The Role of a Sports Psychologist in an Athlete Journey

Most of my week is a head of psychology for the English Institute or school. I think what we've been really good at doing in the UK sports system is reframing what we're here to do. Most of us work as immersed sports psychologists. So that's probably that it we're trying to reframe our people, see what we do. Just imagine here, predominantly to make you even better at what you're already good at. But our expertise is on this.

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In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, instead of focusing on the training, planning, mindset, and tactics that go into the lead-up to a race or major event, Matt explores the equally critical yet often undervalued process of post-event decompression and assessment.

Post-event is a huge part of the fabric of your athletic journey. Win, lose or draw, the experience can be a confusing and destabilizing time filled with distractions and complex emotions, both positive and negative. There is a natural desire to analyze your performance, find answers, process and move on to the next big thing.

In today's discussion, Matt Welcomes Sports Psychologists Sarah Cecil and Danielle Adams Norenberg for an in-depth discussion around Emotional Decompression, a model around navigating the emotions following a major race or event.

Danielle and Sarah both have extensive experience working with British Olympic athletes across various sports and set out to create a process for athletes to properly digest the experience and re-engage with the athletic journey and life in a healthy way.

With their help, Matt takes a closer look at the evolving role of psychology in sport through the lens of their work with world-class athletes and the essential need to structure the process around the post-event experience.

Together they break down the model of decompression step by step to deliver a highly accessible and actionable process that is sure to become an essential part of your performance journey.

GUEST BIOS:

Sarah Cecil

Sarah is a Chartered Sport Psychologist and has worked in Olympic and Paralympic sports for over 20 years. She has extensive experience in helping athletes reach their ultimate goals. She was the psychologist for British Athletics in London 2012. Post 2012 she worked at the Team GB Intensive Rehabilitation Unit and on UK Sports coach education programs. Sarah was the UK Team psychologist at 4 Invictus Games from London to Sydney. She was the Team GB psychologist in Beijing in 2022. She has an extensive record of developing coaches, leaders, and staff in elite sports. Sarah sits on the UK Sports Mental Health Steering Group. Sarah also runs a private consultancy in addition to her role as Lead Sports Psychologist for the English Institute of Sport.

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