train, but there are some things you cannot emulate on a pitch training ground.
Esme: I think we’re very lucky now that at club level, we get to play in those environments.
Aggie: Yeah
Esme: so obviously you play at Stamford Bridge in front of tens and thousands, so it’s not going to be anything out of the ordinary, but I think when it’s an international tournament and you’re hearing your anthems and the passion of your own supporters, it’s really special and like a goosebumps feeling, but I feel like that’s something that just drives you and you kind of thrive on as professional athletes, we live for those precious situations, and they’re the most fun games to play in, so Ags just has to do what she does best, score goals, take people on, be confident, and yeah she’ll be absolutely fine.
Esme discusses her diet during the menstrual cycle
Harriet: Esme, you’ve previously spoken about your meal plan has been based around your menstrual cycle, which is incredible, I think it’s so important that we discuss how amazing it is. I mean you see these TikTok’s now that are like get your boyfriend or your girlfriend to cook you a steak on your first day of your period, and i’m like wow I didn’t even realise that for me. Now I do it every time I’m about to come on my period
Esme: Feel great
Harriet: I get a massive steak, but that’s what you need to do, is refill that iron, but why aren’t we, I feel like we don’t know this information young enough you know. How important is it for you to speak about that so that you know, we can actually share that information?
Esme: It’s really important, because, as you say it’s not something that you’re taught at a young age and having not been, if I wasn’t in the football environment I wouldn’t know it at all so we’re really lucky that we get access to experts in this field who can educate us on these things. And like, in the first phase of your period your inflammatory responses are really high so you need tonnes of anti-inflammatory foods, loads of fish, loads of fruit and stuff like that. So having that knowledge and being able to make a conscious effort to increase intake of certain things is so helpful
Harriet: I think it’s amazing, and I just think we should talk about it more
Esme: Periods are normal
Aggie: I thought you were going period then
Harriet: Period, literally
Esme: We all have them so I think it’s becoming less of a taboo subject but there’s still work to be done, but just normalising the conversation is really important
Harriet: Yeah, I agree and I think it’s wonderful that you talk about it, so thank you. As a spokesperson, but also as somebody that young people are going to look up to, I think it’s wicked, so thank you for that.