In today’s episode, I’m joined by world-class athlete and certified hypnotist Val Sweeting.

We talk about how hypnosis supported her during the intense bubble season, what shifted when she stepped away from it, and how she eventually found her way back—this time as a certified hypnotist. Now, she’s helping other athletes do the inner work through her new program, Unleashed.

Val shares how her training and mindset have evolved over the years, how she balances chasing big goals with being a mom and mentor, and what it really takes to build mental resilience at the elite level.

We explore the power of mental training—whether through visualization, therapy, working with a sport psychologist, or trying something like hypnosis—and how it helped her develop the confidence and calm needed to perform under pressure and stay at the top of her game.

 

If you love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 80: Sofia Mabergs on Team Dynamics, Sweeping & Training for Curling -Olympian Sofia Mabergs discusses her journey with Team Hasselborg, touching on team cohesion, training routines, and the importance of playing to individual strengths.

• Episode 82: Curling for Beginners & Improvers with John Robertson -Author John Robertson shares insights from his book, offering guidance for curlers at various skill levels to elevate their game.

• Episode 84: Safe Supplements with Nina Walker -Performance nutritionist Nina Walker discusses how athletes can navigate the world of supplements safely, focusing on making informed choices without compromising health.

 

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

 

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast