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

Ever have a thought roll through and you wonder where it came from? Or wish you didn’t have the thought at all? Our thoughts - or the voices in our heads - can be helpful or hurtful depending on the situation. Today we will tackle how to get control and promote the right thoughts. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't for...

Every once in a while, I’m going to sneak one in - a meditation that is. Feel free to do this as a walking meditation or in your car before a trial or even in traffic - just promise me you’ll keep your eyes open and stay alert! This is a quick meditation to get your mindset calibrated for gratitude, and I promise it’s short! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! htt...

We live in a “coin-operated” world: put something in, get something out. So when we put in the work but don’t see the results it gets frustrating fast! This week I use a coaching client as my muse and share how to get to the bottom of your NQ disappointment and how to turn it around. Spoiler alert: your disappointment may really just be a lack of feedback! Really like this episode? Say thanks with...

The most common mistake people make with “big events” is to put them on a pedestal and make them somehow more important. While this may be kinda true, it messes with our heads big time! In this episode, I talk about how I get ready for big events from making my rituals non-negotiables to packing a bit obsessively! I also have a couple of other resources on the topic: To hear my recap of my nationa...

It’s almost too easy these days to judge your own happiness by someone else’s social-media-curated successes. Both our dogs are three so my dog is obviously behind. It’s a trap and it will steal your joy in an instant. Today we talk about being mindful of that trap and using gratitude to pull you back to what matters. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://ww...

It’s true, competing with dogs is like having another job. From all the training to the many appointments to trialing, it can all seem like a lot - especially on days when you’d rather just chill and stream a guilty pleasure. So this episode goes out to my fellow handlers who have goals, but maybe not the energy to always go after them. I feel ya! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee...

As this episode airs, I’m putting the finishing touches on a new Masterclass all about how we perform under pressure. What I’ve come to believe is that we actually perform WITH pressure as there is a way to befriend it, believe it or not. In this episode I take on some of the key components to learning to perform alongside pressure plus how to recover when it’s too much. Really like this episode?...

Distractions can hit at some really inopportune times! But before we can tame them, it helps to uncover why they are popping up like whack-a-moles in the first place. In this episode, we go into the root and realize we’re not so different from our dogs when it comes to distractions. Also, I have a pretty surprising realization so listen to the end! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffe...

This week I’m giving you a shiny new tool you can use anytime you’re feeling unfocused or like you’re getting “carried away.” Do this on the way to a trial or when you are on deck - you can even involve your dog! This quick visualization will do wonders to get you focused on the present moment! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqc...

I’ve often referred to myself as a control freak - after all, I like everything the way I like it. And I’ve also done a lot of coaching around understanding the difference between what we CAN control and what we canNOT control in an effort to get handlers to put their efforts on the right things. But a recent conversation with a friend sparked a new way of looking at this old label. Really like th...

Whether you call it ring nerves, performance anxiety, or butterflies gone wild, we’ve all felt anxiety before we walk into the ring. Knowing what’s happening in your body is half of the battle, but employing the tools to knock back fear will win the war. Enough with the metaphors, let’s talk about what performance anxiety is, a few ways it can show up, and most importantly, what we can do about it...

As high-achieving, goal-oriented types, it's likely you've felt like an imposter a time or two. Heck, I felt like an imposter in starting this podcast! So this week we'll unravel some of the common triggers that may have you feeling like a fraud and we'll debunk them. Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizza! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theqcoach Don't forget, if you w...

“Choking” is kind of an old concept, most often applied to the kicker who misses the last-second field goal, or the batter who strikes out with bases loaded. Regardless, it applies to our inability to perform when the pressure is on - even when that pressure is self-inflicted. Today, I’ll share the reasons I think we choke as well as tips for getting ourselves back in a much more productive mindse...

As the summer Olympics near, there are more spotlights on our elite athletes. Soon there will be interviews with Team USA which inevitably lead to questions about their mental prep - I can’t wait!! As a kid, the world stopped this every-four-year spectacle and it was through these interviews that I fell hard for sports psychology and saw its power in action! This week we tackle that coveted “zone”...

After a week away at my national specialty (Bernese Mountain Dogs), I am sharing my experiences. From what I learned to what went right to how we all rolled with a spring snow! No matter if you are getting ready for your first trial after a break (hello, pandemic) or heading off to a national or large cluster, there are some great reminders we all need. I reference Lizzie LaRock’s podcast and you...

Just because I'm a mindset coach, doesn't mean I don't have my own moments! What may surprise you is that I don't always try to get out of them - at least not right away. Listen to learn how I give myself space when I can to process all the feelings and come back more resilient than before - you can too! Don't forget, if you want more support, check out the Q-membership! Q-Membership: https://www....

Have you ever been afraid to REALLY want something? Or have you ever said, "Don't jinx me!" to someone? You may actually be trying to focus on your process goals! This episode came out of a conversation I had with a client who said she was afraid to want anything because it never happened if she did want it. It broke my brain for about a week then the light bulb went on! Listen in to my ah-ha mome...

Do you have a toxic relationship that you need a clean break from? Or maybe it's an old event or incident that you want to move on from? Too often we still have a connection to something or someone who no longer serves us or is downright bad energy. This is the perfect visualization for those moments - cut the cord between you!! For more listen to Episode 5, Protecting your bubble. Interested in t...

We often consider how we are talking to our dogs, or what commands we are giving, but how often do we consider the tone in which we are communicating? This episode focuses on how our tone and emotions play a LARGE role in our relationship and ring success. Mental skills include our emotional ones, so lean in to this lesson! Summit Joint Performance: https://summitjp.com/?u=juliebacon Q-Membership:...

Rituals - or our sacred routines - don't have to be special, but they do matter. Learn what I mean by rituals and how important they can be to your performance in the ring. We really start preparing for the ring WAY earlier than the minutes before and you have a LOT of control over that time - let's maximize it! Link to the membership: https://www.theqcoach.com/q-membership Link to Summit Joint Pe...

The dog world is unique, to say the least. One minute someone is helping you carry crates into the building and the next minute that same person is saying “stuff” about your dog. And in the end, we would help absolutely anyone at the show if their dog was in trouble. Relationships are complicated on a good day, now add dogs, competition, stress, and dozens of other factors, and you’ve got yourself...

Welcome to my pod and to all things mindset for dog handlers who have goals to achieve! As a mindset coach for dog handlers, I help handlers achieve their goals by providing coaching, tools, and education to improve their performance in the ring - any ring! In this inaugural podcast, I give you a little overview, a little background, and a little preview about what's to come. Each week there will...

Someone once asked me what my philosophy was. I'm not sure I answered the question, but I know it comes down to two things: our ability to stay in a growth mindset and our continued focus on process goals. Each is a topic in itself, but this will give you the groundwork for future conversations. Enjoy! Each week there will be show notes to lend support to the podcast topic. Want a little more on t...

Ever need a quick exercise to ground you? This short breathing exercise - also known as “triangle breathing,” is perfect when you need to retake control and get back into the present moment. Use it the morning of a show or trial, or grab a couple of minutes before it’s your time to go into the ring. This is a shortie, one that was introduced in our Q-Resilience Masterclass. It’s all about how you...

Carrie-Anne Moss might be best known for her role in The Matrix movies, but she is also a beautiful spiritual teacher. Definitely check out her work and offerings! I’ve taken an online class or two and am a regular reader of her newsletter. https://annapurnaliving.com/carrie-anne-moss This is one of her visualization exercises and it’s on repeat for me. I love nature; I love thinking about the Uni...