The podcast features Aaron Walsh, a mental skills performance expert, discussing the importance and integration of mental skills in sports performance. Aaron, with a background in sports and a passion for understanding performance, delves into the mental aspects that differentiate successful athletes from others. His journey, which includes experiences in the US and New Zealand, highlights the significance of mental skills in sports, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Walsh emphasizes that while physical and technical skills are crucial, the mental aspect often becomes the differentiating factor at the highest levels of sport. He categorizes sports into those where athletes initiate movement and those where they respond to it, noting that sports requiring initiation of movement, like golf or penalty kicks in football, have a higher mental demand. Walsh argues that mental skills should be treated like any other skill, with a focus on knowledge, tools, and support for development.
He also touches on the role of mental skills in team environments, stressing the importance of integrating mental skills into coaching, recruitment, and training decisions. Walsh criticizes the common approach of only addressing mental skills when athletes underperform, advocating instead for a proactive and integrated approach.
If you're someone who wants to develop a rounded programme that involves more than just sets and reps, this episode is for you.
Main talking points:
Reflections on working at the biggest clubs in world football with Jack Nayler
#Bitesize - The value of injury screening with Nicol van Dyk
Optimising strength and conditioning for combat athletes with Duncan French, Danny Wilson and Rhys Ingram
Working in women’s football: Injury prevention, game demands and menstrual cycle tracking
Developing a more aggressive approach to hamstring injury rehabilitation with Tim Parham
Maximising the use of asymmetry data for profiling, rehab and fatigue monitoring with Chris Bishop
#Bitesize - Using the anaerobic speed reserve to ”bucket” an athlete group’s conditioning with Phil Scott
Maximising performance, managing fatigue and optimising recovery in American Football with Marc Lewis
How to implement micro-dosing strategies in team sports with Matt Cuthbert
The evolution of American Football training and its impact on all collision sports with Kurt Hester
Using collaboration and smart data collection to enhance the transfer of training with Dan Tobin and Dan Grange
Using a fascia based approach to performance training and rehabilitation with Danny Foley
#Bitesize - ”Activation” sessions - Do they do what we think/hope they do with Tony Blazevich
How to successfully navigate scientific research and apply the information to your athletes with JB Morin
#Bitesize - Working with José Mourinho and providing useful training load insights with Robin Thorpe
The application of isometric strength training and testing: Views of the experts with Alex Natera, Matt Taberner and Danny Lum
Understanding what maximises training transfer through intelligent data collection with Nick Lumley
#Bitesize - How to choose the most effective footwear for injury prevention with Athol Thomson
Being the “manager’s guy” and the realities of losing your job in pro sport with Jordan Milsom
#Bitesize - What is the hype around the knees over toes split squat with Nathan Kiely
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Coach Carvalho Podcast
From Corner2Corner
Golf Podcast: next on the tee
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The MeatEater Podcast