Duncan McCarthy Academy

Duncan McCarthy Academy We help people develop the mindset, habits and behaviours that lead to better performance in sport, education, business and life.

Follow our page for Academy updates, practical coaching insights and simple strategies to help you become an expert in yours

09/09/2026

We have access to more information than ever before. Podcasts. Books. Social media. Videos. Advice. Ideas. There’s always something else we could learn.

But at some point, learning has to become doing. Because knowing something and actually applying it are two very different things. You probably already know plenty of things that could make a difference to your life, your work or your performance.

The question is: What are you actually doing with what you know? You don’t always need another podcast. Another book. Another piece of advice. Sometimes you just need to take one thing you already know… …and put it into action. Less consuming.

More applying. Pick one thing. Start there.

*****on

07/09/2026

I often say that a person with no expectations is never disappointed. And there’s something important in that. We can put so much pressure on ourselves because we’ve already decided what the outcome needs to look like. The result we need. Where we think we should be. What success is supposed to look like.

And when reality doesn’t match that expectation, we feel like we’ve failed. But letting go of expectations doesn’t mean lowering your standards. There’s a big difference between the two. Expectations focus on what you think should happen. Standards focus on how you choose to show up. Your preparation. Your effort. Your attitude. The decisions you make. The person you want to be.

So hold your standards high. But try to loosen your grip on exactly how everything has to turn out. Focus less on demanding a particular outcome… …and more on becoming someone you’re proud of regardless of it.

04/09/2026

It’s never just about the performer. It’s always about the person too. That’s something working with Ash has reinforced for me over the years. When things aren’t going well, it’s easy to focus purely on the performance. The results. The technique. The numbers. What needs fixing.

But sometimes we need to look beyond the performance and ask a different question: How is the person doing? Because we don’t leave the rest of our lives behind when we walk into work, step onto the pitch or compete. Our energy. Our relationships. Our health. Our confidence.

What’s happening away from our performance. It all comes with us. So when performance isn’t where you want it to be, don’t just look at what you’re doing.

Take some time to understand how you are doing. Sometimes the answer isn’t found in trying harder. It starts with looking after the person behind the performance.

Are you carrying the weight of work, family, and life without taking time to reset? Even the strongest men need a space ...
02/09/2026

Are you carrying the weight of work, family, and life without taking time to reset?

Even the strongest men need a space to step back, reflect, and recharge. Carrying constant responsibility can slowly drain your momentum if you don't have a dedicated place to process it all.

BETTER MAN is a weekly class designed specifically for men who want more from themselves and their lives.

📅 When: Thursday Evenings (Launching September 2026)
📍 Location: Duncan McCarthy Academy in Ripon

Email us directly at [email protected] to lock in your spot on the waitlist

01/09/2026

A lot of men become very good at just getting on with things. There’s work to do. A family to look after. Responsibilities to carry. People relying on you. So you keep moving.

But how often do you actually stop and check in with yourself? How am I doing? What’s taking up space in my head? What could I be handling better? What do I need to talk about?

Sometimes simply having the space to talk, reflect and be honest with yourself can make a huge difference. That’s part of why I created Better Man. A space for men to step away from the day-to-day noise, have conversations we perhaps don’t have often enough, understand ourselves better and work on the areas of life that matter to us.

You don’t need to be struggling to want to become better. Sometimes you just need the space to do it.

Better Man weekly workshops begin this September. Join the waiting list through the link in my bio.

Growing up means navigating tough decisions, peer pressure, and bigger responsibilities. Giving young people a safe envi...
28/08/2026

Growing up means navigating tough decisions, peer pressure, and bigger responsibilities. Giving young people a safe environment to explore real examples and practical activities builds skills that extend far beyond sport.

The Young Achiever Programme focuses on helping 9 to 16-year-olds communicate well, take responsibility, and become true experts in themselves.

Take the first step: Drop us a message or email [email protected] to find the right start date for your child.

26/08/2026

Your mind is constantly giving you information. Thoughts. Doubts. Predictions. Stories about what might happen next.

And you don’t always get to choose what shows up. I often explain it simply: From the neck up, notice what you are thinking. From the neck down, notice what you are feeling.

A thought like “I’m not good enough” or “What if I mess this up?” can quickly be followed by a physical response. Tension. Nerves. A racing heart. That feeling in your stomach. And if we are not aware of what’s happening, all of that can start influencing what we do next. That’s why becoming an expert in yourself matters.

You can’t control every thought that enters your head or every emotion that shows up. But you can get better at noticing them, understanding them and choosing how you respond.

Notice the thought. Notice the feeling. Then choose what you do next. That small gap can make a huge difference.

How do we help our kids build genuine confidence in such a demanding world? 👇 Hi everyone! As parents, we all want to se...
24/08/2026

How do we help our kids build genuine confidence in such a demanding world? 👇

Hi everyone! As parents, we all want to see our kids succeed but seeing them struggle with stress, self-doubt, or sports pressure can be hard to navigate.

On Monday 14th September (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM), we are hosting a FREE event for parents at the Duncan McCarthy Academy in Ripon: Supporting The Young Achiever. Duncan has spent 18+ years working with everyone from young aspiring performers to professional athletes.

This evening isn't about clinical jargon or lecture slides, it is about giving parents real, practical tools to help young people:
✅ Understand where true self-belief comes from
✅ Bounce forward after setbacks at school or in sport
✅ Handle pressure and calm their minds
✅ Become "experts in themselves" It is 100% free but places are strictly capped at 24 so everyone gets a chance to ask questions and chat.

If you’d like to reserve a place for you or a friend, send an email to [email protected] or grab your ticket on Eventbrite here: https://McCarthy_EveningforParents.eventbrite.com

Feel free to tag a parent who might find this valuable!

Because even the strongest men need a dedicated place to reset, reflect, and grow.Introducing BETTER MAN — a new weekly ...
21/08/2026

Because even the strongest men need a dedicated place to reset, reflect, and grow.

Introducing BETTER MAN — a new weekly class designed for men who want more from themselves and their lives.

In the noise of day-to-day life, it’s easy to run on autopilot. This space is built to give you the practical tools and perspectives to step back, recalibrate, and keep moving forward.

What You Will Gain:
RESET: Find balance and reduce mental stress.
REFLECT: Review your actions and gain new perspectives.
GROW: Develop practical skills and positive, lasting habits.

Real men. Real talk. Real growth.

🗓️ When: Thursday Evenings (Launching September 2026)
📍 Where: Duncan McCarthy Academy

📩 How to Join: Spaces will be limited to keep sessions focused and impactful. Join the waiting list today by emailing: [email protected] or https://linktr.ee/duncanmccarthy

Young people are growing up in a demanding world.Watching a young person struggle with self-doubt or pressure is tough—a...
19/08/2026

Young people are growing up in a demanding world.

Watching a young person struggle with self-doubt or pressure is tough—and often, standard advice like "just try harder" doesn't touch the root cause.

In our academy, we see three major challenges quietly affecting young people today:

1️⃣ PRESSURE: School, sports performance, friendships, and expectations can make it hard to switch off and feel settled.
2️⃣ COMPARISON: Social media and seeing other people's highlight reels quietly erode self-confidence.
3️⃣ UNCERTAINTY: Mistakes, setbacks, and future decisions feel overwhelming when they don't yet know how to respond.

Support before a problem grows.

The Young Achiever programme provides a dedicated, safe space for young people aged 9–16 to understand what is happening in their minds and learn how to respond well when things get tough.

💡 Progress over perfection.

📩 Email [email protected] to receive Parents Guide or to register for our upcoming workshop in September at the Duncan McCarthy Academy

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Ripon

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Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm

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