Demystifying Mental Toughness

Today David starts the first of a series of episodes where he looks into ChatGPT's explanations about the field of sport psychology and adds further detail to help inform you. ChatGPT states "working with a sport psychologist can offer a range of benefits and experiences. Here's what you might expect: 1. Assessment - Initial sessions often involve assessments to understand your mental skills, strengths, and areas for improvement." David goes on to add the following points to this explanation. Key Learning Points: When assessing a client needs it is important to consider a range of factors. One tool David uses is the Sport-Clinical Intake Protocol (SCIP) which helps practitioners gain extensive information about the client's life within and outside of their sport. Factors that it takes into account include (1) the presenting problem, (2) life and athletic history, (3) social support, (4) health status, (5) important life events, (6) changes prior to the onset of the presenting problem, and (7) details of the presenting problem. David explains that quick fixes are not his preferred method and that to creating lasting change multiple sessions are required, varying in length and format depending on the client's needs and the sport. He also highlights the importance of context and the flexibility required when working in team settings, such as football, cricket or rugby clubs, where interactions can be brief and informal on occasions. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help You Improve Your Sports Psychology Knowledge Ep253: David Charlton - You MUST get up at 4am to be a SUCCESS Ep219: Brian Hemmings – Golfers: How To Improve Your Putting With A Quiet Eye Approach #BITESIZE Ep169: Professor Adam Nicholls – How To Perform Under Pressure Close To Your Best #BITESIZE Ep092: Dr James Hegarty – ACT in Sport, Improving Performance through Mindfulness Ep017: Gio Valiante – How to Play Fearless Golf Relevant Blogs And Resources To Help You Understand More About Sports Psychology Blog: Motivation vs Commitment | There is a big difference Blog: Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance including Blog: How To Learn From Last Year Blog: Does Your Warm Up Influence How You Perform? Blog: 12 Reasons Why You Won't Achieve Your Potential Helpful Sports Psychology Resources That Can Help You Improve Your Approach Driscolls Model of Reflection Gibbs Reflective Cycle Performance Profile for Long Term Goals Performance Profiling: When You're Looking For A Quick Boost Handout: Marginal Gains Refining Your Approach

Exploring the myth that confidence is mandatory for success, the discussion uses ice baths as a metaphor for performance under pressure. Insights reveal that even elite athletes like Novak Djokovic face doubts, challenging the stereotype of unwavering self-assurance. With 80% of our daily thoughts being negative, the idea of constant positivity is deemed unrealistic. Instead, embracing fluctuating emotions allows athletes to thrive even amid anxiety or fatigue. A key takeaway is that past confidence should not dictate future performance.

A common goal when supporting attacking football or soccer players, is overcoming mental blocks when dribbling with the ball in football. This is the topic David discusses in this week's Demystifying Mental Toughness podcast. He goes on to share's 3 tips to help attacking players overcome such issues with anxiety and confidence, tension, and the tendency to play it safe. Key Learning Points: Elite Professional footballers are not immune to mental blocks. Keeping a journal, noting down positive moments on the ball, how you think, feel and act can help you recreate the movements in your mind. Use your time online wisely, study the best dribblers such as Messi and Neymar and practice these skills to build muscle memory. Visualise yourself ahead of matches and training to mentally prepare yourself for different situations to reduce the fear of failure. Childlike feelings that link to playfulness and fun when playing can benefit you. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Sign up to The X-FACTOR regular emails helping football and soccer players to get the most from their talent Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN Check out our library of content supporting football and soccer players and coaches Football and soccer blogs to browse: Football Psychology Tips: Where Do You Place Your Attention? Why Football Can Improve The Mental Toughness Of Your Children? Sports Coach Psychology Tips: How to Stay Calm as a Coach in Big Matches Soccer Psychology Tips: Why You Should Recognise The Power of Your Words 5 Coaching Tips to Develop Mentally Tough Footballers Football and soccer podcasts to listen to: How To Help Footballers Ensure That They Keep Their Foot On The Pedal When Their Team Is Winning How To Help Footballers Play To Their Optimum In Big Matches How To Help Footballers Manage Their Expectations How To Help Footballers Who Struggle With Fear Of Failure How To Help Footballers Who Put Too Much Pressure On Themselves

In episode 257 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David discusses pre-shot routines in sport. With an emphasis on golf, and the importance of a personalised routine to enhance performance. Key elements include the decision making process, assessing one's state of mind, taking practice swings in a purposeful way, visualizing the shot, focusing on the target, focusing your attention ahead of execution and the use of trigger words. Key Learning Points: Write down key steps of your personal pre-shot routine to improve your understanding. Routines need practice and rehearsal if you are going to take them into competitive environments successfully. Using trigger words that direct your attention towards timing can be beneficial like "smooth swing", "commit" or "trust" to enhance focus. As humans we can get comfortable quickly therefore adjusting your approach from time to time is important to guard against complacency and to improve focus The approach discussed is applicable to various sports, not just golf. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Golf Related Podcasts Ep017: Gio Valiante - How to Play Fearless Golf Ep101: Compilation – 25 Mental Game Secrets to Improve Your Golf Ep118: Dr Bob Winters – How to Help Golfers Overcome their Mental Game Challenges To Listen to Other Podcasts to Help You Improve Your Decision Making Ep254: David Charlton - How Can I Perform Better More Consistently? Ep250: Ruth Chiles and Alessia Bruno – Optimising Your Potential By Understanding Your Nervous System Better Ep210: Anna Parker-Naples – Why Breathwork is so Powerful Relevant Blogs And Resources To Help Your Judgement Blog: Motivation vs Commitment | There is a big difference Blog: Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance including Blog: Does Your Warm Up Influence How You Perform? Helpful Resources To Help Your Decision Making Driscolls Model of Reflection Performance Profiling: When You're Looking For A Quick Boost Handout: Marginal Gains Refining Your Approach

In this podcast episode, David focuses on the emotional control aspect of mental toughness. Where he discusses the emotional states that children may experience before and during competitions and matches. He shares a personal story about his son's first competitive league football match, highlighting the typical nervousness and arousal levels children and parents experience. David also emphasises the fact children have an immature brain and draws on psychological research which highlights the need for parents and coaches to adopt a calm, patient and supportive approach, recognising they act as a role model and that children easily pick up on their behaviours and reactions. Key Learning Points: It's important for parents, parent-coaches and coaches to reflect and recognise the emotional state and arousal levels their children and players experience before and during competitive events and matches, as well as their own levels of arousal and how this can impact their children and players. It's possible to consider ways to make the experience calmer for children, listening to their needs and wishes before and during competitions and matches. For some children, allowing them to use electronic devices, bringing a comfort item in the car, or avoiding discussions about their sport can be useful ideas. Arguably, focusing on highlighting your child's strengths and positive experiences when providing advice or support is more beneficial before and during a match, than overwhelming them with too much information, especially negatives. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help Children In Sport Ep250: Ruth Chiles and Alessia Bruno - Optimising Your Potential By Understanding Your Nervous System Better Ep176: Prof Camilla Knight - How To Help Enhance The Psychological Wellbeing Of Children In Sport #BITESIZE Ep122: Prof Camilla Knight – Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences Ep082: David Charlton – Supporting Children in Sport with Positive Feedback Ep049: James Maurice – How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help Blogs And Case Studies To Support Children In Sport Blog 3 Tips to Help Children Enjoy Their Sport Blog: Pre Match Tips for Parents Blog: How does Counselling work in Professional Sport? Blog: 5 Reasons Why Being Released from a Football Academy is Difficult Case Study: How to Cope with Performance Anxiety in Gymnastics Case Study: Supporting a Young Footballer to Overcome His Fears Relevant Resources in Supporting Sporting Children Sports Psychology Resources for Youth Sport (Blogs, Podcasts, Video's) Sport Psychology for Children and Parents Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz Parent Motivation for Sport Quiz

In episode 255 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David discusses the fear of rejection, particularly in the context of how it can hinder sport performance. He shares personal experiences of overcoming this fear, emphasizing its prevalence in sports and life. David offers three tips to manage the fear of rejection; 1) viewing it as part of the game, 2) practicing self-compassion, and 3) recognizing that rejection does not define your identity. Key Learning Points: The fear of rejection can link to a fear of being rejected by new teammates, a fear of being rejected by a coach (being dropped, substituted, criticised, asked to play a different position or released) With rejection come difficult and uncomfortable emotions that people experience. Fear of rejection can manifest itself physically in our body and is different for everybody. It can mess with our decision making, rhythm and motor skills. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help You Overcome Fear Ep252: David Charlton - Helping Out Of Contract Professional Footballers Ep248: Trevor Jones - Embracing Fear And The Dreaded Yips Ep250: Ruth Chiles and Alessia Bruno - Optimising Your Potential By Understanding Your Nervous System Better Ep210: Anna Parker-Naples – Why Breathwork is so Powerful Ep207: Nicole Posner - And Breathe: How To Prevent, Manage and Master Difficult Conversations Relevant Resources to Help You Overcome Fear Blog: 3 Tips to deal with bullying in sport Blog: Why You Should Recognise The Power of Your Words Blog: How Coaches Can Help Athletes Deal with Mistakes Blog: 5 Ways To Create A Psychological Safe Sporting Environment Blog: How Mentally Healthy is Your Clubs Sporting Environment The Mental Edge – How to Assert Yourself so That Other People Don't Throw You Off Your Game The Mental Edge – How to Improve The Skills of Team Captains

Do you welcome challenges and see them as an opportunity to learn? Or do you rarely adapt your routines and fall into the trap of making the same mistakes? In order to make performance break throughs or simply perform at a more consistent level it's important to see yourself as a "learner." To look in the mirror and assess the decisions that you are making. To do so working on your mental game and seeking the support of a well qualified Sport Psychologist can hugely help you. Key Learning Points: When evaluating your performances looking at things holistically, considering all angles (technical, tactical, social, lifestyle, physical and psychological) is essential. The psychological side underpins all of the decisions that we make in each area. How important is the psychological side for you to perform better, more consistently? People often don't work with a Sport Psychologist because they get comfortable working in certain ways, fear of the unknown or a lack of education on how we can help. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help You Perform Better Ep253: David Charlton - You MUST get up at 4am to be a SUCCESS Ep250: Ruth Chiles and Alessia Bruno - Optimising Your Potential By Understanding Your Nervous System Better Ep214: Ellen McDermott – How To Create Helpful Eating Habits To Benefit Your Sport Performance Ep213: Sandro Forte – How To Set Yourself Up For Success In 2024? Ep210: Anna Parker-Naples – Why Breathwork is so Powerful Relevant Blogs And Resources To Help You Perform Better Blog: Motivation vs Commitment | There is a big difference Blog: Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance including Blog: How To Learn From Last Year Blog: Does Your Warm Up Influence How You Perform? Blog: 12 Reasons Why You Won't Achieve Your Potential Helpful Resources To Help You Perform Better Driscolls Model of Reflection Gibbs Reflective Cycle Performance Profile for Long Term Goals Performance Profiling: When You're Looking For A Quick Boost Handout: Marginal Gains Refining Your Approach

If you were to get up at 4am every morning, never had a day off and dedicated your life to one cause or goal would you be fully effective? David Charlton goes on to discuss how working hard means different things to different people. How overworking can equal poor decision making. He goes on to share the importance of self-care and being proactive about taking breaks to help people maintain perspective. Key Learning Points: Commitment is a big factor in being mentally tough though has its downsides. Motivational quotes, short videos and reels created by influencers can be very unhelpful and can be taken out of context by some people lessening their chances of reaching their goals. As a sport psychologist you can be equally effective supporting athletes and coaches working in their sporting environment as you can away from it. If you'd like to take David up on the offer of hiking a hill in the Lake District and discussing how you can improve your chances of success feel free to email info@sport-excellence.co.uk Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help You Be More Successful in the Long Term Ep015: Nick Grantham – Essential Elements of Rest and Recovery Ep138: Nick Littlehales – Why do the Mentally Tough see Sleep and Recovery as Important Ep166: Mark Bennett MBE – How To Help Athletes and Coaches Reflect On Their Performances Ep214: Ellen McDermott - How To Create Helpful Eating Habits To Benefit Your Sport Performance Ep215: Fenwick Ridley - How Ice Swimming And Cold Immersion Can Help You Take Control Of Your Destiny Relevant Blogs And Resources To Help You Succeed Blog: Motivation vs Commitment | There is a big difference Blog: Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance including Blog: How To Learn From Last Year Blog: Does Your Warm Up Influence How You Perform? Blog: 12 Reasons Why You Won't Achieve Your Potential Helpful Resources To Help You Be Successful Driscolls Model of Reflection Gibbs Reflective Cycle Performance Profile for Long Term Goals Performance Profiling: When You're Looking For A Quick Boost Handout: Marginal Gains Refining Your Approach You MUST get up at 4am to be a SUCCESS David Charlton Demystifying Mental Toughness Inspiring Sporting Excellence Ltd https://www.sport-excellence.co.uk/demystifying-mental-toughness-podcast/ https://demystifyingmentaltoughness.libsyn.com/rss

David Charlton discusses the psychological impact on professional footballers who are out of contract, a common issue in the summer months. These players face financial and emotional uncertainty, often without support from their former clubs. The loss of identity and routine can lead to a grief cycle, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. David emphasises how a Sports Psychologist can help professional footballers in these circumstances setting new goals, processing difficult emotions and providing a listening ear. Key Learning Points: Self-esteem and self-confidence can be impacted greatly when professional footballers are released. Often players are treated poorly by clubs and communication is lacking. In such situations it's often the case that mental toughness is developed through experience. The grief cycle is similar to an emotional rollercoaster that many professional football players experience with no set pattern. Connect with David Charlton Sign up to The X-FACTOR regular emails helping football and soccer players to get the most from their talent Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Check out our library of content supporting football and soccer players and coaches

The Olympics in Paris has recently finished and produced some remarkable performances from many different athletes. Yet for some this Olympics was underwhelming where they may have come away with many "what if" thoughts. In today's short solo episode I discuss preparation for big events like the Olympics and the importance of a challenge mindset for you to perform well. Key Learning Points: Adopting a threat mindset will ensure that it is much harder for athletes to succeed in big events. A threat mindset is when fear of failure, fear of not being perfect or fear of success can interrupt an athlete's flow. Mental preparation is key, where athletes should plan ahead and get clear on how they can help themselves get their mind and body ready to compete in the hours, days and weeks building up to big events or matches. Connect with David Charlton Sign Up to The Mental Edge Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn To Listen to Olympics Related Podcasts To Help You Perform At Your Best Ep110: Dan Steele - How to Increase Mental Fortitude: Secrets from an Olympian Ep140: Chris Cook – How to Improve Your Mental Strength: Secrets from an Olympian To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help You Prepare Well Ep015: Nick Grantham – Essential Elements of Rest and Recovery Ep138: Nick Littlehales – Why do the Mentally Tough see Sleep and Recovery as Important Ep214: Ellen McDermott - How To Create Helpful Eating Habits To Benefit Your Sport Performance Ep215: Fenwick Ridley - How Ice Swimming And Cold Immersion Can Help You Take Control Of Your Destiny Relevant Blogs And Resources To Help You Prepare for Big Events Better Blog: 9 Tips for Children from Olympians Blog: How To Play Well When You Aren't Feeling Great Blog: Does Your Warm Up Influence How You Perform? Blog: Why You Should Meditate To Improve Your Sport Performance? Blog: 12 Reasons Why You Won't Achieve Your Potential Handout: Marginal Gains Refining Your Approach