Here are some of the basic things to keep in mind about Emotional Agility (EA):

• Understand that what you are feeling is not WHO you are.

 

• Create a non-judgmental space between you and your feelings. Just like the O-line will defend the QB, creating a pocket of space for the QB to throw, you need to create your own mental pocket of space. Instead of saying "I am pissed off", say "I am feeling pissed off". Adding "I am" may not seem like it is giving you a lot of time or space to pause, but it does. 

 

• You are more than what you are feeling, and you know damn well you will not be feeling that way for the rest of the game or practice, so why give a single emotion that much power over you and your performance? 

 

• Lastly, ask yourself "WTF"? By WTF I mean, "what the actual FUNC?". Do not be afraid of what you are feeling. You have to become curious and question what that feeling is trying to tell you in that moment. What is its function or purpose? Example: "I am feeling so heated right now! What is this trying to tell me right now? Something about it right now has to be important for me to recognize or else this emotion wouldn't be showing up like it is."

You can become your own performance coach if you would just listen to what your mind and body are trying to tell you. You have the power already inside of you. Now go access it! 

I am sharing this video clip for the athlete in the back who may just miss this important message.

I firmly believe that each time an athlete speaks up about mental health, they are helping to lay a foundation, brick by brick for the future of mental and physical wellness in sports. And just in this moment, two successful athletes came together, showing the rest of the world jut how powerful vulnerability and openness about mental health can be. 

This takes good sportsmanship to an entirely new level and I am hopeful for the future of sports and mental health. 

Persons who are clinically diagnosed with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) tend to regulate by doing and/or reacting. To clarify, I am referring to a reaction or behavior that is often done “impulsively” as an effort to decrease symptoms of physical discomfort and irritability (e.g overthinking, worrying, fidgeting, over-eating).
​This is because there is a reduced amount of dopamine in the brain and dopamine production is neither steady or abundant in the synapses that moderate neurotransmitter production.
And so, by reacting through various forms of action, the brain can enjoy a surge of dopamine, an increase in energy that improves attention, and a serotonin-based calming of restlessness.
If you skipped the lecture above and want to get to the summary this is it: The ADD/ADHD brain must work harder to produce the neurotransmitters non-ADD/ADHD brains produce organically.

In the words of Montell Jordan: “This is how we do it”...
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1. Foster the courage and compassion to face your difficult and most challenging emotions.

2. Shift perspective. In other words, zoom out to take in a broader view.
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3. Let go of “being right” and instead, choose curiosity.

4. Identify your why. What are your values?

5. Walk your why. Make daily choices that reflect what matters to you.

6. Grow. Take on challenges that push you to the edge of your ability, even when it’s uncomfortable.

7. Be open to change. Life changes. You change. Know when to grit and when to quit.

In recent news, Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott had the courage to speak openly about his depression and grief. A sports columnist openly dismissed Presscott's vulnerability, going as far to say it weakens his leadership qualities. ESPN anchor, Scott Van Pelt responded to the remarks by using his voice to acknowledge the person behind the helmet who spoke openly and bravely about his mental health and emotional pain. Van Pelt also took the opportunity to use his platform to validate and empower athletes to speak openly about his or her mental health. Thank you Scott Van Pelt for saying what needed to be said. We must continue to build a culture within sports where we can drop the veil of shame in speaking openly about mental health. There is NO shame in mental health. 

Dr. Meghan Braun is a professional athlete, lacrosse coach, and physical therapist helping athletes and people of all ages in Jacksonville, Florida. I loved sitting down with Meghan and having this brief talk on mental health, athletic performance, and reacting versus responding in sports. I am so grateful for professionals like Meghan who are out there helping others achieve and succeed through physical health and wellness. Check out her website when you have a chance and enjoy the video! 
https://www.bodymechpt.com/about-dr-braun

There is a common belief that the only way to improve performance as an athlete is to work harder than the competition. Unfortunately, most athletes will learn the hard way that hard work alone often isn't enough. The high performing athletes that I work with know that the physical side of their performance is just ONE piece of the puzzle. Mental performance is just as important. And as a mental performance specialist, working with my clients' and athletes' mental skills is a critical ingredient in the recipe used to create successful outcomes. I regularly remind my clients' to focus on mastering his or her mindset to unlock true potential. 

Mindset is one of the most important yet most frequently overlooked aspects of performance. But what exactly does mindset mean? Mindset is another way to describe perspective. It is how you perceive your self-image; how you perceive the present moment; and how you view the world. A quote by Charles R. Swindoll describes mindset perfectly: "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes". 

When we are faced with challenges, our mindset will determine how we will respond. In my role as a mental performance specialist, I help my clients' develop strategies to redirect their focus when challenges arise. I work with my athletes' on developing an elite mindset so that they are able to win the game inside their head and ultimately achieve peak performance. 
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Now before you go ahead and start searching the internet for motivational quotes on mindset, I want to stress the importance of recognizing that mental conditioning is a skill that is developed and strengthened over time with consistent, intentional practice. ​

You have to be in control of your mindset before you can control your performance. ​

If you are not already aware, Shark Week on the Discovery Channel begins tonight! That being said, Sharks are my most favorite animal in the entire world. Unfortunately they get a bad reputation for being blood thirsty and aggressive predators. The photo you see above is from a trip to Jupiter, Florida. We traveled to Jupiter just to swim with sharks in the ocean.
The day we were out on the water, we initially encountered some very shy bull sharks. Gradually once we passed the vibe check and the sharks could trust us, there were twenty-one plus bull sharks coming to the surface. Because the sharks could trust that we were not going to harm them and were not weak or injured prey, they allowed us to swim closely with them. The bull sharks approaching us was not an instant process. They key word here is PROCESS. 
​Trust is critical for any working relationship. In therapy, trust is an important if not critical factor for successful outcomes and progress. 

Good morning! I want to share a sample of a reframe that is often used in sessions with my clients. Rewarding an outcome versus rewarding the efforts that go into achieving an outcome are similar yet uniquely different perspectives that can yield entirely different outcomes for mental health and mindset. What is the common denominator? Whatever we reward, will continue.