Ep78: Dr Josephine Perry - Why Your Mind Might Be Holding You Back (And How to Fix It).

In this episode, hosts Rose Harvey and Steph McCall engage in an insightful discussion about the often overlooked aspect of running: mindset. They are joined by Dr. Josie Perry, a sports psychologist with a wealth of experience in helping athletes across various sports enhance their mental performance. The conversation delves deep into the concept of mindset, particularly how it can make or break an athlete's performance on race day despite thorough physical preparation.

Dr. Perry highlights the distinction between type one fun (enjoying the moment) and type two fun (discomfort leading to pride afterward), identifying herself with the latter. The hosts and Dr. Perry exchange personal experiences, emphasizing that discomfort during running is inevitable but can be embraced and managed through mental strategies.

The discussion covers several key psychological approaches, particularly acceptance and commitment therapy. Dr. Perry explains how accepting discomfort and focusing on values helps athletes push through challenging moments. She discusses common challenges runners face, such as performance anxiety and comparisons with others, and offers practical solutions including breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and the importance of setting process goals rather than solely outcome goals.

Listeners are encouraged to reframe negative thoughts and focus on intrinsic motivations during training and competition. Dr. Perry suggests that athletic performance is not solely determined by physical capabilities but significantly influenced by mental resilience, especially regarding nutrition and energy management. The episode wraps up with an emphasis on constant reflection and improvement in both physical and mental training to achieve better overall performance in running.