By David Smith “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” – Mike Tyson This famous quote really hit me hard, not as hard as a punch in the face but almost so when it comes to the very foundation of what we consider “performance” within sport. Athletes will spend hours upon … Continue reading Improvise Your Way to High Performance in Sport and Life
Standard of Expectation, Culture of Performance, and the Wednesday Problem
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) One of my first real applicable experiences in infusing sport psychology with coaching started well before I became involved at all. That is, I was coaching one weekly session for the large adult master’s inclusive swim team that was focused on technical skill development and conditioning. This group … Continue reading Standard of Expectation, Culture of Performance, and the Wednesday Problem
Exercise Gaming as a Mental Health Intervention, Exercise Psychology and Dance Dance Revolution
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) + Art by Bandcamp Exercise Psychology co-exists as a separate by complementary component within our field of Sport Psychology. However, unlike sport psychology, exercise psychology focuses less on performance and more on motivation to develop and maintain consistent exercise and physical activity behaviors. Furthermoe, exercise psychology works more … Continue reading Exercise Gaming as a Mental Health Intervention, Exercise Psychology and Dance Dance Revolution
Praise: Despite Good Intentions, How Much is too Much?
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) Praise is often used with best intentions. After all, who doesn't love some positive reeforcement with a pat on the back and a "good job!" when you do something well. Just like anything else, too much praise can turn into a bad thing and have the opposite of … Continue reading Praise: Despite Good Intentions, How Much is too Much?
Reaffirming LGBTQ+ Rights to a Diverse, Inclusive, Equal and Just Society in the Face of Prejudice, Discrimination and Oppression: Maintaining Resilience, Strength, and Optimism
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) Unfortunately, we are facing some turbulent and tough times ahead as religious conservatives subsume power. LGBTQ+ rights are under direct threat as we anticipate a rise in anti-LGBTQ prejudice, oppression, and discrimination that will push our limits to the edge of chaos. The fact is, we are likely … Continue reading Reaffirming LGBTQ+ Rights to a Diverse, Inclusive, Equal and Just Society in the Face of Prejudice, Discrimination and Oppression: Maintaining Resilience, Strength, and Optimism
Mental Health, Wellbeing, Participation, and Performance in Sport
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) World Mental Health Day is recognized every October 10th toward raising awareness on mental health and help mobilize efforts to support mental health. This is important for overcoming social stigmas surrounding mental health to ensure that everybody is able to develop knowledge and awareness surrounding issues affecting mental … Continue reading Mental Health, Wellbeing, Participation, and Performance in Sport
How Sport and Exercise Can Reaffirm Gender Identity
By David Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him) Humans, regardless of gender identity, are designed to move. It is within our very nature as a species to be active and express ourselves through movement. When you look at the vast number of ways that humans have developed different ways to move, you’ll realize that physical activity is … Continue reading How Sport and Exercise Can Reaffirm Gender Identity
When it Comes to Breaking Down Barriers in Sport, Creating a Safe Space Just Isn’t Enough
By David “Dirk” Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him) The most common element when it comes to developing grassroots inclusive sport structures is building a “safe space” type of culture that is free from judgement, prejudice, and discrimination that LGBTQ+ people, especially trans/nonbinary and POC experience. Sport has long been an institution that is founded and … Continue reading When it Comes to Breaking Down Barriers in Sport, Creating a Safe Space Just Isn’t Enough
Athlete or Performer? Basics of Performance Psychology
What's the difference between an athlete and a performer? Well, not much really but at the same time, there's a lot different. An "athlete" a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise whereas a "performer" is a person who executes a skill or a talent in front of an audience. … Continue reading Athlete or Performer? Basics of Performance Psychology
One Week, 20 Students in a Small German Town and a Big Finish – My First Experience Teaching with the Studienstiftung
As part of my graduate school goals and pursuits has been to gain valuable teaching experience at the college level in order for me to be better prepared for a career in collegiate teaching and academia upon graduating. This has been easier said than done as I’ve overcome various challenges and barriers to achieve the … Continue reading One Week, 20 Students in a Small German Town and a Big Finish – My First Experience Teaching with the Studienstiftung
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