EPISODE 7 - Mind Body Connections: The Holistic Approach to Peak Swimming Performance

Traditional models of mental skills training are mostly inefficient - i.e. developing mental skills in lectures and classrooms in the days prior to a big Meet.

The integration of mental skills into all training, all practices and every workout is the key - MIND AND BODY - holistic training and coaching is critical!

Every set / every session / every workout - has mental and emotional elements - the body can’t swim without the head!

Every coach will know that mental skills are incredibly important at all levels of swimming.

Just as you wouldn’t leave the development of stroke technique to the day before a Meet, you wouldn’t leave the development of mental skills to the day before a Meet then hope the swimmer can deal with the challenges of the emotional environment of the competitive battlefield!

In Episode 7 of The Third 50, Wayne and Glenn put their heads together and look at the importance mental skills development in swimming and triathlon.

We discuss some of the critically important elements of mental skills development including:

• CONFIDENCE


• OVER-THINKING


• NEGATIVE SELF TALK’


• SELF-DOUBT


• RESILIENCE / MENTAL TOUGHNESS


• COMMITMENT


• UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS - of the swimmer and others

Perhaps most importantly we present ways that coaches can integrate the development of mental skills directly through their workout design and practice sessions.

Three Takeaways:

1. Mental skills need to be practiced daily - in all practices, training sessions and activities.


2. Coaches should look to add a mental skills element to all sets and sessions. Workouts are mostly written from a physiological perspective, i.e. VOLUME, INTENSITY AND FREQUENCY. Try adding another column - a mental skills aspect to everything you do.


3. The name of the game ISN'T just to swim fast or to swim with great skills....It's coaching swimmers to swim fast with great skills when and where it matters - regardless of the situation or challenges - and that means coaching their heads as much as preparing their bodies!

Why The Third 50?

Because it's the third 50 of a 200 that matters. (We could have called this The Third 100 because it's the same principle!)

• The 1st 50 is fast because you're fresh and fired up, ready to race.


• The 2nd 50 flows because you're trying to relax and keep it smooth.


• The 4th 50 is about fighting and staying strong to the finish.

But the 3rd 50 is where the magic happens. It's where the integration of your mind and body, your skills and technique, your stroke mechanics and your hard training all come together.

The 3rd 50 is the "championship" lap, where the great swimmers take control of themselves and the race and power away to victory.

We want to share our almost 80 years of experience with coaches, swimming teachers, swimmers, triathletes, and people who love being in and around the water worldwide.

Who Are Wayne and Glenn?

Wayne Goldsmith is an Australian coach, mentor, writer, speaker, and presenter. He's worked in swimming for more than 30 years and is an internationally respected sports performance professional. He's been recognized for his contribution to the sport of swimming with the Outstanding Contribution to Swimming in Australia Award and been recently received the Al Schoenfield award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Visit Wayne's Website - https://wgcoaching.com/

Glenn Mills is an American coach, writer, and video producer.  He's been involved in swimming for over 55 years.  He's competed at every level of the sport, from winning the US Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships and even setting a few Masters World Records.  For over 25 years, he's produced swimming technique content as the Co-Founder of GoSwim.tv, the Official Technique Partner with USA Swimming.  He has also won the Paragon Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his contribution to competitive swimming.

Visit Glenn's Website - https://www.goswim.tv/