While running might be my ‘therapy’ I can certainly say that it also occasionally results in a wry smile as I pound the pavements and parks throughout the cities and towns I run through.  Traditionally I am a fan of cues to help the mind focus on helpful, productive aspects of endurance runs.  These days, […]

Want to gain an extra edge over your competitors?  Want to perform better?  Then you need to get more sleep! Sleep is a powerful and often underestimated tool that can lead to noticeable changes in performance. Unfortunately, as a society we value not sleeping and celebrate those who can do a lot of work on […]

There are very few movies that truly dive into the depths of an elite performer’s mind.  Whiplash is one such movie. I watched it on the plane coming back from Australia in mid August…twice.  The acting captured me as did the way the characters depicted the ruthless perfectionism that is so frequently an ingredient associated with high […]

There is so much information about how to keep your body healthy, including fad diets, exercise trends, and the like. It is quite normal and acceptable, and even admired to follow these trends with the idea of looking after your body. What about your brain? There is an increasing awareness about mental health issues but […]

There’s been a lot of commentary in the media recently about the lack of support that elite athletes receive when it comes to their mental health.  At Mental Notes Consulting, we are, and have always been passionate about athlete health and wellbeing alongside their performance. Part of our role in working with athletes and their […]

What makes you great? This is one of my favourite questions to ask athletes and teams because it directs their focus.  It shifts their focus from fixating on a problem to creating a solution, leading to reduced negativity and increased confidence. The Negativity Trap Often the first response I get when I ask this question […]

Sleeping is an everyday ritual that is essential to our daily lives; without the right amount of sleep we are unable to function effectively.  From a very early age we begin to form sleeping habits and patterns.  These are the habits that we will take through to our adolescent and adult years so it essential […]

It is generally accepted that children are naturally physically active.  If you watch children in a park or in a playground they typically enjoy running, climbing, swinging, jumping – being able to challenge their physical abilities whilst having fun.  What you may not realise is that these natural physical abilities and what we class as […]

Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord is a funny, insightful, and interesting read for those who enjoy stepping back and becoming a spectator of life’s nuances. I loved reading The Little Prince and The Alchemist, so it was no surprise to find myself smiling and nodding as I made my way through […]