Demystifying Mental Toughness

The conversations that take place after competitive matches or events can often be emotionally charged for the young athlete, parents and coach. Yet do you consider the importance of these conversations and the impact this can have on their sporting experience? This podcast episode is designed to help you take a step back and consider whether your approach is useful. It will help you start supporting your son or daughter or athletes so that they develop a growth mindset and have healthy self-confidence and self-esteem. You'll stop instilling fear to motivate them, you'll go on to create a safe and supportive environment so that they want to train and compete for themselves. They'll also likely go on to play with more freedom and enjoy themselves more too which is what it should be all about when you're young. Key Takeaways include: Supporting children to develop the quality of learning orientation will mean that they'll be more likely to respond positively to challenges or obstacles, seeking the learning from such situations. They'll place an emphasis on improving their skills. New experiences and the unexpected they'll handle well, worrying less than many people. Do you place too much emphasis on external factors (winning, losing, the scoreboard in your conversations) perhaps start asking some different questions? Do you get caught up in making assumptions around your child's thinking and pointing things out that may not have happened in their world? Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Our Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport Useful Youth Sport Psychology Resource Youth Sport Motivation Checklist Parental Sport Motivation Checklist Useful Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep049: James Maurice - How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help Podcast Ep055: Natalie Henderson, John Fletcher & James Maurice - How to Develop Mental Strength in Young Athletes Podcast Ep064: Edu Rubio - How to Support Young Footballers Podcast Ep067: David Charlton – Supporting Children to Transfer Their Skills from Training to Competition Podcast Ep074: David Charlton – How Can I Make My Child Feel Confident Relevant Blogs Blog - 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog - 9 Tips for Children from Olympians Blog 5 Tips for Parents to Help their Children Perform with Confidence Blog - How to Help Young Footballers Find the Zone Blog - How do You Give a Young Golfer Self Confidence

In today's episode, we take a look at Mental Toughness and how it applies to combat sports with a well-qualified guest, Stuart Wade, who has won 4 world titles in taekwondo and kickboxing. He's not someone to be messed with! He's also a clinical hypnotherapist and personal trainer. We chat about controlling your emotions and maintaining your composure after being hurt and despite being in pain. We discuss fatigue and the impact this can have on you as a fighter, mentally preparing for fights, intimidating your opponent, making the weight, and a whole lot more. Enjoy tuning in! Key Takeaways include: Developing mental toughness can be taught. In a fight if you're hit hard and are hurt, as well as dealing with pain you've got to be able to control your emotions and maintain your composure. Mentally rehearsing difficult situations is important to fully prepare yourself. Good support can help you deal with fatigue and continue to challenge you. A mantra works well to help you focus on the present moment. Pre-fight mind games are an important part of trying to psyche your opponent out. Trying to make the weight can be difficult where the pressures can send your mood in a spin. Connect with Stuart Wade: Instagram LinkedIn Website Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Helpful Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep033: Aly Dixon – Mental Toughness Lessons from a World Champion Podcast Ep065 Amy Izycky - Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport Podcast Ep 071: James Lau - Mastering the Mental Side of Tennis Podcast EP 072: Tom Jones - Mastering the Mental Side of Cricket Podcast EP 076: Nathan Sherratt - Mastering the Mental Game of Refereeing Podcast EP077: Danny Thomas - Before, During and After Professional Football Other Useful Resources Blog - Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance Blog - Do you focus too much on your opponent before or during a boxing match? Blog – 3 Tips for Playing with Confidence under Pressure

Today's Mental Toughness compilation episode includes short snippets of advice from our most recent 9 episodes. By tuning in you will learn more about the significance of Mental Toughness and the complexity of the trait across a range of domains. Key Learning Points: James Lau tells you about dealing with fear in tennis. Tom Jones shares his insights into Mental Toughness on the cricket field. David Charlton challenges your thinking around setting goals. Grant Phyphers discusses how he defines Mental Toughness. Nathan Sherratt talks about the most demanding role on a football pitch, the role of the referee. Danny Thomas elaborates on the psychological qualities required to succeed in professional football. Tim Brownstone and Michael Davis tell us about the role of technology to aid brain function and focus. David Charlton asks you to question your approach to develop your mental fortitude. Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Our Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport Relevant Podcast Episodes EP071: James Lau - Mastering the Mental Side of Tennis EP072: Tom Jones - Mastering the Mental Side of Cricket EP073: David Charlton - David on being tough vs being comfortable in your own skin part 2 EP075: Grant Phyphers - How to Rebuild Your Identity EP076: Nathan Sherratt - Mastering the Mental Game of Refereeing EP077: Danny Thomas - Before, During and After Professional Football EP078: Kymira Sport - How to Gain an Edge Ep079: David Charlton - David on being tough vs being comfortable in your own skin part 3

To make your way in life to be the best person that you can be, to give yourself the best opportunity in your chosen field being comfortable in your own skin and finding and developing mental strength is very important as I've emphasised in the other 2 parts of this short series. In today's episode I help you tap into some of your strengths and question your approach by going through a variety of scenarios and exercises. It's an episode created to stretch you, enjoy tuning in! You may want to listen if you are: Someone whose brain is so switched on that you often miss things. Someone who can get caught up in self sabotaging success. Someone who protects themselves and others by avoiding conflict. Someone who often has FOMO – fearing of missing out. Someone who often thinks about their failings. Someone who thinks about what they should have done not what they have achieved. Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Our Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport Relevant Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep011: Dave Algeo - Mental Toughness, Mental Health and High Performance Podcast Ep061: Paul Lyons - Why You Should Build Your Mental Toughness Podcast Episode 066: Marilyn Okoro - Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist Podcast Ep069: David Charlton - David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin Part 1 Podcast Ep073: David Charlton - David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin Part 2 Relevant Blogs Blog - Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance Blog - 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog – 3 Tips to Deal with Bullying in Sport

In today's episode, I chat to the creator and founders of Kymira Sport and Golf in the UK, Tim Brownstone and Michael Davis, and the sponsors of our podcast show. We dig deep and discuss the incredible technology that they have available and relate it to Mental Toughness. Tim and Michael both have a passion for excellence in sport and are former athletes themselves, so we go on to discuss focus, how to make your own luck, the importance of recovery as well as the Kymira brand, and how the sportswear can help you in your life and sport. Key Learning Points: From an efficiency standpoint, Kymira's products can help the consumer greatly without changing a thing. Kymira can offer elite and motivated amateur athletes peace of mind, knowing that they've done everything they can, using this particular garment or other emerging technologies to get the best possible performance out of themselves. As an athlete give yourself the best possible chance to win, don't be afraid to try new things, don't have regrets, and wish you'd done certain things. Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Our Kymira Shop Useful Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep02: Steve Judge – How to Deal with Adversity Podcast Ep015: Nick Grantham – Essential Elements of Rest and Recovery Podcast Ep019: Paul Smith – 5000 Consecutive Days Running and Counting Podcast Ep042: Mark Bennett MBE – Characteristics of High Performance Athletes Other Resources to Help You 5 Reasons team captains should work with a Sports Psychologist Coaches – Are you and your team pulling together during tough times? Communicating with children in sport

In this episode, I discuss with former professional footballer Danny Thomas, the psychological qualities that helped him break into and maintain a career in professional football. We also went on to talk about his debut, and we discussed the challenges of transitioning out of professional football and into the workplace. Enjoy listening! Key Learning Points: Becoming a professional footballer and then sustaining a career are completely different things For me it wasn't just football, football, football, I always wanted to focus and apply myself correctly in other ways I looked to generally challenge management, though not in a negative way. I was never afraid to ask questions. You have to deal with doing everything right, training well, sleeping well, eating properly and then sometimes not feeling right in a game and playing poorly, that's football. On retiring from professional football, you need to put forward your transferable skills and how they're going to translate into the organisation that your hoping to move into. Connect with Danny Thomas Back Of The Net And Beyond Podcast LinkedIn Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn To Listen to Football or Soccer Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep18: Kieron Brady - From Professional Football to Alcoholism Consultant Podcast Episode Ep27: Natalie Henderson - How to Develop Mental Toughness with Young Footballers Podcast Episode Ep43: Jamie Forrester - Thriving in Professional Football Podcast Ep49: How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help - James Maurice Podcast Ep51: Peter Ramage, Brendan Pearson and Julian Dowe - Why Talking Matters Other Football or Soccer Resources Psychology in Football or Soccer Podcasts Psychology in Football or Soccer Blogs

In today's episode we discuss the most demanding job on a football pitch. No not the role of the goalkeeper, but the referee. It's a job which rarely get any praise and requires a special type of person. Someone who is very assertive, especially in those demanding pressurised moments. Someone who can take criticism, and a lot of it. Someone who can handle abuse, and again sadly a lot of it. In this episode I chat with a referee and resilience trainer, Nathan Sherratt about his love of the job, how he manages his confidence, the challenges that referees face as we as his work at The Third Team. Key Learning Points: Mental toughness in referring terms is the ability to deal with the challenges are placed upon you. For instance, when players try to gain an advantage by trying to make you question a decision that you've made. We'd rather take a deep breath and slow a game down, making sure that we come to the right decision than rush things and make the wrong decision. As a referee you are always learning, there'll be times when you come into new situations with different teams at different levels. Managing your and others expectations is important then so that you deliver the best game you possibly can. When players manipulate you, you've got to remain objective and consider how you want to control the situation, setting your stall. Considering your body language, communication and authority. Grounding and visualisation techniques can really boost you and make you feel more confident and relaxed before a game. Connect with Nathan Sherratt Website Facebook LinkedIn Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Football or Soccer Podcast Episodes Podcast Episode Ep43: Jamie Forrester - Thriving in Professional Football Podcast Ep49: How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help - James Maurice Podcast Ep51: Peter Ramage, Brendan Pearson and Julian Dowe - Why Talking Matters Podcast Ep64: Edu Rubio - How to Support Young Footballers Other Football or Soccer Resources Psychology in Football or Soccer Podcasts Psychology in Football or Soccer Blogs

This episode is an inspiring one where Grant Phypers, a leadership coach, and I discuss how Grant defines mental toughness, we chat about how he overcame adversity in his life and rebuilt his identity and character. We also chat about a topic men tend to avoid – vulnerability. Enjoy listening. Key Learning Points: Mental toughness is a state of mind, it's about getting your thoughts in the right order, and thinking about the right things, thinking positively. It is about not allowing whatever you're going through to weigh heavily on your shoulders. I firmly believe that our thoughts and how we manage those thoughts are the foundation to everything that we do. Verbalising your thoughts can be powerful. A big challenge that I had to deal with was when I was struck down with an illness that I, still today I have no idea what it was. I got so low in my life that I needed some stranger to be able to see the potential, to see what was in me, to see that there was nothing wrong, and actually all I needed to do was recalibrate and start to explore who I was. I decided that I wanted to be the same in every environment that I walked into, I wanted to be authentic. I didn't have that, my character and identity was completely in tatters. I had to rebuild that, and for me that was the very core of what started this, this process of getting to where I am today. Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Our Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport Relevant Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep011: Dave Algeo - Mental Toughness, Mental Health and High Performance Podcast Episode 066: Marilyn Okoro - Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist Podcast Episode 069: David Charlton - David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin Part 1 Podcast Episode 073: David Charlton - David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin Part 2 Relevant Blogs Blog - Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance Blog - 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog – 3 Tips to Deal with Bullying in Sport

Today's question comes from a parent, Anna to a talented golfer. Anna's son, Harry is 14 years old however he lacks confidence and she worries about him. She also recognises to succeed in golf, in other sports or in education he's going to need confidence. So she asked me – How do I give him confidence? I go onto share 3 ideas which can help you as a parent to help your child begin to see things differently. Enjoy tuning in. Key Learning Points: Set mini goals with your children to help aid their focus and concentration. Consider different behaviours that would help them improve their performance levels such as trust, having fun, bouncing back positively from mistakes. Create a highlights reel together using video technology. This will help your child visualise what they do at their best and program them subconsciously in a helpful way. Design a Confidence CV together on a large piece of card focusing on what they are good at, their achievements in their sport and away from it. Let them draw, print out screen shots of images or cut out clippings from newspapers or websites. Watch your language, consider how you communicate with them when they have failed at something or made a mistake. Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Our Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport To Listen to Podcasts Episodes related to Youth Sport Youth Sports Psychology Podcast Podcast 039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes Podcast 064: Edu Rubio – How to Support Young Footballers Podcast 067: David Charlton Supporting Children to Transfer their Skills from Training to Competition Helpful Blogs Youth Sports Psychology Blogs 5 Tips for Parents to Help Their Children Perform With Confidence How to Help Young Footballers Find The Zone Helping Young Athletes Manage Emotions For More Resources so You Can Shoot Lower Scores on The Golf Course Golfers Mental Scorecard Golf Psychology FAQs Golf Blogs Golf Podcasts

This is Part 2 of a series of episodes on being comfortable in your own skin, where I unpack 3 more common "toughness" themes where we can unconsciously behave in certain ways or put up barriers. The barriers I discuss today are concerned with goal-setting, prejudice and delegation at individual and organisational levels. As always, this episode is designed to help you question your approach and become the best version of yourself. Key Learning Points: Goal Setting if done right can aid confidence and motivation and reduce anxiety, if it's done incorrectly and not given the respect it deserves it can have the opposite effect. Some individuals are frightened to set goals, because of anxiety and in case they go on to sabotage their own success. Some people keep quiet and do not discuss their goals and very uncomfortable doing so. Consider if your culture belittles people who discuss what they want to achieve? If you are a coach or a manager do you display empathy and understanding for people who have a disability? Are you too judgemental about people and their limitations? Is there a tough or macho culture in your organisations or club which is set up to focus so much on outcomes and performance that the human is forgotten about and does not allow people to express themselves and be supported properly? Many people will tell you they are too busy to delegate. That it's more efficient for them to just do it themselves, is this born out of being tough. Do you see yourself as a failure if you ask for help? Do you believe that passing on work to others will detract from your own self-importance? Have you considered that by delegating tasks, by letting other people do things, talking about their fears more openly it can promote an environment where everyone feels more comfortable in their own skins. Connect with David Charlton Accelerator Course: Achieving Your Goals Faster Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Our Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport Relevant Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep011: Dave Algeo - Mental Toughness, Mental Health and High Performance Podcast Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky - Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport Podcast Episode 066: Marilyn Okoro - Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist Podcast Episode 069: David Charlton - David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin Part 1 Relevant Blogs Blog - Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance Blog - 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog – 3 Tips to Deal with Bullying in Sport