The Athletes Zone Podcast

I'm beyond excited to introduce The Zone Academy —a game-changing membership for athletes ready to elevate their mental game. Discover how this program can transform your ability to perform under pressure, boost your confidence, and enhance your focus, all while having fun! Plus, hear about my exclusive founding member offer and the new mentorship program, The Zone Mastery. Don't miss out on these...

In this episode, I delve into the transformative power of mental coaching for athletes facing high-pressure moments. Drawing from my own experiences at major championships, I'll share how mental training can be your secret weapon to stay calm, confident, and perform at your best when the stakes are high. I'll walk you through practical techniques that have helped me and countless others thrive und...

Are you struggling to showcase your true capabilities in competitions? In this episode, I delve into a common challenge faced by many athletes: Why do my best performances happen in practice, but not in competition? Discover the psychological factors behind this issue and learn practical strategies to unleash your full potential when it matters most. Tune in and get ready to elevate your performan...

Janek Õiglane is the European Championships bronze medalist in decathlon from 2022. He recently secured 5th place at the Paris Olympics with a personal best of 8.572 points. In this episode, Janek opens up about the mental strength required to excel in decathlon and how his positive attitude and humility fuel his success. Get ready to be inspired by his journey! If you got value from this episode...

Dr. Paige Roberts is a distinguished sports psychology consultant and energy optimisation expert. With a rich background in Exercise Science, Social Work, and Holistic Health, Dr. Roberts brings a unique approach to helping athletes overcome the hidden barriers of trauma. In this episode, we dive into how trauma affects athletic performance and the innovative techniques she uses to reset the nervo...

In this episode, I discussed which sports (in my opinion) challenge the mind the most and why. I shared my reflections and insights on the mental demands athletes face and what it takes to be successful. Want to know which sports made the list? Tune in to find out and share with me in comments which sport you believe it the most mentally challenging. If you got value from this episode please leave...

In this episode, I reflect on the top moments of mental strength from the Paris Olympics. I highlight the incredible mental resilience that athletes displayed, with insights into how mental training played a crucial role in achieving greatness. Curious about which moments left a lasting impression? Listen in to find out! Then go ahead and share with me in comments which moments stood out for you....

Mackenzie Little is the World Championships bronze medalist in javelin from 2023 and a medical doctor. At the time of our interview, she was in the pre-camp for the Paris Olympics, just a week after achieving her lifetime best throw of 66.27 meters, the second-best throw in the world this year. In this episode, Mackenzie shares how she balances her medical studies and career as a doctor with her a...

Welcome to the final episode of our visualisation series! In this episode, I dive into specific and practical steps on how to use visualisation to boost your motivation. We all struggle with motivation sometimes, and as athletes, this can really impact our performance. I’ll share key steps on how to effectively use visualisation to get fired up and stay motivated. Close your eyes—do you see what y...

After discussing competition preparation in Episode #32, I’m now focusing on how to use visualisation to speed up recovery from injuries. Learn how visualisation can support both physical and mental healing. I laid out a step-by-step guidance on incorporating visualisation into your daily routine to heal faster, reduce pain, get more benefit from your rehab and maintaining your motivation. If you’...

Welcome to the third part of our visualisation series! After discussing overcoming mental blocks in Episode #31, I’m now shifting my focus to preparing for competition. Learn how you can use visualisation in your competition preparation. I covered five practical steps to help boost your confidence and reduce stress before big events. This episode is packed with tips for using visualisation to perf...

Welcome to the second part of our visualisation series! After discussing skill mastery in Episode #21, I’m now shifting my focus to overcoming mental blocks. Learn about the common mental challenges athletes face and how to use visualisation to break through them. I’ll cover six practical steps to help you tackle issues like performance anxiety, fear of failure, and self-doubt. Plus, find out how...

Lina Müze-Sirma is the European U23 Champion in javelin from 2013 and multiple World and European finalist. She finished 8th at the European Championships now in June and is currently preparing for the Olympics in Paris. In this episode, Lina shares her journey through injuries, depression, mental blocks, financial challenges, and strained relationships. She talks about how these experiences have...

Hilmar Örn Jónsson is the Icelandic record holder in hammer throw and European Championships finalist in 2022. With a career spanning three World Championships and two European Championships, Hilmar is now aiming to compete in his first Olympics in Paris. In this episode, Hilmar opens up about dealing with devastating failures and maintaining focus during challenging times. He shares insights on b...

Kara Winger is back! And she is going to try to go for her 5th (!!) Olympics! I had to talk to her about this and share that conversation with you. I interviewed Kara in Episode #2 where we talked about her resilience through injuries and disappointment and how she went on to have the fairytale ending to her career in 2022. When did she decide to try to make the Olympic team and why? Can she do it...

Chase Jackson, the double World Champion and two-time Diamond League winner in the women's shot put, joined me for a conversation you don't want to miss! She has kicked off this season with a bang, winning three out of four Diamond Leagues so far. In the episode she opened up about her battles for self-expression, the mental challenges of her first World Championships and how she turned th...

Guðni Valur Guðnason was a European Championships finalist in 2022 and has the Icelandic record in discus throw with 69.35 m, just shy of the magic 70 m barrier. As Guðni prepares for the European Championships next week with the hopes of securing his spot in the Paris Olympics in the next month, we talk about how his golf background has influenced his discus technique and mental game. We discuss...

Baldvin Þór Magnússon is the European U23 bronze medalist from 2021 in the 5000 m and holds the Icelandic records in 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m and 10 k road race. These days he is fighting to earn his ticket to the Paris Olympics. We talked about how he has tackled pressure, overtraining and stays injury free. His relaxed yet super focused and professional approach to running is so inspiring! If you...

In this unique episode I share the story behind my debut weightlifting competition. From the decision to suddenly compete in a new sport, to the mental and physical preparation, the nail-biting moments of the competition, and the lessons learned. No detail is spared. Tune in to discover how the mental strategies discussed in episode #16 were put to the test and discover their impact on my performa...

Christian Taylor is a triple jump legend with an impressive track record: two Olympic gold medals, four World Champion titles and the second longest jump in history at a staggering 18.21 m. He is now starting his final season where his sights are set on the Paris Olympics. In our conversation, Christian shares the mentality behind his decade-long dominance in the sport. From navigating a change in...

Dagný Brynjarsdóttir is a professional football player for West Ham United and a key player in the Icelandic national team. She has represented Iceland in the European Championships in 2013, 2017 and 2022. Beyond the field Dagný is also a dedicated mother of two, currently coming back from having her second son three months ago. We talked all about how she balances elite sports with pregnancy, pos...

Visualisation is a powerful tool to take your performance to the next level. Join me in this series as we explore how to harness its power for different purposes. In this first part we focus on the use of mental imagery to fast-track skill development. Tune in for 5 actionable tips to optimising your mental reps and achieve breakthrough results. Here are some resources that will help you: Get my F...

Discover the roadmap to kickstart your mental training journey in this episode. Whether you're looking to embark on this journey solo or seek expert guidance, these 7 steps will set you on the path to success. Your mindset holds the key to 80% of your overall performance. Don't overlook this potential, tap into it and elevate your game to new heights. Don't miss this episode where I br...

Get ready because this episode is special! I had my former sport psychologist, Dr. Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir, join me to really unpack and analyse the incredible journey we went on together. Hafrún is a former handball player, has a PhD in sport psychology, has worked with many of Iceland's best athletes and has been the team psychologist for the last three Olympic Games. She is also the chair of...

Are you a perfectionist? In this episode we confront the detrimental effects of perfectionism in athletes. Learn to recognise the red flags indicating that perfectionism is holding you back. While dedication and hard standards are essential, how can we aim for perfection yet accept getting there is impossible? Tune in for 6 actionable steps to reclaim control from your perfectionism and unlock you...