Elisabeth Oehler, a strength and conditioning coach with international experience, discusses coaching across cultures. Topics include mental aspects of weightlifting, authenticity in coaching, mental skill development in diverse environments, and challenges faced as a female coach in Saudi Arabia. The conversation highlights cultural nuances in athletes' mindset and motivation.
Athletes need mental resilience & attention to detail for peak performance cycles.
Coaches must adapt communication styles & respect cultural boundaries while maintaining coaching values.
Faith influences athletes' mental development & resilience, requiring accommodation of diverse cultural beliefs in training.
Deep dives
Coaching Journey and Professional Development
Elizabeth Ula shares her coaching journey, starting as a strength and conditioning coach, moving from managing a youth department to talent identification and transfer. She discusses transitioning to strength and conditioning due to COVID, working abroad in Luxembourg, South Africa, and now Saudi Arabia, focusing on junior and senior combat sports teams.
Research on Psychological Characteristics of Weightlifters
Elizabeth Ula delves into her research on the psychological characteristics of weightlifters, highlighting the importance of mental resilience, attention to detail, and understanding peak performance cycles. She emphasizes the need for athletes to endure repetitive training, focus on minute technical aspects, and prepare for key competitions with strategic planning and mental toughness.
Authentic Coaching Approach and Cultural Adaptation
Elizabeth Ula discusses her coaching approach, emphasizing authenticity, honesty, and accountability in building meaningful relationships with athletes. She navigates cultural differences, adjusting communication and feedback styles while respecting individual and cultural boundaries. Through clear boundaries and adaptation, she maintains her coaching values across varied cultural contexts.
Balancing Honesty and Cultural Sensitivity in Coaching
Elizabeth Ula reflects on balancing honesty and cultural sensitivity in coaching, adapting language and feedback styles to respect cultural norms. She acknowledges the nuances of communication across different cultural settings, choosing her words carefully while upholding her coaching values. Elizabeth highlights the importance of being honest while considering cultural differences in coaching interactions.
Impact of Faith and Culture on Mental Development
Elizabeth Ula explores the impact of faith and culture on mental development, noting differences in motivational factors and the role of religion in athletes' mindset. She highlights how faith influences athletes' resilience and motivation, emphasizing the need to accommodate diverse cultural beliefs in training. Elizabeth adapts coaching strategies to align with athletes' faith-based motivations, recognizing the significance of cultural context on mental skills development.
I’m delighted to speak with Elisabeth Oehler this week. Elisabeth is a Sports Performance and Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Elisabeth has worked in various sports in multiple countries and is currently Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Saudi Olympic Training Center. Elisabeth has her own consultancy practice EO Performance. Previously, Elisabeth was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for DHL Stormers Western Province Rugby in South Africa.
Elisabeth takes a holistic approach to athlete development in her coaching to make her athletes stronger, faster, and more powerful. Besides the physical performance aspects, she helps her athletes to develop mental toughness, integrity, the ability to work in a team, discipline, respect, and leadership skills on and off the field or competition floor.
Elisabeth is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance at Dublin City University.
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