The Why Factor
Why do Top Sportsmen and Women Choke?
Jul 17, 2015
Journalist, author, and Olympian Matthew Syed delves into the phenomenon of choking under pressure, sharing personal experiences from the Sydney 2000 games. The podcast explores the neurological and psychological aspects of choking across different fields like sports, business, and entertainment. It highlights how excessive focus, worries, and distractions can impede performance, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of fun and playfulness to avoid choking in high-pressure situations.
18:02
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Quick takeaways
- Overthinking or focusing too much on details can lead to performance breakdowns in high-pressure situations.
- Conscious decisions made under pressure can interfere with well-learned skills, triggering errors and performance decline.
Deep dives
Understanding Choking Under Pressure
The podcast delves into the phenomenon of choking under pressure, discussing instances such as a table tennis player's unexpected failure at the Sydney Olympics and a rugby player's crucial missed kick. It highlights how overthinking or focusing too much on details can lead to performance breakdowns, affecting not just athletes but individuals in various fields.
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