Demystifying Mental Toughness

In this short solo episode, I explain 5 reasons why you should look in more detail at the use of mindfulness and ACT in sport.   How and why this approach goes on to free up mental space in your mind to enable you to perform better.   I also summarise how Mindfulness and ACT can be used in harmony to develop a more mentally tough individual. 5 Key Benefits of Mindfulness and ACT   This approach ca...

In this episode I was joined by professional footballer Charlotte Potts where we had a deep and fascinating conversation about different challenges that she has faced so far in her life and when playing Professional Women's Football.   We went on to discuss Discrimination, Mental Health and Mindfulness too as well as a whole lot more.   It's well worth a listen! Key Learning Points: Charlotte's me...

In today's episode, I chat with Grant Henderson a former professional rugby player, Chief Operations Officer at The MCG Group and Co-Founder of i3profiling.   Grant goes on to ask me many questions about the Demystifying Mental Toughness podcast, mental toughness, personality and environment. By listening to the episode you'll learn more about how I work as a Sports Psychologist, about the complex...

In this short solo episode, I share 2 short clips from the previous 2 episodes where I chat with Kevin Stansfield and Christina Flach to inspire and motivate you to reflect on your journey.   My hope is that you will pick up some nougats of advice from the business world and then go on to adapt your approach and take some action so that you give yourself the best chance of achieving your goals and...

Following on from last week, again we look at what we can learn from the business world, entrepreneurship and sport and how they overlap.   Mental Toughness is discussed in different contexts where I chat with Christina Flach, CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup.   Christina was married to former Wimbledon champion and professional tennis player Ken Flach who sadly passed away after a brief bout of sepsis i...

In today's episode I chat with author and Business Growth Expert Kevin Stansfield where we discuss what the golfer or sports enthusiast can learn from business and what the business owner can learn from golf or sport in general.   We discuss Mental Toughness and Resilience in a sporting and business context. Business planning, strategy and goal setting are considered as well as the commitment leve...

This episode is the final part of a three-part series where I've tried to help people recognise that to develop Mental Toughness it is not simply about "being tough" or "egotistical" there is more to it than that.   The series of episodes have looked at self-criticism, which we can all find difficult at different times and in different situations, from a variety of angles.   I've shared sporting c...

Today is the second part of a 3-part series, where I share 2 more clips, this time from former England Cricketer and Senior Leadership Coach, Jeremy Snape and multiple World Champion Martial Artist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, Stuart Wade.   Jeremy highlights the importance of the psychological side to sport and Stuart defines Mental Toughness in Combat Sports.   Again, I go on to share a case stu...

This is a short solo episode and the first of 3 episodes where I share 2 reminders of what Mental Toughness is and apply it to different domains.   The first clip is from Mental Toughness pioneer, Doug Strycharczyk which was recorded in our very first episode and the second clip comes from Sebastian De Chavez an elite professional rugby player for Newcastle Falcons who appeared in episode 104.   I...

In today's episode I speak to a well respected leadership coach, The Natural Leadership Coach and host for The Game of Leadership Podcast, Paula Eddy Wilcox.   Paula and I discuss how you can regain clarity on your purpose and passion when you've lost your way, we chat about vulnerability and how being true to yourself can be frightening, we also touch on links between mental toughness, vulnerabil...

In episode #127 I chat with fellow Mental Toughness Licensee, Paul Trainor.   Paul is a former professional rugby league player, currently a director for Super League team, Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club and a director for Positive Synergy. We go on to discuss Mental Toughness in professional rugby league, how Mental Toughness applies to his current role as a director. We also touch on his c...

In today's solo episode I talk about golf and what my role as a Sport Psychologist or Golf Performance Psychologist looks like, common challenges that golfers bring to me, difficulties that we experience as Sport Psychologists when working with golfers and a case study to highlight more about my approach to helping golfers shoot lower scores and enjoy the game more. Enjoy tuning in! Key Learning P...

Today I chat with HCPC Registered Sport Psychologist, Jack Hicks- Flynn about his love for the profession.   He goes on to offer helpful insights into to the role of a sport psychologist in professional football clubs, drawing on experiences of working as an applied practitioner and a researcher in Southampton FC, Luton Town FC, Portsmouth FC and West Ham United FC.   We go on to discuss the compl...

Today's podcast episode looks at long-term serious injuries, the psychological impact and helpful strategies to help you manage your mental health during the rehabilitation process and afterwards.   My guest, doctor of occupational therapy, Keagen Hadley has recently released a book called Torn: Overcoming the Psychological Challenges Post-ACL Injury which we go on to discuss too.   Keagen shares...

In today's episode I speak to Richard Dorney MBE.   Richard served in the military for almost 39 years and has a wealth of experience in dealing with high stress situations.   He's now the Director of Strongmind Resiliency Training, a company that works to improve mental health support, trauma management and resilience mainly in public sector organisations exposed to stress and trauma.   Richard g...

Today's guest, Camilla Knight  is an associate professor in sports psychology at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom, and she is an expert in youth sport.   One of her key research interests is in understanding the role that parents play in the lives of their young athletes.   In episode 122 of Demystifying Mental Toughness we discuss the role of parents in sport, the challenges and stress...

Today marks a landmark in the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast where the show has been running for 2 years without missing a week.   As a result, 2 very special guests and pioneers in the field Doug Strycharczyk and Dr John Perry join me.   Together we discuss the third edition of their book alongside Professor Peter Clough, Developing Mental Toughness, we chat about new developments to the 4...

In this solo episode I share some ideas for sport coaches so that they help develop mental strength in their athletes and teams.   The methods I discuss are in contrast to what some people often consider as the way to develop Mental Strength or Mental Toughness by creating fear cultures, pushing athletes to their limits and dishing out punishments.   I'm hopeful this episode will destroy that part...

In today's episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, I chat with my colleague James Lau, where we discussed his journey to qualifying as a Sport Psychologist.   We also considered lessons that he'd learned along the way and challenges that he had encountered in his training and now as an Applied Sport and Exercise Psychologist, in his private practice.   Working in team sports and one of his passi...

On today's episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, I was delighted to be joined by Dr. Bob Winters, an internationally recognised sport psychologist who has supported US Men's and Women's Open Golf Champions and many other elite professional and amateur athletes across a variety of sports. In the episode we discuss sport psychology in golf and the field as a whole. We also chat about...

This week's solo episode is part two where I build on last week's episode and share 4 more ideas and further resources to help footballers who come across the challenge of being released from football clubs.   It's a naturally difficult time for the player and their family where their motivation and mental health can be tested.   My ideas relate to how a mentally tough player would likely view the...

In this solo episode, I discuss an obstacle many of our clients come across, being released from football clubs. This episode is part one, of a two part series designed to give players, coaches and parents of players some ideas on how the mentally tough player would view the situation.   I also share 4 ideas and a number of resources that can help players who are finding this period difficult.   K...

Today, I'm joined by a former international cricketer and Senior Leadership Coach, Jeremy Snape.   W e go on to discuss mental toughness in cricket, the pressures of playing at the international level in front of thousands of spectators, as well as looking at the relationship between sport performance and business. Enjoy tuning in! Key Learning Points: Our brains are built for safety, to keep us s...

Today I'm joined by Tim Bradshaw author of Because I Can, a former surveillance and target acquisition patrol soldier and covert human intelligence officer.   We discuss his quest to help people understand it's ok to ask for help when they have mental health concerns.   Stepping out of your comfort zone, taking on challenges such as Everest are also talked about, as well as his definition of menta...

In today's podcast episode #113, I'm joined by the adventurous and inspirational Polly Brennan, founder of Adventurous Coaching and creator of The Mental Fitness Kitbag™ Model.   Our discussion centres around mental fitness, mental health and mental toughness where we share some helpful strategies to help you manage your mental health.     Enjoy tuning in!     Key Learning Points: Mental health an...