The Sport Psych Show
Dan Abrahams
Join Sport Psychologist, Dan Abrahams, on The Sport Psych Show as he aims to demystify sport psychology for players, coaches and parents by speaking with some of the most influential people in sports performance today. Dan is on a mission to learn more about how sport psychology philosophies, tools and techniques positively impact participation, progression and performance in sport. He wants to learn more about how to drive participation – what motivational tools engage players and inspire people to play and stay in their sport. He wants to explore how players can progress quicker and more effectively – what is great practice and training? And how does learning in sport really happen? Finally, he wants to hear what his guests have to say about the psychology of performance – how do they think players can improve their ability to high perform consistently under pressure? Discover simple and practical tools and techniques by listening in to Dan's conversations with elite competitors, sports coaches, sport scientists, and psychologists.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 17, 2025 • 50min
#332 Dr Alan McKay - Supporting Players to Develop Mental Toughness
I'm delighted to speak with Dr Alan McKay in this week's episode. Alan is an HCPC sport psychologist, researcher, and practitioner. He completed his PhD in sport psychology with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and is currently working as a senior research assistant at the FAW Centre for Football Research, housed at the University of South Wales. In this role he helps to produce multidisciplinary, world-leading, applied performance science research to enhance the performance of Welsh athletes and organisations. Alan also works within elite level sport at both Welsh Triathlon and in his own company Mindframe Performance, where he has supported athletes competing at both the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In this episode Alan and I discuss behaviour-based approaches to mental toughness in sport.
Nov 3, 2025 • 54min
#331 Dr Erin Prior - Navigating Athlete Mental Health
Dr. Erin Prior, a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and Lecturer at Loughborough University, delves into the complexities of athlete mental health. She shares insights from her extensive consultancy work, emphasizing the importance of nuanced conversations about mental health, particularly among performance directors. Erin discusses the risks of simplifying mental health challenges, the influence of sporting environments, and the crucial roles of multidisciplinary teams. Her research advocates for better understanding and support structures for athletes confronting mental health issues.
Oct 13, 2025 • 51min
#330 Johan Forsberg - Examining the Relationship Between Psychological States and Performance
I'm delighted to speak with Johan Forsberg in this week's episode. Johan is a mental performance coach and Swedish former professional ice hockey player. Johan helps individuals, groups and organisations to develop, feel and perform better. He is primarily interested in leadership, motivation and group dynamics. Johan has provided support and training for coaches, managers, and elite athletes. Prior to his work as a mental performance coach, Johan played professional ice hockey for 15 years including playing for Luleå HF, the highest level in the Swedish Hockey League.
20 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 11min
#329 Dr Phil Kearney - Skill Acquisition: Defining and Developing Skill
Dr. Phil Kearney, a leading skill acquisition specialist and interim course director at the University of Limerick, delves deep into the art of developing athletes. He explores the fascinating intersection of skill and psychology, emphasizing how essential it is to design effective practice sessions. Highlighting the Gaelic Games skill acquisition framework, Phil explains skill as the ability to adapt to momentary challenges. His insights on practice types, coach behavior, and the need for variability in training provide a fresh perspective on athletic development.
Sep 15, 2025 • 55min
#328 Dr Ellie Gennings - Well-Being and Well-Becoming in Children's Sport
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Ellie Gennings, a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching at Bournemouth University, shares her insights on children's well-being in sports. She discusses her journey from athlete to coach, emphasizing the foundational role of sports like gymnastics in youth development. Dr. Gennings highlights the need to prioritize children's unique identities and voices, advocating for a supportive environment in youth sports. The conversation also critiques the commercialization of young athletes, urging a balance between ambition and well-being.
22 snips
Sep 1, 2025 • 1h 3min
#327 Dr Peter Schneider - Sport Psychology for Elite-Level Environments
Dr. Peter Schneider, a high-performance expert and former mental performance coach at RB Leipzig, dives into the world of elite sports psychology. He shares insights on creating talent development environments and the crucial role of effective communication in high-pressure settings. Peter emphasizes the importance of clear objectives and fostering a positive team climate. He reflects on emotional dynamics within teams and the impact of mindful practices on performance. With real-life anecdotes from his experiences, he highlights the journey of resilience in competitive sports.
4 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 54min
#326 Jeremy Holt - How to Coach Identity, Belonging and Performance in Sport
Jeremy Holt, an experienced leadership coach and author, shares fascinating insights into the role of identity in sport. He emphasizes how a strong team identity can enhance performance and a sense of belonging. Jeremy discusses his new book aimed at grassroots coaches, introducing the TRIBE protocol to help teams bond through shared purpose. He explores the psychological benefits of team cohesion, the importance of meaningful discussions for culture building, and innovative coaching techniques that drive engagement and commitment.
Aug 4, 2025 • 55min
#325 Dr Ian Peek - Coaching for Performance and Well-being
Dr. Ian Peek, a high-performance coach and PGA Master Professional with over 35 years of experience, shares his expertise in enhancing performance and well-being. He discusses the integration of psychological elements in golf coaching, emphasizing personalized strategies. Ian explores the balance of assertiveness in coaching, using animal metaphors to illustrate effective styles. He also highlights the significance of a supportive environment, online coaching, and building strong relationships in fostering athlete confidence and performance.
Jul 21, 2025 • 60min
#324 Ray Power - Adapting Your Coaching Style to the Needs of the Team
In this engaging discussion, Ray Power, a renowned coach developer and best-selling author, shares insights from his extensive soccer coaching experience, including his role as Technical Director of a major academy in South Asia. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in coaching, using real-life anecdotes from Bangladesh. Listeners learn about adapting coaching styles to team dynamics and the cultural significance of football in the region, contrasting it with cricket. Ray also highlights how strong relationships in coaching lead to better player development.
14 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 13min
#323 Prof Mike Wilson - Breaking Through Self-imposed Barriers
In this chat, Prof Mike Wilson, a seasoned mental performance coach and professor with 16 years in mental health, reveals insights into breaking self-imposed barriers. He shares the metaphor of a frog in a jar, illustrating how personal limitations can hinder growth. The discussion navigates identity's role in performance and decision-making, highlighting how learned pessimism can affect athletes. Mike emphasizes cultivating optimism through small wins and the critical interplay of social experiences and neuroplasticity in athlete development.
