Athletes: Are your brains wired differently than non-athletes? YES! Years of physical training, mental training, stress, wins, losses, goals achieved and goals missed, pain, joy and discipline wire your brain to give you mental superpowers that others may not have.

In this episode I'm giving you my top 5 mental strengths that athletes have, plus I'm giving you a bonus superpower at the end! You'll learn what they are, what's happening in your brain, and specific things you can do to make the most of your athlete brain.

Resources & videos mentioned in this episode:

Next Season Podcast 007 - Unlocking Elite Effort https://youtu.be/pCG6wKtyn6M?si=DcWIFsX-gssgfjSP

Next Season Podcast 008 - Ambition Without Attachment https://youtu.be/0dnK-zEMmrQ?si=hp1hC7Vl2UL0dFGm

Next Season Podcast 010 - Mental Toughness https://youtu.be/pQBpEQuSSWk?si=T-x7U2ViauH6FLPW

Next Season Podcast 013 - We Suck at Goal Setting https://youtu.be/kPwEfh5PLak?si=ARU6KWqgI_PCHVaK

Next Season Podcast 014 - Turn Your Goals Into Habits https://youtu.be/H25eHDXz4SU?si=7ZvAjNtyEB3-ffd-

The Science of Hitting a Major League Fastball (Insider Science) https://youtu.be/RENLMum5wz4?si=D9jGUq_oazRaV6Vn

Next Season Athletes Focus Matrix - https://www.nextseasonathletes.com/free-stuff

Play Sports for a Quieter Brain: Evidence From Division I Collegiate Athletics (Journal: Sports Health) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31813316/

00:00 Intro & the Athlete's Brain

00:40 Top 5 Superpowers of an Athlete's Brain

03:50 Superpower 1: Heightened Focus & Concentration

11:31 Superpower 2: Elevated Grit & Resilience

17:57 Superpower 3: Greater Neuroplasticity

23:53 Superpower 4: Decision Making Under Pressure

29:49 Superpower 5: Higher Level Goal-Oriented Thinking

33:44 Bonus Superpower: Managing Pain & Discomfort

37:27 Wrap Up, Gratitude & How You Can Help