Sport Psychology Blog for Athletes, Coaches & Parents
5 Daily Habits That Raise (or Wreck) Your HRV
Your HRV is a dashboard light for your nervous system. Here are five everyday habits that quietly raise it, or quietly wreck it.
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.
Managing Parental Pressure in Youth Sports: A Parent's Guide
Your athlete's coach sees something you might not: how your well-meaning support can inadvertently add pressure. Discover what coaches wish they could tell you about post-game conversations, parental anxiety, and supporting your competitive athlete without sacrificing their love for the sport.
What is HRV and Why is it The Training Data Your 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 Beyond the Podium: What 50 Years of Research Reveals
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.
Is Your Teen Burned Out or Just Tired? How to Tell and What to Do
Up to 30% of youth athletes experience burnout, but most don't know how to tell if they're actually burned out or just tired. Learn the warning signs, what causes teen athlete burnout, and the five strategies that research shows can help you recover your love for sport.
How Coaches and Parents Can Help Athletes Struggling with Self-Criticism | Evidence Based-Strategies
When athletes are harsh on themselves after mistakes, reassurance often fails. Sport psychology research reveals what actually helps, and it's not a pep talk.
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.
Fear Isn't Your Enemy: How Athletes Can Use Fear & Anxiety 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.
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.
Brain Health Is Performance Health: A Call to Action for Healthcare Providers
For female athletes, brain health is the foundation of peak performance. Explore the science, uncover blind spots, and implement actionable strategies to support brain and body health.
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.
Should You Work With a Therapy Intern? Here’s What to Know
Working with a therapy intern might feel uncertain, but it can be a rewarding experience. Learn why therapy interns are well-trained, supervised, and bring fresh perspectives to your care.
Is Your Smartphone Harming Your Sleep—and Athletic Performance?
Your phone might be sabotaging your athletic progress. Learn how blue light and late-night scrolling impact sleep and discover practical tips to reclaim your recovery.
Stop Taking "Deep" Breaths: Why Low and Slow Wins the Race
"Deep breathing" might be sabotaging your recovery. Learn why low and slow breathing is the key to better performance, recovery, and mental resilience.
Burnout, Perimenopause, or Depression? How to Tell and What to Do
Struggling to tell if it’s burnout, perimenopause, or depression? Discover the key differences and actionable steps to take for your well-being.
Training with Complex Health Conditions: A Comprehensive Guide for Endurance Athletes
Athletes with chronic health conditions face unique challenges. This guide offers practical strategies to adapt training, manage symptoms, and build resilience while staying connected to your sport.
Understanding REDS: The Hidden Performance Barrier for Endurance Athletes
REDS, or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, is a hidden challenge for endurance athletes. Learn how to spot the signs, fuel effectively, and protect your performance and health.
A Guide to Body Image and Confidence for College Athletes
The pressure to excel in college athletics extends far beyond the playing field. For many student-athletes, intense scrutiny of their physical appearance can impact performance and well-being. This guide offers strategies to foster positive body image and build lasting confidence.
How Skadi and MCA’s Chill Zone Supports Youth Athletes’ Mental Health
Discover how the Chill Zone, a collaboration between Skadi Sport Psychology and MCA, provides young athletes with emotional support, resilience-building tools, and a safe space to thrive during competition.

