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The Sport Psych Show — Amateur
The Sport Psych Show

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.

Latest Episodes:

#89 Morgan Lewis - Developing a Skilful Mindset May 11, 2020

Show notes

I'm excited to be joined by Morgan Lewis in this episode. Morgan is an ex-professional footballer, having played for AFC Bournemouth in the 1980's. Since his playing days, Morgan has worked as a teacher for 15 years as well as in healthcare communications, using behaviour change theories to create interventions that help people to make better decisions. Morgan is also a keen table tennis player and coach, coaching elite junior players.

An ongoing student of sport psychology and a facilitator of mental skills in sport, Morgan and I speak about behaviour change; coaches and players co-creating solutions; psychological safety and acceptance.

#88 Stuart Lancaster - Coaching at the Elite Level May 04, 2020

Show notes

I'm excited to speak with Stuart Lancaster in this episode. Having held various leadership, management and coaching positions at different levels of the game, Stuart became head coach of the English national rugby union team in 2011. Stuart now coaches Leinster Rugby in Ireland. He currently sits on the Technical Advisory board for the Football Association and has worked with many other sports and businesses in delivering leadership lessons and ideas on how to create long term high performing teams.

A former PE teacher, Stuart talks about learning from his experiences during his teaching days. We also speak about the importance of sport psychology; mental skills being learnable skills; coaching styles and moving between the scale of coaching; developing players' resilience in training; and what great leadership looks like.

#87 Skye Eddy Bruce - The Role of Parent Engagement in Youth Sport Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

I'm delighted to speak with Skye Eddy Bruce in this episode. Skye is the founder of Soccer Parenting Association which aims to inspire players by empowering parents. Skye is also a soccer coach and holds her USSF "B" license. She is a grassroots instructor for US soccer and a goalkeeping instructor for United Soccer Coaches.

The work that Skye does is geared toward shifting cultures and awareness and helps coaches and clubs rethink the role that parents play in the sporting experience of their child. Skye is a former soccer player, having played collegiately and professionally and she is a soccer parent herself.

#86 Carli Lloyd and James Galanis - What it Takes to be the Best Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

I'm honoured to speak with two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold medallist, and two-time FIFA Player of the Year, Carli Lloyd and her personal coach and mentor James Galanis in this episode.

Carli needs no further introduction, she's one of the greatest soccer players of all time. James is technical director of Medford Strikers Soccer Club and is the founding Director of premier soccer school, Universal Soccer Academy, the goal of which is to achieve excellence at each level of play while always striving to reach the next level.

James has been by Carli's side from the very early days in her career, helping her to push herself to be the best she can be.

We speak about Carli's journey from her early playing days through to now and James' support and the strategies that have helped her become one of the greatest soccer players in the world. We speak about the dedication Carli has to improvement and how James pushes her to continually improve.

#85 Dr Noel Brick - Using Strategies to Help Maximise Performance Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

I'm excited to speak with Dr Noel Brick in this episode. Noel is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Ulster University. He has a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a PhD in Attentional Focus and Psychological Strategies in Endurance Activity. As a runner himself, Noel was interested in what endurance athletes think about during a race, what they focus on, what mental strategies they use, how they develop those strategies and how do they know if they're working for them.

We speak about Noel's background and how he became interested in attentional focus; the use of mantras, active and involuntary distraction; dealing with injury and pain; self-regulation; practising using strategies when you most need them; meta-cognition and the importance of reflection.

#84 Steve Magness - How Feelings Impact Performance Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

I speak with Steve Magness in this episode. Steve is a sport scientist and a track and field coach. He coaches competitors at all levels, including athletes who have competed in the World Championships and the Olympics. He is Head Cross Country coach at the University of Houston, a Lecturer of Strength and Conditioning at St. Mary's University, UK and author of three best-selling books, including the latest: The Passion Paradox.

We speak about power posing in science and in practice; how feelings mediate an athlete's performance; challenge vs threat states; the brain/body connection; attention; and the result of failing to develop the psychological side.

#83 Michael Hamilton - Innovative Ideas for Coaches at all Levels Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

I'm excited to be joined by AFC Wimbledon Academy Manager, Michael Hamilton. Prior to his role as Academy Manager, Michael was Academy Head of Coaching.

In this episode we speak about the forward-thinking coaching process that are being implemented at AFC Wimbledon including practices that aim to enhance player development; creating a supportive environment for players; player-centred coaching; and working towards being player-led.

#82 Dr Chelsi Day - How to Communicate with Athletes Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by Dr Chesli Day in this episode. Chelsi is a sport psychologist within the athletic department at Ohio State University. She was previously at Indiana University as Director of Counselling and Sport Psychology. Her primary role is to provide mental health and performance enhancement services to student athletes and to consult with coaches.

We speak about integrating sport psychology and wellness into the curriculum; breaking the stigma of mental health; vulnerability; coaching generation Z; coaching styles and mental health.

#81 Richard Nugent - The Characteristics of Great Leaders Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

I'm delighted to be joined by founder and MD of 21 Leadership, Richard Nugent in this episode. Richard works with fast-paced organisations, including the League Managers Association (LMA), helping them build their capability and capacity for change. He is the best-selling author of '50 Secrets of Self Confidence' and a keynote speaker.

In this episode we speak about the most important characteristics for leaders to have; knowing what you stand for as a leader; forward facing vs moving away from; leaving people with energy; physiology of leaders and competence.

#80 Dr Paul McCarthy - Maximising Human Potential Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by Dr Paul McCarthy in this episode. Paul is Programme Director of the Taught Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is also resident sport psychologist at St Andrews Links Golf Academy and has his own private practice supporting athletes and coaches in a range of sports, particularly in golf & football.

We take a deep dive into how change happens in athletes by examining person-centred frameworks; the belief that change is possible; listening as a skill; how people get better; different types of relationships; and having boundaries within roles.

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