Special Olympics North Carolina’s Post

There will be challenges I have been fortunate this year to work with a variety of people from a variety of sports.   Some have competed internationally with their countries, competing at international tournaments and winning at them.   Some have competing at intercounty level at the top level of Gaelic Games.   Some are working towards the business of their club championships and some have even lifted county titles.   It is unreal the work they do to help themselves get to those positions.   It is unreal because, being lucky enough to support them, I recognise the challenges they face.   At the top level of your sport, there are significant challenges.   If we want to get to and stay at the top level of our sport, we need to be able to overcome these setbacks.   Dealing with difficult managers.   Managing difficult schedules.   Dips in form.   Injury.   There are a range of things.   Some things we can work on and some we can’t really do much about.   But the big thing is there is challenges.   To be at the top level of our sport, there always will be.   Facing those challenges is part of the price we pay to compete.   Mentally Skilled Athletes recognise these challenges.   They accept that they will be there.   But they don't accept that they these challenges will stop them.   They take steps to overcome them and work around them when they appear.   They know that these challenges will appear, but if they want to get to where they want to get, they have to be able to work with and around them.   I am hoping to open up the Mentally Skilled Athlete Programme again before the end of the year.   You can join the waitlist to be the first to know when there is availability for the Mentally Skilled Athlete Programme by following this link and completing the form - https://lnkd.in/ekdwxdhZ #SportPsychology #SportsPsychology #MentalSkills #PerformancePsychology #SportPerformance #Mindset

What if… every job focused on what a person was good at? This is what talent optimization is all about. You may not realize it, but we see it all the time in sports: players have positions they’re the best in and train specifically for it. This is especially true for gymnastics. Jade Carey is the sixth most decorated US female gymnast of all time…and she specializes in two events, vault and floor. Carey is considered a “specialist” due to her power. And even though she could compete on balance beam and uneven bars, her scores on the former two events are just that high. In team competition (like in the Olympics and World Championships), they use her skills on vault and floor to help the team achieve the highest possible score. Her coach and team coordinators developed a game plan centered around her talent to maximize her contribution. Focusing on the events she’s best at led her to win two Olympic gold medals, three World Championships, and be honored as an NCAA Specialist at Oregon State. She optimized what she was good at and it paid off. If we judge a fish based on its ability to walk, it wouldn’t score very high. If you’re right-handed but told to write with your left hand, you’d be frustrated. But if you were put in a position you were good in, chances are, you’d be the best you could be. #talentoptimization #career

mental and emotional health support + mental performance and nervous system coaching + physiology and physicial training =

I put so much detail into what I do, and you may not notice it! But your subconscious will register it. 🐝 The spacing between items in a logo and poster font 🐝 The placement of colours in my calculation tools 🐝 The alignment of charts with other objects in my dashboards There is much much more besides these.

In the latest instalment of "After the Roar | Life After Elite Sport," rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll opens up about his transition from a celebrated athletic career to life beyond the game. Watch the interview to gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with retiring from elite sport https://lnkd.in/dvYNPfdg. At Athlete Transition Accelerator we are dedicated to supporting athletes through this crucial phase. Brian's reflections resonate deeply with our mission to ensure athletes are well-prepared for life after sports, highlighting the importance of planning, adaptability, and a strong support system. Our Vision for Support: To equip athletes with the tools and resources needed to navigate their transition with confidence, helping them to build a new identity and pursue fulfilling opportunities beyond their athletic careers. Our Approach to Growth: By offering personalised guidance, practical tools, and a supportive network, we assist athletes in managing the emotional and practical aspects of their transition, fostering resilience and success in their new paths. Brian O'Driscoll's experience reminds us that transitioning from elite sport is not just about moving on but about embracing new beginnings and opportunities. His story underscores the need for preparation and support to make this journey as smooth and successful as possible. Join the Discussion: 🗨️ How have you or others you know navigated the shift from elite sport to new ventures? 🗨️ What strategies or resources would have been beneficial in making the transition smoother? 🗨️ What advice would you offer to athletes who are preparing for life after their sports careers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s create a supportive community where athletes can thrive both during and after their sporting careers. #AthleteTransition #LifeAfterSport #BrianODriscoll #Empowerment #SportsTransition #AthleteSupport #NewBeginnings #CareerDevelopment

Pre-order is now available for More Than Medals my first book! Regular release is just 30 days away, May 30! Remember we will have three formats, paperback, e-read and audio….. audio not quite done! Pre-order link below summary. Also booking speeches, engagements, readings, and signings now…. Just ping me if I can assist your organization, school or team with inspiration, parent education or team building. Thank you each and all for the support during this process! Summary: Are sports good for kids? Does participation in athletics improve a person's life? Yes, according to Betsy Mitchell, a collegiate athletic director and two-time Olympian, medalist, world champion, record holder, and seven-time NCAA champion swimmer. But according to Mitchell, amateur sports are only beneficial when the focus remains on acquiring skills, developing sportsmanship, and having fun. From her journey competing in sports, she learned many lessons that she applies in her daily life and career. In this inspirational memoir, Betsy writes a love letter to amateur athletes, revealing how the joy and challenges of sports shaped her life and sharing twelve pivotal lessons she learned along the way. "Even as a teenager, I understood that swimming occupied only a part of my life; it was not my whole life. At some point in the future, I would stop swimming and continue with every other aspect of myself." https://lnkd.in/gjid_Bfj

Here's a draft LinkedIn post based on the article summary: --- 🏅 Celebrating Olympic Excellence: The "Yooper" Success Story As an industry expert in sports management and regional development, I'm excited to highlight a remarkable phenomenon from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The recent article from GameDayBuzz.net sheds light on the "Yooper" athletes who have made their mark on the Olympic stage. Key Takeaways: 1. The Upper Peninsula, despite its relatively small population, has produced multiple Olympic medal winners. 2. Strong community support plays a crucial role in nurturing athletic talent. 3. Regional identity

I was sent this article yesterday by a colleague, unaware of its existence, while engaging in a discussion about the importance of having support systems in place for Gaelic Games athletes and the influential role of Psychology in Sports/Performance. Cork Camogie's Ciara O'Sullivan's journey, is one of my favourite individual 'success stories' of 2024, as it exemplifies one of sheer determination, mental resilience, desire for greatness, all while channelling the right type character and discipline in the field of sport... in spite of her obstacles. While playing a very small part, as she mentioned, to her journey, I think when you see athletes championing success through adversity, going that extra mile to be the best person and player they can be, despite those challenging set backs and uphill struggles, it makes success more meaningful and worthwhile. Reaching their mountain top despite all those limiting obstacles, in the way that Ciara's done, throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons, is a testament to the person and player she incredibly is today. In group sessions with the Cork Camogie team in 2024, our collective value system was based on pushing and supporting each other to a level of potential greatness, that was seeped in strengths based, person centred approaches. Creating the right type of environment, allowed us to collectively, and individually, explore all areas of the self, in and out, of performance. Ciara, and all her teammates, her fellow lionesses as we said in battle, put in incredible work to strive to be the best - their masterful efforts and hard work paying off to secure a consecutive All Ireland title. As we say, success leave clues... and this was ours. When we look at sport, we have to look at it from a holistic point of view, not just assessing areas of physical, technical, tactical or psychological skills or abilities in relation to athletic performance - it's so much more than that. And when we commit to a more collective, holistic approach to our mission, focusing on the person, then the athlete, it allows us to co-create something so much more.

Eilish’s latest thoughts

‼️ WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️ THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS: ELEVATING PERFORMANCE FOR ELITE COMPETITION The Olympics are just around the corner, but the preparations for the teams started months ago. Have you ever wondered what goes into preparing a team for the Olympics and other major tournaments? If so, join me for an exclusive webinar, where you'll gain valuable insights into the rigorous process and meticulous planning involved in preparing elite athletes for the world's biggest stage. HIGHLIGHTS: 🟣 Behind-the-scenes look at the preparation process for the Olympics 🟣 In-depth discussions on optimizing performance through strategic planning 🟣 Case studies and real-life examples from Olympic preparations 🟣 Q&A session with Ellie WHO SHOULD ATTEND: 🟢 Coaches 🟢 Strength & Conditioning Coaches 🟢 Sports Scientists 🟢 Performance Coaches 🟢 Nutritionists 🟢 Athletic Trainers 🟢 Students 🟢 Sporting Directors 🟢 General Managers 🟢 Team Administrators 🟢 Team Operations 🟢 Anyone interested in elite sports preparation DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, July 23 · 2 - 3:30pm CDT (Online) Register now at the link below. #olympics #olympicpreparation #roadtotheolympics #highperformance #athletepreparation #strategicplanning #sportsscience #olympicprep #teampreparation #performancecoaching