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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:

#58 Richmond Stace - Pain: How our Perceptions Inform our Reality Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, I speak with pain physiotherapist and pain coach Richmond Stace. Richmond became interested in the area of pain while working as a nurse in his younger years. He went on to obtain a rehabilitation and science degree, a physiotherapy degree and a Masters in pain science at King's College London. He then jointly set up Understand Pain – a social enterprise that aims to help society have a greater understanding of pain and what can be done to improve our lives.

We speak about how our perceptions inform our reality; understanding why people react differently to the same experiences; narrative influencing pain (and life); acceptance is not giving up and focusing on what you can do (not what you can't).

#57 Jonathan Harding - What Makes the German Football Coaching System so Good? Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

I'm delighted to speak with author and journalist Jonathan Harding in this episode. Jonathan has just released the brilliant book Mensch: Beyond the Cones, which takes a detailed look at the German football coaching system and what sets it apart. In the book, Jonathan outlines attributes that modern German coaching embraces to succeed. From the practical aspects on the training ground to why the German coaching system produces so many talented players.

We speak about the German Lehrer coaching course; situational development; today's players needing to be told the 'why'; creating 'safe' environments for players; the importance of coaches being 'people managers'; personality characteristics and styles of coaching; coaches having a connection with their players; self-skills for coaches and what is next for German coaching.

#56 Blaine McKenna - Practical Tips to Help Coaches Teach Players Life Skills Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

I speak with Blaine McKenna in this episode. Blaine is a UEFA A soccer coach, former academy director and founder of Life Sports Performance Coaching which provides a range of education and sessions to coaches and players enabling them to get better faster.

Having completed his Masters is Sport Psychology, Blaine started to incorporate mental skills into his coaching curriculum and has taken his brand of coaching all over the globe from Kuwait to Thailand.

We speak about culture impacting style of play; game-based training; autonomy-supportive coaching; establishing a leadership group within teams; creating a motivational environment; teaching transferable life skills to players; self-determination theory; focusing on strengths and planning sessions with sport psychology in mind.

#55 Aaron O'Connell - Essential Tips for the 21st Century Coach Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

I have the pleasure of speaking with Aaron O'Connell in this episode. Aaron has been coaching basketball for over 30 years.

Formerly a business entrepreneur, Aaron describes himself as a continuous learner having completed a Masters in Applied Sport Psychology and currently undertaking a Masters in Applied Coaching.

We speak about having a coaching philosophy of putting the individual first; building self-awareness as a coach in order to help players; asking players for feedback; reflection; growth mindset; taking the pressure off younger players; team identity and Aaron gives some fantastic ideas to help players develop as people and as players.

#54 Nick Coley - Endurance Racing: Winning the Mental Battle Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

I'm delighted to have Nick Coley on this episode. Nick is Head of Learning and Development at Evans Cycles and is currently undertaking his Masters degree in Sport Psychology. Nick has competed in cycling from a young age, including mountain biking and cross country, he is now an endurance mountain bike racer.

We speak about the importance of training the body as well as the mind, 'trying out' different psychology strategies to find what works, self-awareness, self-reflection and self-talk and utilising sports psychology in a business setting.

#53 Stuart Carrington - The Psychology of a Referee Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

In this episode I speak with Stuart Carrington. Stuart is a lecturer of Sports Coaching Science at St Mary's University, London. He has a background in soccer as a coach - having worked at two Premier League football clubs. Stuart also holds a Masters degree in Sport Psychology and is a REBT primary certificate holder.

Stuart is also author of the soon to be released Blowing the Whistle: The Psychology Behind Football Refereeing. And it's this book we mostly speak about specifically VAR; psychological influences on referees; the impact of the crowd; intrinsic motivation; managing emotions on the pitch; fans educating themselves and psychologically preparing to play.

#52 Dr Matt Slater - How to Build a Winning Team Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

In this episode I speak with senior lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at Staffordshire University, Dr Matt Slater. Matt is an Expert on the psychology of leadership and high performing teams. He is also author of the fantastic book TOGETHERNESS: How to Build a Winning Team in which he shares with readers how to develop team identity through practical ideas and examples.

We speak about team sports; social identity; Reflect, Represent & Realise; shared leadership and the difference between leaders and leadership.

#51 Dr Kathy Adcock - In Your Corner: Boxing as Therapy Aug 09, 2019

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by Dr Kathy Adcock in this episode. Kathy is a clinical psychologist, boxer and England Boxing Level 1 coach. Kathy works as a NHS Clinical Manager, working with parents and young people with a broad range of emotional and relational difficulties. She is also founder and managing director of social enterprise In Your Corner which combines non-contact boxing with evidence-based ideas from psychological intervention within community settings. And it's mostly this fantastic enterprise that we speak about, specifically finding ways to engage with young people; boxing metaphors for life; the narratives people have about their lives and using sport as a way to become open to being psychologically flexible.

#50 Chris Bryan - Sustainable Success, Building Resilience and Bouncebackability Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

I'm speaking with Chris Bryan in this episode. Chris is an Irish International Open Water swimmer, having finished 8th at the world championships. He was the first Irish Open Water swimmer to compete at the European championships. Chris has also completed his PhD in Psychological Resilience and regularly contributes scholarly articles to psychological journals. Chris now manages a swimming academy in Dubai.

We speak about hard work vs talent; intrinsic motivation; getting the most out of athletes; the importance of athletes asking 'why'; building resilience; sustainable success; proactive effort; positive psychology; predictable and unpredictable adversity; and bouncebackability.

#49 Martin Bingisser - Getting the Very Best from Your Athletes Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by Martin Bingisser in this episode. Martin holds several positions including National Hammer Throw coach for Swiss Athletics, Throws coach for LC Zürich and Fitness coach for GC Zürich Rugby. He has also worked with USATF, UK Athletics, Scottish Athletics, European Athletics Coaches Association. As an athlete, Martin reached 21st place at the 2014 European Championships and is a 9-time Swiss national champion for hammer throw.

Martin is also founder of HMMR Media, a fantastic coaching resource covering a variety of sports and he has written a book called Training Talk: Conversations with a Dozen Master Coaches - a fantastic read in which Martin sits down with twelve top coaches from track and field, soccer, football, and rugby to share best practices and synthesise what the best do to be so successful. And it's this book we mainly focus, discussing Martin's experiences as a coach and an athlete.

We speak about having a work-life balance; the role of confidence in sport psychology; getting feedback from athletes; helping athletes reflect; flow state and the importance of self-improvement as a coach.

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