The Athletes Edge; The Coaches Edition

Unlocking the Mental Game of Sports

Tony Everett Season 1 Episode 20

In this episode of the Athletes Edge Coaches Edition podcast, host Tony Everett speaks with sports psychology coach Josh Berger about the importance of mental training for athletes. They discuss Berger's journey into sports psychology, the lessons learned from the mental game, and the significance of mindfulness and self-talk. Berger emphasizes the need for athletes to control what they can, develop a winning mindset, and reflect on their performances. The conversation also touches on how coaches and parents can support young athletes in developing intrinsic motivation and a strong mental game.

Takeaways

  • The mental game is crucial for athletes' performance.
  • Athletes can often beat themselves through negative self-talk.
  • Controlling what you can is essential for performance.
  • Mindfulness practices can help athletes stay present.
  • A winning mindset involves being a great competitor and using mental skills.
  • Self-talk can significantly impact an athlete's performance.
  • Reflection on performance helps athletes grow and improve.
  • Coaches should help athletes manage pressure effectively.
  • Intrinsic motivation is key for long-term success in sports.
  • Mental skills learned in sports are applicable in life beyond athletics.

Sound Bites

  • "You can beat yourself."
  • "Control the controllables."
  • "Prioritize the mental game."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Sports Psychology Coaching

05:13
Understanding Emotional Control

10:25
The Role of Mindfulness

16:34
The Power of Self-Talk

21:22
Coaches and the Mental Game

27:12
Final Advice on Mental Game

Thank you for tuning in. We are here to provide you and your athlete with content to grow and develop. Join us next week for another episode of the Athletes Edge, coaches edition podcast.

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