Mental Imagery is the Foundation of Your Summer Mental Training
One of the most indelible memories I took away from the 2018 Winter Olympics was from the start area of the alpine events (and, in fact, every ski and snowboard event). Time after time, we saw the best ski racers in the world with their head down and eyes closed, moving their hands and their […]
Read MoreWhat’s Your Mental Training Program for the Off-season Prep Period?
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 […]
Read MoreSummer Mental Training Begins This Week
With the off-season prep period for ski racers now underway, I will begin my series of articles about how to incorporate mental training in your summer training later this week. My approach to off-season mental training is the same as with physical conditioning and on-snow training: Your mental training must be comprehensive, structured, and consistent. […]
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Train Your Mind for Athletic Success Podcast: Episode #2-Ownership
Episode #2: Ownership of my Train Your Mind for Athletic Success podcast explores the essential role that ownership plays in your sports efforts. Ownership means taking responsibility for every area that impacts your athletic performance including conditioning, technical and tactics, equipment, nutrition, sleep, and much more. Your ability to maximize every aspect of your sports […]
Read MoreTrain Your Mind for Athletic Success Podcast: Episode #1-Mental Training and Prime Performance
In this podcast, I explore the psychology of sports performance. Drawing on my own elite athletic experience in ski racing, karate, running, and triathlon and decades of working with junior-elite, collegiate, Olympic, and professional athletes, I describe the essential role that the mind plays in athletic success regardless of your sport, age, or level of […]
Read MoreDon’t Violate the Laws of Insanity and Stupidity as You Prepare for Your Next Sports Season
Every sports season comes to an end whether you want it to or not. After a long and demanding season, if you’re like most athletes, you’re probably tired of your sport (regardless of whether the season was a triumph or a disappointment). You just want to hang up your gear, kick back, relax, and forget […]
Read MoreDon’t Violate the Laws of Insanity and Stupidity as You Prepare for Next Season
The race season is finally over for most racers (for others, a few more weeks to go). After a long and demanding winter, you’re probably tired of skiing (regardless of whether the season was a triumph or a disappointment). It’s time to hang up your skis, pack away your gear, kick back, relax, and forget […]
Read MoreSprint, Don’t Stagger, to the Finish of Your Sport Season
I was speaking to an Olympic athlete with whom I work after his country’s national championship recently and he told me that all he could think about before the event was how much he didn’t want to be there. He was burned out and just wanted the season to be over. Yet, this athlete also […]
Read MoreSprint, Don’t Stagger, to the Finish of Your Race Season
I was speaking to a World Cup athlete after his country’s national championship recently and he told me that all he could think about in the start was how much he didn’t want to be there. He was burned out and just wanted the season to be over. Yet, this athlete also said that he […]
Read MoreMental Tips for Performing Your Best in Your Championship Season
Regardless of what sport you participate in, you have a championship season within your competitive season in which the stakes rise and how you perform counts the most. Yet, this is also the time of year when many athletes and teams aren’t performing at all well because of fatigue after a long regular season and […]
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