Demystifying Mental Toughness

Today, leading Sport Psychologist Gio Valiante discusses how to overcome fear on the golf course, European Tour player Chris Paisley chats about how he gets the most from your talent when you are not at your best and well respected putting coach Andy Gorman tells us about the key fundamentals to putt successfully. Key Learning Points: Consider why you do what you do or why you play your sport and if it is because you want to be competent or master certain tasks or whether you are ego-orientated Checkout this checklist for younger athletes to guide you – Children and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz Review you're A, B and C games and how you react when things aren't going according to plan. Understanding what works for you, keeping your putting routine and the way you practice putting simple and consistent is important. 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 Ep04: Chris Paisley - Life on the European Tour Podcast Ep017: Gio Valiante – How to Play Fearless Golf Podcast Ep45: Andy Gorman - Building Confidence in Your Putting For More Resources so You Can Shoot Lower Scores on The Golf Course Golf Psychology FAQs Golf Blogs Golf Podcasts

Mental Toughness is not just about getting your head down and gritting it out, it's more complex than that. Simply talking about the situations that we find ourselves in, our problems or challenges can help people in lots of different ways, even if you are mentally tough. You'll find in this episode, former professional footballers Peter Ramage, Brendan Pearson and Julian Dowe vouch for this in this episode. As the saying goes "a problem shared is a problem halved". Key Learning Points: We'll share 5 reasons why talking is important You'll be walked through how to "control the controllables" Professional sport is not a smooth ride, the right kind of support to help you emotionally and to help you look at relevant solutions is fundamental to your psychological well-being and for optimum performance. 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 Ep03: Peter Ramage - Developing a Premier League Mindset Podcast Ep09: Brendan Pearson – Academy Football Professional Football Injuries and Early Retirement Podcast Ep24: Julian Dowe - Mental Toughness in Professional Football

This episode highlights some misconceptions placed on Mental Toughness where 3 leading authorities in the field; Doug Strycharczk, Professor Peter Clough MBE and Dr John Perry share insights into their applied work and academic research. Key Learning Points: Mental Toughness isn't always a positive trait Mental weakness does not exist Mental Toughness can be developed through experiences, psychological or coaching support * Handouts to compliment this episode: Understanding yourself better – The 4Ts. Timing, Thoughts, Tension and Temperature Understand your mental toughness tendencies * 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 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

This episode is one that may interest, young footballers, football coaches, parents of talented footballers, and sports psychologists. Where James Maurice, HCPC Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, and a member of the Sport Psychology team at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club joins me to discuss typical challenges that young academy footballers have at different ages and how best to support them. We also provide guidance to upskill coaches and parents to ensure that the youngsters' experience in football academies is a positive one. Key Learning Points: As football academies support young footballers from 8 years old up to their early 20's a variety of challenges occur, at different points in time. Some of the challenges a sport psychologist may support a player include; handling performance pressures, facing local rivals, selection or contractual issues, overcoming injuries, managing expectations of player, parent and coaches, physical challenges and many more. Fun, engaging sessions with children are the key to learning and reinforcing a positive perception of the field of sports psychology. Helping players experience difficulties and challenges creatively rather than simply talking is helpful. From the age of 16-18 years can be particularly difficult as decisions on their future are being made, they have exams pressures too and are getting to an age where they can be distracted and fail to make the necessary sacrifices. Parents can use process goals as a way of supporting their children to develop their skills and to distract them from getting to caught up in the emotion of their child's performances. Connect with James Maurice Twitter Email: J.Maurice@wlv.ac.uk Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Podcasts to Help You Podcast Ep01: Peter Ramage – Developing a Premier League Mindset Podcast Ep08: Brendan Pearson – Academy Football, Professional Football, Injuries and Early Retirement Podcast Ep27: Natalie Henderson - How to Develop Mental Toughness with Young Footballers Podcast Ep41: Paul McGee - How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence Podcast Ep43: Jamie Forrester – Thriving in Professional Football Other Resources to Help You Sports Psychology for Football or Soccer Sports Psychology for Goalkeepers Football and Soccer Psychology Blogs

Training in any sport can get repetitive at times, powerlifting isn't any different. At the elite level, you train squats, deadlifts, and other lifts till you can't take them anymore. The focus and commitment to the cause are immense. Some days you may have mental blocks as other athletes do. In this episode, Team GB athlete Natalie Hurdley explains what her average week looks like, her dedication to the sport, her willpower around her diet, her love of personal training, and body confidence. Key Learning Points: Her route into powerlifting and how she got in her own way. How to control the controllables. Her day to day routines and training plans How weight cycles can contribute to mental health issues. The importance of rest and recovery. How to overcome the repetitive nature of powerlifting. Losing weight in a healthy way. Connect with Natalie Hurdley Linked In Instagram Online Fitness Academy Website The Sports Business Club Website Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcasts to Help You Podcast Ep02: Steve Judge – How to Deal with Adversity Podcast EP15: Nick Grantham – Essential Elements of Rest and Recovery Podcast EP22: Robbie Thompson - How To Feel More Confident Blogs to Help You Body Image In Sports Bullying the Dark Side of Sport Mental Health in Sport | Creating a Healthy Culture

On the golf course, putting is a part of the game that you must master to be able to shoot low scores and reach your golfing potential. Confidence in your ability on the greens, especially under pressure is vital. As there is no hiding place from short, nerve-jangling putts, many golfers have mental scars which they struggle to deal with and go on to putt tentatively or in fear. Today, David talks through some great questions that you can ask yourself to be able to make some changes to your mindset. He also shares some advice on how you can use your eyes when on the greens to help yourself. Key Learning Points: The stories that you tell yourself about putting will determine how much you trust yourself and your skills in pressure situations. Ask yourself the following questions to help yourself get to grips with some of the barriers you put up yourself when putting. If the word "putting" is brought up in conversation what thoughts and emotions does it bring up? Do I enjoy the challenge of putting? Does my putter fill me with confidence? Do I love my putter? Do I trust myself on the putting green, no matter what situation is thrown at me? What do I say to myself on the greens when I'm relaxed and when I'm under pressure? I challenge you to spend 14 days journaling your thoughts, emotions, mindset and importantly your results in relation to your putting. Do so during and after practice sessions and rounds of golf to get to know you the "putter" better and overcome any mental blocks that you may have. Try taking your time and experimenting on the practice green with the use of your eyes. Picking out spots just behind the hole if you are a tentative putter or leave the ball short often. To improve your visualisation skills and trust in your putting stroke, you may also want to get creative and track the ball in the last third of the putt - forwards and back, in slow motion and fast-forwarding using the video recorder located in your mind. Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcasts to Help You Podcast Ep13: Karl Morris – How to Stay Present like a Major Champion Podcast Ep17: Dr Gio Valiante – How to Play Fearless Golf Podcast Ep45: Andy Gorman: Building Confidence in Your Putting Blogs to Help You Putting with Confidence from Today Play Your Best Golf More Often 3 Ways to Play Great Golf Under Pressure

Life, sport, or our careers are not straightforward. There is no linear path that you can carve out as regularly we are faced with challenges and setbacks. Mental Toughness is all about how we deal with these times, whether we choose to move on forward positively, simply survive or drown and potentially quit. Today, author Kate Mackay shares with me some fascinating insights into learning how to snowboard in her thirties as a new mum, the difficulties that cropped up along the way, and how she faced them head-on. Key Learning Points: On learning to snowboard Kate found it extremely challenging and often found herself frustrated and angry at herself. She also found glimmers of how much fun it could be. It was about mentally and physically learning a new skill, in an environment that she wasn't used to and could change fast. In snowboarding, you will fall over. If you don't want to fall over, then don't strap on a snowboard, that's all part of the learning process! In terms of the four C's of Mental Toughness, she felt she was in control of her life and was committed, but she was just surviving. She wasn't thriving with her snowboarding, she was struggling with her confidence, her ability to accept the risks involved and struggling to learn. It's useful to have a coach, somebody who can look at things objectively, someone who gets away from the emotion and can remind you what you achieved a year ago or more recently that you often forget about. It is important to recognize your fears, acknowledging them but also listen to that devil on your shoulder, saying go on, do it. Connect with Kate Mackay Instagram Facebook Kate's Mummysnowboarder blog Book written by Kate Mackay Take It All On Board Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Podcasts to Help You Podcast Ep02: Steve Judge – How to Deal with Adversity Podcast Ep35: Dr John Perry – Thrive, don't just Survive 2021 Podcast Ep37: Penny Mallory – World Class Thinking, World Class Behaviour Blogs to Help You How to Learn from Last Year Improving Sport Performance Using Gratitude Five Ways to Get Out of a Slump

If you're a golfer who wants to play your best golf more often. You will have to have confidence in your putting stroke under pressure. Many golfers will admit the sport isn't a great deal of fun when you stand over putts with fear written all over your face, with your knees knocking and your mind and heart racing. And when it feels like the hole has cling film placed over it, golf becomes a hugely frustrating sport!! So in this episode, Andy Gorman a leading putting and short game coach shares with you his philosophy and approach to ensuring that you putt without fear and with confidence in your skillset. Key Learning Points: Andy discusses his vetting process to ensure that players have the necessary motivation and commitment levels. Key elements of his putting programmes; start lines, eye line, speed control, alignment and much more. The importance factors when keeping pre-shot routines simple; having a line on the ball, start lines, their focus towards the target. Dominant senses and learning styles (visual, kinaesthetic or auditory). How to develop feel on the greens. Fear, the yips and the consequences of the return putt. Knowing yourself and the natural requirements of your body and shape is important. You can improve your putting and beat the yips if you put the time into it. Connect with Andy Gorman Instagram Andy Gorman Golf Website Andy Gorman on YouTube Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcasts to Help You Podcast Ep04: Chris Paisley – Life on the European Tour Podcast Ep13: Karl Morris – How to Stay Present like a Major Champion Podcast Ep17: Dr Gio Valiante – How to Play Fearless Golf Blogs to Help You Play Your Best Golf More Often 3 Ways to Play Great Golf Under Pressure Do You Obsess Over The Perfect Golf Swing

Life throws at us different situations in social settings; dealing with difficult people, coping with criticism, and approaching people where we can choose to have an inferiority complex. In sport, coach-athlete, parent-athlete, coach-parent-athlete relationships and the overall culture of clubs and organizations can have a big impact on athletes. Playing team sports such as football, cricket, or rugby; different cultures, moving clubs, playing styles, new coaches, managers or teammates, egos and big personalities can also play a part in whether you as an athlete perform at your best, consistently. So in this short episode, David touches on the last 3 episodes of Demystifying Mental Toughness with Paul McGee, Mark Bennett and Jamie Forrester and looks at how important interpersonal confidence is if you are to thrive in sport, your chosen field or in life in general. Key Learning Points: You will build your awareness of where you're assertive, where you're aggressive, passive, or passive-aggressive. Assertiveness is not raising your voice or shouting. Assertiveness is about controlling your emotions and then responding in a confident, yet direct way. The passive person will be good at controlling their emotions, however, remaining quiet. Controlling your emotions, yet manipulate someone by lying to them, or avoiding responsibility is classed as passive-aggressive behaviour. As a young footballer or rugby player, it's important to have confidence in yourself and take responsibility for what you say and do. If you've interpersonal confidence you'll be able to take and receive criticism and compliments much better. Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Other Podcasts to Help You Podcast Ep41: Paul McGee - How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence Podcast Ep42: Mark Bennett – Characteristics of High Performance Athletes Podcast Ep43: Jamie Forrester – Thriving in Professional Football Other Resources to Help You Download INTERPERSONAL CONFIDENCE HANDOUT Blog: 5 Reasons team captains should work with a Sports Psychologist Blog Coaches - Are you and your team pulling together during tough times? Blog: 3 Tips to deal with bullying in sport Blog: Communicating with children in sport

This episode is helpful for young footballers, parents and coaches where former professional footballer Jamie Forrester's shares his thoughts on how to thrive in professional football. Today, we chat about playing overseas, training and playing with big names stars at such as Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister in a successful Leeds United team. The challenges of moving clubs, settling in, hitting the ground running, dealing with managers are other features of this episode. Key Learning Points: It was very intense, playing in Auxerre's academy and it helped technically and tactically develop Jamie's game. I was so fortunate to play with some top, top players such as David Rocastle and Scott Sellars that really escalated my development. Football opens you up to experiences that you have to back yourself and you have to prove that you're good enough to be there, both from a football perspective but also socially. You really do have to try and make an impact as soon as you can because you don't get too many chances when you're a young player. From all of the people that I've ever worked with, Gordon Strachan was the biggest influence on my game. The mindset of a young 18-year-old is very different from an experienced pro. As I became more experienced, going to different clubs, in new dressing rooms, it became easier as I was always quite a confident person socially. Although it is a team sport, an individual mindset is needed to do well. When you're older you realize that the manager is a human being, and then you tailor your approach. They just want somebody they can trust, so I'd always look to be the guy that they could put their trust in. If I was out of the team now, I would be proactive in finding reasons why I'm not playing from the manager. Connect with Jamie Forrester LinkedIn The Sports Business Club Website The Football Family Website Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Other Podcasts to Help You Football or Soccer Podcasts Podcast Ep02: Steve Judge – How to Deal with Adversity Podcast Ep27: Natalie Henderson - How to Develop Mental Toughness with Young Footballers Podcast Ep41: Paul McGee - How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence