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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:

#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.

#48 Richard Shorter - Character Building in Sport: Asking the Right Questions Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

I'm delighted to be speaking with Richard Shorter in this episode. Richard goes into schools and sporting institutions to help them with a parent engagement strategy. He also delivers parent engagement sessions to sporting organisations such as England Rugby, England Hockey and England Cricket helping parents to be reflective of their parenting approach. These engagement sessions are also fantastic for coaches to think about the way in which they engage with their players. Richard has also written the brilliant book 'Conversations for the Journey - 40 Ways for you to Build Sporting Character' that offers parents and coaches 40 ways to have conversations around mental skills that move away from "Did you win?", "Did you score?", "Were you player of the match?".

And it's this book we mainly focus on, specifically we speak about child development; asking players questions; getting the best out of character traits; enhancing sideline support and managing behaviours.

#47 Warren Abrahams - Coaching for Potential Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

I'm excited to speak with Rugby Sevens coach, Warren Abrahams in this episode. Warren started out playing rugby in South Africa before moving to the UK where he began to focus on coaching. He has since held a series of coaching roles including with London Irish, Harlequins, Lithuania Sevens and England Sevens. He is now coaching the German National Sevens team.

We speak about being a student of the game; developing resilience; multi-sports; the importance of 'play'; 'chaotic' training sessions and the role of psychology in sport.

#46 Fergus Connolly - Working with the World's Greatest Coaches, Athletes & Special Forces Jul 05, 2019

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by Author and Performance Expert, Fergus Connolly in this episode. Fergus started out in the world of sport playing Gaelic football in Ireland and, after having developed an interest in speed, strength, and psychology, was offered a role at Bolton Wanderers. Over the next 15 years he went on to work with Bolton Wanderers, Welsh Rugby, San Francisco 49ers, Michigan Football, Blackburn FC, Liverpool FC and many more teams globally.

Fergus has also written two fantastic books 'Game Changer' and his latest book '59 Lessons: Working with the World's Greatest Coaches, Athletes, & Special Forces'. And it's this new book that we focus on in this episode. Specifically, we speak about compassionate ruthlessness; interpersonal skills; self-awareness; empowering players, and focusing on what you can control.

#45 Dr Pedro L Almeida - Benfica FC: The Psychology of the Portuguese National Champions Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

I'm delighted to speak with sport psychologist at Benfica Football Club, Dr Pedro L Almeida in this episode. Pedro has been a sport psychologist at Benfica FC for coming up to 25 years. During this time he has accumulated a wealth of experience working with players of all ages from youth team players through to some of the best players in the world. Pedro is also Assistant Professor at Instituto Universitário in Lisbon.

We speak about the holistic approach to player development that Benfica takes; the importance of helping players have a structure to their thinking; helping players with career transitioning; helping players manage the fame that comes with a first-team contract; having a support team around players from a young age, not just at first team level; and the successful traits of Portuguese managers.

#44 Dr Andy Hill - Developing Excellence Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

In this episode I speak with performance psychologist for Blackburn Rovers FC and GB Para Table Tennis, Dr Andy Hill. Andy completed his undergraduate and master degrees in coaching and then went on to do his PhD looking at 'What makes the elite, elite?'. He works with competitors to help them get the very best out of their ability and with coaches to help increase their understanding of the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs).

We speak about players putting in the effort; psychology underpinning the physical; Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs) and helping coaches help players develop skill.

#43 Gary Curneen - The Modern Soccer Coach Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

I'm excited to have assistant coach for the Chicago Red Stars, Gary Curneen on this episode. Gary has held various coaching positions over the years and played collegiate soccer at Wingate University, helping lead the men's soccer team to their first-ever NCAA Division II playoff berth.

Gary is also founder of the Modern Soccer Coach which aims to create and help develop elite coaches through books, coaching clinics, mentorship programmes, podcasts and webinars. Inspired by players, coaches, and leaders who want to get out of their comfort zone and make an impact, their goal is to give back to the players and coaches who love soccer as much as they do.

We speak about the impact of playing college soccer in the US; overcoming insecurities as a player; learning that there's more to coaching than x's and o's; learning from experience; having a mentor and coming up with innovative ideas to engage players.

#42 Lauren Abarca - Improving Performance Through Mental Conditioning Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by Lauren Abarca - Mental Conditioning Coordinator with the New York Yankees.

Lauren is an experienced soccer player who competed for the University of San Francisco and Point Loma Nazarene University. In this time, she completed her B.A. in Kinesiology with a Minor in Psychology. As a former collegiate athlete Lauren acquired a passion for improving sports performance through mental strengthening. Lauren went on to receive her Master's in Performance Psychology from National University. Lauren continues her passion for improving performance by working with elite level athletes including professional and Olympic.

We speak about psychology in baseball; knowing the individual; personality; the importance of observation; self-awareness; asking the right questions; giving too much feedback and identity.

#41 Annie Vernon – The Psychology of Elite Athletes Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

In this episode I speak with former Olympic rower, Annie Vernon. Annie is an Olympic silver medallist and two-time World Champion. She is now a respected sports journalist and has just written a fantastic book entitled Mind Games - Determination, Doubt and Lucky Socks: An Insider's Guide to the Psychology of Elite Athletes. Through interviews with leading sports stars and the latest scientific research, Mind Games looks at how elite sports performers harness the power of their mind in pursuit of physical perfection.

We speak about the experience of seeing a sport psychologist; nature vs nurture; 'talent needs trauma'; conscientiousness; the importance of experience; competitiveness; motivation and mental qualities of elite athletes.

#40 Carly Clarke - A Champion's Mindset May 27, 2019

Show notes

I have the pleasure of being joined by basketball coach Carly Clarke in this episode. Carly has been the Head Coach of Ryerson Women's Basketball since 2012 and is the Canadian Women's National Team Assistant Coach. Prior to coaching, Carly had a successful college playing career, playing 5 seasons at Bishop's University. This led to an assistant coaching role at Dalhousie. She then took up her first head coaching role at University of Prince Edward Island.

We speak about champion's behaviours; coaching through questioning; communication between coach and athlete; athlete ownership; team cohesion; key terms to help manage distraction; learning from a loss and post-training and post-game reflection.

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