Thr1ve: Recent Episodes

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In this episode, Bestselling Author, International Speaker, and Happiness Coach Andrew Matthews share how our thinking affects our happiness and success.

Main Topics we cover in this episode:

• What is happiness, and why does happiness matters for athletes?
• Is there a correlation between happiness and success?
• How Andrew’s book helped the no. 1 golfer Nick Faldo win the British Open?
• How our thinking affects our reality…
• How you can improve your self-image even when you are not getting the results you desire?
• How do happy people relate to pain, and suffering, and what do they do differently than everyone else?
• How to build better relationships and improve your quality of our life..

Connect with Andrew

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Additional Resources by Andrew Matthews

• Being Happy! by Andrew Matthews
• Follow Your Heart by Andrew Matthews
• Being Happy in Challenging Times by Andrew Matthews
• How Life Works by Andrew Matthews
• Happiness in Hard Times by Andrew Matthews
• Happiness in a Nutshell by Andrew Matthews
• Happiness Now by Andrew Matthews

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In this episode, Bernie Dyme talks about the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for athletes that promotes mental well-being.

Bernie Dyme is the co-founder of Perspectives Ltd, an organization committed to delivering high-quality working environments.

Main Topics we cover in this episode:

• How does mental health relate to sports?
• The advancement of technology, how does it affect the self-awareness of athletes?
• The importance of constructive feedback for an athlete.
• How can an athlete be more open with their issues, without losing their perceived invincibility?
• Ways to encourage a struggling athlete.
• The most effective ways to enhance mental health.
• The healthy way of expressing anger and how important it is?
• How to destigmatize players and educate them even at a young age about mental health?
• Mental health first aid - what to look out for personally and externally?

Connect with Bernie

Website | LinkedIn

Additional Resources by Bernie Dyme

• Psychological Safety in the Workplace
• Guide to Setting Healthy Workplace Boundaries
• Mutual Respect at Work
• Talking to Children, Teens, and Young Adults about Traumatic Events
• Collective Trauma and 10 Tips for Coping
• Summer Break Survival: Tips for Parents & Caregivers
• Teenager Summer Job Tip Sheet

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In this episode, world-renowned performance psychologist Jim Loehr shares how the most critical factor in successful achievement, personal fulfillment, and life satisfaction comes from the strength of one’s character. Jim shows us in this episode how character strength can be built in the same way as physical muscle strength, through energy investment.

Guest Bio

Jim Loehr is chairman, CEO, and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, a training company that has successfully utilized energy management technology to improve the productivity and engagement levels of elite performers from the world of business, sport, medicine, and law enforcement for over 30 years. A world-renowned performance psychologist, Dr. Loehr is the author of thirteen books including the national bestseller The Power of Full Engagement. He has also worked with some of the world's most successful athletes, including 17 number ones!

Main Topics we cover in this episode:

• What makes high-performance athletes feel intimately successful?
• Why do athletes need to redefine success and use a “different” kind of scorecard?
• How to shift beliefs around needing to win in order to feel successful.
• How to build character muscles that help you perform better as an athlete and become the kind of person who makes you feel proud.
• What to do when you start losing motivation and begin tanking or sabotaging your career?
• How to handle a panic attack during a performance situation.

Connect with Jim

Website | LinkedIn | Amazon

Additional Resources by Jim Loehr

• The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by James E. Loehr and Tony Schwartz
• Wise Decisions: A Science-Based Approach to Making Better Choices by James E. Loehr and Sheila Ohlsson Walker
• The Power of Story: Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life by James E. Loehr
• Leading with Character: 10 Minutes a Day to a Brilliant Legacy Set by James E. Loehr
• Mentally Tough: The Principles of Winning at Sports Applied to Winning in Business by James E. Loehr and Peter McLaughlin
• The Only Way to Win: How Building Character Drives Higher Achievement and Greater Fulfillment in Business and Life by James E. Loehr

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In this episode, author, coach and speaker Cameron Norsworthy share with us how we can consistently access the flow state in crucial performance situations.

Guest BioCameron Norsworthy is a coach, keynote and TEDx speaker, author, and founder and CEO of The Flow Centre.

Cameron has been a junior British tennis player and was awarded the Outstanding Academic Achievement Prize for reports surrounding flow and performance. Cameron has coached numerous World Champions, leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-profile military personnel.

Main Topics

• What is Flow?
• Why is Flow the key to performing well under pressure?
• How can you enter the flow state in key match moments?
• How does living and competing in flow impact both your performance and well-being?
• Can you be in flow and have ambitious goals?
• What are psychological skills every athlete should master?

Connect with CameronWebsite | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Additional Resources

• The Flow Coach

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In this episode, Helsinki-based writer, editor, and broadcast journalist Katja Pantzar shares with us the Finnish approach to well-being that makes them one of the happiest countries in the world.

Guest Bio

Katja Pantzar is an independent Helsinki-based writer, editor, journalist, speaker, and moderator.

Main Topics:

• What is Sisu?
• Why are Finnish people so happy?
• What are some of the habits that Finnish people do that promote happiness, resilience, and well-being?
• What can athletes learn from the Finnish way of living?

Connect with Katja

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn |

Additional Resources

• Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life by Katja Pantzar
• The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu by Katja Pantzar

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In this episode, best selling author Dan Ariely helps us understand how motivation works, and why conventional pay offs like money and fame often backfire.

Guest BioDan Ariely is a Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight. He does research in behavioral economics on the irrational ways people behave, described in plain language.

His immersive introduction to irrationality took place as he overcame injuries sustained in an explosion. During a range of treatments in the burn department he faced a variety of irrational behaviors that were immensely painful and persistent. He began researching ways to better deliver painful and unavoidable treatments to patients.

Main Topics

• Why do we so often act irrationally?
• How can athletes develop lasting motivation even when they don’t experience the results they desire?
• Why aren’t money status, and fame not great motivational factors, and what is?
• Why do some athletes love pushing their limits and thrive when facing obstacles, while most don’t?
• What can you do as an athlete to enhance your mental well-being?

Connect with DanWebsite | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | TED Talks

Additional Resources

• Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (TED Books) by Dr. Dan Ariely
• Predictably Irrational, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dr. Dan Ariely
• Amazing Decisions: The Illustrated Guide to Improving Business Deals and Family Meals by Dr. Dan Ariely
• The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home by Dr.Dan Ariely
• The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone Especially Ourselves by Dr. Dan Ariely

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In this episode, Garret Kramer shares with us the truly fascinating and profound understanding that can lead a sportsperson, or indeed, anyone, to true wellness and mental health.

Guest BioGarret Kramer is the founder of Inner Sports. His revolutionary approach to performance has transformed the way players, coaches, professional teams, and even parents view the athletic journey. Kramer lectures widely on the states of mind that lead to success on and off the playing field, and he is credited with introducing the principles of the mind.

Main Topics

• Why do so many athletes experience so much stress, anxiety, and depression?
• Do willpower and hustling help athletes compete well?
• How to think about "winning" so it supports performance and wellbeing.
• Why seeking "mental tools and techniques" can backfire.
• Where well-being really comes from.
• Why you don’t need to be in your ideal mental performance state, to compete well.
• What causes an athlete to underperform?

Connect with GarretWebsite | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Additional Resources by Garret Kramer

• The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety by Alan Watts
• The Path of No Resistance: Why Overcoming is Simpler than You Think by Garret Kramer
• Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life

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In this episode, Dr. George Pransky shares with us how we live in the feeling of our thoughts, and that by just understanding this simple truth, we are able to improve our wellbeing and also our performance.

Guest BioDr. George Pransky is one of two founders of a breakthrough approach to human understanding called ‘’The Three Principles’’ that is currently among the fastest-growing methods in the world. He has taught for over forty years to individuals, couples, businesses, and colleagues. Dr. Pransky is the author of The Relationship Handbook and over fifty audio recordings. During his career, he has served on the faculty of three graduate universities including West Virginia University School of Medicine and Michigan State University and that’s No Blarney!

Main Topics

• Where does pressure come from?
• How does ‘’thinking’’ affect the life of an athlete?
• The difference between being ‘’emotionally invested’’ and ‘’involved’’.
• Where does mental wellbeing really come from?
• The easiest way to feel more relaxed and joyful.
• The correlation between self-consciousness and performance.
• How to recover from disappointments.

Connect with GeorgeWebsite | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Amazon

Additional Resources by George Pransky

• The Relationship Handbook: A Simple Guide to Satisfying Relationships by George Pransky
• Life is a Metaphor: Metaphors, Stories, and Musings for the Heart by George Pransky

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In this episode, Dr. David Hamilton shares with us some surprising insights about how being kind to others and ourselves has a positive impact on our wellbeing and performance.

Guest BioAfter completing a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, David Hamilton spent 4 years in the pharmaceutical industry developing drugs for cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Inspired by the placebo effect, and how some people's conditions would improve because they believed a placebo was a real drug, he left the industry to write books and educate people on how they can harness their minds and emotions to improve their mental and physical health.

Dr. David Hamilton is also the author of 11 books where he spends most time writing and teaching people how to improve their self-esteem or to better understand the link between their minds and their health.

Main Topics

• The connection between mental and physical health
• The power of visualizations
• Why “kindfulness” is so crucial for your own well-being.
• Why being respectful towards your opponent will enhance your performance.
• How to express anger.
• How to become kinder towards yourself.
• What kind of self-esteem makes you unaffected by hate comments?
• How to use your body language to affect how you feel when you are competing!
• Doing a 7-day kindness challenge

Connect with DavidWebsite | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Additional Resources

• How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body by David R. Hamilton PhD
• The Little Book of Kindness: Connect with others, be happier, transform your life Flexibound by David R. Hamilton PhD
• The Five Side Effects of Kindness: This Book Will Make You Feel Better, Be Happier & Live Longer by David R. Hamilton PhD
• I Heart Me: The Science of Self-Love by David R. Hamilton PhD
• Why Kindness Is Good For You
• It's the Thought That Counts: Why Mind Over Matter Really Works

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In this episode Martin Turner helps us understand how our irrational thoughts affect our performance and wellbeing, and what we can do about them.

Guest BioDr. Martin J. Turner is an award-winning researcher and practitioner who is most known for his work spearheading the growth of rational emotive behavior theory (REBT) within sports and performance settings. His broad interests are in the effects of stress and adversity on human well-being and performance. Martin holds a Reader in Psychology post at Manchester Metropolitan University and lives in Stoke on Trent, England.

Main Topics

• Why we have harmful and irrational thoughts.
• The 4 beliefs that cause unnecessary suffering
• The 3 questions to help you assess your own thinking.
• How to create a deep philosophical shift that will improve your performance and your well-being.
• How to dispute unhelpful thoughts
• How to reduce anxiety and suffering.
• Why some athletes perform better once they have kids.
• How to access your personal ideal performance state.
• How to eliminate exhausting mental battles

Connect with MartinMartin offers a free way to get your own thinking profile. Learn more here.

Website | Twitter | YouTube | Researchgate

Additional Resources

• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in Sport and Exercise (Routledge Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity)
• Tipping The Balance: The Mental Skills Handbook For Athletes [Sport Psychology Series]

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In this episode, we talk about what it takes to stay confident and motivated in competitive environments, especially when facing harsh criticism and judgement. Natalie shares how winning is nice, but not what matters most….

Guest BioNatalie Glebova is a former Miss Universe (2005) and UN Women advocate, she is very passionate about encouraging young people to build their self-confidence and reach their biggest goals.

Currently, she is a mindset coach, motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, and public figure.

Natalie’s most recent business venture is EMPOWERED – a series of workshops, training courses and seminars to teach young minds valuable skills for living an accomplished and fulfilling life, such as building self-confidence, mastering public speaking, goal-setting, and positive thinking. (EmpoweredClub.com).

Main Topics

• How to handle the day after your breakthrough success.
• How to cope with struggles, like loneliness, depression and jet lag while traveling the world.
• What to focus on so you feel fulfilled and happy, regardless of results.
• How to feel confident and worthy even when things don’t go your way.
• Some of Natalie’s favorite practices to enhance confidence and wellbeing.
• How to handle criticism from the outside world.
• The right mindset to succeed and feel content.
• What to do with negative emotions.
• How to be kinder towards yourself.
• Defining goals that go beyond outcomes and results.
• Hot to build the habit of meditating.

Connect with NatalieWebsite | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Additional Resources

• I Am Winning: A Guide to Personal Empowerment
• The Power of Now, By Eckhard Tolle

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Professional sport is all about results.  Or is it?

Does your happiness depend on how well you do on the field, in the ring or on the court?  

If so, what happens when you don't meet your performance expectation or results, and does your happiness depend on it?

This episode welcomes world renowned Positive Psychology Expert Tal Ben Shahar, who shares his insights and tips to leading a happier life off the field of competition and not dependant on the success on it.

Remember to share, subscribe and review.

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Elite athletes, like the rest of us, suffer from anxiety and panic.

Leading expert Joshua Fletcher explains what anxiety and panic are, where it comes from, and what we can do to overcome them.

Guest BioJoshua Fletcher is a psychotherapist who specializes in working with anxiety and panic disorder.

He is best known as Anxiety Josh across social media and has quickly become a renowned and reputable figure in the industry.

A self-confessed anxiety disorder ‘nerd’, Josh has a deeper level of understanding beyond the textbooks and training. He grew up in Manchester, UK, and was once diagnosed with crippling anxiety; suffering from panic attacks, agoraphobia, health anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), as well as intrusive thoughts, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and all the other ‘stuff’ that comes with a debilitating anxiety condition.

Main Topics

• Why do athletes experience panic attacks?
• How can your anxiety actually help you perform better?
• What should you do if you feel anxious before, during, or after a match?
• What’s the one mindset that will help you untangle anxiety?
• How can you find the balance between feeling pumped up before a match and becoming overly anxious?
• What can you do if speaking to the press makes you feel anxious and uncomfortable?
• What would Josh do if he was called onto a match to assist someone suffering from a panic attack?

Connect with Joshua FletcherWebsite | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Additional Resources

• Anxiety: Panicking about Panic
• Untangle Your Anxiety
• Anxiety: Practical About Panic