Teamcast S6 E6 Paddy Steinfort, The Cognitive Coach (Recast)
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Mar 23, 2026 Paddy Steinfort, a performance psychologist and former elite Australian rules footballer, blends athletic experience with psychology. He explores training mental skills for high-pressure performance. Short, practical talks cover managing chronic stress, building in-event toolboxes for attention and action, and embedding psychological work into team culture.
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Early Football Prep Felt Like Going To War
- Paddy described preparing for Australian rules football games like going to war and using psychological routines to steel himself.
- He traced that practice to a teenage session with a psychologist that produced his two best games and sparked a career focus on mental skills.
Superstition Is Avoidance Not Performance
- Superstitious routines often function as avoidance behaviours that reduce discomfort rather than improve performance.
- Paddy contrasted CBT with Acceptance Commitment Therapy, arguing ACT teaches acting despite discomfort with a plan instead of trying to eliminate feelings first.
Protect Energy During Long Seasons
- During long seasons or deployments, prioritize daily exercise, sunlight, sleep and basic nutrition to manage cumulative stress.
- Paddy warned about residue/allostatic load from months on the road and recommended small habits to protect energy for immersion events.
