Steve Peters (psychiatrist)

Steve Peters (born 5 July 1953) is an English psychiatrist who works in elite sport. He is best known for his work with British Cycling. He has published three books, The Chimp Paradox in 2012, My Hidden Chimp in 2018 and The Silent Guides in 2018.[1]

Steve Peters
Medal record
Athletics
Representing  United Kingdom
World Masters Athletics Championships (M50)
2005 San Sebastian 100 m
2005 San Sebastian 200 m
2005 San Sebastian 400 m
2007 Riccione 200 m
2007 Riccione 100 m
2007 Riccione 400 m
World Masters Athletics Championships (M55)
2009 Lahti 200 m
2009 Lahti 400 m
World Masters Athletics Championships (M60)
2013 Porto Alegre 100 m
2013 Porto Alegre 200 m
2013 Porto Alegre 400 m
2015 Lyon 100 m
2015 Lyon 200 m
2015 Lyon 400 m
European Masters Athletics Championships (M50)
2006 Poznan 100m
2006 Poznan 200m
2006 Poznan 400m
European Masters Athletics Championships (M55)
2010 Nyiregyhaza 100m
2010 Nyiregyhaza 200m
2010 Nyiregyhaza 400m
2011 Gent 200m
European Masters Athletics Championships (M60)
2014 Izmir 100m
2014 Izmir 200m
2014 Izmir 400m
European Masters Indoor Athletics Championships (M50)
2007 Helsinki 60m
2007 Helsinki 200m
2007 Helsinki 400m
European Masters Indoor Athletics Championships (M55)
2009 Ancona 200m
2009 Ancona 400m
2009 Ancona 60m

Early life

Peters was born in Middlesbrough. His father worked on Tees Dock as a stevedore and his mother worked as an insurance agent. He was the middle child of three boys. He attended Grammar school having passed the scholarship entrance exams. He was not academically inclined and by self-admission would pass each academic hurdle throughout his entire career by achieving only what was necessary. He achieved eight ordinary levels and then took four Advanced level subjects in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology; the first pupil at his school to take four ‘A’ level subjects.

After leaving school he went to Stirling University to study Mathematics and then went on to take a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Sheffield University, where he gained a distinction in teaching practice. He taught mathematics for several years in secondary schools and colleges. During his teaching career he undertook extensive voluntary work that spanned across organisations such as ‘Help the Aged’, the NSPCC (working with educationally and socially disadvantaged children), the RSPCA and he also took classes at North Sea Camp for young offenders alongside work in the probation service. Peters’ interest in the support for victims of crime led him to help start a victim support scheme in his town of Boston. This movement spread and resulted in the National Victims Support Scheme.

Peters re-entered University to study medicine at St Mary’s Medical School, part of the University of London. During his time as an undergraduate he was the year representative in his first year, the Secretary of the students Union in his second year and became President in his third year. He won the prize for medical statistics. Whilst at St Mary’s he also directed the medical school opera and became the president of London University Athletics. He represented London University at the British University Championships where he made the final in the 200 metres. Peters was awarded colours for outstanding service to the University of London.

Work

Medical and Academic Career

After graduating as a doctor he undertook several positions within hospitals and institutions across the UK in disciplines of surgery, medicine, general practice and various branches of psychiatry. He gained his membership exams for the Royal College of Psychiatrists and became a Consultant psychiatrist within the National Health Service, where he worked for twenty years.[2] During this time he was Clinical Director of Bassetlaw District General Hospital[2] and worked at the Special Hospital at Rampton working with patients with personality disorders.[3]

In parallel to his hospital clinical work he worked at Sheffield University as a Senior Clinical Lecturer in medicine where he became Undergraduate Dean [4] and Professor of Psychiatry (positions which he still currently holds as of 2015).

During his time at the University he gained a master's degree in Medical Education, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine and was awarded a Doctorate in Medicine. Peters set a precedent by being bestowed the Senate award for teaching excellence on two occasions, still a unique achievement, and represented the University at a meeting to celebrate teaching excellence at Downing Street. Peters set up the mentoring system for student support within the medical school and led on this for several years.

Work in Elite Sport

In 2001 a former student at Sheffield recommended Peters to the British Cycling team, and he moved from part-time to full-time work with the team in 2005.[5] Peters has been recognised by Olympic cyclists Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, as having helped them in their careers.[6] Sir Dave Brailsford has described Peters as "the best appointment I've ever made."[7] Peters stepped down from his role with British Cycling in April 2014 when Brailsford left his position as Performance Director.[8]

Peters has worked with Ronnie O'Sullivan since 2011 working with him when he won his 4th and 5th World Snooker Championships in 2012 and 2013.[9] O'Sullivan has acknowledged Peters' influence and help in his continued success.[10]

After the 2012 Olympics Peters was appointed by UK Athletics to work with the country's high performance athletes.[11] Sprinter Adam Gemili, who won gold at the 2014 European Athletics Championships in the 200 metres and silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the 100 metres, attributed his ability to perform under pressure at major championships to his work with Peters.[12]

In November 2012 Peters started to work with Liverpool F.C.[13] In March 2014 he was recruited to help the England football team.[14]

Books

The Chimp Paradox

Peters first book, The Chimp Paradox, was published in January 2012 and has since gone on to sell 615,000 copies in the UK (as of 31 March 2019).[15] In the book Peters uses his 'Chimp Model' to depict the irrational, emotional areas of the brain as a chimp and the logical areas as a human.[6]

My Hidden Chimp

Released in November 2018, My Hidden Chimp , is an educational children's book written to help children understand and manage their emotions.[16] It has sold over 50,000 copies (as of 24 February 2019).[17]

The Silent Guides

Released in November 2018 as a companion book to My Hidden Chimp, the book is aimed at adults, to help them understand their own mind and to support their children reading My Hidden Chimp.[16]

Other Work

Peters established Chimp Management Ltd, a company which delivers consultancy and training services.[18] He presents a video programme every 2 weeks on The Troop, a membership platform set up by Chimp Management Ltd.[19]

Athletics career

Peters competes in masters athletics and has held multiple World Masters Champion titles and world records over the 100, 200 and 400 metres.[5] He currently competes in the M65 age group.[20]

See also

References
  1. "Books by Professor Steve Peters". Chimp Management. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  2. "Professor Steve Peters". Chimp Management. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  3. Fotheringham, William (8 May 2008). "Meet the mechanic of the mind with an inside track on winning gold". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  4. Peters, Steve (Sports psychiatrist) (2011). The chimp paradox : how our impulses and emotions can determine success and happiness and how we can control them. London: Vermilion. ISBN 9780091935580. OCLC 720515382.
  5. "Dr. Steve Peters shares training secret: Just speed it". masterstrack.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  6. "Dr Steve Peters: From chimps to champs". The Independent. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. "Pro Cycling | Team | Team Psychiatrist". Team Sky. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  8. Fotheringham, William (11 April 2014). "British Cycling confirms Sir Dave Brailsford's decision to step aside". theguardian.com. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  9. "BBC Sport – Ronnie O'Sullivan: Luis Suarez will benefit from Dr Steve Peters's help". Bbc.com. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  10. "The long road back: Ronnie O'Sullivan's journey from sabotage to solace". The Independent. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. Hart, Simon (24 October 2012). "Dr Steve Peters given role of improving British athletes' mindset – especially our poor relay teams". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  12. Ingle, Sean (27 April 2015). "British sprinter Adam Gemili is warming up for a hot medal summer". theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  13. Pearce, James (24 November 2012). "Liverpool FC appoint top-rated sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  14. "BBC Sport – Roy Hodgson recruits psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters for England". Bbc.com. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  15. Times, The Sunday (31 March 2019). "Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, March 31". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  16. Gill, Emma (13 February 2019). "How the My Hidden Chimp book is helping kids with anxiety". men. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  17. Times, The Sunday (24 February 2019). "The Sunday Times Bestsellers, February 24". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  18. "What We Do". Chimp Management. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  19. "Join The Troop". The Troop. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  20. "Athlete Profile". www.thepowerof10.info. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
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