Hello, and welcome to The Progress Theory where we discuss scientific principles for optimising human performance.

In this episode, we are joined by former GB fencer and now mindset and performance coach, Claire Bennett. Now mindset is such an important part of the elite performer.

We're so focused on achieving a particular goal that we often lose sight of what's important, which can lead to resentment and sometimes poor performance. In this episode, Claire talks about her experience at the top level of fencing and how she's utilised all of that experience to start her mindset and performance coach business, Perform, be happy.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:50 - Introduction
02:48 - Transitioning from a full time athlete career
09:20 - Athlete self-care and self-appreciation
12:02 - Negative perfectionism and practise
15:41 - Overcoming negative perfectionism
17:20 - Growth Mindset and Getting outside your comfort zone
24:12 - Anxiety in different professions
28:18 - Insecurity
32:28 - Practical recommendations from a performance coach

Takeaways

🔹 Purposeful Practice Over Perfection: It's not about doing more, it's about doing it right. Focus on quality, not quantity. Perfect practice, rather than just practice, leads to top performance.

🔹 Growth Mindset is Key: In any high-performing environment, whether you're an athlete or a musician, adopting a growth mindset can turn fear and self-doubt into opportunities for growth.

🔹 Embrace Challenges as Opportunities: Reframe fears and pressures by seeing them as chances to learn and grow. Shift from "I have to" to "I get to" and watch how it transforms your outlook.

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