Eighty Percent Mental

In this episode, Pete and Leah, are joined by Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Aren Ulmer to explore the significance of identity in sports and exercise, and how our sense of identity impacts performance and well-being. They discuss the importance of holistic development for athletes, and the challenges collegiate athletes face in managing dual identities, how athletes navigate their personal and cultural identities, and the importance of celebrating individual differences. They also explore the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of competitive sports and emphasize the need for preparation and support during this process. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the significance of authenticity and the value of embracing one's true self in various contexts. Follow Aren on Instagram: @arenulmer Find Aren on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aren-ulmer Check out Aren at courtexperformance.com

In this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental podcast, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Head of Women's Performance Psychology at the Football Association, Dr. Kate Hays. We discuss Kate's model for success, outlined in her new book “How to win: Lessons in success from the front line of performance psychology,” which includes understanding oneself, defining purpose, establishing methods, and creating a conducive environment for performance. In this conversation, Kate shares insights from her experiences with athletes and reflects on her personal philosophy and the value of being present in both our professional and personal lives. Check out Kate's website here: https://drkatehays.com/ Find Kate's book here: https://lnk.to/HowToWin

Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington engage with “soon to be Dr” David Smith, to explore the intersection of psychology, exercise, and societal issues. They discuss the transformative power of sport, the importance of community, current societal challenges and the role of resilience in navigating these complexities. In this conversation, David discusses the historical silence of the government during the AIDS crisis, emphasizing the resilience and self-care strategies adopted by the LGBTQAI+ community during that time. He highlights the importance of community support and social connections in overcoming adversity. The discussion then shifts to the current climate regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), exploring its implications and the role of allyship in social movements. Follow David on Instagram: @stonewallperformance @fitwithpride Follow David on YouTube @stonewallperformance Find David on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bttrflyr Check out David's website here: stonewallperformance.com

In this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental Podcast, hosts Pete and Leah and guest Dr Luke Olsson delve into the complex topic of burnout. They explore the differences between stress and burnout, the symptoms associated with burnout, and how it manifests in various professions. The conversation also touches on the individual and environmental factors that contribute to burnout, and the cultural influences that exacerbate the issue. Luke shares insights from his research, emphasising the importance of understanding burnout as a psychological response rather than merely a physical condition. Dr Luke Olsson is a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. His research primarily focusses on ascertaining the key reasons that make an athlete vulnerable to experience burnout as well as quantifying how burnout can influence an athlete including health and performance consequences. Follow Luke on Twitter: @L_F_Olsson

In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, hosts Pete and Leah, along with guest Dr Marina Harris, delve into the complex world of eating disorders. They discuss the definitions of eating disorders versus disordered eating, the impact of diet culture, and the role of social media in shaping body image. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing red flags in eating behaviours, the stigma surrounding eating disorders, the responsibility of coaches and support staff in supporting athletes, fostering healthy relationships with food and how to approach conversations about eating disorders. Dr Marina Harris is a licensed psychologist, performance consultant, and speaker. As a former Division I gymnast, she understands the unique stressors affecting athletes and performers. Her psychology practice, Bloom Psychology Group, offers individual therapy and sport psychology services for perfectionistic high-achievers who want to feel more calm. Follow Marina on Twitter: @DrMarinaHarris Follow Marina on Instagram: @DrMarinaHarris Follow Marina on TikTok: @DrMarinaHarris Check out Marina's website: bloompsychologync.com Explore the book mentioned by Marina, Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/intuitive-eating-4th-edition-a-revolutionary-anti-diet-approach-hillary-huber/16191829?ean=9781250255198&next=t&aid=8537&listref=intuitive-eating&next=t If you feel like you've been impacted by anything in this episode or would like to reach out for help, here are some useful resources: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/eating-problems/treatment-and-support/ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/ https://www.priorygroup.com/eating-disorders/guide-to-uk-free-eating-disorder-helplines https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/international

In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are joined by Director of Culturgen and self-confessed behavioural science nerd, Chris Garrison to explore the Science of Bias. What is cognitive bias? How does it work? What is the impact of our biases on those around us and how can we begin to challenge the biases that we all hold? We discuss all of this and much more in this episode of Eighty Percent Mental. Follow Chris on Bluesky: @chrisgarrison.bsky.social Follow Chris on Instagram:@thecgarrison Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/56314/thinking-fast-and-slow-by-kahneman-daniel/9780141033570    

In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington welcome the President of the International Society of Sport Psychology, Dr Rob Schinke, to the podcast to talk about mental health and about finding ways to harness our gifts and truly live up to our human potential. We discuss Rob's work with with Olympic and professional athletes, his thoughts on Cultural Sport Psychology and his book, “Gifted:8 Steps to Succeeding in Sport, Work, and Life.” Check out Rob's profile here: https://laurentian.ca/faculty/rschinke Follow Rob on Instagram: @robertjschinke Get Rob's book, Gifted, here: https://canada.humankinetics.com/products/gifted

The commercialisation of wellness and wellbeing has led us to the point where everyone has basically gone fucking nuts. With so much crap on the internet, how can ordinary folk spot the snake oil? How can we be more skeptical about the information we're presented with, and how can we be better scientists? In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington talk to Dr Nick Tiller, exercise scientist at Harbor-UCLA, about Bad Science! Dr Tiller is the author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science, a columnist at Skeptical Inquirer magazine, and a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Follow Nick on Twitter: @NBTiller Check out Nick's website: nbtiller.com, where you can buy his genuinely excellent book. And no, we're not on commission!

In this episode of EightyPercentMental, hosts Pete and Leah are joined by Paralympic gold medalist Danielle Brown to talk about the Paris 2024 Paralympics. We discuss standout moments from the Games, the significance of the opening ceremony, and the psychological strategies athletes use to cope with pressure. In this conversation, Danielle Brown, double Paralympic gold medalist, shares her experiences and insights on the pressures of performance in sports, the identity and recognition of the Paralympics, and the importance of language in discussing disability. She emphasizes the need for a more scientific approach to athlete classification and advocates for the empowerment of female athletes through storytelling. Follow Danielle on Twitter (X): @danibrownmbe Follow Danielle on Instagram: @daniellebrownmbe Check out Danielle's website: daniellebrown.co.uk Find Danielle's book here: https://www.daniellebrown.co.uk/books.html

4.04 – What about my immune system? What is my immune system and why is it so important? In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are joined by immunologist, Senior Lecturer and author, Dr Jenna Macciochi, to explore how the immune system is linked to psychological health. We discuss what our immune systems actually are, what they do (and what they don't do), as well as unpacking some of the barriers to maintaining a health immune system, and discussing the importance of movement. There's so much to learn here! Check out Dr Macciochi's website here: drjennamacciochi.com Follow Jenna on Instagram: @dr_jenna_macciochi Follow Jenna on Twitter: @drjmacc Jenna's book – Immunity: The Science of Staying Well: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/immunity-the-science-of-staying-well-dr-jenna-macciochi?variant=32560620863566 Jenna's book – Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity: https://www.yellowkitebooks.co.uk/titles/dr-jenna-macciochi/your-blueprint-for-strong-immunity/9781529363623/ Use my special link (https://zen.ai/dd76YpKAh4wE45wmPb_-kam6MT43BY1WpVW5XUuMPaM) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

The Olympic Games wouldn't be complete without an EightyPercentMental Olympic Review and that's exactly what Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are doing in this episode with the help of their guest, Dr Quincy Davis. We talk about highs, the lows, our favourite moments, and of course we dive into the psychology underpinning some of the most memorable performances – and yes that includes the breakdancing. Dr Quincy Davis is an Assistant Director of Counseling and Sport Psychology at Mississippi State University and owns a private practice “Resolute Performance Consulting”. Passionate about all things athlete mental health, mental performance, and overall well-being. Follow Quincy on Instagram: @dr_quincydavis Follow Quincy on Twitter/X: @DrQuincyDavis Connect with Quincy on LinkedIn: Quincy Davis Quincy's Private Practice Website: resoluteperformanceconsulting.com Zencastr is now the all-in-one solution making podcasting easy – it's the ultimate web-based podcasting solution. Use my special link (https://zen.ai/dd76YpKAh4wE45wmPb_-kam6MT43BY1WpVW5XUuMPaM) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  

There's a well-established link between exercise and mental health. In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga and new co-host, Dr Leah Washington explore how and why moving our bodies can be beneficial for our psychological health, but also why it might not be as simple as just moving more! Our guest this episode is Dr Hillary Cauthen, a clinical sport psychologist based in Austin TX, and Co-Founder of Texas Optimal Performance & Psychological Services. Her work in high performance environments is breaking down stigma across communities which is highlighted in her book, “Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate.” Follow Dr Cauthen on Twitter: @TOPPSTIP Check out Hilary's website here: hillarycauthen.com Get Hilary's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Trauma-Our-Invisible-Teammate/dp/B0CPN9KRVT/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&&qid=1702231223&&sr=8-1

Welcome to the brand-new series of EightyPercentMental, the podcast all about the psychology of sport and performance. Only… it isn't just about sport and performance anymore, because in this series, we're going to explore how psychology is important in exercise, health, and wellbeing, and how we can apply this to our everyday lives! Is exercise really good for my mental health? What's the link between my immune system and psychological wellbeing? How can I start doing difficult things and keep going? In this first episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and new co-host, Dr Leah Washington, speak to their expert guest, sport and exercise psychologist in training, and fitness coach, Clara Swedlund about all things motivation. What gets in the way when we try to change our habits? Why are values important to setting goals? Which way up should our cups go in the cupboard? This was such a valuable conversation and a great way to kick off Series 4 of the 242nd most popular sports podcast in Costa Rica! Follow Clara on Instagram: @clara_theexerpsych Follow Clara on Twitter: @ceswedlund Check out Clara's website: theexerpsych.com

Sometimes the transition out of sport can be easy, a natural progression to the next stage of an athlete's life. Sometimes it can be an intensely difficult and painful experience.  Sometimes, ending an athletic career can be a deliberate choice, other times it's forced upon an athlete through injury, or changing circumstances. In the final episode of this series, Dr Pete Olusoga explores The Psychology of The End with two very special guests, Psychologist and Director of NBA Mind Health, Dr Kensa Gunter, and Senior VP and Head of NBA Player Development, Jamila Wideman. We discuss Jamila's own playing career (drafted 3rd overall in the inaugural WNBA draft) and her own transitions in and out of sport, and Dr Gunter offers her insights from a psychological perspective on overcoming the challenges of bringing an athletic career to a close. It's such an honest and truthful conversation and a wonderful way to bring this series to an end. Enjoy! Follow Dr Kensa Gunter on Twitter: @DrKensa Check out Kensa's website here: drkensagunter.com Connect with Jamila Wideman on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamila-wideman-503849133/

There's no denying the strategy, the undeniable levels of skill, and the precision involved in American Football, but it's also a sport, a little like rugby, where a good part of your time is spent picking yourself up off the floor after being knocked on your ass. In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga explores the psychology involved in collision sports. What are the unique mental challenges of taking (or dishing out) massive hit after massive hit? Joining Pete on this episode are special guests, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being at the University of North Carolina, Dwight Hollier, and Performance Consultant and Therapist, Dr Adrian Ferrera. Follow Dwight Hollier on Twitter: @Dfin50 Check out Dr Ferrera's website:dradrianferrera.com Follow Dr Adrian Ferrera on Twitter: @dradrianferrera Follow Dr Adrian Ferrera on Instagram: @dradrianferrera Follow Dr Ferrera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ferrera-phd-lpc-8a01724a/

Earlier this series (Episode 3.13), Dr Pete Olusoga spoke to  Laura Langton and Kit Windsor, from Team Ace of Blades, just before they set off on their quest to row across the Atlantic. Along with the other two members of the crew, Lizz Watson and Beth Motley, they set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 13th December, 2023. Forty-seven days later, they rowed their 25ft boat into English Harbour in Antigua having successfully navigated all 3000 miles of the World's Toughest Row. In this extra-special episode of EightyPercentMental, Laura, Kit, Lizz, and Beth are all here to talk about their incredible achievement, their magnificent voyage, and of course, about the role that psychology played on their adventure. Visit Team Ace of Blades: teamaceofblades.com Donate to the Team's incredible charities: teamaceofblades.com/charities Follow Team Ace of Blades on Instagram: @teamaceofblades Follow the team on Twitter: @TeamAceOfBlades Finish Line Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmWOcfUsQss

Ever fancied strapping yourself to a plank and throwing yourself down a snowy mountain? In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga explores The Psychology of The Slopes with snowboarding legend, Stevie Bell, and the Founder of the Mental Performance Center for Action Sports, Alēc Herbert. Such a great conversation around the mental aspects of action sports, preparation, professionalism, and doing things you immediately regret!   Follow Stevie on Intagram: @steviebell801 Check out Stevie's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwGRWqUsePRplN3jh2gFRVw Follow Alēc on Twitter: @MPCActionSports   Check out these incredible organisations: https://www.hoodstowoodsfoundation.org/ https://www.shredfoundation.org/ https://stoked.org/ https://sharewinterfoundation.org/ https://yeskids.org/ https://www.snowdaysfoundation.org/ This the National Brotherhood of Skiers, it is a community-based organization for adult or already avid riders.  https://www.nbs.org/

Experiencing pressure is something we can all identify with. In this episode of the EightyPercentMental podcast Dr Pete Olusoga talks with Sport Psychologist and UK Sport Institute Technical Lead, Dr Mike Stoker about what exactly pressure is, the impacts that it can have on how we think, feel, and perform, and how Pressure Training can help us manage pressure more effectively. Follow Dr Mike Stoker on Twitter: @DrMikeStoker Find Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mike-stoker-01795330/?originalSubdomain=uk Read Mike's research here on Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mike-Stoker

In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Dr Mark O'Sullivan for a deeply insightful conversation on youth sport. We talk about the nature and evolution of coach education and the impact on coaching practice in youth sport, and we discuss the very purpose of youth sport itself. Who is it for? What is it for? And how does that impact on the kids who want to play! Follow Mark on Twitter: @markstkhlm Read Mark's latest research article here: There is no copy and paste, but there is resonation and inhabitation: Integrating a contemporary player development framework in football from a complexity sciences perspective https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2023.2288979 Salisbury Rovers FC website: salisburyroversfc.co.uk Use my special link https://zen.ai/dd76YpKAh4wE45wmPb_-kVRBGiP1M1BJtj4QQTIJdY8 to save 25% on your first order at wearewild.com.

After taking a few weeks off Dr Pete Olusoga is back with another episode exploring the psychology of performance. We've had actors, singers, dancers, strength athletes, coaches, speed demons, and endurance masters on the podcast this series, but one thing we haven't really considered yet this series is the psychology of The Team. How do we get a group of individuals to start performing as a high functioning team? Do we need to get along to survive? Is it all about the job at hand? What are the factors that bring people together to work as an efficient unit? Dr Pete explores all this and more with Performance Psychologist, Dr Alex Auerbach, and Coach to the coaches, Cody Royle. Follow Alex Auerbach on Twitter: @AlexAuerbachPHD Follow Cody Royle on Twitter: @codyroyle Buy Cody's book - Second set of Eyes: codyroyle.com Visit Alex's blog… perform.substack.com Cody's album recommendation: Wolf Mother by Wolf Mother Alex's album recommendation: DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar Use my special link https://zen.ai/dd76YpKAh4wE45wmPb_-kVRBGiP1M1BJtj4QQTIJdY8 to save 25% on your first order at wearewild.com.

It's brutal. It's violent. It's two people trying to hit each other until one of them can't hit back any more… but it's a sport that has always had, and still has, huge appeal.  What is it that makes athletes want to take up boxing in the first place? What kind of mindset does it take to get in the ring? What are the mental skills and strategies that might help prepare an athlete to compete in a sport like this? Which is the best Rocky film? Dr Pete Olusoga explores all of that and more in this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental podcast, alongside pro boxer, Jordan “The Thrill” Gill, and Strength & Conditioning Coach and Co-founder of Boxing Science, Danny Wilson. Two guests who, between them have an absolute ton of experience in the fight game, although in slightly different roles, which made for a fascinating insight into the Psychology of The Fight.  Follow Jordan Gill on Instagram: @itsjordangill  Jordan Gill: Next Generation: @jgnxtgen  Follow Danny Wilson on Instagram: @wilson_boxingscience  Follow Boxing Science on Instagram: @boxingscience  Check out Boxing Science here: boxingscience.co.uk 

If you're nervous about flying, imagine the nerve required to fly a 25ft plane through a 30ft window at 250mph. In this episode of EightyPercentMental Dr Pete Olusoga speaks with veteran Red Bull Air Race competitor and champion aerobatics pilot, Mike Goulian, and gets the perspective of veteran Mental Performance Coach, Dr Adam Naylor, on the psychology underpinning some of Mike's most memorable performances. This really is theory to practice at its best as we discuss precision, focus, acceptance, team culture, golf, and screaming in cars, and how Mike and Adam formed an incredible partnership to achieve excellence in the skies. Follow Mike Goulian on Instagram: @mike_goulian Mike's website: mikegoulian.com Mike Goulian Aviation: mikegoulianaviation.com Follow Dr Adam Naylor on Twitter: @ahnaylor

In this episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga talks to Kit Windsor and Laura Langton, exactly 50% of Team Ace of Blades, the all-women crew set to row (and definitely not sail) unsupported across the Atlantic in December 2023. Laura and Kit talk about the mental challenges of being on the waves for over a month, the mental preparation that's going into such a huge undertaking, their hopes and fears, and the very real possibility of a Marlin sticking its nose where it's not wanted.   Find out more about the team, the charities they're supporting, and how you can support them, including contributing to their epic, 3000-track playlist, by going to www.teamaceofblades.com   Follow the team on Twitter: @TeamAceOfBlades  Follow the team on Instagram: @teamaceofblades  44cf1f53a7707284e80eec84c92197cedd93dbe7

If you haven't seen Netflix's Physical 100, then you're missing out! One hundred contestants in top physical shape compete in a series of gruelling challenges to claim the honour – and cash prize – as the last one standing. The challenges required strength, skill, stamina, but also a tremendous amount of mental effort. For this special episode, Dr Pete Olusoga managed to grab an interview with one of the contestants, the one and only Miracle Nelson, about his mental approach to the competition, and his journey form Nigerian dance competitions to Korean Netflix shows!  Follow Miracle on Instagram: @itz_mkay  Follow Miracle on YouTube: @Nelsonmiracle_  Follow Miracle on Tiktok: @Nelsonmiracle 

In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga explores the Psychology of The Student Athlete. How do high-school, college, and university students balance studying with sports while trying to make it as an athlete, pursue excellence in academics, all while going through a pretty intense period of personal growth and self-discovery?  To find out, Pete talks with Dr Duncan Simpson, Director of Personal Development at IMG Academy in Florida, Coach Weylu Chang, head of boys' tennis at the Academy, and Atakhan Karahan, up-and-coming tennis star from Turkey and IMG student-athlete.  Dr Duncan Simpson on Twitter: @SportPsychDunc  IMG Academy website: imgacademy.com  IMG Acedemy Remote Mental Performance Coaching: www.imgacademy.com/plus  IMG Academy Personal Development: imgacademy.com/boarding-school/personal-development 

In this episode of the #EIghtyPercentMental podcast, Dr Pete Olusoga talks with International Weightlifter and multiple British record holder, Jenny Tong about the Psychology of Strength. Just a great conversation about identity, motivation, confidence, and whether toilet paper should go over or under.   Jenny Tong is a GB International Weightlifter, multiple British record holder and BWL Pathway and National Youth Coach. She also has Master's degree in Law from York University, works as a Pathway Coach, runs Sheffield's award-winning weightlifting club, and is Non-executive Director for Athlete Experience at British Weightlifting. Jenny Tong on Twitter: @JennyT_811  Jenny Tong on Instagram: @jennyt811 

There is a long history of sports leading the way on a number of different social issues. For decades, our sporting heroes have been torn down, vilified, and ostracised for standing up for what they believe in and fighting for issues that go beyond the sports arena. While some people were supportive when Gary Linker spoke out about the government's asylum policy in 2023, others were quick to roll out the old trope that sport and politics don't mix. But sport and politics do mix. So the conversation about sport and social justice is an important one.   In this episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga talks with Amna Abudllatif and Shaista Aziz, two-thirds of the award winning Three Hijabis who launched a petition last year in the wake of the Euro finals to ban racists from football. Also joining the conversation about the importance and the power of sport in social change is Lecturer and researcher in Exercise Physiology and Strength & Conditioning, Dr John Fernandes, who is well known for his anti-discrimination work in academia and sport.   Amna Abdullatif on Twitter: @AmnaAbdul1983  Shaista Aziz on Twitter: @shaistaAziz  The Three Hijabis on Twitter: @THijabis  The Three Hijabis website: www.threehijabis.com  Dr John Fernandes on twitter: @DrJFTFernandes 

Success and winning are often thought of as synonymous, but if you're not first, does that really make you last? We live in a society that is constantly trying to sell us a very specific version of what success should look like and in this fascinating episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Olympic rower, author, and speaker, Cath Bishop, world-leading trampoline coach, Paul Greaves, and Sport & Exercise Scientist, Sidd Sampla, to explore what success really means and how we can start to think about success differently in a world where results really do matter.  Cath Bishop is an Olympic rower, former British diplomat in the Foreign Office, now a leadership and culture coach working in organisations inside and outside sport, and author of ‘The Long Win: The Search for a Better Way to Succeed', Paul Greaves is a world leading Trampoline coach with a career spanning over 20 years. He has produced athletes to represent Great Britain on the world stage, including the current World and European Champion and Double Olympic Medallist Bryony Page. Siddarth Sampla is a BASES Sport & Exercise Scientist specialising in Psychology. Currently working within motorsport at Izone Peformance (based at Silverstone) supporting drivers with the mental side of the sport Cath Bishop on Twitter: @thecathbishop More about Cath: cathbishop.com The True Athelte Project: thetrueathleteproject.org Paul Greaves on Twitter: @paulgraves01 Sidd Sampla on Twitter: @PsychSidd To Thrive, visit yourcareer-blueprint.com/thrive

What a special episode this is! Dr Pete Olusoga is joined for a fascinating conversation on the psychology of performance by the queen of British soul, Beverley Knight, MBE. An awarding winning recording artist and musical theatre actress, Beverley has been a mainstay of British and world music scene for over two decades and offers some intriguing insights into the world of performance. Also appearing in this episode, and bringing a psychological perspective is Dr Kaori Araki, chief Sport and performance psychology consultant at CORAZON Co., Ltd. Kaori is a retired professor and taught sport psychology in Singapore and Japan for 18 years, and worked alongside Eddie Jones during Japan's infamous 2015 Rugby World Cup run. This one was such a pleasure to record and hopefully you'll enjoy listening!  Beverley Knight on Twitter: @Beverleyknight  Beverley Knight website: beverleyknight.com  Beverley Knight on Instagram: @beverleyknight  Dr Kaori Araki on Twitter: @arakikaori  Dr Kaori Araki on Research Gate: researchgate.net/profile/Kaori-Araki 

The stars are out as Dr Pete Olusoga explores the psychology of stage and screen with the wonderful British actor (and Coronation Street veteran), Shobna Gulati. Joining them is Psychologist and Lecturer at Lancaster University, Dr David Tod, for a fascinating conversation about the psychology of acting. What are the mental processes involved in preparing for and taking on an acting role? How can performers manage the intense scrutiny that goes with their jobs? Find out, in this brilliant episode of EightyPercentMental.  Shobna Gulati on Twitter: @ShobnaGulati  Shobna Gulati on Instagram: @shobnagulati  Contact Dr David Tod: d.tod1@lancaster.ac.uk 

Eighty Percent Mental host, Dr Pete Olusoga, attended the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. As well as winning an award for Distinguished Public Communication, Outreach, and Awareness for producing this very podcast, Dr Pete spent time talking with conference attendees, including the one and only Professor Bob Weinberg (of Weinberg & Gould fame!), about the latest research, techniques, and approaches in the world of sport and performance psychology. Also featuring in this episode: Duncan Simpson, Director of Personal Development at IMG Academy, Dr Amber Shipherd from Texas A&M University Kingsville, Dr Adam Naylor, Leader of Performance Psychology at Deloitte, and a bunch of other amazing people!  Duncan Simpson on Twitter: @SportPsychDunc Dr Amber Shipherd on Twitter: @DocShipherd Dr Adam Naylor on Twitter: @ahnaylor Visit the AASP Website: appliedsportpsych.org

Continuing the mission to explore the psychological aspects of performance, Eighty Percent Mental host Dr Pete Olusoga explores ‘The psychology of... Speed' with two-time World Superbikes Champion, James Toseland. Also featuring Sport Psychologist, Shameema Yousuf, this episode explores the motivation, the risk, the psychological skills involved in going really, really fast!  James Toseland on Twitter: @JamesMToseland  Toseland Music: toselandmusic.com  Shameema Yousuf on Twitter: @Empower2Perform  Shameema's website: empower2perform.com   

In this episode of EightyPercentMental, Dr Pete Olusoga gets to grips with ‘The Psychology of... Dance' with Kit Holder, First Soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Dr Sanna Nordin-Bates, Associate professor in sport psychology, at the Swedish School of Sport & Health Sciences in Stockholm. What are the mental challenges involved in such a creative art form? Find out in this inspiring episode of EightyPercentMental.  Kit Holder has been a professional ballet dancer for over 20 years, touring throughout the UK and internationally. He has also choreographed professionally and holds a Master's Degree in Choreography. In additional to his work in dance he is now in the final year of an undergraduate degree in Psychology.    Dr Sanna Nordin-Bates is a Chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society, teaches performance psychology to athletes and coaches, dancers and teachers, and is a world-leading authority on the psychology of dance  Kit Holder on Twitter: @KitHolder  Dr Sanna Nordin-Bates on Twitter: @DancePsychSanna  Check out Sanna's new book: https://us.humankinetics.com/collections/vendors?q=Sanna%20Nordin-Bates 

This episode is pure gold. With the help of two special guests, Coach Marc Steutel and Dr Kristen Dieffenbach, Dr Pete Olusoga investigates ‘The Psychology of... The Coach'. How do coaches incorporate sport and performance psychology into their coaching? How can coaches be vulnerable and authentic in their practice? How can psychologists and coaches work most effectively together? All of this and more is discussed in what turned out to be an incredible conversation.   Coach Marc Steutel is the Lead Assistant Coach for the Great Britain Senior Men's National Team and Head Coach of the Newcastle Eagles, one of the most successful franchises in the history of British Basketball. Dr Kristen Dieffenbach knows more about the psychology of coaching than just about anyone on the planet. She is the president of the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) and serves on the research committee for the International Council on Coaching Excellence (ICCE). Dieffenbach's areas of teaching, research and consultancy expertise include coaching education, professional issues in coaching, ethics in coaching, and performance enhancement  Coach Marc Steutel on Twitter: @steutel10  Newcastle Eagles: newcastle-eagles.com  Dr Kristen Dieffenbach on Twitter: @DrDCoachScience  Dr Kristen Dieffenbach @ WVU: appliedcoaching.wvu.edu/faculty/kristen-dieffenbach 

Welcome back to Series 3 of Eighty Percent Mental. In this series (or season if you're American), Dr Pete Olusoga is going to explore some different areas of performance – and not necessarily just sport performance. In this first episode, Dr Pete talks to endurance athlete, Greg Hewitt, and Sport Psychologist, Dr Amy Whitehead, about The Psychology of Endurance. Why do people put themselves through the pain of ultra-marathons, adventure races, and ironman triathlons? What are the psychological skills, strategies, and attributes that help get athletes through a race that lasts a full week or more? Find out in this episode of The Eighty Percent Mental Podcast. Dr Amy Whitehead on Twitter: @A_whitehead1 Greg Hewitt on Instagram: @greghewitt_._

In this Super Special Winter Olympic Review, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Dr Chelsi Day, Sport Psychologist at ‘The' Ohio State University, and Dr Leah Washington, resident Olympic Superfan and professor of sports medicine and sport psychology to talk about the ups, downs, ins, outs, and triple Salchows of the Beijing 2022 Winer Olympics. From drug…Read more →

In this Super Special Winter Olympic Review, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Dr Chelsi Day, Sport Psychologist at ‘The' Ohio State University, and Dr Leah Washington, resident Olympic Superfan and professor of sports medicine and sport psychology to talk about the ups, downs, ins, outs, and triple Salchows of the Beijing 2022 Winer Olympics. From drug scandals to ‘minor' broken necks, and managing the post-Olympic comedown, this episode has a little bit of everything. Make sure you stay tuned to the end to find out how Leah is going to save the Olympics!   Oh, and dog sledding was a demonstration event in the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. So now you know.  Dr Chelsi Day on Twitter: @sportpsychmind  Dr Leah Washington on Twitter: @Leah_SportPsych  Ryan Cochran's minor broken neck: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKZmqkKI3LZ/?utm_medium=copy_link  Article on the Czech Republic Women's Ice Hockey team: https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/interview-czech-republic-womens-ice-hockey-team  Burn it All Down Podcast: The Figure Skating Fiasco: https://www.burnitalldownpod.com/episodes/238 

A ‘win at all costs' culture can make it almost impossible for people in high-performance environments like sport to show any sort of vulnerability, to concede that pressure takes a toll, to admit that they are not in fact superhuman. But many sports performers are beginning to change this narrative. In the final episode of…Read more →

A ‘win at all costs' culture can make it almost impossible for people in high-performance environments like sport to show any sort of vulnerability, to concede that pressure takes a toll, to admit that they are not in fact superhuman. But many sports performers are beginning to change this narrative. In the final episode of Series 2, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by expert guests, Shakiba Moghadam and Dr Paul Gorczynski, for an open and honest conversation around mental health and well-being in sport   Shakiba Moghadam is a doctoral student focusing on the mental health literacy of women rugby players. She has a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology and is the co-owner of Move Training Centre, a private Training facility in Southampton.   Dr Paul Gorczynski is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth and an HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist. Paul was an expert member of the IOC consensus statement on mental health in elite athletes and is the co-author of the BASES Mental Health in Sport and Exercise psychology units.  Shakiba Moghadam on Twitter: @ShakibaMoghadam  Dr Paul Gorczynski on Twitter: @PaulGorczynski 

At the start of Series 2, we ran a poll to find the Greatest Sports Movie of All Time… The Movie GOAT. Somehow, Remember the Titans won… still not sure how that happened, but pretty sure it's your fault. Anyway, in this episode, Dr Pete is joined by Dr Meghan Halbrook, Dr Tammy Sheehy, and…Read more →

At the start of Series 2, we ran a poll to find the Greatest Sports Movie of All Time… The Movie GOAT. Somehow, Remember the Titans won… still not sure how that happened, but pretty sure it's your fault. Anyway, in this episode, Dr Pete is joined by Dr Meghan Halbrook, Dr Tammy Sheehy, and (not the first) returning guest, Todd Cauthorn, to discuss what we can learn from some of the great sports movies out there… and maybe more importantly, which is the Movie GOAT! Dr Meghan Halbrook is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, an Assistant Professor in Sport and Exercise Studies ,and the Director of the MA in Coaching and Sport Leadership Program at Randolph College. Dr Tammy Sheehy, originally from New Zealand is an Assistant Professor at Bridgewater College where she directs the coaching minor and teaches classes in coaching and sport psychology. Todd Cauthorn, from Roanoke Virginia, played basketball at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and then had stops playing pro basketball in Austria and Belgium on his way to playing for the Sheffield Sharks for 12 seasons. Dr Meghan Halbrook on Twitter: @Mkhalbrook Dr Tammy Sheehy on Twitter @TLSheehy Todd Cauthorn on Twitter: @ToddCauthorn

From diving to doping to serious crimes, hardly a day goes by without an athlete getting themselves into some sort of trouble. In this episode Dr Pete is joined by Sport, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Dr Mitch Abrams, and Assistant Professor of sport and exercise psychology at Georgia Southern University, Dr Megan Byrd, to ask: do we deserve…Read more →

From diving to doping to serious crimes, hardly a day goes by without an athlete getting themselves into some sort of trouble. In this episode Dr Pete is joined by Sport, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Dr Mitch Abrams, and Assistant Professor of sport and exercise psychology at Georgia Southern University, Dr Megan Byrd, to ask: do we deserve better from our sporting heroes? We talk about whether or not sport is inherently “good”, whether athletes should be role models, organisational deviance, and a whole lot more in this fascinating episode of Eighty Percent Mental  Mitch is an expert in anger, violence and trauma, specifically as it presents in the sports world. Besides writing Anger Management in Sport in 2010, he also is the Chief Psychologist in the prison system in New Jersey, where he has worked for the past 21 years. Megan is a certified mental performance consultant and the co-director of mental performance for South Georgia Tormenta FC.    Trigger Warning: This episode contains non-detailed references to sexual assault and rape. If you are in any way affected by the content of this episode, you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre at https://rapecrisis.org.uk for information and support.  Dr Mitch Abrams on Twitter: @MitchAbramsPsyD  Dr Megan Byrd on Twitter: @Megan_Byrd23  AASP Website: https://appliedsportpsych.org 

The conversation should always be about more than just sport. In this EPM Special, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by organisational psychologist and best-selling New York Times author, John Amaechi OBE, for an honest and inspiring conversation about racism, anti-racism, and what we all could or should be doing to make our communities fairer for everybody.  …Read more →

The conversation should always be about more than just sport. In this EPM Special, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by organisational psychologist and best-selling New York Times author, John Amaechi OBE, for an honest and inspiring conversation about racism, anti-racism, and what we all could or should be doing to make our communities fairer for everybody.   John Amaechi OBE on Twitter: @JohnAmaechi  APS Intelligence Website: www.apsintel.com  Read John's new book: The Promises of Giants

Dr Pete and Hugh Gilmore (featuring in his penultimate episode) investigate how we might bring psychology into the weight room. Lead Strength and Conditioning coach at Sheffield Hallam University, Dave Hembrough, and ALTIS Programs Director and Performance Coach, Nick Ward, discuss the mental challenges they encounter, their use of psych ‘skills', and what they wish they'd known about…Read more →

Dr Pete and Hugh Gilmore (featuring in his final episode) investigate how we might bring psychology into the weight room. Lead Strength and Conditioning coach at Sheffield Hallam University, Dave Hembrough, and ALTIS Programs Director and Performance Coach, Nick Ward, discuss the mental challenges they encounter, their use of psych ‘skills', and what they wish they'd known about the mental side of performance when they started their coaching journeys. This one is not to be missed!  Dave Hembrough on Twitter: @dwhembro  Nick Ward on Twitter: @coach_nickward  Altis World Website: www.altis.world 

When words like diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness are mentioned, they're often met with a mix of confusion, defensiveness, and responses like “well I just treat everyone the same, I don't see difference.” In this episode Dr Pete is joined by Dr Ale Quartiroli and Shameema Yousuf to talk about the need for Cultural Awareness, and the importance of…Read more →

When words like diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness are mentioned, they're often met with a mix of confusion, defensiveness, and responses like “well I just treat everyone the same, I don't see difference.” In this episode Dr Pete is joined by Dr Ale Quartiroli and Shameema Yousuf to talk about the need for Cultural Awareness, and the importance of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the spaces that we work in. Sometimes in life, you have to just go with what you've got. So that's what we've done with this Director's Cut version of this episode. Enjoy! Dr Ale Quartiroli on Twitter: @AQuartiroli Shameema Yousuf on Twitter: @Empower2Perform Shameema's website: empower2perform.com Watch John Amaechi explaining privilege here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrvkbqt

Less than a week after the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 2021 Olympics, Dr Pete and Hugh are joined, once again, by Dr Chelsi Day, Sport Psychologist at ‘The' Ohio State University, and Dr Leah Washington, a professor of sports medicine and sport psychology, to chat about literally everything that happened at the Games. We discuss our favourite…Read more →

2.08 – EPM Special: Pete & Hugh's Olympic Review Less than a week after the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 2021 Olympics, Dr Pete and Hugh are joined, once again, by Dr Chelsi Day, Sport Psychologist at ‘The' Ohio State University, and Dr Leah Washington, a professor of sports medicine and sport psychology, to chat about literally everything that happened at the Games. We discuss our favourite moments and yours, the twisties, the impact of the new sports, and the need for more sparkles all round… and a whole lot more too. Enjoy! Dr Chelsi Day on Twitter: @sportpsychmind Dr Leah Washington on Twitter: @Leah_SportPsych Dr J Bennett:The Psychology of the Yips and Lost Move Syndrome in Sport: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/20626/1/10701273.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1hHlSoonsNBF4XnIWknyYyUByrHNOlrBHn7Zd8CeC0FUMa_tONoTBP8HU Dr Marina Harris:Simone Biles and Team USA Redefine Mental Toughness: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/letters-your-therapist/202107/simone-biles-and-team-usa-redefine-mental-toughness