Mental Preparation is a Key Piece of the Ski Racing Development Puzzle
I would first like to express my appreciation to Dan Leever and Ski Racing Media for initiating this essential conversation about how the U.S. Ski Team can live up to its vision: “Best in the World.” I would also like to thank Dan and SRM for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this exchange […]
Read MoreThe Fall Matters More than Ever-Make it Count
It’s hard to believe the summer, what I consider Phase I of the ski racing prep period, is over. This summer was especially difficult given the COVID-19 crisis. Hopefully, the summer was devoted to building the foundation for your success this coming winter, despite the challenges that the pandemic has presented including limited on-snow time, […]
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Build a “Trust Fund” During the Prep Period
Trust is one of the most important “muscles” you need to develop during this prep period. All of your efforts related to conditioning, on-snow training, nutrition, equipment testing and preparation, and, of course, mental training is devoted to established a deep level of trust that you can ski your fastest and achieve your goals next […]
Read MoreWatching Video is Great Off-season Mental Training
Watching videos of yourself and World Cup racers is a powerful tool for strengthening important mental muscles such as confidence, intensity, and focus. It can also be used, when combined with mental imagery, to improve technique and tactics. Another benefit is that watching yourself ski fast and top World Cuppers ski faster just gets you […]
Read MoreMental Imagery is Your Most Powerful Prep-Period Mental Training Tool
It sure was a bummer missing all those miles of skiing when COVID-19 struck. Let’s be realistic. You’ve lost a bunch of miles by not being on snow the last six weeks of the ski season. And we don’t yet know if there will be any on-snow training anywhere this summer. But there is a […]
Read More5 Keys to Making Mental Training Like Conditioning and On-snow Training
Whenever I speak to racers and coaches, I ask them how important the mind is to ski racing success. With few exceptions, the response is that the mind is as or more important than the physical and technical side of our sport. I am obviously biased given what I do for a living, so I […]
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Part 2 of Taylor TV Interview about Athletes and COVID-19
I was recently interviewed by a Canadian TV show for two segments on how skiers can cope with the current COVID-19 crisis and keep their “head in the game” during the downtime. The segment also includes Canadian Brady Leman, the 2018 Olympic Champion in skicross and Max Gartner, a long-time ski industry leader. The segment […]
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Make Mental Training a Priority in the Off Season
It happens every winter. In December, January, and February, I get calls from national team athletes and parents of young racers who are struggling mentally in their ski racing and they have big races coming up. They want me to somehow fix them quickly. Though I think I’m pretty good at what I do, I’m […]
Read MoreWith Off-season Training, You Pay Now or Pay Later
The off-season is now underway and you are probably hitting the gym and, hopefully, hitting the slopes soon as well some time in the next few months. Though getting the miles on snow is very important, a key focus during the off-season should be on building your fitness that acts as the foundation for all […]
Read MoreNext Season Starts…NOW!
Yes, the 2019-20 race season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Yes, it was massively frustrating. But it’s time to put the past behind us and turn our gaze to the future, meaning next season. Being the best ski racer you can be is not a part-time activity. It requires a year-round commitment and […]
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