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Lily Haverstock
Training Mental Toughness Through Discomfort: A Coach’s Guide to Building Resilient Athletes
In the world of sports, mental toughness is often mistaken for blind grit—“push through the pain,” “no excuses,” “grind harder.” But Steve Magness, a performance coach to Olympians and NBA teams, challenges this outdated mindset. In his book Do Hard…
A New Era of Performance and Well-Being: Mental Health in Athletics
Mental Toughness Has Long Been Celebrated in Sports—But at What Cost? For decades, athletes heard messages like “shake it off,” “grind through the pain,” or “leave emotions at the door.” These mantras encouraged them to ignore their mental health. But…
Mental Health Education in Sport: Strength-Based Approaches
Mental health education in sport often centers on recognizing distress—signs like anxiety, depression, and burnout. While identifying these challenges plays a crucial role, focusing only on deficits can unintentionally frame mental health as fragile—something to protect rather than develop. A…
The Silent Game Changer: Why a Coach’s Body Language Matters
In the fast-paced world of sports, coaches often find themselves communicating under pressure. While words are important, it’s the unspoken cues—the posture, gestures, and expressions—that can profoundly influence an athlete’s mindset and performance. Why Non-Verbal Communication Matters Research shows that…
Motivational Communication: Youth Athletes vs. College-Level Athletes
As a coach, your ability to communicate with your athletes can make all the difference. But here’s the thing: what motivates a young athlete isn’t necessarily going to motivate a college athlete. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to…
Leadership in Action: Everyday Communication
Transformational leadership is not limited to dramatic, high-stakes moments. It often emerges in small, everyday interactions: a coach checking in with an athlete after practice, a captain reinforcing shared team values in a casual conversation, or a teammate offering encouragement…