In episode 54 of Mettle Minds Podcast Sport psychologist Dr. John Heil and Sport Psychology professor Dr. Les Podlog discuss Simone Biles decision to withdraw from the Olympics, and its impact on the world of sport. They examine the underlying issues in away that is sensitive to the everyday reality of sport but informed by sport science.   They discuss athlete mental health, injury risk and psychological readiness, athletes’ rights and organizational culture, and cumulative stress and critical incidents. They also touch on remarkable feats and traumatic growth, the enduring impact of the ideals of the Greek Olympics on the culture of contemporary sport, and lastly, advocacy and the importance of seizing the moment as an opportunity for change.

In Episode 53 of Mettle Minds, I speak with Kevin Luhrs, an Associate Principal Scientist at Gatorade Sport Science Institute. Kevin was also a former defensive lineman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers as well as the team dietician and assistant strength coach for 9 years at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his time as a Cornhusker, Kevin experienced a serious knee injury that became a debilitating source of chronic pain -- one that eventually impacted his work with the Bucs, quality of life, and mental health.   In this “deep dive” conversation, Kevin discusses the negative impact of injury and chronic pain on his personal and professional identity and feelings of self-worth. He candidly discusses the “high-testosterone” environment and masculine culture of football led him to try and expedite his return to the field after injury. Kevin also highlights the importance of his support network in helping him experience personal change, growth, and a new perspective on life.

Episode 52 of Mettle Minds, features Jocelyn Bonney, an NCAA champion and professional triathlete who represents the U.S. at international competitions. Bonney discusses her recent trials and tribulations dealing with a severe concussion.   She provides a highly personal account of the physical and psychological impact of concussion on her mental well-being and training. Bonney highlights her use of self-talk as well as the role of hope, gratitude, and social support in facilitating concussion recovery. She suggests that adopting the mindset that injury is something that “happens for you, rather than to you” can be highly beneficial.

Episode 51 of Mettle Minds features Dr. John Heil and Dr. Les Podlog, who reflect on the “state of the art” psychological research and practical management of sport injury. Dr. Podlog highlights the need for more multidisciplinary, theory-based research, while Dr. Heil advocates a team approach to rehabilitation.  Both Heil and Podlog encourage scholars to share their research findings with injury practitioners and to disseminate their work beyond traditional academic outlets.

Episode 50 of Mettle Minds features Dr. Dale Forsdyke, a Senior Lecturer in Sport injury Management at York St. John University, UK. Dr. Forsdyke is a leading sport injury researcher and head of Science and Medicine at York City Tier 1 Regional Talent Club where he oversees the athletic development of elite female soccer players.   Dale discusses the role of acute and chronic stress in injury risk, the importance of athletes’ taking ownership of their recovery, and the need for athletes’ to be physically and psychologically ready to return to sport. Dr. Forsdyke discusses ways to assess psychological readiness including use of psychological assessment tools, clinical judgements of athletes’ capabilities, and informal conversations with the athlete.

In episode 49 of Mettle Minds Podcast, Dr. Rod Havriluk, a world- renown expert on swimming biomechanics, discusses prevention of shoulder injuries. Dr. Havriluk applies the latest biomechanics research and technology (e.g. force analysis and underwater video) to help athletes improve their technique, enhance performance times and reduce injury risk.   Dr. Havriluk discusses the importance of performance cues and deliberate-practice training principles in optimizing performance and reducing injury risk. In his work with coaches and athletes, he attempts to overcome conventional wisdom that higher training loads equate to better performance.

In episode 48 of Mettle Minds, Dr. Les Podlog speaks with Samantha Glynn, a sport physiotherapist who runs and owns the SG Injury Clinic in Galway Ireland. She holds a masters degree and is pursuing a Ph.D in sport, exercise and performance psychology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. Samantha highlights the mind-body challenges of injury as well as the importance of patient education, managing athlete expectations, and fostering patient-practitioner rapport.  Glynn also discuss the value of listening to injured athlete concerns, the role of athlete motivation, and the benefits of psychological skills in facilitating successful recovery.

Episode 47 of Mettle Minds features Jesse Phillips, an actor, coach, and former world-class sprint kayaker. Jesse was a multiple Australian National Champion in the K2-200 meter event and a 6th place finisher in the London 2012 Olympic Games. In this candid discussion, Jesse shares his perspective on the qualities that allow athletes to achieve at the highest level. He discusses some of his personal experiences with adversity having missed out on qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Mettle Minds episdode 46 features, Roger Jackucewicz, a track and field coach, who for many years coached his kids and now works with his grandkids. In 2004, his 13-year old daughter Briana ran the 5-thousand meters in a record 16:53:09 and the 10-thousand meters in 35:53:39. Roger discusses how his coaching philosophy evolved from an emphasis on performance to one focused on keeping running fun, the value of sport as a vehicle for developing life skills, and the importance of rest and recovery.   He also suggests that sport can be used to help athletes learn about themselves. Roger highlights the importance of composure, focus and confidence, as key factors facilitating competitive success. He suggests that sporting success is individual and can be defined in different ways. His take on “game plans” is interesting for any coach trying to optimize athletes’ pre-game mindset.

Episode 45 of Mettle Minds features injury expert, Dr. Adam Gledhill, Course Director for Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. Dr. Gledhill is also a Fellow of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), a Chartered Scientist and a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist. He discusses factors influencing female soccer players’ progression to elite levels of the sport. He also describes the impact of injury on the career trajectory of athletes and the doubts and questions that injuries typically create. Dr. Gledhill sheds light on the importance of moderating athletes’ recovery expectations, the value of an athlete-centered approach to rehabilitation, and the importance of education, communication and social support. He highlights key considerations for the return to competition after injury rehabilitation.