We’re told from childhood that the harder we work, the better results we’ll get. However, like many things in life, things aren’t always that simple, and sport can be particularly unpredictable. Things like weather conditions, injuries, the behaviour of our opponents, fans or the venue are just a few of the ‘uncontrollables’ in sport that can go a long way in throwing us off our game if we aren’t ready to accept that they are outside of our direct control. One of the most important lessons in mental toughness for athletes to learn is how to focus on the things that they do have control over. S ..read more

Whichever sport you compete in, it’s likely that there are only a handful of opportunities each year to secure that gold medal or champions trophy, meaning only a very select few athletes are rewarded with a podium place. How then, when the chances of winning are statistically so slim, are elite athletes able to stay motivated in sports through their often gruelling training regimes, early starts and strict nutrition plans? Clearly define your goals and objectives Ask the average person about their goals and objectives for the future and they’ll likely give a general half-hearted answer or no ..read more

It’s no secret that successful athletes must consistently put in the physical work to hit their goals, but often that’s just the half of it. When it comes to unlocking your full athletic potential, the importance of the mental aspect shouldn’t be underestimated. That’s where hypnotherapy can play a role.  The power of hypnosis has been recognised by professional and amateur athletes alike for many years as a complement to their physical training regime. It’s been proven to help reinforce self-belief, maintain healthy habits, reduce stress and help with visualisation of desired outcomes. W ..read more

Before we tell you how a clutch mindset is developed, it’s important to understand exactly what it is. By definition, a ‘clutch performance’ is any better-than-usual performance that happens in a high pressure game situation. Athletes with a clutch mentality always seem to perform their best when the game is on the line – they hit the game winner, make that crucial save, or can put the burners on in the final 100m of a long distance race. On the contrary, athletes who struggle under pressure can get trapped in a ‘choke’ mindset. They might feel overwhelmed if the game is on the line, resulting ..read more

Mental fitness is one of the key pillars of sports performance, and growth mindset is a key aspect of improvements in both mental fitness and overall sports performance. The term ‘growth mindset’ was coined by Professor Carol Dweck, a psychologist in the USA. Growth mindset is part of Professor Dweck’s ‘mindset theory’- this postulates that mindset is broadly divided into ‘growth mindset’ and ‘fixed mindset’. Growth mindset describes the belief that our skill and ability is not set in stone. With hard work and dedication, we can learn from challenging situations and continuously develop. Utili ..read more

Have you ever noticed how little importance we place on making exercise ‘fun’? We insist on creating consistency, progression, frequency, and specificity for reaching fitness goals, but we rarely discuss enjoying the process. In fact, for many people, a lack of enjoyment is the focal reason for avoiding exercise altogether! When we enjoy what we do motivation and adherence come naturally, even on the toughest of days. So, how do we make workouts fun again? Below, we’ve got 5 ways to keep the dread at bay when it comes to exercise so that you can put the fun back into fitness. GET CREATIVE As ..read more

When we think of sports performance, we often focus our attention on the physical ability of the athlete rather than mentality. According to Dr. Stan Beecham, sports psychologist, director, and founding member of the Leadership Resource Center in Atlanta, anyone can be talented- it is mindset alone that is the primary determinant of success. Mentality is the foundation on which success is built and can be greatly affected by our mental health. Our mentality makes up the very fibers of our being; it determines how we feel, behave, achieve, and everything in between. It is, therefore, crucial to ..read more

According to James Clear, author of the book Atomic Habits, building a positive system of habits can lead us to goal success in any area of life- they are the compound of self-improvement. BUT WHAT ARE HABITS? The dictionary definition of a habit refers to a ‘settled or regular tendency or practice that is hard to give up’; a routine of behavior performed subconsciously. Whilst habits and routines are similar, a habit tends to relate to a deeper-rooted, more subconscious, pattern of behavior stemming from sustained routine. If habits are patterns of long-term routine and behavior, it makes sen ..read more

You wouldn’t think the world’s greatest athletes would need to rely on superstitions for success, but it seems even the best of the best would rather have luck on their side. Here are some of the strangest pre-game rituals that our favourite athletes always do before competing. Serena Williams’ smelly socks Serena Williams is one of the most decorated female tennis players of all time – most would say her success is down to her strength, stamina and commitment. However, if you were to ask Serena herself, she might give the credit to something else.  Whilst she’s on a winning streak, Wil ..read more

Feeling nervous before a game or athletic event is very common– even the biggest athletes have reported feeling pre-game nerves. Kevin Love, Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka, among many others have felt their nerves skyrocket before competing. Most people would consider feeling nervous as a bad thing because our bodies are hardwired to believe that feelings like anxiety, nervousness, or even anticipation as inherently negative. But the funny thing is, nervousness is not always a bad thing–in small doses. Before competing in a sport, being interviewed, giving a speech, or doing anything where it is ..read more