Athletes naturally experience a wide range of emotions, from the excitement of victory to the
disappointment of defeat. The pressure of competition, the highs of success and the lows of setbacks
can stir intense emotions. While they are naturally inclined to experience these emotions, they aren’t
born knowing how to regulate them.

Imagine a circumstance where their anger flares up unexpectedly. In the heat of the moment, the
athlete might react by saying or doing something that doesn’t align with their true self. Later, as
the anger subsides, regret and guilt often follow. The strong emotion led them to act in ways that
are inconsistent with their character. Similarly, when anxious or nervous emotions come into play,
lacking the skills to process them can lead to a loss of confidence and a sense of self-defeat.

Athletes often hear during challenging moments… ‘stay strong, push through, believe in yourself
or let it go’ - they can’t - no matter how many times they hear it! Without emotional awareness
and emotional management skills, an athlete’s emotions can quickly spiral out of control profoundly
impacting their resilience, peak performance and ability to be coached or contribute effectively to their team.