The Road to Gold

The Olympics are the pinnacle of athletic achievement. The culmination of years of relentless training, dedication, and sacrifice. A study^[1] interviewed well-known sport psychologists to share their experiences and advice for preparing athletes and teams for the Olympic Games. This summarised that all support staff, including trainers and coaches must understand and manage the stress athletes face before, during, and after the Olympics, build early and trusting relationships, and know when to intervene or provide support. As a former captain of the British Ladies team in a sport called Octopush (underwater hockey), I know full well the value of a good performance coach and strive to provide the best for my clients.

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As a Performance Trainer and Coach, I’ve dreamt of guiding an athlete to that coveted gold medal. But what does it really take to turn raw talent into Olympic royalty?

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Building the Champion's Mindset

Gold medallists aren't just physically gifted; they possess an unwavering mental fortitude. As a performance trainer, I take the following key steps with my clients:

• Goal Setting & Visualisation

I help my clients to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). I then teach them visualisation techniques to rehearse success mentally, helping them to build confidence and resilience.

• Mental Toughness

Olympic athletes face immense pressure. It is key to train them in mental rehearsal strategies to manage stress and stay focused under competition conditions.

• Emotional Intelligence

Foster emotional intelligence to manage self-doubt, pre-competition anxiety, and setbacks. Athletes who can regulate their emotions perform at their best.

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Optimising Physical Performance

The physical demands of the Olympics are brutal.  Athletes need a training program that includes these 3 components:

1.     It must be personalised. Every athlete is unique. Training plans need to be specific to their sport, strengths, weaknesses, and injury history.

2. It should be phased. Training should be broken down into phases, focusing on strength, power, speed, and endurance. This ensures peak performance at the right time.
3. It should be recovery focused. Overtraining is a recipe for disaster. It’s important to prioritise recovery techniques like stretching, massage and proper sleep to prevent injuries and optimise performance.

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Beyond the Physical

The road to Olympic glory isn't just about physical training, other areas to consider include:

• Nutrition

Athletes' bodies should be fuelled with a customised nutrition plan that provides the energy they need to train and compete at their best.

• Injury Prevention

A comprehensive injury prevention strategy, including proper form coaching and preventative exercises, is crucial to avoid setbacks.

• Sleep Optimisation

Sleep is essential for physical and mental recovery.  Athletes must establish healthy sleep habits for optimal performance.

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Remember, the journey to the Olympics is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a collaborative effort between the athlete, coaches, nutritionists, and other support staff.

At Alison Berrisford Performance Training and Coaching, I provide a tailored path to success for my athletes by focusing on a holistic approach that addresses physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Read more about my services here: https://www.abperformance.training/training-services/performance-coaching#targeted-needs-analysis

I can empower our athletes to reach their full potential and maybe stand on the Olympic podium, bathed in golden glory!

^[1] https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12353/1/221271_PubSub2846_Sarkar.pdf

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