What Happens in a Brainspotting Session for Athletes?
A step-by-step look inside a Brainspotting session for athletes: how sessions work, what the gaze work feels like, and what to expect before, during, and after. After reading this article, athletes will have a better understanding of possible outcomes and experiences when using this form of mental training to beat mental blocks such as the Yips or Twisties…
How Do Racecar Drivers Mentally Train To Overcome Qualifying Pressure?
Under qualifying pressure, racecar drivers often tighten up, brake too early, and lose commitment — not from a lack of talent, but because the nervous system shifts into an involuntary stress response. This guide from Charlotte-based Certified Mental Performance Consultant Ben Foodman explains how NASCAR, IMSA, IndyCar, and WRC drivers overcome qualifying pressure using EMDR, Brainspotting, and biofeedback…
Who are the top experts in sport psychology?
The top experts in sport psychology possess the AASP (Association for Applied Sport Psychology) CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) certification and in some instances are also licensed psychotherapists. The truly elite professionals possess additional certification, education, and training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization & reprocessing), Brainspotting, biofeedback & neurofeedback. Learn more in this article…
Sport Psychology Tactics - How Professional Motorsport Athletes Mentally Train Aggression For Focus
When sport psychologists work with professional motorsport athletes, they will typically be tasked with helping these drivers increase aggression and focus. Check out this issue of the Training Report to learn more about effective strategies sport psychologists use when working with racecar drivers competing in events such as the NASCAR cup series or 24 Hours of Le Mans…
Sport Psychology Tactics - Mental Skills Training For Qualifying & Winning Pole Position In NASCAR
One of the most common issues that I run into is when racecar drivers competing in the NASCAR cup series, Xfinity, trucks and WeatherTech Sportscar Championship are trying to find ways to overcome the pressure of qualifying to win pole position. For this issue of the Training Report, I will explore rookie mental tools that have helped many drivers become comfortable with the discomfort of performance pressure during qualifying and also introduce an advanced trick…
A Case Study On Mental Performance Coaching For Racecar Drivers
I wanted to provide a case study on my work with racecar drivers as a mental coach and why this is different than providing mental health therapy to athletes. I will review my mental skills training approaches that I used with a NASCAR Xfinity series driver and how I helped them achieve peak mental performance outcomes…
Sport Psychology Tactics - Why WRC & Rallycross Mental Training Is More Demanding Than NASCAR
NASCAR drivers are some of the most elite motorsport athletes on the planet. But World Rally Championship (WRC) and Rallycross drivers compete in arguably the most mentally challenging motorsport environment and could easily compete in any NASCAR series with the proper training. Learn more about why many of the top sport psychologists view WRC and Rallycross as the most mentally challenging motorsport…
What Are The Mental Training Requirements to be an Elite NASCAR Driver?
When working with NASCAR drivers competing in ARCA, Trucks, Xfinity and Cup series, I have specific mental training approaches I use that are unique to this athlete population. Read more about this NASCAR case study to learn how I utilize the top sport psychology interventions to help these athletes improve focus, increase aggression, develop high quality work ethic, and become an elite motorsport athlete…
How Can Formula One Racecar Drivers Develop Mental Toughness?
Professional racecar drivers are starting to use sport psychology to enhance their overall performance and increase their mental toughness. For this issue of the Training Report we will review some of the new sport psychology interventions motorsport athletes use to accomplish this…
What Modern Mental Skills Training Do Racecar Drivers Use?
Racecar drivers are beginning to work with sport psychologists to enhance their mental performance. However, there are many sport psychologists that still use ‘old school’ mental skills training. For this issue of the Training Report, I want to review the new, cutting edge mental skills training approaches that elite racecar drivers are using…
Mental Health Performance - Strategies Sport Psychologists Use To Help Athletes Overcome Injuries
When athletes experience sports-related injuries, they usually only focus on the physical recovery. However, many athletes are beginning to recognize the importance of mental recovery in order to get back to their baseline performance. This issue of the Training Report will review mental-skills training strategies athletes can use to accomplish this…
Sport Psychology Tactics - Race Car Athletes, Whiplash Syndrome & Aggression Mindset Training
Racecar drivers competing in IndyCar, Rally, and NASCAR cup series will work with exercise physiologists and sport psychologists to improve their performance. One important part of their training involves developing an aggression mindset and overcoming whiplash syndrome. For this issue of the Training Report I want to review how I have helped drivers accomplish this...
Sport Psychology Tactics - How WRC Rally Drivers Train For Mental Stress During Competition
Athletes competing in NASCAR, IndyCar and other motorsports use different methods to enhance their focus. But WRC Rally drivers need to employ the most cutting edge sport psychology tactics. We will review some of those strategies in this issue...
Sport Psychology Tactics - IndyCar Drivers And Mental Training
IndyCar racing is one of the most challenging motorsports series for drivers to compete in. Because the performance demands are so intense, IndyCar drivers need to regularly engage in smart mental training strategies to stay ahead of the competition. For this issue of the Training Report I want to review what those strategies are...
How Do Elite Auto Racers Use Sport Psychology To Achieve Peak Performance?
When auto racers want to enhance their mental training, they will often times work with a sport psychologist or an AASP CMPC. For this issue of the Training Report I want to discuss common mental training strategies racecar drivers use to enhance performance and beat the Yips…
Sport Psychology Tactics - An Expert Cure For Race Car Driver Mental Blocks & The Yips
When race car drivers work with sport psychologists and athlete mental counselors, it is not uncommon for them to try and overcome the Yips. For this issue of the Training Report I want to review mental training approaches professional race car drivers use to beat driver yips…
Sport Psychology Tactics - Why Brainspotting & Biofeedback Enhances Performance Psychology For Racecar Drivers
When racecar drivers competing in NASCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula 1 or other promotions work with sport psychologists, they will focus on using specific tools. For this issue of the Training Report I want to focus on the top 2 motorsport mental training approaches: Brainspotting & Biofeedback…
Sport Psychology Tactics - How Athlete Mental Therapists Use Exercise Psychology To Enhance Motorsport, NASCAR & Racecar Driver Performance
When NASCAR, motorsport & professional racecar drivers work with mental performance therapists, they will use exercise psychology strategies as part of their preparation. For this issue of the Training Report I want to discuss what exercise psychology strategies professional racecar drivers need to be using…
Mental Health Performance - What Athletes Need To Know Part III. ADHD, Autism & Psychological Performance In Sports
Unfortunately, many coaches and sport psychologists do not have a proper understanding of the strengths that athletes with Autism or ADHD bring with them. For this issue of the Training Report I want to review why athletes with these diagnoses are invaluable members of the sports communities and how they bring many strengths with them…
Sport Psychology Tactics - Why Float REST Tanks Help Athlete Mental Recovery
Athletes need advanced recovery methods if they are going to keep up with the competition and obstacles associated with sports. Because Float Tanks are becoming a popular tool that helps athletes with these challenges, I wanted to use this issue of the Training Report to review the science behind float tanks…