

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

5 snips
Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 1min
#295 Prof Robert Schinke - 8 Steps to Succeeding in Sport, Work, and Life
Prof Robert Schinke, a distinguished sport psychology consultant and former equestrian athlete for Canada, shares insights from his new book, 'Gifted: 8 Steps to Succeeding in Sport, Work, and Life.' He emphasizes recognizing innate talents to achieve goals and discusses the evolving dynamics of sports that prioritize mental health over mere victories. Prof Schinke highlights the importance of cultural awareness in sports psychology, particularly for Indigenous athletes, and stresses the necessity of continuous self-reinvention for overall well-being and success.

13 snips
Aug 12, 2024 • 51min
#294 Eamon Devlin - Creating the Right Half-Time Environment
Eamon Devlin, head coach of several senior Gaelic football teams and founder of the sports consultancy Minute9, dives deep into the importance of halftime in team sports. He shares his research findings on how players perceive coaching messages during breaks. The discussion explores emotional challenges athletes face at halftime and the critical need for structured communication. Eamon highlights strategies to create a supportive environment, integrating psychological insights and video analysis to enhance player motivation and performance.

10 snips
Aug 5, 2024 • 60min
#293 Geir Jordet - Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout
Geir Jordet, a world-leading expert and Professor of Sport Psychology at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, shares insights from his extensive work with top football clubs. He discusses the psychology behind penalty shootouts and the mental pressures athletes face, emphasizing strategies like individual routines and gaze control to combat anxiety. Geir also highlights the evolution of player decision-making under stress, the importance of team support, and how psychological preparation can determine success or failure in these high-stakes moments.

7 snips
Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 10min
#292 Stuart Morgan - Develop, Train, and Perform
In this engaging talk, Stuart Morgan, a top international golf coach recognized by Golf Digest, shares insights from his coaching journey. He discusses evolving from swing coaching to a holistic performance approach. Stuart introduces the Challenge Point Framework, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies for different players. He highlights the balance between autonomy and guidance in golf coaching, the importance of pressure training, and how neuroscience influences skill development. Join him as he reveals fresh ideas for enhancing athlete performance.

Jul 22, 2024 • 51min
#291 Brad Stulberg - Focusing on the Process
Brad Stulberg, known for mental health and sustainable excellence, discusses topics like redefining success, social support in sports, contrasting mindsets in athletes like Jordan and Duncan, and stress management for athletes with real-life examples and insights on achieving greatness.

Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
#290 Stephen Maxwell - Looking for Coachable Moments
Stephen Maxwell, an expert in coachable moments, discusses the importance of adaptability and authenticity in coaching styles, evolving coaching focus towards mental aspects, planning for performance in Gaelic football, embracing unconventional athlete techniques, and the significance of self-reflection and team reflection in coaching.

Jul 8, 2024 • 54min
#289 Lisa Alexander AM - Reflections on Developing a World-Class Winning Coaching Programme Part 2
Lisa Alexander, high-performance consultant and former Australian Netball coach, discusses creating winning environments, coaching dynamics, psychology in coaching, coach wellbeing, and effective communication in various sports.

Jul 1, 2024 • 1h 15min
#288 Jonathan Pendlebury - Coaching at the Developmental Phase
Jonathan Pendlebury, U18 Head Coach at RFU, discusses player development, coaching evolution, and self-regulated learning. Topics include enhancing coaching effectiveness, developing future England team members, and exploring coaching beliefs in national playing styles. The episode delves into group dynamics, cultural influences, and continuous improvement in coaching and player development.

Jun 24, 2024 • 59min
#287 Paddy Ryan - Developing a Culture of Care
Paddy Ryan, Chief Coach of Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club, shares insights on fostering a culture of care and respect in rowing. Topics include developing conscientious athletes, creating player-centered environments, and the history of the Oxford vs. Cambridge boat race.

8 snips
Jun 17, 2024 • 1h 8min
#286 Alan Keane - Building a Coaching Toolbox
Alan Keane, Performance basketball coach, and Great Britain U20 National Team Basketball Head Coach, discusses his coaching approach focused on meeting individual needs. Topics include mental skills coaching, acceptance and commitment strategies, teamwork principles, and self-regulated learning in high-performance sports.