Sport Psychology Blog for Athletes, Coaches & Parents
Why I’m Hopeful About Woven: IRONMAN’s Plan for Women in Triathlon
IRONMAN's new women's initiative names time, space, and belonging as the problems to solve. Here's what I think they’re getting right, and what I'm hoping for.
The Science of Recovery: Why Rest Days Aren't Enough
You took the rest day, so why don't you feel recovered? Because rest and recovery aren't the same thing, and your nervous system knows the difference.
3 Signs of Performance Anxiety in Athletes (& What Helps)
When training looks great but race day unravels, the problem usually isn't fitness. Here are the three signs your athlete is struggling with performance anxiety, and what actually helps.
Pre-Race Nerves? How to Regulate Your Pre-Competition Energy and Perform Under Pressure
Learn how to regulate your pre-competition energy to find your optimal performance zone. Evidence-based strategies for calming down when you're too hyped and firing up when you're too flat.
HRV for Athletes: The Recovery Data Your Training Plan Is Missing
Your training plan tells you when to run and how hard—but it can't tell you if your nervous system is actually ready. Learn how HRV for athletes reveals the critical readiness data your plan is missing, so you can train smarter and recover better.
Athletic Identity and Mental Health: Why Being More Than an Athlete Protects You
Research shows athletes with exclusively athletic identity experience worse outcomes during transitions, injury, and retirement. Here's what 50 years of science reveals about building resilient, multidimensional identity.
The Pain Cave: How Endurance Athletes Train Their Brains to Handle Pain
You're three miles into a threshold run when it hits. Your legs burn, your lungs tighten, your brain starts bargaining. Welcome to the pain cave. Here's the truth: it never gets easier, you just get better at dealing with it.
How to Build Self-Worth as an Athlete: 6 Research-Backed Steps
Your worth as an athlete isn't tied to your performance. Learn six research-backed steps to build genuine self-worth that doesn't crumble with every setback, complete with practices you can start using today.
Finding Your Why as an Athlete: Beyond Goals & Results
When training feels like checking boxes and you need external validation to feel good about workouts, your 'why' has gotten buried. Learn why athletes with clear values experience greater resilience and long-term adherence to sport.
Embodiment for Athletes: How Listening to Your Body Improves Performance and Recovery
Research shows that elite athletes who develop embodied awareness—the ability to interpret their body's internal signals—perform better under pressure, recover faster, and make smarter real-time decisions during competition.
Why Summer Rest Isn't Optional: A Teen Athlete's Guide to Strategic Recovery
Summer break doesn't mean your training stops—but it should mean your relationship with rest changes. Here's how teen athletes can use summer strategically to prevent burnout and come back stronger.
Women's Sport Psychology in 2026: What the Research Says Is In — and What's Out for Female Athletes
The gap between research and practice in women's sport psychology is wider than ever. After reviewing the latest IOC Consensus Statements and groundbreaking work from Kerr, Mountjoy, and Davenport, here's what needs to shift in 2026.
Performance Anxiety in Athletes: How to Use Fear to Perform Better
For decades, athletes have been told to eliminate fear and anxiety. But what if fear isn't the enemy? Research shows that understanding and working with fear—not against it—leads to better decisions, smarter performance, and sustainable success.
How Different Response Styles Make Your Team Stronger: Understanding Adversity in Sport
External responders think quiet teammates don't care. Internal responders think vocal teammates are angry at them. Here's why both perceptions are wrong—and how understanding response styles makes your team unbreakable.
Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Clutch Performance for Athletes
The difference between clutch performance and choking isn't talent or preparation—it's how you interpret pressure. Learn the four essential ingredients for performing at your best when it matters most.
The Weight of Never Being Enough: A Guide to Perfectionism for Athletes
The feeling of never being enough is a pervasive challenge for dedicated athletes. Discover how to move past perfectionism and build a sustainable, growth-driven approach to your sport.
Self-Compassion for Athletes: How to Silence Negative Self-Talk and Build Mental Resilience
Self-compassion isn't about lowering your standards, it's about treating yourself with the same kindness you'd show a struggling teammate. Learn why self-compassion is essential for sustainable athletic performance and how to practice it.
Building Psychologically Safe and High-Performance Mountain Bike Teams: A Guide for Coaches
Coaching high school mountain bikers is about more than training plans and race results. It’s about creating a team culture where athletes feel safe, supported, and motivated to grow. This guide offers actionable strategies to help coaches foster psychological safety, build resilience, and develop high-performing teams.
Social Media and Athletes: Building Digital Wellness and Authentic Motivation
Social media can inspire athletes or undermine their confidence. This guide explores how to navigate the digital slopes, reclaim your 'why,' and build a healthier relationship with social media.
How Long Does Sport Psychology Take? A Guide to Results
As a dedicated athlete, it’s natural to ask: "How long until I see results?" Understand the factors that influence progress in sport psychology and learn how to take an active role in your mental development for lasting change.