What It Really Takes to Build a Champion: The Untold Story Behind Felix Smith’s Historic Bronze

Last week, Felix Smith made history - becoming the first junior British male aerobic gymnast ever to win an individual medal at the European Championships. A bronze that represents far more than a place on the podium; it represents years of invisible work carried out not just by Felix, but by the three essential pillars of youth sport: the coach, the athlete, and the parent.

This trio; sometimes called the coach–athlete–parent triangle isn’t glamorous, but it is everything. And when I watched Felix step onto that podium, what struck me wasn’t just his talent. It was the balance behind him. The kind of balance I teach in the Super-P Approach workshop, and the kind of balance that most parents underestimate… until they see exactly what it makes possible.

The Myth of “Natural Talent”

When a young athlete wins big, people tend to say:

• “He’s gifted.”

• “He’s got something special.”

• “He was born for this.”

  
  

But if you’ve ever been behind the scenes, you know the truth: no child rises to this level on talent alone. Successful athletes grow in environments where each stakeholder delivers something specific, something essential, and something consistent.

And Felix’s story is a masterclass in that.

A Coach Who Builds, Not Breaks

Felix’s coach, Zanna, is one of those rare coaches who strikes the balance between high standards and deep care. She demands excellence - but never at the cost of the athlete’s well-being. That combination is powerful. It creates trust. It creates belief. And belief fuels performance.

We often talk about “pushing” children in sport. But the best coaches don’t push - they guide. They see the long game, not the next medal. They know when to stretch, when to support, and when to say, “Not today.”

Felix has that.

What else does she do? She brings parents in. A strong coach–athlete–parent triangle depends on trust and collaboration between coach and parent, and Zanna excels at this. She recognises the vital role parents play and works closely with them to ensure each young athlete gets the precise support they need to thrive.

Parents Who Get Their Role Exactly Right

I’ve known Felix’s parents, Jade and Gary, for years. They are what I would call “quiet architects” - the sort of sport parents whose contributions are invisible to the crowd but absolutely foundational.

Behind every training session is:

• a lifted weight (metaphorically or literally),

• a rearranged work schedule,

• a supportive car journey,

• a calm word after a bad day,

• a boundary held firm,

• a belief that does not waver.

  
  

Parents rarely get credit for this work. And when parents tell me they “don’t need education,” that they’re “doing fine,” I gently challenge that. Because even I - someone who has spent a decade researching sport parenting - have made countless mistakes with my own child. Not because I’m careless, but because the job is complex.

Sport parenting isn’t about perfection.It’s about understanding the role only you can play - because when parents overstep or under-step, the whole triangle tilts.

Felix’s triangle? Solid. Balanced. Trusting. That’s not luck. That’s deliberate.

An Athlete Who Is Supported, Not Pressured

And then there’s Felix. Hard-working, dedicated, focused. But also thriving, not surviving. There’s a difference.

Children flourish when:

• the coach leads,

• the parent supports,

• the athlete drives.

When any one of those roles blurs or collapses, performance suffers. Behaviour suffers. Confidence suffers. Well-being suffers.

When all three align - well, you get moments like this European medal.

The Real Lesson Felix’s Story Teaches Us

Felix’s achievement isn’t just a gymnastics milestone.It’s a blueprint.

It shows what happens when the environment is right - when the adults around the child work in harmony instead of tension, when roles are respected, and when the focus is on building the child, not building the medal count.

It shows what’s possible when parents are part of the performance pathway, not a barrier to it.

Why I Do the Work I Do

Parents often tell me:

• “But my kid is fine.”

• “I already know how to support them.”

• “Coaches are responsible for performance - not me.”

  
  

And yet, the science, the research, and stories like Felix’s all show the same thing:

Parents matter. A lot. More than most realise.

I created the Super-P Approach because parents are the essential pillar of support in this triangle. When parents understand their role, they lift the entire system. When they don’t, athletes feel the strain first.

Felix’s story is proof that when the triangle is balanced, young athletes don’t just succeed - they thrive.

For Every Parent Reading This

You don’t need to be perfect.You don’t need a sport science degree.You don’t need to know how to coach a backflip, a sprint start, or a penalty shot.

But you do need to know your role.

And I’m here to help you understand it, refine it, and feel confident in it - because your child’s potential is shaped not only by their talent or their coach, but by you.

And if this historic medal teaches us anything, it’s that when parents get it right… truly extraordinary things can happen.

Ready to Build Your Own Champion Triangle?

Let’s learn this together.Bring me into your club and I’ll teach your parents the SUPER-P Approach—the framework that helps create balanced, confident, high-performing young athletes.

Parents: Refer your club and earn £50 when they book a workshop.

Coaches: Get in touch today and let’s give your athletes the support system they deserve

And finally, a huge congratulations to Felix - you’ve always been a top-class champion to me!