Demystifying Mental Toughness

Do you ever believe you are your thoughts? Do you often take your thoughts way too seriously?   If so you'll enjoy today's podcast episode as my guest, Keagen Hadley author of Torn: Overcoming the Psychological Challenges Post-ACL Injury talks about using Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a potentially helpful solution.   Specifically we discuss cognitive defusion as a way to help you create...

In different sports such as golf and cricket, athletes can be placed in situations where they have a lot of thinking time. Too much thinking time for some!   Due to their high level of motivation, focus of attention, fatigue, emotions and many other factors this thinking time can create havoc in their minds.   As a result, indecision, fear and self-doubt can take over. In today's episode, Dr James...

Many athletes, golfers or people in everyday life take their thoughts too seriously.   They then get caught up overthinking and it causes havoc with their decision making.   In golfing terms, paralysis by analysis can take over, when the pressure is on and the result is often poor shots and missed putts.   And lots of frustration!  In this episode, Trevor Jones a PGA Professional Golf Coach and Me...

How often in sport do you see an athlete make the wrong decision under pressure? Often I'd say! Even at the highest level in elite professional sport.   Indecision, overthinking, paralysis by analysis, having too much time to think of the consequences, a lack of trust in skills or fear are often the reasons for poor decision making.  In this short bite-sized episode, Paul Phillips an author and cu...

In the last of this 3 part series created for parents of young adults and kids who play football or soccer I discuss how fear can wreck a youngsters fun and enjoyment on the pitch.   Common responses to fear before matches include performance anxiety, physical sickness, feigning injury and refusing to play.   It's a hugely difficult challenge to navigate as a parent therefore I share a tool connec...

What is the most mentally challenging position on the football or soccer pitch?   Many people would argue it's the goalkeeper.   Common psychological challenges goalkeepers face include; coping with mistakes and bouncing back strongly, dealing with tough and physical opponents, playing the ball out from the back with their feet in uncomfortable situations, communicating effectively with team-mates...

In the second of 3 episodes created for parents of young people who play football I carry on the conversation about enjoyment on the football pitch.   Where on this occasion I introduce the relationship between enjoyment in football, the impact of playing poorly, performance levels and self-esteem.   I go on to discuss what self esteem is, what you could expect from someone with high self-esteem a...

Today, with my colleague Dr Alessia Bruno we discuss the downsides to perfectionism and how many athletes can get obsessed by their sports, training harder and harder, pushing themselves to the limit.   The result can then be burnout, playing in fear or a lack of enjoyment. Enjoy tuning in! Key Learning Points Sport can be seen as a job by perfectionist athletes. When searching to get better, the...

This is the first of 3 episodes created for parents of kids who play football with their enjoyment and the possibility of quitting playing football the topic I discuss today.   When thoughts of quitting are considered, it can be very challenging for some parents to navigate as they try to decide the best route to take despite different pressures associated with the decision.   Therefore, I share s...

A lot of golfers lack confidence and trust in their ability to execute shots and putts and shoot the scores that they are capable of.   As a result, they often cause themselves problems by the decisions that they make.   Common things I notice are over practicing, reactively practicing, an over reliance on YouTube coaching and a quick fix mentality.   On the course they are then guilty of overthin...

A football coaches role is multi-faceted from being knowledgeable about tactics and technical aspects of the game to being well versed in their understanding of physical attributes and diet.   Psycho-social aspects also form a big part of the role too.   Developing, managing and disciplining players whilst trying to get the best out of them, day in day out is far from an easy job.   This forms the...

Fear is evident in every sport and affects athletes and performers differently. From overthinking to strong physiological responses in an athlete's body.   Decision making is then naturally impeded, impacting performance levels. In today's episode an inspirational Olympian, Dan Steele offers insights into how he dealt with an accident whilst competing in bobsleigh and then managed to head back up...

It's very easy as a football coach to offer short snippets of praise such as "great goal" or "good pass."   However, is this actually helpful for the footballer?   In this episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, the second of a 6 part series I argue that yes it is helpful, especially for those players who gain confidence from coach praise and compliments.   However, if you as a coach challenge y...

In episode #224 of Demystifying Mental Toughness, I share part of a conversation with Aaron Walsh a Mental Performance Coach with many Elite Professional Rugby Players.   We discuss whether elite professional rugby union players view mental toughness as something that they can develop, our role as Sports Psychology practitioners in measuring performance as well as coaches influence in the developm...

In and around most football clubs you'll hear statements like "this is a MUST win game today," "we HAVE to get 3 points today" or "great GOAL".   It's common and very natural to be talking like this, to be talking about outcomes and results - though is it helpful? This is what I unpick in today's episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, the 1 st of a new 6 part series where I share some thoughts...

Hypoarousal – what is it in a performance context? It is our freeze response, when our mind and body shuts down when we are faced with significant pressure, at least in our own minds. In today's episode I discuss with Ruth Chiles, author of The Focal Dystonia Cure how athletes and performers who experience this freeze response can help themselves.   Ruth goes on to share some practical tips that c...

In today episode, I'm joined by former international cricketer and Senior Leadership Coach, Jeremy Snape. Jeremy and I discuss pressure, where he explains why our brains can be hijacked and hinder our performance.   He also shares some great advice on using pre-shot or pre-performance routines as a way of mentally preparing yourself to execute your skills. Key Learning Points: Our brains are built...

In today's short episode, Dr Paul Gorczynski who has worked with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shares his knowledge of mental health literacy in particular offering some excellent advice for decision makers in organisations who are looking to develop and implement mental health literacy strategies.  Key Learnings Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and understanding of menta...

Many golfers get drawn into overthinking situations and overanalysing technique which leads to indecision and a lack of trust in putts and shots.   Overtime, some players can then become overly anxious and nervous trying to control their movements and misplacing their focus.   When putting this can be a big issue for many golfers especially when faced with short putts. In today's short bite-sized...

In today's short BITE sized episode HCPC Registered Sport Psychologist, Michael Caulfield tells me about the challenges and pressures that elite professional football brings whether you are a manager or player.   He shares his thoughts on what mental toughness is in this environment as well as offering insights into his role as a Sport Psychologist when working with and supporting managers in the...

Marginal gains is an approach that was created by Dave Brailsford with British Cycling which led to many years of success.   It's an holistic approach where you can reflect on your habits and behaviours, looking for small 1% improvements to ensure you give yourself a better chance of success.  In this short episode double Olympian and now, a motivational speaker and executive coach Chris Cook tell...

Commitment is the ability to make and keep our promises which some people can find difficult.   Especially as our journeys are often littered with challenges whether that is injuries, loss of form, loss of confidence or technical difficulties.   In these moments, some athletes work harder but not smarter.   Some cultures promote this "you've just got to work harder" attitude too and ignore the imp...

On this episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, David talks to Team GB Ice Swimmer, and Owner of H2O Trails, Fenwick Ridley.   We chat about ice swimming and mental toughness, cold water immersion and it's effects on the mind and body.   How cold water can have a positive impact on mental health and help you embrace the feelings of discomfort. Feel free to tune in! Key Learning Points: Mental To...

In this episode, Ellen McDermott an Elite Professional Cyclist and Performance Nutritionist, shares her journey from novice to becoming an elite professional cyclist, taking part in the 2023 World Gravel Championships in Italy.   She discussed challenges that she has faced and how she has dealt with them.   She also shares why a well thought out nutritional plan is vital to optimise your performan...

Today, in our first episode of 2024 I am joined by Sandro Forte, an inspirational professional speaker, author and successful entrepreneur.   We discuss Sandro's view on success and how to go about setting your goals for 2024.   He also shares with you how to view obstacles and challenges this coming year, as well as sharing how he copes with his "little voice" and overthinking. Enjoy tuning in! K...