19 08, 2013

In Sports, Think Now, So You Don’t Have to Think Later

By | August 19th, 2013|Categories: Sports|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

I just returned from Europe where I spent a week working with a group of highly ranked U.S. athletes during their off-season prep period. After a few days, the feedback I was getting from them was that I was really getting into their heads and causing them to think a lot, in fact, to a few of them, think a bit too much. This wasn’t a surprise to me as I hear this frequently. Between my mental skills work with athletes during practices, one-on-one sessions, team talks (in which we discussed a relevant sport topic each evening), and daily imagery sessions, the athletes were getting their minds stuffed with the mental side of their sport. I was definitely making them think more than they were accustomed. But that is, in fact, my job: to get the athletes I work with uncomfortable, push them outside of what they are used to, and think about things that will take them to the next level. Yes, admittedly, it can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but after a few days, they got used to it and figured out how to incorporate my approach into their usual training regimen.

12 08, 2013

Mental Training Begins in the Gym

By | August 12th, 2013|Categories: Sports|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |2 Comments

Most sport psychologists work with athletes on the mental side of their sport in an office setting (usually one hour per week), providing them with mental tools that they can use during training and competitions. This approach makes about as much sense as a coach offering their athletes technical instruction and then telling them to go out onto the field, course, court, or what-have-you and work on it in practice. In either case, the transfer from inside to outside isn’t very good. I have found the most productive work I do with athletes is during their actual practice sessions. I’m able to go to training with athletes and show them how to incorporate mental skills, such as intensity, focus, imagery, and routines, while they’re actually practicing. But, over the last few years, I have discovered an even better setting in which athletes can begin to develop their mental skills: the gym. Yes, using mental skills as a part of your physical conditioning program is a great way to begin to ingrain those skills that will be of such benefit in the quality of your training and when you compete.

24 04, 2013

Cycling: Turn Your Negativity into Positivity on Your Bike

By | April 24th, 2013|Categories: Cycling|Tags: , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

No two ways about it, negative thinking hurts your cycling confidence. If you’re on ascending a long and steep climb and negative thoughts, such as “I’m gonna bonk” or “I can’t hang with this group,”  pop into your head, the chances are you’re not going to keep up your pace. What’s worse is that if [...]

12 04, 2013

Ski Racing: Next Season Starts…Now

By | April 12th, 2013|Categories: Ski Racing|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Note: This article is an encore presentation of an article that never gets old. The race season is finally over. After a long and demanding winter, you're probably tired of skiing (regardless of whether the season was a triumph or a disappointment). It's time to hang up your skis, pack away your gear, kick back, [...]

14 01, 2013

Cycling: Five Keys to Cycling Confidence

By | January 14th, 2013|Categories: Cycling|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Confidence is a deep, lasting, and resilient belief in your ability to ride your best and achieve your cycling goals. Confidence keeps you positive, motivated, intense, focused, and emotionally in control when you need it most, whether on a long and grueling climb or when you’re trying to reel in a breakaway with only a [...]

16 11, 2012

Cycling: Cycling Confidence

By | November 16th, 2012|Categories: Cycling|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

Confidence is the single most important mental factor in cycling. Confidence is also a mental area that is ripe for change and I will not only be offering you insights into how confidence impacts your cycling performance, but, in my next several installments, I will also offer you many practical tools for developing confidence in [...]