353: Scott Robinson on Driving Attention in Training and the Power of Self-Affirmation
Apr 6, 2023
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Neurology expert and personal trainer, Scott Robinson, discusses the power of self-affirmation and mental reinforcement in training. He explores visual training methods, warm-up techniques, working with the subconscious mind, and the placebo effect. Additionally, he shares insights on rehabbing injuries, improving visual motor skills, enhancing eye function, and understanding mental and emotional states in training.
Incorporating novelty and attention in warm-up routines improves strength, coordination, and performance.
Self-affirmation and mental reinforcement enhance training performance by creating a focus on the mind-body connection.
Customizing warm-up routines based on individual needs leads to optimal performance outcomes.
Aligning beliefs and engaging the subconscious mind can unlock new levels of performance and personal growth.
Deep dives
Incorporating Novelty and Attention in Warm-up
In the podcast episode, Scott Robinson emphasizes the importance of incorporating novelty and attention in warm-up routines. He suggests using mobility flows or sequencing exercises that require focus and concentration. By introducing novelty, such as changing the range of movement or increasing the difficulty, the brain is engaged and forced to figure out new motor plans. This type of warm-up activates the supplementary motor cortex, which coordinates different parts of the body and brain. The goal is to keep the brain active and prevent it from going on autopilot, leading to improved strength, coordination, and performance.
The Power of Self-Affirmation and Mental Reinforcement
Scott Robinson highlights the significance of self-affirmation and mental reinforcement in both training and rehabilitation. By repeating positive statements like 'I am fine' or 'I am the greatest,' athletes create a focus on their mental and emotional state, leading to enhanced performance. The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in training success, and adopting a positive mindset can increase pain tolerance and aid in the healing process. Combining affirmations with visual training methods, such as maintaining a stable gaze during exercises or juggling while in a bear crawl position, can further enhance neurological and learning qualities during the warm-up.
Customized Approaches Based on Individual Needs
Scott Robinson emphasizes the importance of understanding individual needs when designing warm-up routines. Not everyone requires the same approach, and it is necessary to consider factors such as previous injuries, mobility levels, and overall functionality. By communicating with the nervous system, obtaining feedback, and understanding personal beliefs, customized warm-up strategies can be developed. Whether it is incorporating specific eye movement drills, reflex activation, or addressing subconscious beliefs, tailoring warm-ups to individual needs can lead to optimal performance outcomes.
Embracing Psychology, Beliefs, and Emotional Factors
Scott Robinson explores the deep connection between psychology, beliefs, and warm-up routines. Emotional factors, including self-affirmation, emotional reinforcement, and belief systems, play a fundamental role in an athlete's performance. By creating positive and aligning thoughts, athletes can tap into their subconscious mind and enhance their output. Shouting positive statements with conviction or engaging in activities that challenge existing subconscious beliefs, like yelling 'I am the greatest' before a jump, can lead to improved performance outcomes. Understanding the power of psychology and beliefs allows athletes to optimize their warm-up routines.
The Power of Belief in Overcoming Limitations
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the power of belief in overcoming physical and mental limitations. They emphasize the importance of aligning the conscious and subconscious mind to achieve the greatest output. They provide examples of individuals who were able to improve their physical performance by changing their beliefs and self-acceptance. The speaker highlights the role of specific beliefs and emotions in visualization and mental rehearsal, explaining that the brain does not differentiate between real and imagined stimuli. They also mention the potential benefits of using music and emotional states to enhance performance. Overall, the episode emphasizes the potential of the mind to unlock new levels of performance and the importance of openness and acceptance in achieving personal growth.
Using Visualization Techniques for Performance Enhancement
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the use of visualization techniques for performance enhancement. They emphasize the power of the subconscious mind in creating positive associations and overcoming mental blocks or barriers. The speaker explains that visualization can be as effective as real stimuli in training the mind and body. They encourage individuals to explore their emotional states and beliefs during visualization exercises, paying attention to what resonates and drives their performance. The episode highlights the importance of finding the right emotional connection and tailoring visualization to individual needs. The speaker also mentions the potential benefits of using music as a metronome and a source of emotional motivation in performance.
The Role of Acceptance and Non-Judgment in Performance
In this podcast episode, the speaker explores the role of acceptance and non-judgment in performance. They discuss the importance of being okay with the current state of affairs and embracing what is, without self-criticism or judgment. The speaker explains that acceptance allows for a state of peace and openness, which can positively impact performance and recovery. They highlight the potential benefits of shifting from a self-centered perspective to a more open-minded and accepting approach. The episode emphasizes that acceptance can lead to improved focus, mental well-being, and overall performance. It encourages individuals to let go of judgment and explore the limitless potential of their mind.
Today’s guest is neurology expert, consultant and personal trainer, Scott Robinson. Scott is an Applied Movement Neurology Master practitioner and has worked successfully with all levels of neurological complexity in his time training and coaching a wide variety of clients. Scott is a specialist in dealing with a variety of neurological issues, such as weakness, pain, range of motion and trauma to the emotional systems, amongst many others. Scott is a former Taekwondo athlete and has more than 20 years of experience in Applied Movement Neurology.
The element of training and performance that truly defines who has achieved their highest potential, is the mastery of their mental and emotional state. The state of the mind, the way we drive attention to what we are doing, how we affirm our actions, and how we light up our neurological system all play a large role in the training results we get, how we enjoy the process, and ultimately how we grow from it on multiple levels.
On today’s podcast, Scott Robinson talks about the power of self-affirmation and mental reinforcement in the roles of training and rehabilitation, as well as how novelty plays into those affirmations. He also gets into visual training methods that link with physical training outputs, warmup methods to improve the neurological quality of the session, working with one’s subconscious mind, harnessing the placebo effect in training, and more.
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View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage.
Timestamps and Main Points
4:36 – Scott’s shoulder injury he sustained mountain biking, and some methods he used to dramatically accelerate his recovery
14:07 – Getting into the “infinity loop” concept of walking and focus, and how eye position drives neuromuscular activity
17:00 – Mental techniques like self-reinforcement, “Gauntlet 40’s” and the role of novelty in drawing the attention of the brain into a higher state
20:18 – Methods that can be used early in a training session to maximize learning later on
32:36 – Moving eye-based ball movements that individuals can use to improve their warmup component
38:12 – Thoughts on athletes and individuals who may need more vs. less neurological intervention and special exercises in their training program
42:49 – Scott’s take on yelling “I am the Greatest!” before an explosive effort, or similar self-affirmations
59:45 – Ideas for athletes whose subconscious mind blocks or sabotages their conscious mind in their game and athletic performance
1:09:24 – Thoughts on music’s impact on the brain in terms of its tempo and impact on emotions
1:16:50 – Considerations on self-judgment of elements within the training session
Scott Robinson Quotes
“The first words that came out (when I saw my son after I broke 2 ribs and separated my shoulder) were 'I am fine'”
“I had a greater output of strength in 3 months than before I had the injury”
“The things that I did were holding gratitude all the way through the injury… and through the process making sure I was keeping the whole system fired up and stimulated and looking to make new connections around the musculature”
“My filler exercises were all of the kinds of activities that were going to drive increased attention, increased alternates, that sets the stage for neuro-plasticity, so that when you come back to whatever you are doing, the brain is ready to make new connections”
“If you want to get the best out of yourself, you have to set the conditions in the mind so that you get the best result”
“Depending on the eye position you use, you can target specific fibers”
“The only brain that changes itself is the brain that’s paying atten...
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