Ian Reardon, M.Sc. and Anthony Carnevale, M.Ed. of the Mental Barbell discuss the importance of mental skills training, analyze the five mental skills all athletes should have, and give practical tips for all athletes to sharpen their mental game. Definitions: Determination - A fixed intention or resolution Concentration - The ability to focus on the task at hand while ignoring distractions. Orientation - The degree to which an individual is concerned with performing their best or winning in competitive situations. Poise - Calm confidence in a person's way of behaving. Mental Toughness - Psychological resource that enables athletes to initiate and sustain goal-oriented efforts towards achieving optimal levels of performance in the face of stressors that vary in duration, frequency, and intensity. If you have any questions you want answered on TMB please send them to info@thementalbarbell.com. Please like and subscribe to follow our journey of optimal mental performance!

Ian Reardon M.S. and guest host Matthew Rieger M.A. CMPC discuss what athletes should focus on when trying to 'block out distractions', the four types of attention, and dealing with too much information. For more information on Nideffer's model of attention see citation below. Nideffer, R. M. (1976). Test of attentional and interpersonal style. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34(3), 394–404. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.34.3.394 If you have any questions you want answered on TMB please send them to info@thementalbarbell.com. Please like and subscribe to follow our journey of optimal mental performance!

Ian Reardon M.S. and Anthony Carnevale M.Ed. recap a few notable moments from the Paris Olympic Games, discuss the principles of deactivation, and what to do post competition! If you have any questions you want answered on TMB please send them to info@thementalbarbell.com. Please like and subscribe to follow our journey of optimal mental performance!