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MENTAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR  ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Into my 34th year as a triathlete, I’m still as passionate about triathlon as I was 34 years ago. I was hooked after my first race which was a Half Ironman as an 18-year-old. A year later I completed my first Ironman. Although competitive by nature, I’ve never considered myself as someone that can be competitive at triathlon, my objective was just to get the best out of myself. Nonetheless, this has contributed to some results I’m proud of, including New Zealand age group team selection, podiums in local, state, and national races in New Zealand, Australia and abroad, and top 10 finishes in age group 70.3 and Ironman’s.

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With this in mind, I’m also passionate about helping people get the most out of themselves. As endurance athletes, we sacrifice a lot of family, work and personal time and money just to make it to the start line. Because of this, I’ve personally experienced the pressure and expectations I’ve put on myself to make it all worthwhile. I’ve also worked with endurance athletes of all levels and abilities from age groupers to elites that also feel the pressure of trying to meet their expectations. Sometimes, after all that hard work and sacrifice, we can let these pressures get to us which can contribute to a DNS or DNF next to our name.

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​​I’ve developed a semi-structured evidence-based program that covers all the areas where endurance athletes have problems with their mental performance and wellbeing. The aim of the program is to equip you with strategies during training and competing for when the mind is starting to take over.   

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Although I am not an accredited sports psychologist, I am a registered psychologist with advanced training in psychology at a Master's level. Through personal experience and by working professionally with endurance athletes, I’ve identified the key mental skills development areas that are often brought up and addressed. These areas include:

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Training:

  • Maintaining motivation.

  • Stress management.

  • Setting realistic expectations.

  • Managing Injuries and setbacks.

  • Managing imposter syndrome, low self confidence.

 

Racing:

  • Managing pre-race anxiety.

  • Panic attacks in the swim.

  • Pain management.

  • Strategies for when things aren’t going to plan physically.

 

Post Race:

  • Race debrief.

  • Managing the post-race blues.

  • Working through disappointment.

 

Consider this for a minute. Take one of the world marathon majors. On the start line are several athletes who all have a pedigree. Between them are previous winners of at least one of the six world marathon majors, and/or have World, Commonwealth and Olympic titles to their name. Each of them can win and are there to win. The separation of physical capability between them is negligible. So, physical capability and technology aside, what is it about the athlete that wins?

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How does it work?

  • You do not have to cover all the key mental skills development areas listed above, just what is important to you. Some athletes have a one off consultation, some have consultations as and when required (usually before a race), some engage frequently medium to long term ( six to ten sessions).

  • Arrange an appointment online for either a in person or video appointment. Each appointment will be for one hour.

  • You will be sent an online intake form which will ask you to briefly describe the area that you would like to work on.

  • Each one-hour session costs $165.00. No Medicare rebates apply.

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Have questions? Please feel free to call me on 07 5471 2179 or email me jay@appliedpsychology.com.au. 

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