Brain In The Game Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Recent Episodes

Dave Diggle

Brain in the Game explores the mental aspect of training and competing at an elite level of sport.

We’re all aware of the traditional role of a physical coach, people who work with the bodies of athletes. Mind coaching (or mental coaching) focuses on the brain and the cognitive area of an athlete, working with them on their strategies, their structure and their emotional welfare.

Brain in the Game is designed specifically for athletes, coaches, parents and crew as we unpack and understand what it takes to thrive as an elite athlete.

In each episode we will examine a different facet of sport from the perspective of the mind; covering interviews with some of the top athletes on the circuit and asking them what’s working for them now and what they’re looking at doing in the future.

We talk to coaches and gain a better understanding of the changing face of professional coaching.

We also delve into biomechanics and understand the different dynamics of the integration of those in professional sport.

Some of the techniques discussed will be time-tested and others will be cutting-edge. Brain In The Game provides a practical insight to the mental 'mind-field' of elite sport and demonstrates how a strong mental programme can make all the difference to an athlete’s results.

The role of mental conditioning in helping athletes develop the tools they need to combat feelings of anxiousness In this episode of Brain in the Game, we dive right into the brain of the anxious athlete – a feeling that's all too familiar to anyone chasing success.

We explore:

🧠 Why those pre-competition nerves are not just normal, but a sign that what you're about to do is important to you – nervousness isn't a sign of incapability; it's a testament to your dedication towards your objectives.

🧠 What the dance party of dopamine, cortisol, and serotonin is doing in your brain and the part they play in shaping your anxiety and performance.

🧠 How our brain's incredible power of imagination can conjure up fears, magnify doubts, but also pave the way for innovative solutions and success beyond imagination.

🧠 What we can do right now to manage the balance between our body’s natural chemicals and the pragmatic techniques we can adopt to alleviate these stressors.

So if you’ve ever felt your imagination run wild with worst-case scenarios, or feel anxious before a performance, you're not alone. This episode explores the reasons behind athletes' feelings of anxiousness and gives actionable strategies to manage these emotions, and alleviate the stressors to help rewire your brain for success.

https://www.smartmind.com/podcast

In this Episode 92, we dive into the reason why many high performing athletes don't achieve their full potential.

High performance can be tough; it demands consistency and dedication. Let's consider an athlete's journey: from amateur to competitive, to elite, and finally, to high performance. It's a rigorous process that requires intense commitment.

And talent alone doesn't guarantee success. A study in the late 80s examined the top 1% of high performing athletes worldwide, across various sports. While some were indeed gifted, a significant majority achieved success through something else.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why Even Talented Athletes Struggle to Reach Peak Performance – the other factors that propel high-performing athletes
The High-Performance Athlete's Mindset – what sets them apart from the rest
The Key to Consistency – how top 1% athletes sustain their success
What’s Beyond Physicality – the non-physical factors impacting high performance athletes' success
Avoiding the Bunny Hopping Effect – how to optimise training for high performance
Breaking Barriers – how coaches and athletes can collaborate to design their success

So to understand the journey of high-performing athletes, from amateur to elite and what sets them apart from the rest, this episode is a must-listen.

https://www.smartmind.com/podcast

We have done so many wonderful things to promote the development and evolution of our species.

However, there is one habit we have recently created that is causing a de-evolution of one of our performance strengths: our ability to perform and perform with confidence.

And as an athlete this could be catastrophic to our competitive future.

In this podcast, we unpack the one habit that, if you change it, will increase your performance, your performance consistency and how you respond under pressure. And it's not that hard to do!

So jump on in and learn what could possibly have the biggest impact to your sporting career in decades.

All Relationships Move at the Speed of Trust I've witnessed the crucial role trust plays in the coach-athlete relationship. It's more than just a professional bond, it's foundational for performance. But how do we strike the right balance? How do we create a relationship that is both professional and performance-based? In this episode of Brain in the game, we delve into the dynamics at play. We discuss:

Why the athlete's role goes beyond merely following instructions and performing.
What happens when athletes make emotional decisions to defy their coach.
How doubts in the coach's guidance can lead to a breakdown in trust.
Under pressure, the one thing athletes must rely on, and if not developed, it can undermine performance.
As a coach, why effective communication is pivotal
What it looks like to foster a culture of understanding that doesn't compromise your authority as a coach; it strengthens it.
How coaches can establish trust with their athletes - It's not what you might expect!

Trust and Collaboration: The Key to Success To illustrate the importance of trust and communication, I often use blindfolded rock climbing as an exercise:https://youtu.be/_fLLvOIkNxU. It helps athletes build internal referencing, trust their own process, and develop effective listening skills while asking the right questions. These skills parallel the coach-athlete dynamic, where athletes should trust their coach's information and engage in productive dialogue.

Liking your coach isn't a prerequisite for success, but trusting their guidance is.

The Crucial Role of Coaches in Mental Block Management of Athletes Managing athletes with mental blocks requires a coach’s immediate attention. In this episode 89 of Brain in the Game, we delve into what we can do, as coaches, to support them by:

🧱 Understanding the Causation: We discuss the ways to identify the root cause of the mental block, and how to find out whether it stems from a fear of actual consequences or if it's created through imagination – and the different approaches needed for each scenario.

🧱 The Importance of Early Intervention: How to address the cause promptly and whether it requires technical adjustments or others to support the athlete's emotional resilience.

🧱 Managing the Emotion: The crucial reason to eliminate emotions from the equation and the pragmatic steps to and guide athletes through the process.

The longer athletes are left to struggle with mental blocks, the longer the consequences linger, and the greater the impact on not only their own skill development, but their teammates too.

As coaches, sometimes our role goes beyond the technical aspects so it’s useful to be self-critical in these key areas, as the fix for an athlete’s mental block won't come to them naturally.

So tune in for an eye-opening discussion on effectively managing athlete mental blocks and discover the actionable strategies to support athletes who are either experiencing a mental block, or those in the early stages of developing one.

And if you would prefer to watch the video, you will find here: https://www.smartmind.com/blog/managing-mental-blocks

Athletes, learn how to put into practice a successful framework to maintain momentum, in order to continue making progress, even if you face setbacks? In podcast episode 79 we explore momentum, confidence and snowballs. We look at three of the most important strategies of an athlete's sustainability, from their motivation to their momentum, to building their effective and robust confidence framework.

For athletes to reach the success they are striving for, there is more to it than just physical training. Putting a good framework in place to manage their motivation and momentum is key. It can be a precarious balancing act between ticking all the right boxes to ensure athletes are ready to perform, and effective training loads to ensure they are not overtraining or opening themselves up to injury.

So let's optimise your momentum, your confidence, and your snowballs.

For more information on effective mental performance and performing as an elite athlete head on over to www.smartmind.com and explore the resources and join us on the Mental Gladiator training program.

www.smartmind.com/podcast

Brain in the Game is still here - we have moved to a new feed.

You will find us by searching for Brain in the Game (we have kept the same podcast artwork so you will recognise it).

Or go to http://www.smartmind.com/podcast and you can listen from there, or link through to the major podcast listening apps.

So to all our listeners (elite athletes, caring supporters and parents of athletes, and crew) - we appreciate your attention over the years! We look forward to seeing you on our fresh new feed as we continue to bring you the latest news, training and education on mental performance in sport and the latest sports mind coaching techniques and processes.

https://www.smartmind.com/podcast or search Brain in the Game on your favourite podcast app.

Mental Performance can sometimes be mistakenly used as a paracetamol, to be “only used in the case of emergency”. However, when built into your daily training it can catapult you into a world of high performance and optimal control in and out of the competitive arena.

In this episode, we look at:

the importance of building effective Mental Performance training in to your preparation
how this is essential for consistency, and
ensuring your mental, emotional and cognitive resilience is up to being an elite athlete in today's competitive world

The breakdown of your emotional resilience is often the first sign that you are losing control of your performance. This can lead to panic and focusing on feeling better rather than being better. We can sometimes get caught in the trap of focusing on doing more, rather than doing what is necessary.

So sit back and listen as we unpack the emotional strategies to ensure your best athlete turns up every time.

And for more podcasts and online resources check out www.smartmind.com for everything Mental Performance.

Australian Wallaby captain, Michael Hooper is the most capped Australian rugby union captain in Wallaby history. Michael has made 118 International appearances and has won the coveted John Eales Medal for a record fourth time.

At the age of 22, Michael became one of the youngest test captains and has spent the last eight years forging his on- and off-field dominance.

In this episode of Brain in the Game, Michael shares his thoughts and philosophies on leadership and the personal journey he has undertaken to get to this point in his career, and where he believes there is opportunity for improvement.

We also discuss what Michael does during his down time and how he compartmentalises between his sport and his life away from rugby.

Michael shares the importance of learning self awareness and the resilience that comes with each new challenge.

Check out this deep dive into the inspired mind of Michael Hooper.

Selection vs Growth – What is the right option? In episode #76 we unpack the conundrum all athletes experience, “Do I focus on selection, or do I focus on growth?”

We will look at the anxiety that can be caused when an athlete is split between growing their skillset or remaining focused just on selection whilst in performance season.

We will also walk through the three key aspects to keep in mind to make this an easy proposition to the elite athlete:

Currency
Timing, and
Plates

So settle in and bring your notepad as I share some insider mindsets.

For more content check out other episodes at: https://www.smartmindhub.com/podcast and online courses here: https://www.smartmindhub.com/store

Brain in the Game Episode #75: Building a successful team culture.

Much is made of the importance of a team culture when it comes to success - it is often touted as the secret sauce to a teams results. In fact, Sir Alex Ferguson Former Manchester United Football Manager (soccer) would often sight his team dynamic as their secret…

There have been a number of examples of when this has worked when a team “fire” together and against all odds come out on top.

I mean heck Disney has cornered the market on post-production of these kinds of comeback stories. However, there are countless missed opportunities when a team doesn’t fire together, when a few rogue individuals can completely derail a team and what could have been, never was!

So, WHY… Why does that happen?

What strategies are at play during this miraculous turn-around or misfire opportunity?

Is it pure Fate?
Did the stars align?
Was there one lone person who happened-along to galvanise all the missing pieces at that magical moment?
Or is it the hand of an almighty as Diego Maradona would have us believe?

Both Maradona and Disney may have us thinking one or all of these are at play, however, the reality is a little less dramatic and a lot more reliable - In order for us to understand HOW we first need to understand WHY

And for THAT is what this podcast will focus on, How and Why do some teams work and some don’t.

Still, feel like you need more? then check out our Building Champion Minds online video training series: https://rebrand.ly/champion-minds it will walk you through step-by-step actual processes and teach you skill to become that champion athlete.

Each episode is broken into several 10-15 minutes consumable bite-size video sessions that you can watch all at once or as you wish, with lifetime personalised access.

So, enjoy this episode of Brain in the Game, then check out the Smart Mind website ( http://www.smartmind.com.au ) for more information and also check out our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ ) for articles, posts, opinion-pieces and advancements in mental coaching.

Enjoy this and every episode of Brain in the Game.

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

BITG Episode #74:
Athletes, when is the right time to improve, to perform or to recover?

In this the 74th episode of Brain in the Game, the mental coaching podcast, we take a deep look at the typical yearly cycle, most athletes traditionally follow.

The Pre-Season,
The start of season,
The mid to end of season and
The much-awaited Post-season.

We uncover the hidden mental and emotional minefield, athletes unknowingly put themselves through every year and we unpack what is often “willingly” done to self-sabotage the season and kill the momentum - all in the name of preparation, results and balance.

Despite all this doom and gloom, we will also, of course, outline what we can and should be doing to both optimise and build momentum as well as create a sustainable (and realistic) growth mindset over a full season and even into our offseason.

So sit back, relax and be prepared to have a mind (and behaviour) altering peak inside the brain of an optimised elite athlete.

Still, feel like you need more? then check out our
Building Champion Minds online video training series: https://rebrand.ly/champion-minds it will walk you through step-by-step actual processes and teach you skills to become that champion athlete.

Each episode is broken into several 10-15 minute consumable bite-size video sessions that you can watch all at once or as you wish, with lifetime personalised access to the training videos and updates.

So, as you enjoy this episode of Brain in the Game, remember to check out the Smart Mind website ( http://www.smartmind.com.au ) for more information and also check out our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ ) for articles, posts, opinion-pieces and advancements in mental coaching.

Enjoy this and every episode of Brain in the Game.
Dave Diggle
Performance Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sports Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #73
Effective Emotional management - hosted by Dave Diggle

Where to put your emotion to springboard you forward with purpose and control.

In this episode of Brain in the Game (#73), we will look closely at the importance of our emotions when learning and retaining new skills, however, also our how emotions can help or hinder the consistency of our performance. Where you choose to focus your emotions will dictate the quality and consistency of your performance.

Listen in as we utilise two (2) simple but very effective techniques to optimise your performance system. This is an Audio replay of a training video used to train some high-level athletes on skill acquisition, skill retention and skill optimisation, if you would like to view the video and collect some further bonus material then head over to smart mind.com.au/emotion

Still feel like you want more? then check out our
Building Champion Minds online training video series: https://rebrand.ly/champion-minds

Enjoy this episode, then click here to see what else we have for you http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information you can also check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/

Enjoy this episode
Dave Diggle
Performance Mind Coach

Episode #72: 4 Key Frames to Sustainable Performance

In the previous episode (#71) we looked at WHY we build Pre-Season Objectives and Goals and what that does to keep you on track.

In this episode (#72) we look at HOW we set sustainable Objectives and Goal and the 4 Key Frames necessary to consistently perform Successfully.

We take a deep look at the reasons why we as humans are designed to just work much better when we have a clear set and defined objective, we look at how we create those objectives in such a way as to optimise our unique characteristics, we understand the importance of not only putting key people around us, also the kinds of people they need to be and we work out what type of archetype you are and why that's important if you truly do want to be a champion.

So buckle up your mental safety harness in as we go deep into your mind, the mind of a champion.

Want more? then check out our Building Champion Minds training video series:

https://rebrand.ly/champion-minds

Enjoyed this episode? then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and checkout our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sports Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #71
Pre Season Goal Setting - hosted by Dave Diggle

5 Key Steps to staying on track:

BITG Episode #71: Pre-Season Goal Setting:

Statistically, they say the third Monday of the New Year is traditionally one of our mentally darkest days in our modern society, as we realise those New Years resolutions that we made with all good intention have already slipped and our plans of glory are out the window before they even got started. And all due to our inability to stay on track.

And as Athletes, it’s that time of year too, or at least it’s that time of the season when performance Goal Setting springs to the front of thought and our year becomes all to real post silly season. And despite athletes denials, they are human and often suffer the same stickability issues as the rest of us mere mortals. So we thought you may like to know the 5 Key Steps to staying on track with your performance goals.

Clarity and Accountability
Simplicity
Structured Objectives and Goals
Sustainable fuel source
Cyclic Data Collection Systems

So set aside just 20 minutes as we give you the rundown on the In's and Outs of sustainable Pre-Season Goal Setting.

Also, check out our Building Champion Minds F.R.E.E training video series: https://rebrand.ly/braininthegame

If you enjoyed this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and check out our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sports Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #70 -
Mental Blocks and how we can better deal with them - FOREVER - hosted by Dave Diggle

Why are Mental Blocks such an issue for athletes?

Episode #70:

Almost every coach will understand the frustration and pain that comes from an athlete being mentally and emotionally paralysed by a mental block. That uncharacteristic derailing and shuddering halt of a normally calm, in control and capable athlete by what can only bye described as an irrational FEAR - be that a block on a specific Skill, a venue or even within competition.

In this episode (episode #70) of Brain in the Game we are going to listen to a lecture I delivered recently (January 2019) on the four (4) core components of Mental Blocks and how we as coaches can best manage the situation.

4 Core components:

Why we have Mental Blocks
What actually happens inside our minds with a Mental Block
How we can fix the Blockage
What if the blockage keeps returning

So sit back, enjoy and let's unpack performance mental blocks:

Building Champion Minds FREE training video series: https://rebrand.ly/braininthegame

If you enjoyed this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and check out our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #69 -
The Blame Game - hosted by Dave Diggle

Who's fault was it really?

Episode #69:

When things are going well and athletes are winning then people love to take the credit - however when things fall over those same people are very quick to play the “Blame Game”. "It wasn’t my fault, they didn’t give me the right information, I couldn’t do my job, they distracted me" etc etc etc…

The reality is when we descend into the Blame war then we are no longer in a position to move forward or grow. So blaming is counter productive to development and momentum.

In this episode, we are going to examine why people play the blame game and what we should be doing instead. So settle in and let's take an honest and clinical look at the “Blame game” slippery slope and strategies to avoid this unnecessary process.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and check out our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy this episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sports Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #68 -
Do I fit the selectors mould or do I create my own style - hosted by Dave Diggle

Who are you playing for?

Episode #68:

It’s an age old conundrum for elite and professional athletes, “do I change who I am and how I play to fit the mould of the selectors' current criteria OR do I back my own unique skills and become the player I know I can be?”

And the answer isn’t ‘Immediately” that simple - surprisingly. In this episode of Brain in the Game, however, we will examine the pros and cons of each option and then look at the sustainability of growth model “Consolidate - Construct - Implement”, skill development and performance sustainability. We will unpack a number of impacts on you as a performer and as an individual person when selecting to “fit the mould” or “to be you”.

So buckle in for this controversial topic and let's dive into this rabbit hole.

Check out this episode of Brain in the Game, where I help rebalance this by showing key strategies in building a sustainable self-belief.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and check out our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy this episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

Episode #67:

Believe it or not athletes more than most tend to suffer with low self esteem and low self belief, which sounds bizarre when you think just how cocky they can appear on the outside.

That is until you understand the 24/7 scrutiny they are constantly under today as they are expected to be always “available”.

Beyond their sporting performances where they are publicly judged, categorised and ranked, they are also open to constant assessment of their comments, their actions and their beliefs via social media. With the liberation of information accessibility that the internet and social media brings, it also brings having to be “on” constantly. This can increases our awareness of being inside the “fish bowl” and the athlete mode 24hrs a day.

This is manifesting a warped view of the athlete by the athlete as they become more externally referenced and less self assured.

Check out this episode of Brain in the Game, where I help rebalance this by showing key strategies in building a sustainable self belief.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy this episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

The 4 steps to Beating Mental Fatigue

Every athlete gets fatigued, heck we train hard, we push ourselves to the limits and beyond so it’s no surprise we become physically fatigued.

However there is a “big” difference between Physical Fatigue and Mental Fatigue.. One is sore muscles and dwindling energy and the other can have a catastrophic impact on our ability to function, process and perform.

In this podcast I will look at 4 Key strategies and steps you can take to avoid the slippery slopes of Mental Fatigue. So lets get back into the saddle and tackle this all too familiar nemesis of the elite athlete.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

The 4 steps to Beating Mental Fatigue

Every athlete gets fatigued, heck we train hard, we push ourselves to the limits and beyond so it’s no surprise we become physically fatigued.

However there is a “big” difference between Physical Fatigue and Mental Fatigue.. One is sore muscles and dwindling energy and the other can have a catastrophic impact on our ability to function, process and perform.

In this podcast I will look at 4 Key strategies and steps you can take to avoid the slippery slopes of Mental Fatigue. So lets get back into the saddle and tackle this all too familiar nemesis of the elite athlete.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Performance Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #65 -
The three steps to effective performance preparation - hosted by Dave Diggle

A performance limerick from Dublin Ireland:

Episode #65:

The second in our series of podcasts on the global tour, this week coming from Dublin Ireland.

As the internal and external pressures of performing becomes imminent we “can” be influenced to begin to doubt our own ability to perform when it counts. This all too common phenomena can seriously inhibit our performance potential.

In this episode I discuss the three key skills and stages to performing in a confident and controlled manner irrespective of the expectations of the situation. Sit back and enjoy as we discuss positive mindset and emotional platforming, Key visualisation techniques and effective anchoring.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information on our 2016/2017 schedule and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #64 -
Diving for the line and taking your eye off the ball - hosted by Dave Diggle

A message from Tokyo:

Episode #64:

As the end of many athletes seasons approaches and we begin to think about putting our feet up for a few weeks, we can “almost” be forgiven for taking our eye off the ball and thinking about getting to the end, making that last ditch attempt at finishing on a high.. However that flippant mindset can be very dangerous when we consider what could go wrong… In many sports we are heading into the finals and as such if we do not have an open and growth mindset we can be prone to mistakes..

So as I walk through the streets of Tokyo this short podcast discussed the perils of diving for the line..

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information on our 2016/2017 schedule and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Controlling what you can control and letting go of what you cannot

Episode #63:

Our sense of “Control” or at the very least our sense of taking steps in “controlling” our environment, our preparation and our performance is a core “Need” as an athlete, we need to know what we are doing is the best that we can, be it a new skill or competing for our country at the highest level.. We “need” to know we have prepared well enough to perform, we have ticked all the boxes to be ready - this lowers our anxiety and increases our confidence allowing us to feel “ready’..

However sometimes that unemotional and structural “Need” process to be in control can turn into an emotional and irrational “WANT” and begin to overlap and engulf our preparation and our performance with unchecked emotional baggage that raises our anxiety and increases our sense “What If” scenarios.

During this episode of Brain in the Game we will explore how we better manage these “Wants” and “Needs” and what we as Coaches and Athletes can do to eliminate those negative doubts and overwhelming habitual behaviours.

So gather round, as we shift your perspective from “What if it goes wrong” to “What if it goes right”

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information on our 2016/2017 schedule and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

The 5 steps in how to handle big competition pressure
and how to value every performance:

Episode #62:

As we settle into the 2016 Rio Olympics and we are consumed by the spectacle that is the summer games and as we turn our focus to the best of the best, those flawless performances, smashed world and olympic records and the apparent super human performances of these athletes.

Lets take a closer look at how to get to this pinnacle of performance and what we can do to better secure our place in sporting success. Human nature is that we remember like a news reel, we remember the peaks of the highs, those world records falling, those close calls at the line and we recall those depths of underachievement, those heart wrenching fails, falls and stumbles. Whereas reality and statistically the vast majority of performers will not win an Olympic medal, nor perform at their best… And in part that is because on the day they did not perform the way they had trained!

This can be because of nerves, dealing with pressure or not bringing what they have done in training onto the world stage due to confidence issues or playing it too safe. This is typically not because of a lack of talent, rather a human flaw in preparation. In this episode of Brain in the Game we will look at 5 training techniques that can embed into you, the athlete a better mental and emotional framework that better prepares you for those high pressure performance and allows you to bring your A game, every game.

So grab a pen and paper and take notes as we jump into a Rio Olympic special Brain in the Game.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information on our 2016 schedule and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/ and keep up with our videos and athlete profiles.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #61 Controlling your performance outcomes with a 3 legged stool - hosted by Dave Diggle

Effectively managing your Thoughts, Feelings and Actions:

Episode #61:

When things don’t go the way you planned with your performance, what triggers it for you?

I mean what REALLY triggers it for you specifically?
Is it a negative thought that grows from a passing thought into an unscalable mountain that you just cannot see a way past, or an uneasy feeling that quickly occupies your whole body, incapacitating your flow or an action that you keep doing even though you know it’s not working for you that unraveled your winning and well trained performances when under competitive situations?

What if I told you with a 3 legged stool we could better manage and control your mindset, your consistency and of course your performances!

Interested?

Then you best listen to this podcast as we look at a strategy to manage your thoughts, your emotions and your actions. This one comes with a free download to!

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information in 2016 and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Another Diggle de Doo® Production for the Smart Mind Institute™ ©2016

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #60 Recognising your performance patterns - hosted by Dave Diggle

Understanding how your behavioural patterns influence your performance, your Mindset, your choices and your outcomes.

Episode #60:

Humans are hardwired to recognise patterns from our earliest moments, our parents faces, objects in the trees, even animals in the clouds however can you accurately recognise those key patterns that are the difference between a good performance and a not so good performance?

If humans are nothing more than patterns and triggers then the key to being a successful athlete is high-end consistency, and that replicability of action can only be achieved when you can identify what it is you did to achieve it the first place.

And so pattern recognition and pattern management becomes a critical skill-set to any aspiring champion.

In this episode of Brain in the Game, we will identify what are key patterns, what they can and cannot influence and we will uncover five key systems to owning your performance each and every time.

If you enjoy this episode then check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information in 2016 and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Episode #59:

What are you feeding your emotional monster? - hosted by Dave Diggle

Keeping an athletes attitude on track is more about the words we choose to use than their want to perform.

The daily volatility of our emotions and our emotional perspectives can heavily influence the quality of our performance way beyond our physical or technical limitations.

And when we allow these tumultuous emotions to dictate what we can and cannot produce as an athlete then we leave ourselves open to frustration, inconsistency, and disappointment.

In this episode of Brain in the Game we will better understand the connection between our emotions, our thought processes, our language and our ability to consistently perform. We will look at what makes up our attitude and how we can better understand and manage its influence over our better judgement.

So, grab a pen and paper and list closely as we unpack what you do and don’t say for success.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au for more information in 2016 and checkout our Smart Mind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartMindinstitute/

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Episode #58:

In this episode we take a look at why some competitive athletes adopt the strategy of starting slowly in hope of building into their performance and why that actually works against you more often than work for you.

Many athletes do not start their competition performances the way they would have imagined when training, choosing instead in the emotion of the moment to take it tentatively, slowly and defensively. This reactive strategy can often be in an effort to minimise the risks and manage the possible fallout of what could go wrong instead of what should go right.

When you trained your performance, ready to compete you trained to perform at your best, to push your boundaries and be that star, however when the day arrives you can often perform differently and it is this change in strategy that can mentally devalue all that preparation hard work and subsequently render your competition an unfortunate fait accompli.

Competition anxiety and fear of what may go wrong, can dominate an athletes thoughts and subsequently their outcomes if allowed to, in episode #58 we take a look at why athletes and coaches choose safe over trained and how that can negatively affect the long term performance habits of a potential champion.

So don’t be shy, dig in and lets understand why you choose the performances you do.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2016:

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #57 – Building a successful life on the road as a professional athlete - hosted by Dave Diggle

How to travel the world and perform without wanting to kill your teammates

Episode #57:

When you finally make it and leap into the world of an international competitor, an athlete traveling Nationally and Globally for your sport and your country. It can become apparent very quickly that what you did to get there, that finally tuned ecosystem of success can soon become very difficult to maintain from a hotel room in Mumbai or an Airport lounge in Shanghai. And those cool teammates you used to see for a few hours a day at training are now sharing your toilet and hairbrush and testing your focus just by the mere proximity to your EVERYTHING.

The glamorous world of the professional travelling athlete can take as much preparation as the sport itself if you want to get it right and compete your best no matter where in the world the event is.

This podcast will share with you some ket techniques, strategies and mindsets to successful life on the road. So sit back, grab a pen and paper and make some notes on your next tour preparation.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #56 – Remembering your best performance under competition pressure - hosted by Dave Diggle

Remember what you need to remember when you need to remember it without that amnesia

Episode #56:

We have all been there at some stage haven't we that “Performance amnesia moment” where time stands still - just think back to school when all that study, all those late nights and all those anxious moments come down to that final exam and then - nothing!

No memory at all of what you actually need to remember! despite cramming everything you could possibly cram the only thing you can think of is what your teacher will say when they see that blank test paper.

That one single moment in time of emptiness CAN actually consume your every thought in the future! IF you allow it to…

This same performance amnesia could impact your competitive career too, that moment when you step out onto the competitive arena and you get that blankness, you can no longer remember your routine, or what the coach had told you was critical or simply what your process is!

However don't panic just yet, there is a strategy to overcome those horrifying moment and it all has to do with your preparation! So settle back, clear your schedule and allow your mind to see just how important these next 20 minutes could be for your n and off arena performances.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #55 – Slaying your performance Demons - hosted by Dave Diggle

We all have those demons that hold us back and stop us performing - its what we do with them that makes the difference:

Episode #55:

Be it as simple as a missed opportunity, a messed up skill or routine, or as complex as an injury or you were completely owned by your competitor in front of 100,000 spectators - we all have those internal demons who haunt us and our performances.

Those demons are often the biggest and most painful inhibitor to our progress and us achieving our true potential as an athlete. Those internal thoughts, feelings and emotions can often grow to overwhelm everything else we do, defining and owning us in the process - IF we allow them to.

In this episode (#55) of Brain in the Game we will look at what performance demons are, why we have them, their long term consequences and most importantly what we can do to slay those demons forever. So grab your comforter, your tub of popcorn as we settle into a horror story where the good-guy slays the demon with science!

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #54 – As an athlete how do you measure your sporting successes? - hosted by Dave Diggle

Your gauge on success is as individual as your fingerprint:

Episode #54:

We all strive animalistic-ally to be successful, it’s part of our survival instinct, our social standing and our unique identity and we are just as primally quick to judge others on their perceived successes - but do you really know what success is and how to create it and nurture it? Humans are a pack animal and so some of us instinctively strive to be at the top of that pack whereas other just talk a good game and some are happy to assimilate.

Sport is founded on those same primal animal instincts, being the most successful is how we gauge a champion, someone who did something better more times than the rest of the herd! Yet we intuitively know little about what constitutes a real success, let alone how to replicate it.

In this episode (#54) we look at what, why and how we use success smarter.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Episode #53:

Elite, professional and extreme sport is a growing specialised industry and we often gravitate to either coaching boys or girls in our chosen sport, we also hear coaches frequently identify themselves as male coaches or female coaches, we frequently hear people generalise the genders by stereo typical behaviours!

However is this an accurate, productive or even fair way of thinking?

Is there really a difference between how we should coach male athletes to how we should coach female athletes? And is this bias based of social norms or hard science?

In this episode (#53) we explore some of those physiological, neurological, mental, emotional and social differences between the sporting sexes as well as many of the similarities as we strive to uncover and conclude “If there really is in fact a difference in how we should coach male vs female athletes.”

So don your long term held beliefs and be ready to be enlightened, challenged and even shamed as well as empowered as we uncover some of those well nurtured myths.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #52 – How do you manage those inevitable sporting performance failures - hosted by Dave Diggle

It’s all about practical perspective

Episode #52:

Elite, professional and extreme sport is a high investment way of life, not only financially but more importantly physically and emotionally too. And with that high investment lifestyle comes the inevitable knocks and failures along the way - so how do you handle those failures to keep the journey alive?

Knowing there will always be those good and not so good times doesn’t always stop it effecting our performance and our self esteem, but should it? In this episode of Brain in the Game (#51) we will explore the consequences of a one-eyed view of our performance and how we have learnt to see what we choose to see. We will examine different techniques to create perspective and balance and we will uncover the positive possibilities as well as the negative consequences to failures.

So grab a mirror as you look deep inside yourself to see just how to improve your choices.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #51 – What you do in the shower could hold the key to your sustainability as an athlete - hosted by Dave Diggle

Are you Hot or Cold focused?

Episode #51:

There is no denying it we are creatures of habit and how we do one thing tends to be how we do most things. What this means is if things are going great then we will tend to stay in that place, however may not grow.. If things are not going as well as you want however, the likelihood of it getting better on it’s own is slim at best. So by us recognising our core behaviours it could hold the key to either replicating your success and growing or tweaking what you are currently struggling with to get a better system.

In this episode of Brain in the Game (BITG51) we look at six (6) key stages of creating replicability and sustainability in your sporting performance.

Knowing your natural approach

Sustainable Planning

Calibration and perspective

Creating sustainable momentum

Using Patterns and Triggers

Balanced approach

These six strategies utilise our natural mental and emotional framework, our already well established processes and then helps you create a system from these building blocks that works for you. A system designed by you for you.

So if your performance is perfect every time then don’t bother listening to this episode, however if you think you could be doing things better then this could be the one episode you cannot miss! So download this episode and listen closely as we jump into the shower! (metaphorically speaking of course)

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #50 – Using emotions to overcome performance anxiety and build motivation - hosted by Dave Diggle

Rocket fuel or Kryptonite? - your choice.

Episode #50:

Our emotions are an integral part of our sporting and performance success strategy, when used correctly our emotions can be the rocket fuel that catapults our career to heights beyond our wildest dreams. However if handled badly they can be our own personal Kryptonite and completely derail or even crush our career beyond salvation. When most coaches focus on the obvious “Physical Skills” it is often this hidden internal dynamite that goes undetected until it goes “Boom”.

So why is this internal concoction of potent chemical so critical to our ability to perform? And why is it so hard to get it right?

In this episode of Brain in the Game we look at how this under appreciated and rarely trained skill-set is the make or break of your career and why no one else is telling you about it. So many athletes are impacted by performance anxiety and blame their ability to perform specific skills or set of skills in specific situation rather than understand the beast within. So settle in and crank up the volume as we uncover your emotional blueprint to success.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #49 – How to be the Parent of an elite athlete - hosted by Dave Diggle

Parent Vs Parent of an athlete

Episode #49:

When we become parents it is often a culture shock as we don’t get that all important and often joked about handbook telling us how to behave and how to do it right. And yes being a parent can be a little bit of hit and miss and learning along the way always vowing to do it better the next time.

When we add into that already sketchy mix parenting an elite athlete, whose career is also on the line, introduce a highly competitive environment into their forming minds and multiple other people heavily influencing your child’s emotional development it can be incredibly volatile to say the least and a little unnerving.

As I have built my Mind Coaching practice and worked with thousands of athlete’s and their families I have learnt that being the parent of an athlete is just as important as being a parent, even their coach and requires the same level of knowledge and role defining to be successful.

And so I have put this episode of Brain in the Game (#49) together to help give parents like myself a clearer more structured approach to their pivotal support role of their child’s sporting career.

So lock yourself away for the next 45 minutes and get ready for some self analysis as we learn together what it takes to be the parent of an elite athlete.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #48 – 6 steps to your best season ever - hosted by Dave Diggle

Start the season the way you want it every time!

Episode #48:

We naturally gravitate towards what we have always done, a sense of familiarity despite wanting more out of our performance - yet we tend to get to the end each competitive season with regrets and promises to do it all different next year.

So how do we get off this competitive merry-go-round? How do we achieve our goals without falling into old patterns and behaviours?

We need to do it right and do it from the start!
And so by following this structured and replicable 6 step system we can have a much better chance of achieving exactly what we want, without those niggling regrets or sense of diminishing window of opportunity.

This episode of Brain in the Game (48) outlines just what you need to do to set up your season the right way. So settle in with a pen and paper and lets build your best year ever, together.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our exercise templates and our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #47 – how to keep the mental machine ticking over and still enjoy your silly season - hosted by Dave Diggle

How to Keep athletes ticking over

Episode #47:

As we hurtle towards the silly season and the end of 2014, and much of the world is already switched off and just going through the motions until Christmas and New year.
Many of the sporting codes have also wound up for the year or are preparing for a dip in intensity over the silly season and this is often when Athletes switch off to.
After a intense year, that lure of some downtime sound enticing but is it really what you want to be doing right now?

Here are my top tips on how to keep the mental machine ticking over and still enjoy your silly season.

In this episode of Brain in the Game #47 I outline 5 key strategies to help stop next year from being a struggle to get off the ground after the Christmas stalling of momentum.
And 8 key questions you should be asking yourself to ensure your next season is better than your last.

Take the time to prepare BEFORE you find its too late...

And Have a Great break, see you in 2015

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses for 2015 these include our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #46 – Mind games and how to protect yourself against them - hosted by Dave Diggle

Ethical use of Mind games

Episode #46:

We have all fell victim to letting someone getting inside our head and influencing our performance.

But the use of Mind Games can be far more sinister than just thinking negative thoughts or allowing your competitors experience beat you!

As sport becomes more commercial it also becomes more commercially competitive and this can lead to people going to extraordinary lengths to win!

Understanding what Mind Games are, how to ethically utilise them and how to immunise yourself against Mind Games can be an important skill-set to learn.

In this episode of Brain in the Game (46) we explore this increasing phenomenon and build effective strategies to manage it.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #45 – How to upgrade your coach and feel good about it - hosted by Dave Diggle

Building the right team at the right time

Episode #45:

When we first start out on our sporting path, our needs and coaching requirements are quite simple. All we want is to have fun, feel comfortable and feel secure.

However as we progress through the ranks towards elite, extreme or professional performance our needs change… As do the needs from our entourage supporting us. The same team we began with may not have the skill-set to take you all the way.

So as we examine our careers are we putting the right coaches in the right place at the right time? Possibly not! This could be seriously inhibiting your career and may stop your career if you choose not to act..

This podcast looks at how we effectively assess and select the right coaching staff to meet your needs and how we can navigate that emotionally trick job of upgrading your team to meet the real needs of an elite performer.

one for the athlete, the parents and the coaches..

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #44 – You have the skills but do you have the Mind Set to be a consistent performer? - hosted by Dave Diggle

Lewis Hamilton you need a Mind Coach

Episode #44:

Lewis Hamilton is (for my money) the best Formula 1 driver on the circuit today, however he doesn't do it as easily as he should and that is not because of a lack of driving skills.

Lewis Hamilton is currently on the top of the drivers board but he isn't doing it easy by any stretch of the imagination, with Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo hot on his heels, Lewis's rollercoaster emotions are playing much more of an influencing role in his on track driving.

And with this well publicised disharmony within the Mercedes F1 team it is having more of an influence on Lewis's consistency of performance than on Nico's as we reach the pointier end of the season - so will Hamilton hold it together?

So does Lewis need a Mind Coach? someone to help him manage his emotions on and off track? so as he can manage the competition the best way he knows how? Of course he does!

So ask yourself the same question! How well do you manage your consistency, your emotions and your team? check out these 3 key steps to building a consistent, replicable performance.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Episode #43:

As Coaches we are used to being the ring master, the fountain of all knowledge, knowing what to do now and into the future to build an athlete.

It has been our role for so long, that we just do it now without thinking and often without consultation. However this singular mind-set approach can be even more effective when we engage the athletes Mind into the planning and building stages.
So I have listed my top 10 questions I ask my athletes when I am working with them on a new objective. I list the questions, why they are so important and what to look for in their responses.

So check out how many you use and what you could be doing differently to get better results.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #42 – What can I do when nothing appears to work - hosted by Dave Diggle

Becoming the mental Rock climber.

Episode #42:

We can so easily get sucked into the negative Mind Set that nothing I do is working, the draw of the focus on the overwhelm rather than the opportunities.

When we get into this self deprecating head space it is all too easy to lose focus and objectivity leaving us short on a way through the tough training and or competing times.

In this episode of Brain in the Game I will outline several key strategies to allow you to see it from a different, more opportunistic perspective. So if you have ever hit the wall, been dragged down or lost your Mojo then this podcast is for you.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #41 – learn how to better manage your stress, expectation and performance anxiety - hosted by Dave Diggle

Begin by knowing where it comes from and how it impacts you.

Episode #41:

We are all impacted on some level by stress and anxiety caused by expectations - thats just human nature. However those human traits can also cause performance issues is not managed correctly.

This episode looks at how you can better manage those internal and external influences and still perform consistently every time.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #40 – 3 key lessons I learnt on tour that every athlete and coach should know - hosted by Dave Diggle

It’s all in the preparation.

Episode #40:

I recently travelled to the Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia with a young up and coming racing car driver, where I made 3 key observations that every athlete and coach should be aware of when preparing to perform.

Also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course designed to give you key strategies to perform Smarter.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #39 – Consistent outcomes need constant actions - hosted by Dave Diggle

No magic wand supplied.

Episode #39:

When building for or engulfed in competition, it can be easy to forget to do stuff and it is not until it comes back and repeatedly bites you do you realise you have forgotten to do something.

Behavioural change and behavioural mastery are just the same, when I explain to a client that the reason they hare having consistent issues is because they have fed that action consistently over a period of time - they are horrified.

And although they come to me when things are painful, I explain to them that “pain” will go away if the apply the same diligence to the correct behaviour as they did to the negative.

Settle in and enjoy this 11 minute episode on the 4 key stages of getting a consistent performance.

And then at the end check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #38 – Staying on track - the view from the front hosted by Dave Diggle

Getting to the top is only half the battle, staying there takes a little more focus.

Episode #38:

As an athlete much of our focus from an early stage is getting to the top of our sport, being number one, it is often our only thought, it can be what motivates, innovates and sometimes derails our progress forwards. The same can be said on a micro level too, our initial focus on beating those around us can lead to forming our outcomes and sometimes our downfall.

So once you have achieved your objective, been selected, won a title it can be a huge relief - but what then? How do you keep that momentum moving in the right direction, keep your focus and not stalling or losing direction.

In this episode of Brain in the Game, we look at how we should be thinking once we are out in front!

And then at the end check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Episode #37:

During a recent athlete and coach elite development clinic I observed a phenomenon that showed both athletes and coaches are more driven by what they don’t want than what they do want. And it is having an impact on their ability to produce a good performance.

During this clinic I conducted an experiment that showed athletes the importance of both their focus and their choice in words have a direct influence over their ability to perform.

Check out this short, sharp Podcast and see how you can better prepare for competition.

And then at the end check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses including our special “Compete like a champion” training course.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

Episode #36:

Athletes and Coaches strive for consistency in performance, we know in order to be successful we must perform on a consistent basis, this is what makes champions.

However few really understand the mental process required to achieve such consistency.

The four stages that must be met in order to have a complete and replicable behavioural performance strategy - Consistent preparation = Consistent performance.

In this episode #36 we explore “The Mental Processing Cycle” a system whereby we can build a tailored strategy and ensure it is not only effective, it is measurable and also completely sustainable.

So join me as I walk you through the four key stages and then download your own Mental processing cycle diagram.

And then at the end check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our face to face clinics and courses.

Enjoy the episode

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

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Dave Diggle, Support Specialist, Performance, Mental, Mental cycle, confidence, emotions, emotional resilience, athletes, smart mind, brain, mind, performance, sport, athlete, coach, institute, competitors, sustainability, mental toughness, BITG, Brain in the Game, podcast, relevance, communication, communicate, communication styles, parents, visualisation, visualization, motivation, consistency, consistent performance, results, Time Management, efficiency, episode, mental coaching, Business coaching, Corporate success, business edge, coaching, 3D coach, Mental debrief, journaling

Episode #35: As the modern face of sport continues to evolve and with the innovations in science allowing our athletes to not only achieve younger they are allowing them to staying in the game for longer. There is however still one demographic that has found it a less than smooth journey. Our female athletes! Our elite female athletes have arguably worked harder than most to been seen as serious and equal athletes in the eyes of the world. These determined women are sacrificing many of what we think as normal life choices in order to achieve. In this episode we are going to explore the benefits and the hindrances of being a Mum athlete. So on this mothers day check out what being a mum and an athlete is really like. Plus, also invest the time to check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our clinics, courses and other templates. Enjoy the our podcast Dave Diggle Professional Mind Coach To download templates from any of the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ or check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the worlds most elite coaches and athletes and interact with them as we talk about their experiences with our Mind Coaching.. Tags: Dave Diggle, Support Specialist, Performance, Mom, Mum, Females in sport, confidence, emotions, emotional resilience, athletes, smart mind, brain, mind, performance, sport, athlete, coach, institute, competitors, sustainability, mental toughness, BITG, Brain in the Game, podcast, relevance, communication, communicate, communication styles, parents, visualisation, visualization, motivation, consistency, consistent performance, results, Time Management, efficiency, episode, mental coaching, Business coaching, Corporate success, business edge, coaching, 3D coach, Mental debrief, journaling

Episode #34:

In this episode we are going to look at a less desirable aspect of modern day sport, one that is growing and unfortunately in some cases defining a sport.

And that is the Voodoo parent. These are the small minority of parents on the sideline, who take it on themselves to battle with the athletes, the other parents, take it out on the coach and officials and who are willing to continue the feuds on the sideline and online.

Over the years there have been many initiatives to curb this growing aspect of sport however little has been done to understand it’s longterm impact on the athlete.

Today we are going to talk about just that - the impact on the athlete..

So listen in as we open up the can on this controversial and touchy subject!

Are you a Voodoo Parent?

Plus, also invest the time to check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our clinics, courses and other templates.

Enjoy the podcast

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

To download templates from any of the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ or check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the worlds most elite coaches and athletes and interact with them as we talk about their experiences with our Mind Coaching..

Tags:

Dave Diggle, Support Specialist, Performance, voodoo parenting, confidence, emotions, emotional resilience, athletes, smart mind, brain, mind, performance, sport, athlete, coach, institute, competitors, sustainability, mental toughness, BITG, Brain in the Game, podcast, relevance, communication, communicate, communication styles, parents, visualisation, visualization, motivation, consistency, consistent performance, results, Time Management, efficiency, episode, mental coaching, Business coaching, Corporate success, business edge, coaching, 3D coach, Mental debrief, journaling

Episode #33:

In this episode we are going to take a look at the top things we can take from our sport and use in the “real” world. Too often we are told sport isn’t a real positive influence for when we decide to grow up!

However as a mind coach I have found that many of the lessons I learnt as an athlete have served me in my professional life. We just need to be open to look for them.

So in this episode I hope to shift the way some view sport and the positive influence it can have on our development.

So buckle up as we shift your perspective, add clarity to your objectives and shake up those misunderstood years.

And at the end of this episode download the “Input Matrix” exercise template that can help you identify some of those skill you may thought of as lost!

Plus, invest the time to check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for other templates I discussed in previous episodes.

Enjoy the podcast

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

To download templates from any of the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ or check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the worlds most elite coaches and athletes and interact with them as we talk about their experiences with our Mind Coaching..

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Dave Diggle, Support Specialist, Performance, confidence, emotions, emotional resilience, athletes, smart mind, brain, mind, performance, sport, athlete, coach, institute, competitors, sustainability, mental toughness, BITG, Brain in the Game, podcast, relevance, communication, communicate, communication styles, parents, visualisation, visualization, motivation, consistency, consistent performance, results, Time Management, efficiency, episode, mental coaching, Business coaching, Corporate success, business edge, coaching, 3D coach, Mental debrief, journaling

Episode #32:

In this episode we are going to take a closer look at the flip side of managing the more common issues of unsuccessful performance strategies and look at the unspoken mental and emotional pitfalls of success.

As an athlete, we expend much of our physical, mental and emotional energy striving to succeed, to get to the top, believing that once we are there then we have made it… Only to find once we do arrive in the winners circle the hard work required getting us there is dwarfed by the mental cost of keeping us there.

Much of the strategic mental structuring and deep down tenacity required to get us to the top of our sport is just a small percentage of what is required to fend off those internal mental and emotional demons we create that can rob us of our glory and sustained career in a flash.

In this episode we will identify some of the more common manifestations of this phenomenon and the true cost of them and then what we can do smarter to better manage and prepare ourselves for our time at the top. Preparing to manage our success is just as important as preparing to be successful.

So sit back and listen as I show you some of the pitfalls and teach you the bridges to overcome them.

And at the end of this episode invest the time to check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for the templates discussed in episode #32 and integrate them into your development.

Enjoy the podcast

Dave Diggle

Professional Mind Coach

To download templates from any of the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ or check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the worlds most elite coaches and athletes and interact with them as we talk about their experiences with our Mind Coaching..

Tags:

Dave Diggle, Support Specialist, Performance, confidence, emotions, emotional resilience, athletes, smart mind, brain, mind, performance, sport, athlete, coach, institute, competitors, sustainability, mental toughness, BITG, Brain in the Game, podcast, relevance, communication, communicate, communication styles, parents, visualisation, visualization, motivation, consistency, consistent performance, results, Time Management, efficiency, episode, mental coaching, Business coaching, Corporate success, business edge, coaching, 3D coach, Mental debrief, journaling

In this episode #31 I have a treat for you, I wanted to replay you the Make it Simple TV interview I gave Heather Porter and Andrew McCauley of http://www.autopilotyourbusiness.com and the key practical tips that work not only for the elite athlete but also for the elite business too.

This interview uncovers some of my real time successful performance philosophies and the link between creating a successful athlete and a successful business person, the link between rewards and momentum, between team building and sustainable success and the need for everyone to calibrate.

So settle in and enjoy this deep and yet playful interview

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the worlds most elite coaches and athletes and watch them talk about their experiences with our Mind Coaching..

And check out - http://makeitsimple.tv

Dave Diggle, Support Specialist, Business coaching, CEO, Corporate success, business edge, coaching, Performance, confidence, emotions, emotional resilience, athletes, smart mind, brain, mind, performance, sport, athlete, coach, institute, competitors, sustainability, mental toughness, BITG, Brain in the Game, podcast, relevance, communication, communicate, communication styles, parents, visualisation, visualization, motivation, consistency, consistent performance, results, Time Management, efficiency, episode, mental coaching,

When we hear the phrase “Time Management” it is normally in the context of business, either from our boss questioning our management of our time or us observing others time (or poor time) time management and the equality that brings.

However as sport evolves and becomes more and more like a business and the coaching sphere has to become more professional then the effectiveness and efficiency of our athletes becomes more directly relevant to their success.

Their practical ability to manage themselves and get the most out of each and every one of their sessions becomes more important.

Ask yourself, if you are an athlete, how productive were you today? If you are the coach is their a smarter way your athletes could be using their time?

In this episode of Brain in the Game we will explore one form of Time Management that works.

So start your stop watch and take notes as we put athletes through the Smart Mind, Time Management training.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the worlds most elite coaches and athletes and watch them talk about their experiences with our Mind Coaching..

In this the first episode of 2014, we will be looking at the fast and dynamic shift in the world of the coaching profession and the focal shift that is leaving some coaches scrambling for their identity and holding on too tight.

We understand the need for athletes to calibrate their performance and grow and evolve in order to stay current and at the top of their careers. The demand on coaches to also stay on the front foot and at the cutting edge of their profession, even in little league is more prevalent today than ever before.

Listen as I share some of the observations I made in 2013 and current trend in the way coaching is going.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Brain in the Game episode #29 to find out what you need to know about your role in the athletes development and what you can do to stay at the front of the pack.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

News flash! Sport has changed!

The world of sport today is a far cry from the world of sport 20, 15 even 10 years ago.
Today it is a high pressure, high demand, high powered multi billion dollar industry and one that can deliver the greatest of highs and the thumping lows all in the space of a weekend.

And this rapidly changing face of sport is being driven by the ever increasing expectation of more faster, more Stronger more outstanding athletes willing to put their careers and lives on the line.

And as coaches you think we are expected to have all the answers even before they have the questions, have all the knowledge, all the expertise at the drop of a hat. And as coaches you can often feel vulnerable when you don’t! (not that you would let on!)

As sport changes, so does the role of those who play an interracial part in it.
The increased use of “Support Specialist” in every day training it helping to share the load and add more quality to the athletes preparation.

However with this increase in the “team” numbers comes some friction as “Some” coaches are finding it hard to let go of that “I’m in charge” mentality.

In episode #28 of Brain in the game we explore the positives and the negatives of building the entourage.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Brain in the Game episode #28 to find out what you need to know about your role in the athletes development.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

Hypnosis is fast growing to be a tool used by the elite and professional athletes to help overcome performance issues and build sustainability.

Gone are the days of Hypnosis being tarnished as a sideshow act, hidden in backrooms or seedy clinics, today the elite of the elite are seeing it as a secret weapon in their competitive arsenal.

Hypnosis was often thought of as something to anecdotally help people give up smoking or lose weight, an alternative (albeit un-scientific) approach to peoples social issues.

However as the science of human behaviour has improved, so has our understanding of how we can best influence the human brain. Hypnosis has surfaced as one of those key tools and it is gaining a ground swell amongst the elite performers.

Check out how I use Hypnosis within my Mind Coaching sessions and how we teach coaches to use their language more effectively.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Brain in the Game episode #27 to find out what you need to know about Hypnosis in Sport.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

As an athlete we hear it all the time, you need to be more consistent, as a coach you know it’s what makes champions, that consistent placing and performing and as parents you want to understand what in the heck they are all on about!

So - what is consistency and how do we create it?
In this, episode 26 we unpack the commodity that is consistency, we recognise its benefits and pitfalls and we understand what we can do to actively build consistent performance in our training, skill development and competition.

We look at recognising the specifics of skill acquisition, retention and recall, we look at building replicability through visualisation and frame-working and the action steps necessary to initiate the process as and when needed.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Brain in the Game episode #26 to find out what you need to know in order to become more consistent in your performance.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

It is somewhat accepted human nature to occasionally catch yourself doubting something you have done, said or believed in. It is how we as a species ensure we are balanced and socially compliant. We do this by periodically gauging ourselves with the world around us, those we interact with and socially accepted ‘norms.’

However as an elite athlete, self doubt can seriously inhibit your momentum, motivation and sporting career. It can also impact the harmonious dynamics of the whole team. So from a coaching standpoint it is important to not only recognise an athlete who is experiencing a period of self doubt early, but also understand how to overcome if not future proof your athletes against its effects.

Check out Brain in the Game episode #25 to find out what you need to know in order to immunize your athletes against the silent assassin that is self doubt.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

When you enter into that committed three way dynamic of Coach - Athlete and Parent it should be a wonderful and rewarding trip.
However it is more likely to be one of the most volatile and stressful relationship that can have a very detrimental impact on the outcome.

But really - it doesn’t have to be this way, it should be a unison, a synergistic team and a finally tuned grand design of efficient communication.

So what do we need to understand in order to get this vital system on track?

Check out Brain in the Game episode #24 to find out what you need to know.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to http://braininthegame.com.au/ and also check out http://www.smartmind.com.au/ for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

As an athlete does your coach sometimes say things to you that confuses you and changes the way you perceive their coaching? Do you sometimes miss the point of the technical or corrective coaching? Or does what others think influence your performance?

If you answered YES to any of these then you need to build better mental and emotional resilience!

This podcast Episode (episode #23) will show you how to effectively unpack the relevant information from your coaches coaching and how you can store it more efficiently in your mind.

And as a coach it’s important to recognise the information you give to your athletes is only as good as what they can do with it. So if your athlete isn’t getting the results you know they are capable of or consistently making the same mistakes then maybe the message isn’t hitting home and it’s time to look at the delivery.

Check out this short and sharp episode on efficient and effective communication and emotional resilience.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go directly to www.braininthegame.com.au and also check out www.smartmind.com.au for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and clinics - gain access to our elite Mastermind group where you can brainstorm with some of the elite coaches and athletes from around the world.

Is what you see, really what you see or what you think you see?

Understanding Mental imagery in sport

As an athlete we rely heavily on getting our bodies to do certain things based on our internal understanding of the skill, our internal image and interpretation of what it should look like and THEN how that message correlates to our own bodies actions, behaviours and sequence of triggers.

Understanding that if you put rubbish in -- You get rubbish out! And if you put quality in -- You get quality out it is imperative that the quality of the message we internalise is critical to the performance.

In this episode #22 of Brain in the Game we explore how we can embed better commands in a way to guarantee better performances.

When you see an athlete that exudes confidence, they have that certain swagger, that bubbling charisma, that relaxed almost taunting persona about them.

We have all been there, we have all been guilty of part of us internally sinking before the race has even begun and its all due to the influence of one or more of our competitors looking more confident than we feel.

In this episode #21 we understand what makes an athlete confident, how to identify it and own it. We also look at different ways of sustaining your confidence.

To download templates from the Brain in the game episodes go to www.braininthegame.com.au and check out www.smartmind.com.au for our upcoming face-to-face trainings and access to our elite Mastermind group.

Most Athletes fear losing skills and or losing the ability to perform at their peak after reaching a milestone or having a stella season. We often see an outstanding performance from an outstanding athlete and then it just seem they cannot replicate it again.

Some athletes justify it with the performance peaks and valleys, others say it’s all about maintaining the workload and some don’t hide it and just look for excuses they can live with.

In reality there is a little more to finding and replicating that elusive performance. Check out episode #20 and how how not all performances are equal.

As an athlete we instinctively look at our competitors, we wonder what they are training like, what they are doing, what skills the have prepared for this season and they have working with them - all these concerns are a distraction to you, your preparation and performance.

If you constantly look to chase your competitors you will always be behind them, waiting for them to make the next move.

In this episode 19 we talk strategies and we combat the competitors influence over your performance. We introduce little grey blobs into your arsenal - giving you more control over them than they could ever have over you.

To download templates from this and other episodes go to www.braininthegame.com.au and check out www.smartmind.com.au for our upcoming trainings.

Visualisation is a vital aspect of every coaches coaching arsenal - or should be, in episode #13 (Visualisation – The 5 Most Common Mistakes Made by Athletes and Coaches) we outlined the most common forms of visualisation and their key roles in helping athletes achieve replicable performance. In this episode #18 we take a close look at an advanced form of visualisation called the 3D Coach.

this style of visualisation is specifically designed to teach an athlete how to more efficiently debrief and learn from everything they do.

The 3D coach is a behavioural perspective exercise, one that gives a multi dimensional views on skill, sequence and even competitions.
Just when you thought you knew how to process information, in comes the 3D coach - check it out and add it to your coaching programme.

To download templates from this and other episodes go to www.braininthegame.com.au and check out www.smartmind.com.au for our upcoming trainings.

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode #17 – Selling isn’t selling if it’s solving - hosted by Dave Diggle

What if I told you in order to become an effective coach you need to become an effective salesman? Most people view salesman as people to be wary off, people who are trying to sell you into something you don’t necessarily want.

Yet if you think about your role as a coach, you are selling your solution, your views and thoughts to your athletes, a sale you hope they will want and buy into.

In this episode 17 of Brain in the game we take a look at just how we change the way we as coaches view our role and take a closer look at some of the skills we need in order to thrive at the top of the coaching pile.

So put to one side your thoughts on salesmen and listen as I explain just how it all works.

To download templates from this and other episodes go to www.braininthegame.com.au and check out www.smartmind.com.au for our upcoming trainings.

In this ever increasing world of accessible knowledge, of advanced neuro-sciences and the open portal that is the web, we have more information at our fingertips today than ever before in the history of man, with more to come tomorrow. And as someone who is ‘geekly’ obsessed by this exciting new world, about the possibilities of humanity and how we can use this knowledge to better tomorrow - I have seen a behavioural trend occurring that could trip us up.

My philosophy and rule of thumb is, it is ok to consistently gain knowledge as long as you do something with it.

We have all heard that old saying “knowledge is power” and in many situations this is very true - knowledge is incredibly powerful giving us more options and valuable skills, we can truly say it was never like this in our parents days.

But is it everything?

From a performance perspective there is a distinct difference between excess seeking of knowledge and actual outcome.

With many athletes and coaches smartly choosing to seek more knowledge about their behaviour, strategies and performance than ever before, we are seeing an increasing trend of some choosing this knowledge quest over actual physical doing. With a gap growing between those who gain specific information and then act on it and those who have not defined what it is they are looking for and consistently seek!

In reality we need to encourage both knowledge and action, its a fine balancing act, balancing the endless search for one more piece of information and the creation of productive action. It can be easy to get lost in the world of just a little more looking and THEN I will act on it.

Ask yourself when is enough enough? The answer is - when it is used.

Brain in the game sport mind coaching podcast episode #15 Athletes Need Balance - And why On isn’t always ON!

In this episode of Brain in the Game episode #15 we look at how we create realistic sustainability and longevity in our athletes career.

Teaching them how to turn on and off to be either the student, the performer or to switch off to recharge and conserve.

That old saying ‘Eat, Sleep, Drink and Breath your sport’ isn’t a sustainable model and we can certainly manage our athletes better.

In this episode you will learn how to: create
- create triggers for each unique phase and
- how to read your athletes needs so as they can be part of the process
- and how to better understand what works

Are you really building a sustainable platform or are you too focused on the ‘Now’

Getting Results:

The patterns and triggers of successful performance

So your not getting the results you were looking for as an athlete, a coach or even in life and maybe you know you can achieve much, much more but not sure exactly how to get started!

It’s a common scenario and one we have all experienced on some level, what makes the difference is the difference - what specifically do you need to do to change it up, to take it to a whole new level of performance, experience and mental toughness?

Before we change our habits we must first understand what’s been holding you back, what behavioural patterns have kept you from achieving thus far, look at what we have built around ourselves and within us and what triggers those patterns.

In this episode #14, of Brain in the Game we look at the key influencing factors of high end performance, our behavioural patterns and their all too familiar triggers. We utilise some key cognitive tools to better understand and plan for our growth and development.

So stop doing the same old thing and step it up, get specific about your goals and objectives and start achieving on your terms.

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode Thirteen – The 5 most common mistakes Athletes and Coaches make with Visualisation.

In this episode we seek to understand why this most important coaching and performing tool isn’t utilised to its full potential and what are the most common mistakes made.

We know in order to be a champion athlete we need to be consistent in our performance, we need to sustainably replicate those standout games, results and skills. We also understand that there are physical constraints to training at this intensity as highlighted recently by the drugs in sport investigations.

So how do we train like a champion without inflicting physical, mental and emotional damage on the athlete? We use the brain and it’s inbuilt imagery maker – the imagination. This all sounds impressive, yet the vast majority of athletes and coaches in the majority of competitive sports either under utilise or not use this skill-set at all.

And here is why – because it is misunderstood and misused.

In this episode (episode 13) of Brain in the Game we look at the 5 most common mistakes made with Visualisation, the consequences of this and how we can put it right.

So if you are mentally, emotionally and physically fatigued from preparing, then you need to listen to this podcast. If you are not reaching your full potential as an athlete then you need to listen to this podcast.

If you are into sport – then listen to this podcast!

Moving Athletes from amateur to professional thinking and how to build the team to do it

Building an effective entourage for success:

This episode is the next step in traversing from amateur to professional athlete thinking, it looks at the specific steps an athletes need to follow in order to create the right internal and external environment to achieve.

As an amateur we are expected to do everything ourselves, from manage our physical and technical development, our recovery, our emotional welfare and to even look after our own media and sponsorship. This ‘Jack of all trades’ mentality can seriously inhibit our chances of reaching our full performance potential.

There are significant differences between the self financed, self managed life of an amateur athlete and that of the professional athlete who enters into a structured and highly managed world. But how do you initiate that same environment to get those professional results before you have access to the ‘team’?

A big mistake many amateurs make is waiting to hit the big time before they choose to surround themselves with the right people in the right environment, this tentative approach can result in missing your opportunity when it arises or never quite getting close enough to be noticed. In this episode we walk you through the step-by-step approach to creating an environment with the right team to succeed.

Learn how to:

- Identify what and who you need in your team
- How to unpack the specifics of what is required to enable you to perform
- Learn how to pick the right people and how to change an existing unproductive member
- Understand the specific dynamics of a productive professional relationship
- Identify your boundaries and how to enforce them
- Learn the system of calibration

So take the plunge and get out of your own way – it’s the first step to thinking like a professional athlete.

The top 10 Questions asked by elite Athletes and Coaches the world over – Part B

Clarification allows us to better understand and apply our interpretations.

So having an opportunity to ask key questions, gain specificity and identify relevance is an important aspect of effective learning and application.

In Episode 11.1 (Part A) – we delved deep into the first part of your top 10 most asked questions, these included setting goals, keeping on track, managing emotions, painful performance memories and dealing with fear.

Understanding how we sort, store and recall information allows us to better communicate and impart information which increases the efficiency of coaching and the quality of performance.

When an athlete attempts to apply the directions received from a coach they go through multiple mental, emotional and cognitive processes to translate that raw information into a format that fits into their filtration and belief system.

This can often be a long drawn-out process, be thwart with misinterpretations and frustrating for all involved. By having a better understanding of people and their unique communication styles this process can become far more efficient, effective and pleasant.

In Part B we look at this communication model and identify what best suits you, we identify where and why fears are such a big part of performance and we look at a step-by-step approach to building a mental training module for you and your athletes.

The top 10 Questions asked by elite Athletes and Coaches the world over – Part A

A lot of emphasis is traditionally placed on the physical aspect of coaching athletes as coaches are taught how to identify, prepare and manage an athletes physical and technical needs.

However what many coaches are finding difficult as the science of physically preparing an athlete becomes more and more readily available is the difference that makes a difference, that certain something the X factor.

That certain something that sets one athlete apart from another is becoming more and more elusive and with athletes becoming aware and having access to ‘other’ alternatives - getting an athlete to cleanly perform, morally prepare and ethically marketed is becoming harder and harder.

So it is more important than ever to identify a system of keeping athletes clean, prepared and at the top of the game. Mental training has been identified as the ‘clean’ option and more and more athletes and coaches are taking this route only to realise it is not only effective but highly sustainable.

However with this comes questions – so in episode 11 we take the time to look back and answer some those many questions you have sent us regarding sporting performance, behaviour and attitudes and we will explain how mental, emotional and cognitive training can help.

So we have taken your top 10 questions and we will go into great detail about why certain behaviours occur, what to do and how to do it. This episode is designed to explain some of those nagging questions all athletes’ face, to identify where some of them come from and to help build an effective strategy to deal with them.

Because of the quality and quantity of information we have split this into 2 bite-size chunks Part A and part B.

In part A we will countdown questions 10 – 6

Anchoring is one of those innate skills we all do, naturally building a cognitive link between our behaviours, our patterns, our emotions and our actions through associations and neurological cataloguing.

With certain actions triggering specific responses, build a catalogue of behavioural blueprint can be beneficial when performing under pressure and knowing which trigger fires which blueprint.

If we can predict an outcome by understanding how we store our neurological blueprints and then how we can trigger the desired response then we can lower our anxiety, beat the competition nerves and perform just how we want to.

In this episode we unpack this exact process of building an anchor to a specific performance and designing a trigger to fire it by associating the event, with the emotion and a trigger so as we can replicate that chemical cocktail to fire off the same response.

The natural performance enhancement that is replicable, sustainable, reliable and legal.

A Lesson in Mental Toughness

A lot of emphasis is placed on the mental toughness of athletes these days, so in this episode we explore what it takes for an athlete to push through when others would fold.

Every athlete gets impacted by their emotions and, if unchecked and uncontrolled, it can lead to choking. So if we don’t manage the fall out and, better still, immunise against it happening in the future - it really can be a career ender.

When we talk about mental toughness it isn’t about just being strong of mind, it’s about being emotionally bought into the outcome, what the big picture is and having emotional buy-in to that.

Emotions shouldn’t be making our decisions for us. Emotions are categorisations; they enable us to categorise things in an efficient way and in normal life that’s great, they work fairly well. But as an elite athlete under competition, when you don’t always win every time, you don’t want the emotions or the pain of the past memories, dictating how you play now.

So we discuss tangible resources to manage and avoid the mental doubts that can cause competition choking, lower anxiety and ensure you feel far more in control.

We discuss the three approaches that, when put in conjunction with each other, can enable an athlete to bypass the emotional baggage they’ve built up over the years and build better neural pathways by associating a positive outcome to that choice

Understanding Momentum

In this episode we explore the fickle thing called momentum and why it is so important to understand in order to stay on the sporting trajectory we have planned for our career.

When something arises that is unforeseen, your momentum is often brought to a grinding holt.

Even forseen circumstances such as end of season, end of contract, a change in code or injury – can often interrupt the momentum you have created.

- how do we create momentum – that initial change in inertia
- how do we manage momentum – how do we keep our trajectory and path true
- how do we maintain our momentum over our career – to keep us driving forward

Understanding the science behind momentum will create the connections in your day to day that will open up the possibilities to translate into your bigger career goals.

To access the 50% off training offer for podcast listeners mentioned in this episode, details can be found here: http://www.smartmind.com.au/braininthegame

Visualisation and why it is so effective for athletes

This episode is an eye-opening look into the world of visualisation, and how it can help you attain precision and focus in your performance.

Visualisation should be an intrical part of every athletes training program.

When used correctly, visualisation can have a huge impact on perfecting your skills as an athlete without any risk of fatigue or injury.

Using your brain and imagination to repair and manage your emotions also enables an athlete to create a history of success, which in turn builds confidence.

In this episode we look at the why, when and how we effectively visualise in order to build and perfect a skill or performance.

· The science behind this skill to uncover why visualisation works so effectively in any sport

· The many different visualisation techniques available and why a multi-dimensional approach can be vital to performance improvement

· How to effectively visualise to create a sense of familiarity and confidence within any skill

· When is the best time to visualise to ensure you know which visualisation skill to use at the right time: associated, dissociated, point to point visualisation, key point visualisation, internal patterning and technical visualisation

Using visualisation to manage other challenges such as deflating anxiety and overcoming fear

Calibrating the Mind

In the world of neuroscience and cognitive behaviour there are many different ways of measuring the output capacity of our memory, each with their own take on this and unique ideas about what is and isn’t accurate.

One thing people who study these behavioural disciplines all agree on is there’s more information coming into our brains than ever before.

This increase in incoming information has a massive impact on how we effectively and efficiently process that and how we access that and that stored information when we need to recall it.

We never switch off.

You never know when that golden nugget of information is going to come in, the one piece of information that is going to make a massive difference to your performance or your career.

You never know who’s going to tell you, who’s going to show you, what you’re going to stumble across, so you there is a feeling of being ‘switched on’ all the time, to be processing with the same capacity every waking second of the day.

If we don’t have that efficient template to do that we run the risk of losing or missing that one piece of information that could really make a huge difference to us.

In today’s episode we discuss the mechanism that will allow us to:

better process all this incoming information

know how to look for it

where to get the information

how the relevant information should be categorised

how to emotionally tank in a positive structured way, rather than a reactionary way, driven by negative attention

By learning these important processes allow us to calibrate and adjust, self-manage and assess progress and decision making, and enables the athlete, coach and crew to recognise that wobble long before we have the crash.

Episode Five: Brain Triggers - Our Sporting Habits, Rituals and Behaviour

In this episode we discuss the difference between training to compete and training the way we want to compete.

We look at what happens to our brains when it is triggered by an event.

Why our first action may not be our best action – and how to correct this.

We reveal some really bizarre superstitions some of the world’s top athletes hold on to, and how a professional mind coach would deal with them.

We explore how the habits you follow and what you choose to believe can have a big impact on your anxiety levels, so we go through the steps to find the beliefs that will serve to create far more control over your outcome.

And for those who want to perform with their mental headspace focused purely and simply on the outcome of the competition – we discuss a formula for achieving this on autopilot.

Episode Four: Values, Beliefs, Motivators – We Are Not The Same

In this episode we ask the question, what do you do before you do what you do?

As a coach working with athletes, do you know your athletes and do you know what specific needs they have in order to get the best out of them?

We discuss the important questions to ask yourself when you start working with athletes. Understanding athletes beforehand will enable you to get the best results from them by working with them, not against them.

We also talk about who are you being, when you do what you do. Most coaches have a preferred coaching style, one size doesn’t fit all.

The seek to understand that in each style, each approach by coaches - works for some athletes on some level.

We go through my technique for gaining a rapid understanding of athletes within the first 5 minutes of working together. I show how by listening for the language through specific questioning, will give enough information to kick start our coaching relationship and ensure it continues on a solid foundation.

We also interview two very talented athletes: Ben Pugh and Abbey Pugh, who compete in the Australian Iromman and Ironwoman circuits. We talk about how these two elite athletes from the same family have a vastly different outlook and approach to their sport, to their training and to their competition. Very insightful for all athletes, coaches and parents.

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode Three – Building Confidence and Overcoming Fear

In this episode we seek to understand our emotional monsters.

The majority of athletes would list confidence and fear as the biggest obstacles they come across in their mental game.

Interestingly enough, both confidence and fear are influenced by the same thing: our own imagination.

We explore:

· the most common way we create doubt and how to avoid it through positive feeding of the emotional monster

· the evolution of the imagination and its impact on our referencing so we understand how we create fear in our bodies

· unpacking the mechanics and roots of our fears

· what fear really is and how to use it to our advantage in our training and our competition environment

· how to manage your confidence levels, at any time in order to manage your level of control

· the two initiation points to our fear mechanism and how we manage these

mental debrief exercise to work through competition nerves

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode Two – Dealing with Performance Mistakes

In this episode we tackle the big question: “What do we do when things go wrong?”.

Coaches are often heavily invested in the athlete’s outcome; they’ve spent hours, days, weeks, months, even years sometimes, prepping for one event. So we look at what happens when things don’t go according to plan, and the correction process.

· Learn the 4 step Mental Debrief, a game-changing strategy for getting back on track when performance goes off the rails

· Hear how to avoid the common mistake most athletes, coaches and parents make that guarantees failure

· Discover how to lower your emotional anxiety in less than 5 minutes so you are competition-ready at any time

· Uncover how we make our memories, and how we can use this knowledge to change a past experience for the better

· Learn the most effective way to initiate change in your sporting organisation so mistakes are dealt with in a positive, constructive way

· The importance of setting up effective performance triggers to improve your coaching style

· Uncover a vital skill in communicating with athletes to ensure they will listen and respond to your feedback

For more information on this and other Brain in the Game podcasts and to download the shows transcript, exercises and more go to http://braininthegame.com.au

Brain in the Game - Sport Mind Coaching Podcast: Episode One - Setting and Achieving Goals

Traditionally goal setting has always been in the realm of sport as something that is paramount, but realistically it’s something that we don’t pay enough attention to, we don’t really craft our goals to be successes.

In this first episode we look at how we set and achieve a goal.

We discuss:

how goal setting works on a cognitive and an emotional level
the importance of dopamine and serotonin in this process
the rewards and confidence link

Goals are a really important aspect to making a champion. When we look at some of the best athletes around the world, these are the ones that are striving for very specific outcomes. But goals really are just part of a much bigger picture. As an athlete we’re rarely taught how to set goals, let alone how to set a path and a structure around that goal to make it achievable, to make it motivating and to make it sustainable. So we go into detail on the three key aspects to creating this structure of success:

The reason;
The mechanism; and
The system

We talk about the emotion (the reason) and the rewards (the mechanism) and the goals achieved along the way (through our system) to reach our end objective.

We work through the Smart Mind Institute decision matrix exercise, the structured and accountable blue print to setting and achieving goals.

And, as I’m often asked to work with athletes on confidence issues, I share my whole philosophy around confidence.

Go to our website to sign up for access to the shows transcript, exercise worksheets and more - http://braininthegame.com.au