Si’s ‘helping son get over mum’s death’
Celebrity mentalist coaches rugby ace
SKY Sports’ Simon Thomas has revealed he is thinking of fun ways to help keep his son upbeat since the death of his mother.
The presenter and eightyear-old Ethan were left devastated last November when Gemma died of acute myeloid leukaemia days after being diagnosed with the disease.
Simon, 45, told fans on social media he is hoping to give his son some happy memories by planning a trip away together.
He wrote on Twitter: “I’m trying to think of ideas and adventures to plan with Ethan – to give him lots of new memories after Mum going.
“I’m thinking of getting a camper van so we can go off together and see different places”. RUGBY star Keith Earls has revealed he is working with celebrity mentalist Keith Barry to make himself a better player.
Munster and Ireland hero Earls, 30, is in the best form of his life and has been pivotal to Ireland’s Grand Slam push.
But the talented winger admitted by working on the mental side of the game he is dealing with the pressure that comes with life at the top level.
He said: “I have been relaxing a bit. As I am getting older I am trying to find the one per cents between diet and stuff, the psychology and the visualisation.
“I have been working a bit with Keith Barry as well, just trying to get them one per cents, which seems to be working.
“I don’t want to get into the detail but he knows the brain better than anyone and just in terms of visualisation and stuff like that.
“It’s down to everything – diet, looking after myself, having the balance of family life and work and then working on the mental side with him.
“Enda [Mcnulty] is here as well and working with him.
“Combining it all together [is beneficial].”
Earls was
YESTERDAY
In action against Wales last month reluctant to elaborate further on Barry’s influence and when asked if he did work with other sports people, he replied: “Bits and pieces. “I don’t know if he is comfortable with me saying that, so I don’t want to get into detail about it, but I really enjoy working with him.”
Earls claims Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland will be the most important game of his career as he chases his first championship title and, perhaps, Grand Slam.
Injury robbed him of the opportunity to be part of Ireland’s championship victories in 2014 and 2015 but that could change this weekend if results go the way Joe Schmidt’s side hope for.
Earls admitted: “I’m not even looking past Scotland. It’s the biggest week of my Irish career. “It’s a massive match for us and the pressure of playing in the Aviva. “We have a good record there but the Scots are on a high at the moment.
“I’m enjoying rugby. The last 18 months is probably the most I’ve enjoyed rugby since I was 13. “When you’re enjoying something and it doesn’t seem like work you enjoy it a lot more.”
It’s down to everything – diet and family and work balance
KEITH EARLS