Demystifying Mental Toughness

High performance in cricket and sport in general is about far more than technical ability. In this episode of The Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, I’m joined by Stuart Barnes, Bowling Coach at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, for the second part of our conversation.  Together we explore the unique pressures cricketers face and how coaches and psychologists can work hand in hand to support player growth, confidence, and resilience. The Player at the Centre Stuart highlights the importance of a joined-up approach between coaches, psychologists, and teammates, with the athlete always at the centre.  Players often need space to talk, offload, and process challenges. Stuart shares how his own journey as a “failed professional cricketer” shaped his empathy and perspective, allowing him to connect with players authentically. Slowing the Game Down Under Pressure Cricket is both a team and an individual sport, making the psychological demands unique. Stuart describes how small pauses, two to five seconds between deliveries help bowlers reset, design a plan, and avoid rushing into a threat mindset.  He shares practical questions bowlers can ask themselves in pressure moments to regain clarity, confidence, and control. Handling Selection Pressures One of the toughest realities in professional cricket is being dropped.  Stuart emphasises the value of focusing only on what players can control; fitness, preparation, mindset, and energy in the dressing room.  He describes these as the “free stuff” that costs nothing but adds significant value to team culture. >> Key Takeaways Slow the world down – Use strategies to pause, reset, and regain focus under pressure. Keep growing – There is no standing still; consistent small improvements matter. Build belief through actions – Confidence grows when you fulfil your daily commitments to yourself. This episode is packed with insights for cricketers, coaches, and parents of young athletes about the importance of mental toughness, supportive environments, and developing confidence from within. For more on this topic, check out these resources: Sports Psychology for Cricket Players ·         Ep 293: Stuart Barnes: How Cricket Coaches Build Mental Toughness: High Challenge, High Support   Ep 115 - Jeremy Snape: Mental Strength to Succeed: Learning Lessons from International Cricket ·         Blog Mental Preparation for Bowlers in Cricket ·         Blog: Thriving Under Pressure: Mental Toughness Lessons from Cricket Coaching   Connect with Stuart Barnes ·         LinkedIn ·         Website   Connect with David Charlton ·         Sign Up To The Mental Edge ·         Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub ·         LinkedIn

Stuart Barnes, an experienced bowling coach at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, shares insights from over 27 years in coaching. He discusses the brutal demands of elite cricket schedules and how they affect mental toughness. High challenge, high support coaching is explored, emphasizing empathy and tailored direction. Stuart highlights the importance of process over outcome, revealing how top athletes use routines for consistency. He also delves into the fear of success and advises on managing pressure during performance, offering practical tips for players and coaches alike.

Today’s episode is the second part of my discussion with Gayatri Bhushan, co-founder of Mind Matter Performance.  We go onto continue to explore the importance of being curious and open to learn about the experiences of others in sport.  Gayatri goes onto share further insights from India and the Middle East, where cultural, social, and gender barriers can put limits on opportunities for different athletes, participants and coaches. Key Learning Points: ·         The discussion highlighted the significant impact of Premier League Football in India, with personal stories illustrating the feeling of belonging that fans can feel. ·         Challenges in sports accessibility in India are apparent, including socio-economic barriers, gender disparities, and cultural norms. ·         Sunil Chhetri's unfulfilled potential due to bureaucratic hurdles, underscored questionable policies and procedures. ·         Sport can transform the lives of families. Connect with Gayatri Bhushan Mind Matter Performance Website Connect with David Charlton The Mental Edge with David Charlton Instagram LinkedIN Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For All Athletes and Participants Ep291: Gayatri Bhushan - From India to the Premier League, Sport Psychology, Belonging & Barriers Ep290: Gordon MacLelland - Stop Focusing On Results: Developing Life Skills Through Sport Ep287: Duncan O’Brien - Is A Blame Culture In Team Sports Helpful For Performance? Ep286: Nathan Sherratt - How To Understand Neurodiversity Better In Football Refereeing Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Podcasts for Sport Coach Development Cricket Psychology Resources Hockey Psychology Resources Rugby Psychology Resources Soccer Psychology Resources

Join us for an inspiring episode as we welcome Gayatri Bhushan, HCPC-registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, who shares her deeply personal journey into the world of sports psychology. Born in India and now based in New Delhi, Gayatri reflects on her early years as a national-level 400-metre athlete and the pivotal challenges she faced, from performance pressures to the lack of mental health support. Her story of searching for guidance—often in vain—sparked a passion for ensuring no athlete is left without support, especially young girls navigating the complex intersection of sport and well-being. Having studied at Loughborough University and worked with Premier League clubs in London, Gayatri discusses the profound impact of being immersed in diverse sporting environments. She highlights the crucial role of equality, diversity, and inclusion in building mental toughness, emphasising that access to psychological support should not be a privilege but a right for all athletes. Tune in to gain insight into the challenges, learnings, and the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive and resilient sporting world. Key Learning Points: ·        The implementation of regulations and standards to protect the title of Sport Psychologist in India is important. ·        Advocate for more inclusive and diverse staffing policies in sports organisations to improve relatability and representation. ·        Encourage athletes to be comfortable in their own skin and not suppress their emotions and cultural identity. Connect with Gayatri Bhushan Mind Matter Performance Website Connect with David Charlton The Mental Edge with David Charlton Instagram LinkedIN Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For All Athletes and Participants Ep290: Gordon MacLelland - Stop Focusing On Results: Developing Life Skills Through Sport Ep287: Duncan O’Brien - Is A Blame Culture In Team Sports Helpful For Performance? Ep286: Nathan Sherratt - How To Understand Neurodiversity Better In Football Refereeing Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Podcasts for Sport Coach Development Cricket Psychology Resources Hockey Psychology Resources Rugby Psychology Resources Soccer Psychology Resources

In the second part of a dialog with Parents in Sport founder, Gordon MacLelland, the conversation goes onto discuss the importance of resilience and normalising failure in sports when communicating with children.   Such discussions between parents, coaches and children can help kids develop positive coping mechanisms.  David and Gordon also touched on the potential risks of early specialisation in sports at a young age, such as burnout, overuse injuries and the potential to drop out from the sport altogether.  The benefits of diversifying sports participation and the importance of developing multifaceted kids were also talked about. Key Learning Points: ·        Seek to focus on long-term development, such as aspects of mental toughness and resilience, rather than just results and outcomes. ·       Get to know yourself as a parent  as well as your child, seeking to improve your self-awareness. ·        Understand what burnout in sport symptoms are for your children. ·        Encourage regular check-ins between coaches/organisations and parents to manage expectations. ·        Explore ways to better support and train coaches and volunteers in sports clubs to have more effective conversations with parents. Connect with Gordon MacLelland Parents In Sport Website Connect with David Charlton Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Useful Youth Sport Psychology Resource  Youth Sport Motivation Checklist Parental Sport Motivation Checklist Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For Children Ep289: Gordon MacLelland – How To Support Children To Enjoy A Positive Relationship With Sport Ep288: Duncan O’Brien - How To Overcome Intense Emotions From Football Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Ep280: Colm O'Donoghue - How To Help A Young Golfer Who Struggles Playing Strokeplay Ep279: Ger Fitzgerald - How To Help A Young Cricketer Overcome Selection Difficulties Relevant Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For Children Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog - 9 Tips for Children from Olympians Blog - 5 Tips for Parents to Help their Children Perform with Confidence Blog – How to Help Young Footballers Find the Zone Blog – How do You Give a Young Golfer Self Confidence Youth Sports Psychology Library – For Parents Stuart Brown PHD – Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination and invigorates the soul Susan Jackson, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Flow In Sports

In episode 289 of Demystifying Mental Toughness, the founder of Parents in Sport, Gordon MacLelland, shared his journey from having a promising sports career, to coaching and teaching to supporting parenting in sports.   He emphasized the importance of understanding individual children's motivations when considering their sporting experience.   Also highlighted were the challenges of balancing fun and competitive pressures.  The conversation underscored the importance of self-awareness as a parent and being an intentional in the love and support that you offer your children, as a parent in sports, whilst accepting that you and your child are human. Additionally, David and Gordon stress the benefits of participating in sports on child’s character and mental toughness development, over winning, and the need for realistic expectations. Key Learning Points: ·        Understand your child's motivations for playing sports and why they do it. ·        Have regular check-ins with your child to understand how their motivations may change over time. ·        Avoid asking questions like "Did you win?" or "Were you the best?" and instead focus on character traits with questions such as “When were you brave?” or statements “I noticed how you bounced back positively after your team lost the first goal by the way you were calling for the ball. ·        Be mindful of the timing and approach when having difficult conversations with your child about their sports performance. ·        Recognize that success in sports should not be solely defined by performance outcomes, and focus on the wider benefits of participation. Connect with Gordon MacLelland Parents In Sport Website Connect with David Charlton Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Useful Youth Sport Psychology Resource  Youth Sport Motivation Checklist Parental Sport Motivation Checklist Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For Children Ep288: Duncan O’Brien - How To Overcome Intense Emotions From Football Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Ep280: Colm O'Donoghue - How To Help A Young Golfer Who Struggles Playing Strokeplay Ep279: Ger Fitzgerald - How To Help A Young Cricketer Overcome Selection Difficulties Ep233: David Charlton - How To Help A Young Footballer Overcome Fear Relevant Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For Children Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog - 9 Tips for Children from Olympians Blog - 5 Tips for Parents to Help their Children Perform with Confidence Blog – How to Help Young Footballers Find the Zone Blog – How do You Give a Young Golfer Self Confidence Youth Sports Psychology Library – For Parents

In a continuation of last week’s conversation, David Charlton and Duncan O'Brien discuss the impact of shame on athletes, particularly footballers.   Self-esteem, the self-recognition of multiple-selves and self-compassion are also features of the conversation.  They go on to discuss the impact of poor performances on an athletes’ mood.  Solutions to shift perspective are discussed to aid the understanding of sport coaches and parents to support athletes effectively.  They also touch on other strong emotions, such as anger and how to harness it. Key Learning Points: ·        Explore ways to normalise emotions and have open conversations about them. ·        Developing an openness to learn more about yourself, your athletes or children is vital. ·        Understanding and connect with the state of being at you best can transform your mindset. ·        Potential dynamics where an athletic identity can become entangled with self-esteem and confidence resulting in negative mental health implications should be considered. ·        Athletes should be aware of their own triggers and to have strategies for managing anger effectively. Connect with Duncan O’Brien LinkedIN Connect with David Charlton Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Ep287: Duncan O’Brien - Is A Blame Culture In Team Sports Helpful For Performance? Ep286: Nathan Sherratt - How To Understand Neurodiversity Better In Football Refereeing Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Ep249: Dr Edward Hall – Understanding Workplace Collaboration In Coaching In Team Sports Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Podcasts for Sport Coach Development Cricket Psychology Resources Hockey Psychology Resources Rugby Psychology Resources Soccer Psychology Resources

David Charlton and Duncan O'Brien discuss the emotional challenges in football, focusing on blame, shame, guilt, and anger in this week’s episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness.  Duncan, influenced by Brene Brown's work, emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and collaboration in coaching.  He highlights the need for coaches to create supportive yet challenging environments, using tools like Clean Language to foster self-awareness and resilience.  They explore how emotions like shame can manifest in players, affecting their performance and behaviour.  The conversation underscores the significance of coaches communicating effectively and setting clear expectations to help players navigate stress and criticism, ultimately fostering a more supportive and effective coaching dynamic. Key Learning Points: ·        Explore using clean language techniques in football coaching to help players develop self-awareness. ·        Encourage players to ask questions of each other rather than giving direct orders or criticism during challenging situations. ·        Educate coaches and players on the difference between shame and guilt, and how to address feelings of shame in a constructive way. ·        Mistakes are common in football and pointing the fingers, blaming can lead to guilt, impacting players' confidence and bravery. ·        Vulnerability is essential to encourage courageous behaviours and collaboration, however it is dependent on the relationship and trust developed between coaches and players. Connect with Duncan O’Brien LinkedIN Connect with David Charlton Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Ep286: Nathan Sherratt - How To Understand Neurodiversity Better In Football Refereeing Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Ep249: Dr Edward Hall – Understanding Workplace Collaboration In Coaching In Team Sports Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Podcasts for Sport Coach Development Cricket Psychology Resources Hockey Psychology Resources Rugby Psychology Resources Soccer Psychology Resources

Today, the conversation delves into the experiences of a neurodiverse referee, referee educator and coach, Nathan Sherratt, the owner of The Third Team.  We discuss the challenges faced in education, the workplace, and on the pitch, highlighting the importance of structure and accountability.   David and Nathan also emphasise the need for understanding and support, particularly from clubs, organisations and governing bodies such as the FA, to better accommodate neurodivergent individuals in sports.   Nathan goes on to share personal strategies for managing sensory challenges and the significance of self-care, including physical activities like walking and golf.   The importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and the value of support networks in achieving success is also a feature of the episode. Key Learning Points: ·        Explore ways to manage the sensory challenges, such as the cold weather or noisy crowds. ·        Neurodiverse traits can change over time. ·        Every individual’s experience of living with autism is different. ·        Adapting the use of comms kits in professional games and the difficulty of managing multiple conversations simultaneously should be considered by the FA when thinking about supporting Neurodiverse referees and assistant referees. ·        It is important for governing bodies to invest in supporting and educating people who are neurodiverse to future-proof specific individuals in sports. Connect with Nathan Sherratt Instagram Website - The Third Team Connect with David Charlton Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Ep285: Adam Batstone - Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive Ep249: Dr Edward Hall – Understanding Workplace Collaboration In Coaching In Team Sports Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Podcasts for Sport Coach Development Cricket Psychology Resources Hockey Psychology Resources Rugby Psychology Resources Soccer Psychology Resources

In today’s episode David Charlton and his colleague Adam Batstone emphasised the importance of psychological support in football and sport coaching with children.  They particularly acknowledged the need to foster rapport with parents to address their concerns about disclosing their child's challenges.   David and Adam highlighted the need for adaptability in coaching methods, especially for neurodivergent children, who may require more personalised approaches.  They discussed strategies like framing sessions, providing clear routines, and using non-confrontational prompts to maintain engagement.  The conversation also touched on the significance of life skills development beyond football, noting that coaches can help children build resilience and emotional flexibility, crucial for their future success in various fields. Key Learning Points: ·         Seek to explore ways to incorporate more flexibility and adaptability in training sessions to better accommodate neurodivergent players. ·         Develop strategies to build trust with parents, encouraging them to openly share information about their child's needs. ·         Provide training for coaches on recognizing and supporting neurodivergent behaviours, and implementing effective intervention techniques. ·         Investigate the feasibility of creating designated "safe spaces" within the training environment for players to self-regulate when needed. ·         Factor in the psychological planning of training sessions to consider the emotional responses of players. ·         Utilise additional coaching resources to provide one-on-one support for players who may need it during sessions. Connect with David Charlton Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Ep249: Dr Edward Hall – Understanding Workplace Collaboration In Coaching In Team Sports Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience Podcasts for Sport Coach Development Cricket Psychology Resources Hockey Psychology Resources Rugby Psychology Resources Soccer Psychology Resources Podcast Episodes To Help Children Have A Positive Sporting Experience Ep074: David Charlton – How Can I Make My Child Feel Confident? Ep112: David Charlton – How to Deal with Physical Insecurities as a Young Athlete Ep217: Chris Cook – How A Marginal Gains Approach Can Help You Perform Better Resources To Help Children Have A Positive Sporting Experience Helping Young Athletes Manage Emotions Does Your Child Worry Too Much About What Others Think? My Child Can’t Find “The Zone” Other Valuable Resources To Help Children, Young Athletes, Parents and Youth Sport Coaches Youth Sports Psychology Library Conversations With Kids Ideas Frequently Asked Questions - Sport Psychology for Children and Parents