You Have to “Risk it for the Biscuit” for Sports Success
I’ve been working with a world-ranked junior athlete over the last few months and, in exploring why she doesn’t take more chances when she competes, she told me that a big goal of hers recently has been to “risk it for the biscuit.” I had never heard this expression and I laughed hysterically for almost […]
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The Trials and Triumphs of a PG Year
For every serious ski racer who has aspirations to ski in college or get named to a national team, a PG, or gap, year is almost an inevitable these days. PG years have been around for decades; they were common even back in my day when I took two PG years between graduating from Burke […]
Read MoreBeing Well-trained isn’t Enough for Ski Racing Success
One of the questions I’m asked most frequently from racers, coaches, and parents is: What does it take to be a successful ski racer? For any racer who wants to be their best, this is no easy question, yet one that is worth asking and worth even more to answer. First, let me address how […]
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Vlog: Seven Reasons Athletes Don’t Do Mental Training
In the 12th and final segment of my vlog series devoted to the psychology of sport for athletes and coaches, I explain the seven reasons that prevent athletes from making a commitment of time and energy to mental training. As I’m sure you would agree, the mind plays an essential role in athletic success. Yet, […]
Read MoreVlog: Mental Imagery is Your Most Powerful Mental Tool
As I noted in my most recent blog post, Olympians use imagery as a tool to help them prepare themselves mentally to perform their best. In my ninth of 12 vlog segments devoted to athletes and coaches, I describe what mental imagery is (here’s a hint: It’s not just picturing yourself performing in your mind’s […]
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Taylor’s Latest Mental Training Book is Now Available
I am so excited to announce that my latest mental training book, Train Your Mind for Athletic Success: Mental Preparation to Achieve Your Sports Goals (Rowman & Littlefield) is now available in hard cover and e-book. Train Your Mind is the culmination of a decades of work with athletes from top juniors to professional and Olympic athletes […]
Read MoreFinish Your Sports Season Mentally Strong
For athletes in many winter sports, the competitive season is almost over. After many days of practice and competing, the end is in sight. At this late point in the season, you will have fallen into one of three camps as far as how your season has gone. First, you may be having a break-out […]
Read MoreEarly Sports Specialization Hurts Children
An eye-opening article smashing the myth that early specialization in sports gives children a leg up in later athletic success. In fact, the research shows otherwise. Plus, early specialization in a sport results in increased injuries. These findings should be a wake-up call to parents who attempt to rush their children toward specializing in one sport in the […]
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