The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting 427 - Overcoming Doubt and Anxiety in Competition, with Sports Psychologist Haley Perlis
Jul 8, 2025
In this engaging discussion, sports psychologist Haley Perlis dives into the competition mindset and the vital role of core values in sports performance. She shares insights on transforming anxiety into motivation and the emotional challenges athletes face when transitioning out of their sports. The conversation highlights the balance between persistence and knowing when to pivot, as well as the importance of collaboration with coaches to overcome training slumps. Perlis emphasizes mental resilience and the cognitive benefits of tackling new challenges.
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Motocross Athlete Overcomes Fear
- A motocross athlete with 27 broken bones befriended his fear to return to performing backflips.
- He accepted the risk courageously and focused on his strengths to succeed and qualify for X Games.
Recovery and Motivation Tools
- Use recovery as a tool to break exercise addiction and improve performance.
- Adopt personalized motivators and mental toughness to train when motivation is low.
Burnout vs Overtraining
- Burnout includes emotional exhaustion, losing connection, and feeling incompetent.
- Overtraining is physical exhaustion with maintained commitment and motivation.