There are a lot of resources available to athletes that train at the Olympic Training Center. And because they come at no cost to us, it makes them that much more valuable. One of the greatest, and possibly most overlooked resource, is our very own sports psychologists that help us with the most important part of athletics. That space between your ears has to be given the same kind of attention as all your other training. It took me a long time to realize how important it truly was, but now that I know, I'm one of the biggest proponents.
I used to cringe at the idea of talking about "feelings" and having someone try and pull things out of me while I lay on a couch and reach for a box of tissues while a soothing waterfall babbles in the background. But that's not it at all. Well, at least the type I see. I've been able to be in such better control of what I do and have a better vision of what I'm trying to accomplish, far better than I ever would without this help. I still have a long way to go, but I see the progress I make when I work on training the mental side of my sport with a qualified professional.
The longer I've been seeing him, the more I continue to broaden his uses. Technically, he's a "sports psychologist" but I tend to use him for everything. And that makes sense. Everything that goes on in your life has an impact on how you train, how you prepare for competition, and what kind of emotional state you're in on a day to day basis. Just the ability to talk to someone who is legally bound to not repeat or gossip about anything you tell them is an asset. It's to the point now where I only have to say hello and he can tell that something is bothering me. Then it's only a matter of moments before I'm spilling my guts and that release always feels better, even if all I did was talk about it.
If you're an athlete and you don't talk to a sports psychologist, I would highly recommend it. If it can be worked into the budget I promise you that at times you will find it just as important as your coach, strength coach, massage therapist, and chiropractor... combined. Making one part of your team might just be the best thing you ever did for yourself.
7 comments:
So there's a bit of truth to the saying "brain is the strongest muscle in our bodies"?
Ms. Glenn,
About yesterday's answer to #3.
I disagree.
You are already a success
Bri,
It's funny...I can completely relate to you. It has only taken me, OHHHH 11 years of my career to realize the importance of a sports psychologist. In the past I was reluctant....I figured if I could manage to go from jumping 39' to almost 47' without one, why bother adding one to my support staff. How foolish was I..Little did I know that in order to achieve success within that small % of those actually make history, your career takes a new route to being 80% mental and 20% physical (as opposed 80% physical, 20% mental)...I wish I would have made this revelation sooner! Great posting :)
Herman, you sound a little harsh. I hope for God's sake that you know Brianna very well. I disagree with you in the sense that NOT every Psychologist has a dirty mind or evil motives about their client. I don't think you have been in this type of situation before, and it sounds like you are a little close-minded, and not able to relate to what Brianna is going through.
I hope you will think about this before you post something potentially negative next time. Please read Ms. Welsch's post....
Marc
shak...good thing we found it out at all though, right?!! better late than never. ;)
Is Flowers still at the OTC? When I went there for junior elite camp he was awesome!! Such a wealth of knowledge and even more so being that he was pro for a little bit as a hurdler.
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