All In The Mind Why do we choke under pressure?
Feb 21, 2026
Dr Chris Mesagno, a sport psychologist who studies choking under pressure, and Caroline Anderson, performance psychologist for the Australian Olympic Team, talk through why high-stakes moments derail performance. Belinda Smith, ABC reporter, guides the narrative and interviews. They explore brain models of choking, traits linked to it, practical focus tools and acceptance-based strategies to manage intense anxiety.
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Olympic Nerves And Loneliness
- Caroline Anderson recalls Olympic debut nerves in Athens with dread, nausea and heart racing.
- She felt lonely as an individual athlete and experienced both uplift and overwhelming panic in competition.
Choking Can Harm Mental Health
- Chris Mesagno's survey found notable mental-health impacts after choking, including suicidal thoughts in a subset of athletes.
- The shame and fallout from a choke can produce serious psychological consequences for some competitors.
Anchor With Clear Pre-Performance Routines
- Use pre-performance routines and