Performers

#21 On the Front Foot: Sir Alastair Cook’s Masterclass in Mental Toughness


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How do you transform fear of failure into a weapon that powers you to greatness? Join Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young as they dive into the remarkable career of Sir Alastair Cook, England's former cricket captain and one of the sport's greatest opening batsmen.


In this episode, they explore how Cook’s upbringing at boarding school and his time singing in the choir instilled essential values like discipline, consistency, and teamwork. These early lessons, combined with his relentless dedication to deliberate practice, shaped his journey from backyard games to international cricket success. Through his autobiography, Cook shares insights on battling inner demons, finding mentorship, and balancing self-reliance with support from others. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, mental toughness, and the human connections that fuel performance.


In this episode of Performers, you will:

  • Discover how early life experiences contribute to a performer’s development.

  • Gain insights into overcoming fear of failure and self-doubt.

  • Learn the importance of mentorship, reflection, and mental health in sports.

  • Listen on Spotify:⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠⁠

    Listen on Apple:⁠ ⁠Apple⁠⁠

    Watch & Listen on YouTube:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sir-Alastair-Cook-TPB/dp/0241401437 


    Socials:

    X -⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/SportPsychDunc⁠⁠  

    ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ - @Performerspod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/performerspod/⁠⁠ 

    ⁠⁠LinkedIn - Duncan⁠ Simpson⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-simpson-ph-d-cmpc-76244b1a/⁠⁠ 

    ⁠⁠LinkedIn - Greg Young⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-young-ph-d-cmpc-64765a35/⁠⁠ 


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Overview

    03:52 Unleashing the Power of Familiar Virtues

    12:19 The Impact of Early Experiences on Development

    16:09 The Role of Love for the Game

    17:03 Fear of Failure as a Motivator

    19:18 The Significance of Hard Work and Resilience

    21:34 Personal Development and Mentorship

    29:31 Addressing Mental Health in Professional Sports

    39:55 The Challenges of Opening the Batting in Cricket

    47:22 The Power of Reflection for Leaders

    47:51 Building Trust and Overcoming Self-Doubt

    49:39 Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness and Visualization

    53:19 The Impact of Shared Experiences and Relationships

    57:00 Leadership: Expectations, Transparency, and Accountability

    01:04:22 Overcoming Adversity and Perseverance

    01:06:57 Embracing Vulnerability and Seeking Support

    01:10:19 The Foundation of Trust in Team Success

    01:11:46 The Power of Genuine Human Connection

    01:13:27 Avoiding Neglect of Emotional Support and Over-Reliance on Self

    01:14:03 Balancing Instruction with Independence

    01:14:28 Mental Toughness and Concentration

    01:15:41 Transitioning from one identity to another


    ...more
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    PerformersBy Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young

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