The way we talk about sports is a mess. The incentives to behave this way are real. For a shout guy on TV, it's a big contract. For a keyboard warrior or a bar stool blowhard, it's more and more likes and shares. And that's got me worried. I think most people are rational and calm but when we're in the wrong environment, the better angels of our nature take a backseat.
From risky snowboard halfpipe runs, to 400m sprints where every second counts, to high-stakes archery tournaments, performing well in sports requires mental toughness as much as physical toughness. How do athletes get “in the zone”? And what can we all learn about focus, flow, and mental resilience from athletes?
Good Sport is a podcast from the TED Audio Collective about the fascinating psychology behind athletic competition. Each week, host Jody Avirgan guides you through an array of stadiums, pitches, pools, and slopes–all the ways that sports can shed a light on the ups and downs of being human. Follow Good Sport wherever you get your podcasts.