The Q Coach Pod | Mindset Coaching for Handlers with Julie Bacon

Ok, so maybe this is a personal problem … but I can easily get distracted at a trial by visiting with my friends - especially when I haven’t seen them in a while. It’s not that I miss my walk-through (though I did once), but it’s that I short-cut my rituals and that doesn’t bode well for my performance! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee....

Life is messy. Jobs, relationships, money … general adulting all make for a stressed-out mind sometimes. But when that stress follows us to the line it can ruin our precious time with our dogs or impede our ability to perform at our best. This week I give you a few ways to leave the stress outside and be truly present. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://w...

There’s a Henry Ford quote that I use often: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right." And nothing is more true when it comes to our performance in the ring. If we don’t believe in ourselves, who will?! So let’s clean up our act! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more suppo...

There are a whole bunch of reasons you may have trouble remembering a course or your course plan. Whether you’re in the agility ring or playing rally or draft or … I will talk about what could be causing you to forget and then several things you can try to improve this skill. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget,...

First, I report-out on how my weekend went when I made FUN my process goal. Next, I share that I was glad I paused and chose my response to someone who inadvertently pushed my insecure button (yup, I have one!). I was super happy I had the “pause” tool in my kit! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want m...

On the heels of a particularly fun lesson I’m asking myself, “Am I chasing the feeling of having fun?” In truth, I’m probably not doing this as much as I could be, but I may have just found new motivation! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Membership: htt...

Performance anxiety. Ring nerves. Butterflies on steroids. No matter what you call it - or to what degree it happens to you - we all get a little nervous when we step to the line. But why? And how can we manage our nerves so they don’t get in the way? Glad you asked ;) Want more? Check out the “Got Ring Nerves?” episode from June 2021. AND Don’t forget my “Performing under Pressure” is live on Cle...

In the business world, one of the most common cliches I hear is, “What does success look like?” It’s a fair question when approaching a project and it made me wonder about how that question applies to dog sports. Let’s try to answer that question for you, your dogs, your upcoming trial, and the year ahead. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoff...

Not everyone is visual in their thinking. Not everyone always has a thought running through their heads. Not everyone makes a plan in the same way. So if you’re one of those people and visualizing frustrates you, this conversation is for you! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check ou...

If you’re someone who doesn’t think that mantras work, think again! You say dozens of little mantras to yourself every single day. “I don’t have time.” “I always get nervous.” “I choke.” So yes, mantras work! Now let’s chat about how to flip them around! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more suppo...

While our dogs do most of the work, we need to mentally and physically in shape to do what we do. No, I’m not going to tell you to snag a gym membership, but I am going to try to convince you that we do need to be in shape enough to handle long trial days - stamina, my friends! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget...

Whether you are heading the events in Orlando or getting ready for a major event of your own, there are some things to keep in mind. Big events have a way of knocking us out of our routines or leaving behind all those great habits that got you there - let’s get prepped! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you...

This podcast drops on the American holiday of Thanksgiving, and while we’ve pretty much ruined the holiday by obsessing over shopping deals, I think we can salvage a few nuggets that will serve us in the ring. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Membership:...

Obviously, there is a mind-body connection, but did you know your posture can impact your performance in the ring? It’s a thing! Listen and learn how the way you hold yourself can affect how you see yourself and therefore how you are there for your dog. Get ready to strike a pose! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't for...

I recently had a working spot in a seminar and while I loved every minute, it was a roller coaster of emotions - from the joy of “getting it,” to the defeat of struggling for an entire turn. It’s an interesting thing to put ourselves out there in hopes of improving. Not always for the faint of heart! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com...

We are overdue for a quickie breathing & visualization combo to help you set positive intentions and let go of the junk that no longer serves you! Let’s do this! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Membership: https://www.theqcoach.com/q-membership And...

It takes some discipline to refocus your brain away from a disappointment and towards improvement. It’s hard, but it’s a skill you can cultivate! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Membership: https://www.theqcoach.com/q-membership And here's the link to m...

To change our self-image means changing how we see ourselves. We need to believe in the version of ourselves we desire - belief cues the subconscious into action! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Membership: https://www.theqcoach.com/q-membership And her...

While we may be anthropologically wired to look for the negative, it doesn’t mean we have to find it in other people. Let’s chat about how we can lift each other up in a sport that too often enjoys taking the low road. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Me...

Life happens, but it’s how we respond that makes all the difference. The same applies to our reaction to ring nerves and performance anxiety. We have to make the same sort of plan for our reactions to stress as we do our plans for our dogs and skill-building. Today let’s dive into getting in control of our responses! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www...

Sure knocking down goals is amazing but are you having fun?? Too often we leave fun as an afterthought - for ourselves and for our dogs. Well, doing so is a surefire way to burnout so let’s get fun on the schedule! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Member...

How do we sabotage ourselves? Oh, it’s easy - we just say some really negative stuff to ourselves right before we walk into the ring! Am I the only one who’s done that? Thankfully we can get more control over our not-so-helpful thoughts and replace them with ones that will build our confidence and help us perform. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.bu...

People talk a lot about mental “toughness” but I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it - certainly not the total picture. Let’s break down the difference between toughness and resilience and learn why “tough” tweaks me! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-member...

I’m a HUGE fan of extended breaks - both for ourselves and our dogs. We not only renew physically but mentally, too - I see it in my dogs’ renewed enthusiasm to be back whether training or showing. But we forget that our brains also took a break so let’s talk about what that means for us as handlers! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com...

The thing is, we really can’t just stop doing something - we have to start doing something else. And that something else may include creating a new habit. No matter what you want to start or stop, there are a few tips to help create new habits and I’ll break it down for you this week. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't...