In today’s episode, I chat with Grant Henderson a former professional rugby player, Chief Operations Officer at The MCG Group and Co-Founder of i3profiling. Grant goes on to ask me many questions about the Demystifying Mental Toughness podcast, mental toughness, personality and environment. By listening to the episode you’ll learn more about how I work as a Sports Psychologist, about the complexities that surround sport performance, reaching your potential and a whole lot more. Key Learning Poin...
Sep 16, 2022•49 min•Ep. 135
In this short solo episode, I share 2 short clips from the previous 2 episodes where I chat with Kevin Stansfield and Christina Flach to inspire and motivate you to reflect on your journey. My hope is that you will pick up some nougats of advice from the business world and then go on to adapt your approach and take some action so that you give yourself the best chance of achieving your goals and using the time and resources that you have available much better. Key Learning Points A key question ...
Sep 09, 2022•15 min•Ep. 134
Following on from last week, again we look at what we can learn from the business world, entrepreneurship and sport and how they overlap. Mental Toughness is discussed in different contexts where I chat with Christina Flach, CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup. Christina was married to former Wimbledon champion and professional tennis player Ken Flach who sadly passed away after a brief bout of sepsis in 2018. We also go onto discuss the difficulties faced when you lose a loved one and ways that you can h...
Sep 02, 2022•30 min•Ep. 133
In today’s episode I chat with author and Business Growth Expert Kevin Stansfield where we discuss what the golfer or sports enthusiast can learn from business and what the business owner can learn from golf or sport in general. We discuss Mental Toughness and Resilience in a sporting and business context. Business planning, strategy and goal setting are considered as well as the commitment levels to succeed where Kevin goes on to share some fascinating insights. Key Learning Points: Learning to...
Aug 26, 2022•40 min•Ep. 132
This episode is the final part of a three-part series where I’ve tried to help people recognise that to develop Mental Toughness it is not simply about “being tough” or “egotistical” there is more to it than that. The series of episodes have looked at self-criticism, which we can all find difficult at different times and in different situations, from a variety of angles. I’ve shared sporting case studies, and why and how having a self-compassionate approach can be helpful. This time we look at c...
Aug 19, 2022•12 min•Ep. 131
Today is the second part of a 3-part series, where I share 2 more clips, this time from former England Cricketer and Senior Leadership Coach, Jeremy Snape and multiple World Champion Martial Artist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, Stuart Wade. Jeremy highlights the importance of the psychological side to sport and Stuart defines Mental Toughness in Combat Sports. Again, I go on to share a case study and another tool that a lot of my clients have found useful, from compassionate focused therapy to he...
Aug 12, 2022•19 min•Ep. 130
This is a short solo episode and the first of 3 episodes where I share 2 reminders of what Mental Toughness is and apply it to different domains. The first clip is from Mental Toughness pioneer, Doug Strycharczyk which was recorded in our very first episode and the second clip comes from Sebastian De Chavez an elite professional rugby player for Newcastle Falcons who appeared in episode 104. I then go on to share a case study and one helpful exercise taken from compassionate focused therapy to h...
Aug 05, 2022•13 min•Ep. 129
In today’s episode I speak to a well respected leadership coach, The Natural Leadership Coach and host for The Game of Leadership Podcast, Paula Eddy Wilcox. Paula and I discuss how you can regain clarity on your purpose and passion when you’ve lost your way, we chat about vulnerability and how being true to yourself can be frightening, we also touch on links between mental toughness, vulnerability and psychological safety too. It’s a great listen for those interested in leadership, and the busi...
Jul 29, 2022•40 min•Ep. 128
In episode #127 I chat with fellow Mental Toughness Licensee, Paul Trainor. Paul is a former professional rugby league player, currently a director for Super League team, Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club and a director for Positive Synergy. We go on to discuss Mental Toughness in professional rugby league, how Mental Toughness applies to his current role as a director. We also touch on his consultancy work. If you're looking to learn more about Mental Toughness, the 4 C's model and its appli...
Jul 22, 2022•38 min•Ep. 127
In today's solo episode I talk about golf and what my role as a Sport Psychologist or Golf Performance Psychologist looks like, common challenges that golfers bring to me, difficulties that we experience as Sport Psychologists when working with golfers and a case study to highlight more about my approach to helping golfers shoot lower scores and enjoy the game more. Enjoy tuning in! Key Learning Points: Typical challenges that golfers bring to me are; hitting the ball well on the range however t...
Jul 15, 2022•32 min•Ep. 126
Today I chat with HCPC Registered Sport Psychologist, Jack Hicks- Flynn about his love for the profession. He goes on to offer helpful insights into to the role of a sport psychologist in professional football clubs, drawing on experiences of working as an applied practitioner and a researcher in Southampton FC, Luton Town FC, Portsmouth FC and West Ham United FC. We go on to discuss the complexity of our role, cultural beliefs in football, common misconceptions about the role of sport psycholog...
Jul 08, 2022•37 min•Ep. 125
Today's podcast episode looks at long-term serious injuries, the psychological impact and helpful strategies to help you manage your mental health during the rehabilitation process and afterwards. My guest, doctor of occupational therapy, Keagen Hadley has recently released a book called Torn: Overcoming the Psychological Challenges Post-ACL Injury which we go on to discuss too. Keagen shares his backstory, the motivation behind writing his book, his definition of mental toughness when faced wit...
Jul 01, 2022•34 min•Ep. 124
In today’s episode I speak to Richard Dorney MBE. Richard served in the military for almost 39 years and has a wealth of experience in dealing with high stress situations. He’s now the Director of Strongmind Resiliency Training, a company that works to improve mental health support, trauma management and resilience mainly in public sector organisations exposed to stress and trauma. Richard goes on to share his background and lessons that he’s learned. We discuss resilience development and leader...
Jun 24, 2022•30 min•Ep. 123
Today’s guest, Camilla Knight is an associate professor in sports psychology at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom, and she is an expert in youth sport. One of her key research interests is in understanding the role that parents play in the lives of their young athletes. In episode 122 of Demystifying Mental Toughness we discuss the role of parents in sport, the challenges and stressors that they experience. We also chat about the parent/coach relationship with their children and give y...
Jun 17, 2022•32 min•Ep. 122
Today marks a landmark in the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast where the show has been running for 2 years without missing a week. As a result, 2 very special guests and pioneers in the field Doug Strycharczyk and Dr John Perry join me. Together we discuss the third edition of their book alongside Professor Peter Clough, Developing Mental Toughness, we chat about new developments to the 4C’s Mental Toughness model. Doug and John also share their thoughts on where research and practice is he...
Jun 10, 2022•38 min•Ep. 121
In this solo episode I share some ideas for sport coaches so that they help develop mental strength in their athletes and teams. The methods I discuss are in contrast to what some people often consider as the way to develop Mental Strength or Mental Toughness by creating fear cultures, pushing athletes to their limits and dishing out punishments. I’m hopeful this episode will destroy that particular myth where I dig into the importance of social support and the different types of social support ...
Jun 03, 2022•21 min•Ep. 120
In today’s episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, I chat with my colleague James Lau, where we discussed his journey to qualifying as a Sport Psychologist. We also considered lessons that he’d learned along the way and challenges that he had encountered in his training and now as an Applied Sport and Exercise Psychologist, in his private practice. Working in team sports and one of his passions, racquet sports we go on to describe the types of challenges we face as practitioners, as well as ho...
May 27, 2022•43 min•Ep. 119
On today's episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, I was delighted to be joined by Dr. Bob Winters, an internationally recognised sport psychologist who has supported US Men’s and Women’s Open Golf Champions and many other elite professional and amateur athletes across a variety of sports. In the episode we discuss sport psychology in golf and the field as a whole. We also chat about grit and many elements of mental toughness and how they apply to our work in supporting golfers to ...
May 20, 2022•49 min•Ep. 118
This week’s solo episode is part two where I build on last week’s episode and share 4 more ideas and further resources to help footballers who come across the challenge of being released from football clubs. It’s a naturally difficult time for the player and their family where their motivation and mental health can be tested. My ideas relate to how a mentally tough player would likely view the situation and how you can develop your mental toughness and bounce back positively from the setback. Ke...
May 13, 2022•13 min•Ep. 117
In this solo episode, I discuss an obstacle many of our clients come across, being released from football clubs. This episode is part one, of a two part series designed to give players, coaches and parents of players some ideas on how the mentally tough player would view the situation. I also share 4 ideas and a number of resources that can help players who are finding this period difficult. Key Learning Points Try to keep the situation in proportion. See the setback as an opportunity to develop...
May 06, 2022•18 min•Ep. 116
Today, I'm joined by a former international cricketer and Senior Leadership Coach, Jeremy Snape. We go on to discuss mental toughness in cricket, the pressures of playing at the international level in front of thousands of spectators, as well as looking at the relationship between sport performance and business. Enjoy tuning in! Key Learning Points: Our brains are built for safety, to keep us safe . Being calm, patient and instinctive are skills that can be developed and help us perform to our m...
Apr 29, 2022•32 min•Ep. 115
Today I’m joined by Tim Bradshaw author of Because I Can, a former surveillance and target acquisition patrol soldier and covert human intelligence officer. We discuss his quest to help people understand it’s ok to ask for help when they have mental health concerns. Stepping out of your comfort zone, taking on challenges such as Everest are also talked about, as well as his definition of mental toughness in military settings. Key Learning Points: We took on a year of challenges every month for a...
Apr 22, 2022•39 min•Ep. 114
In today's podcast episode #113, I’m joined by the adventurous and inspirational Polly Brennan, founder of Adventurous Coaching and creator of The Mental Fitness Kitbag™ Model. Our discussion centres around mental fitness, mental health and mental toughness where we share some helpful strategies to help you manage your mental health. Enjoy tuning in! Key Learning Points: Mental health and well-being can be viewed as an adventure. What does an adventurous approach to how you live your life look l...
Apr 15, 2022•47 min•Ep. 113
In this solo episode, I discuss a challenge that many young athletes often come across and something that we get approached by parents and the athlete themselves about on a regular basis. Dealing with physical insecurities. I go on to share some exercises, that I often use citing a case study of Harry (pseudonym) the goalkeeper who was small for his position, which impacted his focus and confidence. Key Learning Points By helping shift an athletes focus towards internal factors that he or she ca...
Apr 08, 2022•27 min•Ep. 112
This week I chat with HCPC Registered Sport Psychologist, Michael Caulfield about his route into the field and his work in elite professional football with managers, players and multi-disciplinary teams. He shares fascinating insights into his work, the importance of being courageous whatever your role. Michael has been fortunate to work with Gareth Southgate, Steve Bruce and Dean Smith in the English Premier League so has some great stories and advice to offer. What You Will Learn In This Episo...
Apr 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 111
Our guest today is very inspirational, Dan Steele was an excellent decathlete and an Olympic bronze medalist in Bobsleigh. He was also one of the most successful collegiate track and field coaches in America. In this episode, we discuss his journey, some obstacles that he overcame along the way as an athlete. Psychological strategies that he used to keep himself going in difficult times were also touched on and how he overcame fears. Dan also goes on to share some great advice for coaches of any...
Mar 25, 2022•41 min•Ep. 110
Today’s guest Maria Jeffers has a background in psychometric testing and is the Business Development Manager for AQR International, who holds the licensing for the 4C’s Mental Toughness model. Maria has a passion for mental toughness as well as horses. In this episode, we discuss how mental toughness applies to horse riding and the challenges of parenting a child who enjoys competing on her horse. Key Takeaways Psychometrics are popularly used in recruitment to objectively understand candidates ...
Mar 18, 2022•29 min•Ep. 109
In this solo episode, I again look at commitment, a measure of mental toughness, from different angles with the aim of helping you stay on top of your goals. Finding ways not to be derailed so easily when the inevitable setbacks and obstacles find you. I also touch on the importance of emotional control and managing your emotions on your journey. Where I go on to share excerpts from 2 previous episodes of Demystifying Mental Toughness with European Tour Golfer Chris Paisley and the inspirational...
Mar 11, 2022•15 min•Ep. 108
In this solo episode, I look at commitment, a measure of mental toughness from different angles. Sharing excerpts from 2 previous episodes of Demystifying Mental Toughness with Steve Hackney and JJ Vallely, as well as discussing a quote from Arsene Wenger’s book “My Life in Red and White.” Additionally, I talk about what I see as a common challenge for youngsters who play in team sports. Having a high level of commitment coupled with low levels of interpersonal confidence. You’ll find I challeng...
Mar 04, 2022•25 min•Ep. 107
This episode looks at an important element of Mental Toughness, commitment. With my guest, Amy Rowlinson, the host of the fantastic Focus on Why podcast. We dig deeper and talk about why we do what we do. Living a purposeful life, not simply drifting, responding to challenging times, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, our core values, and how you can go about finding your why are some of the things we chat about. Enjoy tuning in! Some great questions to ask yourself in finding your why: What is...
Feb 25, 2022•29 min•Ep. 106
