Demystifying Mental Toughness

In my conversation today with talented PGA Golf Professional and Regional England Golf Coach, JJ Vallely, we discuss if it is possible to master the mental side of golf. As you'll learn and already likely know this is a big challenge due to the unique nature of golf and the skills needed to do well! We do however give it our best shot to arm you with some useful tools and ideas to take away so that you can become the best golfer you can be. Or if you're a coach or interested in the mental side of golf, we hope to have given you some things to consider. Key Learning Points: Golf is a very challenging sport that requires people to be very persistent over a long period, and not put off by setbacks and bumps in the road. On the golf course, the mentally tough golfer is someone who is in control of their thoughts, can keep their composure when things aren't going to plan, who never gives in and is able to grind out a score. "It's very easy to get confused with this game, the margins of error are very small and you don't need to be far out to lose confidence in a hurry." It's about awareness, it's important to know the in's and out's of your own game. Often, young golfers are now fit, flexible and strong, but their golfing mind hasn't developed and then older players have a better golfing brain but their bodies don't work how they'd like it to. Asking good questions is a very important skill. Connect with John James Vallely Facebook Instagram Twitter 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep013: Karl Morris - How to Stay Present like a Major Champion Podcast Ep017: Gio Valiante - How to Play Fearless Golf Podcast Ep047: David Charlton – Mental Game Tips for Putting For More Resources so You Can Shoot Lower Scores on The Golf Course Golfers Mental Scorecard Golf Psychology FAQs Golf Blogs Golf Podcasts Today's Podcast Sponsor Kymira Sport

Today, I chat to a Mental Toughness expert, Paul Lyons where we discuss what mental toughness is. The crossovers that exist from the sport and exercise domain that transfer into the business world. Paul goes on to share how he supports leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs to build the mental strength needed for their chosen fields and the type of benefits that his typical clients experience. Key Learning Points: Peter Clough talks about Mental Toughness being comfortable in your own skin. Being able to just focus on the moment, taking control and responsibility for your thoughts and actions is important. Choose to accept yourself, understanding your strengths, limitations, and your blind spots. Your experiences shape your Mental Toughness. Lots of business people when they start a business are very, very clear and focused on what they want to do but over time this focus gets diluted and their confidence ebbs away. It's easy to lose your sense of identity, focus and confidence much of my work is to restore and repair this. Connect with Paul Lyons Paul Lyons on LinkedIn Mental Toughness Partners Website – Mental Toughness and Resilience Development 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 Other relevant episodes Podcast Ep01: Doug Strycharczyk – The Importance of Mental Toughness Podcast Ep28: Prof Peter Clough – Why is Mental Toughness Important Podcast Ep35: Dr John Perry – Thrive, Don't Just Survive 2021 Podcast Ep50: David Charlton - Mental Toughness Does Not Guarantee Success

A lot of people don't view mental toughness in the correct light. Many have preconceived ideas that mental weakness is the opposite of being mentally tough so in this episode, we look to get the point across that this isn't the case. Especially to those that then go on to connect mental weakness with someone who has mental health issues. Even the mentally tough are vulnerable to mental health challenges as I go on to discuss. I also chat with Kieron Brady about how the culture in professional football back in the 90s de-individualized players. David Jueno tells me about being bullied, living with ADHD, cocaine abuse and going on to lose everything. Lastly, Dave Algeo tells you about what organizations can do to promote more mentally healthy cultures and environments. Key Learning Points: Parts of the football environment don't help players be comfortable in their own skin. Once you open up and start talking half of your problems disappear. Some great advice for management when having conversations with employees or players is "let's work together, let's understand your skills and strengths, your capacities and what's going on in your life." Taking an interest in the person and connecting to them as a human being is vitally important and has positive mental health benefits. 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep011: Dave Algeo - Mental Toughness, Mental Health and High Performance Podcast Ep018: Kieron Brady - From Professional Football to Alcoholism Consultant Podcast Ep031 David Jueno - How to Turn Your Life Around and Inspire Others Other Useful Resources 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 Podcast – The Importance of Effective Communication in Sports Podcast - How to Build Interpersonal Confidence Podcast – How to Assert Yourself

Success is very different for everyone. It can mean earning more money to some, medals or power to others, fame, getting fitter or even losing weight. In this episode, we look at helpful ways to ensure that you set yourself up for success in whatever you do. Robbie Thompson tells you about keeping in shape and losing weight and some key principles that can help you. Penny Mallory describes the immense commitment levels required in becoming the first and only female professional world championship rally driver. Additionally, Olympian Aly Dixon shares her wisdom when discussing running at an elite level, winning the world championship, and breaking the world record for 50km. Key Learning Points: Asking yourself better questions is a skill. Here are 3 examples: How do I want to feel? How do I want to perform? How do you know you are making progress? Penny kept going and going pushing limits and boundaries, taking risks in order to achieve her goals. In her words "I was committed to give absolutely everything to pursue my dream." In order to get to the next level what choices or sacrifices do you need to make? 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep22: Robbie Thompson – How to Feel More Confident Podcast Ep033: Aly Dixon - Mental Toughness Lessons from a World Champion Podcast Ep037: Penny Mallory - World Class Thinking, World Class Behaviour

In conversations with golfers, I often ask them what their biggest obstacle is to shooting lower scores and playing better golf. The following words are usually uttered, "I need to be more consistent", I don't hole enough putts" and "I'm erratic off the tee." Many golfers also come out with "I'm my own worst enemy." In golf, as Jack Nicklaus once said "Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game's two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself." Yet why is it that the last thing golfers want to do is look in the mirror and look to manage themselves better? For those golfers who do want to learn more about this area and the aspect of emotional control. This episode is set up perfectly for you where 3 experts, Karl Morris, Alessia Bruno, and Andy Paisley share some ideas on how you can stay present, why it is so important, what happens in the brain when you are unable to, and how to overcome performance anxiety or the yips. Key Learning Points: Consider playing golf and monitoring your reactions to shots using a mental scorecard, it may save you a shot or 2 each round. Golfer with the yips can often try to control their movements more, meaning they become even more rigid and tense. Consider how you train or practice. Are you setting yourself up so that you can free yourself up under pressure? Every golfer is unique and to shoot lower scores more consistently should think about what helps them and not get caught up copying what other people do. 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep09: Andy Paisley – Play Better Golf Under Pressure Podcast Ep013: Karl Morris - How to Stay Present like a Major Champion Podcast Ep014: Alessia Bruno - The Yips, Crashes, Trauma in Sport there is hope for Athletes For More Resources so You Can Shoot Lower Scores on The Golf Course Golfers Mental Scorecard Golf Psychology FAQs Golf Blogs Golf Podcasts

If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that basic qualities such as your intelligence, skills or talents fixed. In other words, they are considered a part of you that cannot be changed. However, the individual with a growth mindset believes that even basic talents and skills can be developed over time through practice and dedication. Where do you stand? If you have a growth mindset you'll likely "go for it" and have a CAN DO attitude. Whereas if you have a fixed mindset you'll be plagued by doubt, indecision and possible anxieties. In this episode, former international rugby players Toby Flood, Steve Hackney and Lome Faatau share with you how they have cultivated a growth mindset. We also touch on different areas of mental toughness too. We look at focusing on the process and making things happen, embracing pressure situations, working hard to overcome setbacks, learning from the success of other people and much more. Key Learning Points: Accept pre-match nerves as a part of the game. Workout if you strike a nice balance between working on your strengths and areas of your game that you need to improve. "Keep doing what you are doing and you'll get the same results." A challenge for you - reach out to a person that you admire and respect and ask them a question that you are curious about. 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 Email: info@sport-excellence.co.uk To Listen to the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep07: Toby Flood - How Elite Athletes Mentally Prepare Podcast Ep21: Steve Hackney – How to Reach Your Full Potential Podcast Ep29: Lome Faatau – How to Play Professional Rugby with Confidence Helpful Rugby Orientated Resources Rugby Blogs Rugby Podcasts

Motivation is defined as "a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way". Whereas according to Professor Peter Clough and Doug Strycharczyk commitment is "To what extent you make promises and the extent to which you will keep those promises. In short, motivation is simply a desire for something. Many individuals are motivated to perform better, however, what separates people is that only a small percentage are actually committed to doing the things that are necessary to perform at their best, consistently. In this episode, Steve Judge discusses fighting back after a serious car crash when both his legs were crushed where he demonstrated immense commitment levels. Paul Smith too, in his quest to keep a run streak going, tells you about running for over 5000 days in a row. Whereas on the flip side, Nick Grantham tells us about rest and recovery and why they are hugely important things that committed need to hear. Key Learning Points: How to keep on going despite dealing with one of the most unexpected and traumatic events that anyone could go through. Coping with excruciating pain, mental health challenges, and regular setbacks in his recovery. Paul shares the variety of challenges that he pushed through to keep his run streak going demonstrating a CAN DO attitude. Look after the basics, being professional around rest and recovery can help lengthen an athlete's career and help them maintain more consistency in their performance levels. Are you maximising your time and talents and being fully effective? What difference would it make to your life, business or sport if you could get another 10% out of yourself? 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 the Full 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

You've got mental strength or you haven't some people often wrongly assume. Mental strength or mental toughness can be developed with self-awareness, from experiences, coaching or psychological support. The upside then is an individual or a group of individuals are likely to make smarter decisions which goes on to positively influence their levels of performance and well-being. Today, I'm joined by three guests, John Fletcher, Natalie Henderson and James Maurice where we consider how you can develop different parts of mental toughness with youngsters so that they can go on to thrive, so that they can overcome obstacles and challenges more confidently and play their sport or live their life more fearlessly. Key Learning Points: Consider how you frame different situations? Do you look to take the learning from them or do you get caught up in negative thought patterns and the blame game. Players don't know how much you know until they know how much you care. Treating players as individuals is vitally important. A psychological safe environment and culture is conducive to developing mentally tough individuals. Sports psychology sessions can be fun and engaging for players and coaches. 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep027: Natalie Henderson - How to Develop Mental Toughness with Young Footballers Podcast Ep039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes Podcast Ep049: James Maurice - How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help Helpful Blog 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

An important element of mental toughness that is often not thought about is our ability to communicate effectively, both on a 1-2-1 basis and in groups. In some individual sports, this skill is arguably not as important as it is in team sports or in the workplace. However, you will still be required to assert yourself with your coach or team on occasions so it shouldn't be forgotten about. In team settings, it is an essential skill that can be developed and is critical if you are to fulfill your potential. Today Jamie Forrester, Paul McGee, and Mark Bennett highlight the need to have interpersonal confidence where different social situations that we find ourselves in are explored. Key Learning Points: Asserting yourself with teammates and coaches in professional football is vital. If you are being criticised by someone consider this question – "Would I take criticism from someone I wouldn't take advice from?" As a coach is the quality of your communication aligned to what individuals and the team are trying to achieve. We expect people to reflect and learn from experiences but we don't teach them how to. Parents should consider what is success for themselves and for their children. 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep041: Paul McGee - How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence Podcast Ep042: Mark Bennett MBE – Characteristics of High Performance Athletes Podcast Ep043: Jamie Forrester – Thriving in Professional Football 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? 3 Tips to deal with bullying in sport Communicating with children in sport

This episode shatters the myth that mental toughness is a male macho trait. Three very talented ladies from different fields demonstrate that it is far more complex than this basic assumption that many people have. Where Kate Mackay talks about embracing fear and Taz Bricknell and Natalie Hurdley share insights into the immense commitment levels that are required to thrive in professional rugby and powerlifting. Key Learning Points: Look to recognise and acknowledge your fears and push yourself to beat them. Check out a SWOT analysis to help you overcome any fears or challenging situations. Playing professional women's rugby requires a huge amount of dedication and comes with lots of unfair criticism. A great deal of trust in your training and nutritional plans, alongside patience is vital to succeed is powerlifting where gains are very slow. 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 the Full Podcast Episodes Podcast Ep038: Taz Bricknell - Playing Professional Women's Rugby Podcast Ep046: Kate Mackay – Why Snowboarding is a Metaphor for Life Podcast Ep048: Natalie Hurdley - How to Build Mental Toughness through Powerlifting