Traditionally, we identify talented athletes as those who demonstrate attributes, i.e. being self-determined, keen willingness to learn, capacity to overcome adversity, self-less, highly driven, ability to self-analyse, and be self-motivated etc. If you were to truly understand that experience is created from within and projected out as our separate realities and is not caused by the situation or circumstances, how different would this list be of desirable characteristics?  If athletes profoundly know that no-one or nothing is to blame for their feeling state, how many of these attributes are redundant? If athletes are not afraid of their experiences and merely allow their minds to clear naturally, qualities to 'get over' poor performances wouldn't be required. Is it possible that athletes who have learned to control and manage their thinking fall into mediocrity, and settle for something way short of what's possible given the infinite divine intelligence to produce incredible human performances?   

The subject of adaptation is widely researched and discussed, especially in the field of sport. Many people resonate with knowledge-based, application of tools and techniques which appears to result in change over time. Few, however, refer to the sustainable transformations, which happen naturally, when a person experiences an insight or deep realisation. Rudi Kennard and Denise Holland, look beyond information and experience to develop and master human performance, towards what is innately part of every human being, irrespective of knowledge gained cognitively.

It is difficult to conceive as humans the notion that, we (the person) are not in charge and that we connect to a higher power in us, which seems to have life unfold perfectly. As Sydney Banks referred to often, the IS-ness! Many questions arise, including, what's the point then, if we are merely the vessel and not the captain? There are times in our lives with little or no personal thinking that we are capable of extraordinary things. Rudi talks about his experience at Everest Base Camp, which points to two things: 1) Our connection to a divine intelligence which fuels our bodies and minds, and  2) We are more likely to sink into that performance zone (flow) state when we are not distracted by the personal head noise.

Why would sportspeople want to look in the direction of understanding the formless nature of life and experience? What is the potential impact on performance results when you start to understand how the human mind works? As a former contestant on the BBC show 'Gladiators' Rudi shares how his mental stamina was not on par with his physical prowess, which leads him to grossly under-achieve. Nowadays, as an international speaker, Rudi talks about “unconditionality” meaning that we have the potential not to be bothered by our feeling states, and perform regardless of what is going on in our head.” A knowing which is “revolutionary to our wellbeing”. All humans have an innate psychological immune system which if left alone does well at equalising us. 

Denise auditions for the reality TV show, 'Take Me Out'. Amused by the prospect of winning a date on the magical Island of Fernando's, she went along with the fascinating questioning, the best and easiest to answer, was 'what is your biggest turn-off'? Answer - A chap who is never present? During the past five years, Denise has seen beautiful insights about her experience and knows that this too is made from Thought in the moment. Nevertheless, it seems to Denise that the most precious gift anyone can give to another human being is, the presence of Mind. Authentic connection and what she means by this is, a meeting of the souls, the spirit and essence of which we are all created, this is where transformation happens. What has this got to do with performance sport?

When you have superstitious thinking, it can lead to behaviours which are a little off the wall. You know they are, but you still do them, as you feel if you do not it will somehow affect future performances. What if, your entire perspective is a misunderstanding of how the human mind works and that you are innocently living in an illusion of thought every second of your being? Just like superstitious thinking, you have the free will not take your thinking seriously, no matter how real, crazy, or scary, it appears? What IS it that is fuelling our capacity as human beings to think and therefore experience and why does an understanding transform peoples' lives? 

We have heard the word "unconditional' used many times in connection with the word "love." Here Denise talks about falling in love with your capacity for sports performance, unconditionally irrespective of strategic targets or KPI's. There is a distinct difference in the mindsets of sportspeople, those on the treadmill of, 'one more medal, another PB, or a rise in world rankings, searching for that missing something in their life. Then, there are those who are in it for the LOVE of the game, highly engaged with the thrill of exploring what's possible, and absorbed by their inspiration to perform rather than the results. What is your motivation? Is it fear, lack or need, based or is it purer than these somewhat negative constructs, which zap vital energy reserves? Are you one of the 10%, who are not searching but discovering and uncovering the infinite potential for performance expression in the now through your mind and body?

We are all ‘outed,' and not before time! Evolving a world where people are not ashamed of the way they feel inside is brilliant, but is this enough? Denise encourages you to look beyond what you know conceptually, to understand not the content on your perspective or worldview but how it is manufactured, i.e. the operating system of the human mind. As soon as you insightfully see how it works, you will know that there is nothing wrong with you, nothing to fix, irrespective of the states of mind you find yourself, low or high. Understanding the nature of the human experience gives humanity a chance to re-connect and relish that which binds us all, the energy, the oneness, love, and intelligence of all things.

What are people looking for when they ask high-performance coaches to help them improve their consistency of performance?  Sportspeople spend hours striving for excellence in their performances. You live in a physical, practical and commercial world of sport, where being on your game can impact your income, profile, selection, rankings and contracts, so why not 'want' your best performances out there every single time? Jamie Smart takes a closer look at your personal preferences for a certain range of consistency and makes a valuable point about the weight and value you may have on it, in terms of your mental health and wellbeing. 

With all the latest technology in sports science to work on human performance why look in the direction of what's behind it, who and what is the creator? What are the benefits to you as a performer, when we say that the Three Principles are playing out anyway, in all human beings, whether you know, care, or understand them? In Denise's life, since coming to this understanding of how the human mind works to create an experience, there is less worry and suffering. When you see how something works, you can see how it doesn't work. It makes no sense to spend living minutes in your story of blame, and need if it isn't serving you! Jamie Smart shares his inspirations for dedicating his life's work to pointing people towards the psychological paradigm of human experience.