Guest Interview: Why Success In Sports Starts In The Brain with Julia Allain

Help me welcome our guest today: The brainy, brave, and badass Julia Allain!

As a competitive soccer player and the daughter of an elite hockey coach, Julia has spent a lifetime in sports. Today, she is the author of Everything I Got and the founder of Allain Mental Performance. With her B.A. in psychology and her M.A. in sport psychology, Julia has deep knowledge of the human brain that influences everything she does, applying her academic research and personal experience to helping athletes develop mental skills to get to the next level.

Drawing from her experience as a coach, teacher, consultant, and performance vision specialist, Julia believes wholeheartedly that strong psychological skills are the key to success in sports.

Julia has this unique ability to explain complex systems of the brain in simple terms. This interview is full of super relevant metaphors and real-world examples that you’ll be able to bring straight back to your team.

In this episode, Julia explains:

• What she learned when researching her thesis on the science of halftime speeches
• What exactly happens in the brain when the body is in fight or flight
• How understanding brain development for young adult athletes can help coaches lead with compassion.
• + Much more!

If you are a coach, parent of an athlete, or leader, this episode will help you understand how to communicate with and show up better for your athletes.

Follow Julia:
Website: www.allainmentalperformance.com
IG: @allainmentalperformance
Book: Everything I Got

Related Resources:

• Mistake Ritual Magic Workshop: An 30 minute online video workshop that will prepare you with everything you need to teach your athletes how to bounce back from mistakes in competition. www.positiveperformancetraining.com/mistake-ritual 

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Here’s a glance at the episode:

[0:55] From being raised by an elite hockey coach to competing in soccer at a high level, Julia begins with a quick synopsis of her background and inevitable journey to Sports Psychology. 

[2:39] Sports are emotional! Julia explains why it’s so important to meet athletes where they’re at. She explains the science behind young adult brain development, and highlights how the brain doesn’t fully develop until we’re 26.

[9:00] Julia explains what actually happens in the brain when your body is in fight or flight mode.

[11:39] Lindsey and Julia discuss the importance of practing mental skills ahead of time so that you’re prepared in the moment. Julia shares a great example regarding a race and a math question.

[15:24] From living alongside her students in a boarding school to virtual coaching through the pandemic, Julia gives an overview of her business.

[17:27] While writing her thesis, Julia explored the science of halftime coaching speeches. Julia digs into one discovery in particular and explains why giving a big motivational speech doesn’t always work.

[24:22] Julia shares some of the themes explored in her book, “Everything I Got: 30 Lessons on What You Give, What You Get, and How You Grow Through Sports”

[24:49] Wrapping up the episode, Lindsey asks Julia five rapid fire questions. Julia talks a little bit about her next chapter as a mental health counselor.

 

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