Amy FriendAugust 15, 2016

It’s a rare event for me to turn on the television, but over the last couple weeks I have really enjoyed watching the Olympics. I have been in awe of the performances in all of the sports, but especially the gymnastics. Having grown up in the sport, I remember well the anxiousness and pressure of competition. Balance Beam was my best event; yet, I still had to overcome the nerves that could leave me shaking on an apparatus that is only 4” wide. When I think about what personal coaching has done for me in my life today, I wish this had been an option for me as an athlete when I was competing.

Back to the Rockstar athletes of the 2016 Olympics! You can get lost in marveling at what they can do physically – the speed, the strength, the flexibility, and the endurance! This Olympics I have found the work they do on their mental game to be equally as impressive. Two members of the gold medal winning Women’s Gymnastics team, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez, share openly how they prepare to handle the pressure and expectations that come with being on the world stage. They both work with sports psychologist, Robert Andrews, the founder and director of the Institute of Sports Performance in Houston. A sports psychologist is a coach for the mental and emotional side of athletics. It is the willingness of Biles and Hernandez to be vulnerable and to admit that they may have weaknesses, that has contributed to them being the most consistent gymnasts in the world. The athletes credit their success to the role of mental coaching in their training. Watching Simone excel at these Olympics makes it hard to believe that she struggled with being nervous and anxious at events. Andrews created a methodical plan with Biles and her parents to build her confidence. This really resonated with me as he was creating a circle of support – a community of support. It comes down to believing in yourself and creating partnerships with people to perform at your best. Quoting Robert Andrews, sums it up beautifully, “Belief is powerful. Confidence can get shaken or rattled, but belief is a knowingness in your heart that no matter what, you are great. A wobble on beam might shake Simone’s confidence for a few seconds, but her belief in her ability will remain rock solid.”

In Laurie Hernandez’s case, Andrews says, “She struggled with launching into the next stratosphere of her sport.” Together, they focused on mindfulness which empowers you to respond rather than react to what happens. Hernandez uses “E plus R equals O, or Event plus Response equals Outcome,” Andrews says. “Whatever happens, you choose how to respond, and the more mindful you are, the better choices you make.” Another skill that Andrews taught Laurie was a breathing technique to help her relax before competition. Watching her before an event you may see her place her right hand on her stomach, close her eyes and take a deep breath while whispering, “I got this.”

I have a personal coach. While many people think that I may be on top of the world, my climb has been facilitated by having someone in my life who can guide me through challenges. I have had “help” with focus, building confidence, goal-setting, and, ultimately, being my personal best. My coach has a gift for viewing things in a different light and being able to give you the self-assurance that creates the change. I am a different person today because of it. I have big dreams and I know that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I would have never thought that I could swim from Alcatraz in 53° water! I would have never thought that I could speak in front of a group, but here I am…….. winning!

If you have a personal coach, you are already receiving the benefits that come from having one. And, if you don’t have a coach, consider partnering with a coach to achieve your personal best in health, fitness and in life. You only have one life to live. Make it the best one possible!

Stronger mindset,

Amy