In this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental podcast, Dr Pete Olusoga is joined by Head of Women’s Performance Psychology at the Football Association, Dr. Kate Hays. We discuss Kate’s model for success, outlined in her new book “How to win: Lessons in success from the front line of performance psychology,” which includes understanding oneself, defining purpose, establishing methods, and creating a conducive environment for performance. In this conversation, Kate shares insights from her experiences with athletes and reflects on her personal philosophy and the value of being present in both our professional and personal lives.
Check out Kate’s website here: https://drkatehays.com/
Find Kate’s book here: https://lnk.to/HowToWin
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1:20:52
4.11 - How to deal with... all this shit!
Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington engage with “soon to be Dr” David Smith, to explore the intersection of psychology, exercise, and societal issues. They discuss the transformative power of sport, the importance of community, current societal challenges and the role of resilience in navigating these complexities. In this conversation, David discusses the historical silence of the government during the AIDS crisis, emphasizing the resilience and self-care strategies adopted by the LGBTQAI+ community during that time. He highlights the importance of community support and social connections in overcoming adversity. The discussion then shifts to the current climate regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), exploring its implications and the role of allyship in social movements.
Follow David on Instagram: @stonewallperformance @fitwithpride
Follow David on YouTube @stonewallperformance
Find David on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bttrflyr
Check out David’s website here: stonewallperformance.com
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1:17:19
4.10 - What can we do about burnout?
In this episode of the Eighty Percent Mental Podcast, hosts Pete and Leah and guest Dr Luke Olsson delve into the complex topic of burnout. They explore the differences between stress and burnout, the symptoms associated with burnout, and how it manifests in various professions. The conversation also touches on the individual and environmental factors that contribute to burnout, and the cultural influences that exacerbate the issue. Luke shares insights from his research, emphasising the importance of understanding burnout as a psychological response rather than merely a physical condition.
Dr Luke Olsson is a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. His research primarily focusses on ascertaining the key reasons that make an athlete vulnerable to experience burnout as well as quantifying how burnout can influence an athlete including health and performance consequences.
Follow Luke on Twitter: @L_F_Olsson
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1:07:36
4.09 - Eating disorders and disordered eating
In this episode of Eighty Percent Mental, hosts Pete and Leah, along with guest Dr Marina Harris, delve into the complex world of eating disorders. They discuss the definitions of eating disorders versus disordered eating, the impact of diet culture, and the role of social media in shaping body image. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing red flags in eating behaviours, the stigma surrounding eating disorders, the responsibility of coaches and support staff in supporting athletes, fostering healthy relationships with food and how to approach conversations about eating disorders.
Dr Marina Harris is a licensed psychologist, performance consultant, and speaker. As a former Division I gymnast, she understands the unique stressors affecting athletes and performers. Her psychology practice, Bloom Psychology Group, offers individual therapy and sport psychology services for perfectionistic high-achievers who want to feel more calm.
Follow Marina on Twitter: @DrMarinaHarris
Follow Marina on Instagram: @DrMarinaHarris
Follow Marina on TikTok: @DrMarinaHarris
Check out Marina’s website: bloompsychologync.com
Explore the book mentioned by Marina, Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/intuitive-eating-4th-edition-a-revolutionary-anti-diet-approach-hillary-huber/16191829?ean=9781250255198&next=t&aid=8537&listref=intuitive-eating&next=t
If you feel like you’ve been impacted by anything in this episode or would like to reach out for help, here are some useful resources:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/eating-problems/treatment-and-support/
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/
https://www.priorygroup.com/eating-disorders/guide-to-uk-free-eating-disorder-helplines
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/international
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1:10:31
4.08 - The Science of Bias
In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga and Dr Leah Washington are joined by Director of Culturgen and self-confessed behavioural science nerd, Chris Garrison to explore the Science of Bias. What is cognitive bias? How does it work? What is the impact of our biases on those around us and how can we begin to challenge the biases that we all hold? We discuss all of this and much more in this episode of Eighty Percent Mental.
Follow Chris on Bluesky: @chrisgarrison.bsky.social
Follow Chris on Instagram:@thecgarrison
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/56314/thinking-fast-and-slow-by-kahneman-daniel/9780141033570
If you‘re interested in the mental side of sport performance, this is the podcast for you. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, a sport psychology professional, or even just a sports fan, Dr Pete Olusoga, along with his expert guests, will answer all the questions you could possibly have about the role of the mind in sport performance.
Is there such a thing as a winning mindset and if so, where can I get one? Why do we get nervous, and what should we do about it? What‘s the deal with mindfulness?
In each episode, Dr Pete - with the help of some special guests - will ask and answer questions like these, exploring what the research says, and highlighting lessons from sport psychology that you can use on and off the field.
South Africa