How extreme athletes like Alex Honnold keep their cool
Summary
Science Friday explores the mental side of sports with Dr. Jessica Bartley of the U.S. Olympic Committee and free solo climber Alex Honnold. They discuss using visualization and rational fear assessment to achieve peak performance. The conversation also covers the ban on anxiety medication in certain sports and how these psychological strategies apply to everyday life.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and show introduction
Introducing guests and the mental side of sports
Managing fear and rational decision-making in climbing
Visualization techniques and mental reps
Performing under pressure and crowd dynamics
Individualized approaches to athlete psychology
Medication rules for Olympic athletes
Scary experiences and learning from danger
Sacrifices, values, and the 'why' of competing
Applying sports psychology to everyday life
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