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Mental Skills Development for Endurance Athletes

Into my 34th year as a triathlete, I’m still as passionate about the sport as I was 34 years ago. I was hooked after my first race, a Half Ironman at 18. A year later I completed my first full Ironman.

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Although I’m competitive by nature,  my goal has always been to get the best out of myself. Along the way I’ve had 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 age-group finishes in Ironman 70.3 and full Ironman events.

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As endurance athletes we sacrifice a lot of family, work and personal time (and money) just to make it to the start line. I’ve personally felt the pressure and expectations I’ve put on myself to make it all feel worthwhile, and I see the same pressures in the athletes I work with – from age-groupers to elites. Sometimes, after all that hard work and sacrifice, those pressures can get to us and contribute to a DNS (did not start) or DNF (did not finish) next to our name.

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That lived experience, combined with my training and work as a psychologist, is what I bring to our sessions – practical mental skills and support that fit around real training, racing and life.

Jay Beckley - Ironman Cairns

I’m a registered psychologist with advanced training in psychology at a Master’s level. Through my own racing and my work with endurance athletes, I’ve noticed a number of common mental skills themes that respond well to structured, evidence-based strategies.

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Common Focus Areas

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Training

  • Staying motivated over long blocks of training

  • Managing stress from training, work and life

  • Setting realistic, flexible expectations

  • Coping with injuries and setbacks

  • Navigating imposter syndrome and low self-confidence

 

Racing

  • Managing pre-race nerves and “start line” anxiety

  • Dealing with panic or overwhelm in the swim

  • Working with pain and discomfort in a safe, constructive way

  • Responding when things aren’t going to plan physically (e.g. pacing, nutrition, mechanicals)

 

Post-race

  • Debriefing a race in a balanced, constructive way

  • Managing the “post-race blues” or loss of direction

  • Working through disappointment after a DNF, missed goal or tough day out​

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Mental toughness – In Plain Language

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In the research world, these areas often sit under the umbrella of “mental toughness” – the psychological skills that help athletes stay focused, confident and composed under pressure.

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In our work together, I treat mental toughness as a set of learnable skills and habits, not a fixed personality trait. Not scoring highly on a mental toughness measure does not mean someone is weak; it simply points to areas we can strengthen with practice.

How our work together can look

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You don’t need to cover all of the topics above. We focus on what matters most to you and your current season.

A typical process might include:

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  • Initial consult – we map out your goals, racing calendar and the main mental challenges you’re noticing.

  • Tailored plan – we identify 1–3 priority areas (for example, pre-race anxiety and confidence off the bike) and agree on a short, focused block of sessions.

  • Practical tools – sessions are skills-based. We might use brief questionnaires, race reflections or training logs to help track progress over time.

  • Flexible format – sessions can be in-person on the Sunshine Coast or via secure telehealth, and can be scheduled around training and work commitments.

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Some athletes come for a one-off consultation before a key race; others work with me across a season in a more structured way. We can talk about what’s most useful for you.

Fees

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  • Each 50–60 minute session is $200.00.

  • At present, Medicare rebates do not apply for this performance-focused work.

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If you’re curious about whether mental skills work could help you, you’re welcome to get in touch before booking.

 

Have questions?


You can phone me on 07 5471 2179 or email jay@appliedpsychology.com.au to talk it through.

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