Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais
Day 4 – What Are Elite Athletes Teaching Us About Mental Health? | The Game Inside The Games
Jul 29, 2024
Olympic champion Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais dive into the vital role elite athletes play in the mental health conversation. They discuss the shift in sports culture toward openness about mental wellness, using figures like Simone Biles as pivotal examples. The duo emphasizes the integration of mental skills training, akin to maintaining overall health, and explores the dynamic relationship between mental resilience and athletic performance. Their insights highlight the need to shift the focus from dysfunction to a proactive approach in mental health.
24:36
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Quick takeaways
- Elite athletes demonstrate the importance of mental skills training, emphasizing the need for continuous attention to mental health as an ongoing process.
- The conversation around mental health has shifted from merely addressing crises to promoting proactive well-being, highlighting the role of athletes as influential advocates for mental health awareness.
Deep dives
The Evolving Perspective on Mental Health in Sports
The podcast discusses the changing narrative around mental health, particularly in the context of athletics. It emphasizes that while awareness of mental health struggles is growing, conversations have primarily focused on crisis and suffering rather than thriving and best practices. Notably, the introduction of mindfulness and mental health spaces at the Olympic Village illustrates a shift toward normalizing mental health discussions among athletes. This evolution indicates that athletes are increasingly seen as role models for mental health awareness, moving beyond merely addressing problems to promoting proactive mental well-being.
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