Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais
Day 2 - The Approval Game: Flipping the Script on Judgement| The Game Inside the Games
Jul 27, 2024
Olympic gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin shares her journey through the intense scrutiny of judged sports, revealing how her father's coaching philosophy shaped her resilience. Alongside sports psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais, they discuss the psychological challenges athletes face, emphasizing the pressure to seek validation from judges. They explore strategies like visualization and focusing on personal excellence over competition. The conversation offers insights into mastering the mental game and the importance of trusting the process in high-stakes environments.
22:47
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Quick takeaways
- The psychological pressure of constant evaluation from judges, both in training and competition, significantly affects athletes' mental states and performances.
- Focusing on self-improvement and internal standards, rather than seeking external validation, is crucial for athletes to achieve optimal performance.
Deep dives
The Pressure of Judge Approval
In gymnastics, the approval of judges plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of performances, often adding significant pressure on athletes. Even before competitions, judges observe training sessions, which influences their perceptions and scoring during actual events. This means that athletes must perform at a high level consistently, as any mistakes made in training are likely remembered by judges on competition day. Such a unique dynamic creates an environment where training resembles competition, compelling gymnasts to meet high expectations under constant scrutiny.
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