In my last Ski Racing post, I introduced you to five attitudes that you need for ski racing success. In this post, I will explore five obstacles that will prevent you from skiing your fastest and achieving your ski racing goals. Mental obstacles refer to any psychological or emotional issue that interferes with your ability [...]
The dictionary definition of attitude is “The way you think and feel about something…a way of thinking and feeling that affect a person’s behavior.” You hold attitudes about your ski racing that have a direct impact on how you train and how you race. Moreover, you may not even be aware of some of these [...]
The transition from U16s to U19s is an important and challenging rite of passage for every young ski racer. The year of FIS racing is also a crucible that tests racers physical, technically, tactically, and especially, psychologically and emotionally. To continue to pursue your ski racing goals, you must “survive” and, in fact, find ways [...]
As many of you know, a big part of my passion for sports and education is helping parents to support their children in the most positive way. Also, as both a sport psychologist and a parent of two young ski racers, I empathize with the challenges of being a sport parent. Particularly during the Covid-19 [...]
When most people think of sport psychology, they think about what is typically referred to as mental training. The purpose of mental training is to better prepare athletes psychologically and emotionally for the rigors of sport practice and the demands of competition. Increasing motivation, building confidence, managing competitive anxiety, and improving focus are common areas [...]
It’s hard to believe that it’s already October. For the World Cuppers (and even some FIS athletes), the race season is only a few weeks away and, for most racers, only a few months away. What I consider Phase I of the ski racing prep period is over. Hopefully, the summer was devoted to building [...]
I was recently interviewed by Parker Biele for the Sync Performance podcast, This Week's Stoke. In the podcast, I share with Parker my years of ski racing and professional experience in the psychology of ski racing including exploring topics such as mental imagery, routines, and mental health. Thanks to Parker and Sync for giving me [...]
The cost of alpine ski racing has a topic of great concern and much discussion in the ski racing community in recent years. I’m appreciative of Ski Racing Media for encouraging an open dialogue on this issue and inviting me to share my views on this subject. As a member of the ski racing community [...]
It happens every winter. In December, January, and February, I get calls from national team athletes and parents of young racers who are struggling mentally in their ski racing and they have big races coming up. They want me to somehow fix them quickly. Though I think I’m pretty good at what I do, I’m [...]
The once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully!) Covid-19 race season is now over, thankfully. Like all of us, I’m sure you want to just put this past winter in your rearview mirror and never think about it again. But that would be a mistake. Before you file the 2020-21 race season away, you want to act on a famous [...]
