Hey Ben. I think it's a combination of the stigma that unfortunately still exists and the power dynamic that's at play between athlete and team. It's very difficult for an athlete to be completely open and honest with the same people that select them and who they negotiate their contracts with. The inherent uncertainty of fixed term contracts, along with coaches having the ability to make or break an athlete's career, makes it hard for athletes to open up and be truly vulnerable in that sort of environment. Just my take though. What do you think?
Sep 12, 2022·edited Sep 12, 2022Liked by Nick Greenhalgh
Yeah, I think that's a big downstream issue. But I think the source of a lot of athletes' struggles is when they only see themselves as the "rugby player" or "tennis star" and don't have a source of self-confidence outside of their sport. Then when things go wrong in the sport, they have nothing else making them feel proud, start heading south, and the things you mention start to come into play.
Awesome mission Nick. Why do you think so many of them are suffering in silence?
Hey Ben. I think it's a combination of the stigma that unfortunately still exists and the power dynamic that's at play between athlete and team. It's very difficult for an athlete to be completely open and honest with the same people that select them and who they negotiate their contracts with. The inherent uncertainty of fixed term contracts, along with coaches having the ability to make or break an athlete's career, makes it hard for athletes to open up and be truly vulnerable in that sort of environment. Just my take though. What do you think?
Yeah, I think that's a big downstream issue. But I think the source of a lot of athletes' struggles is when they only see themselves as the "rugby player" or "tennis star" and don't have a source of self-confidence outside of their sport. Then when things go wrong in the sport, they have nothing else making them feel proud, start heading south, and the things you mention start to come into play.
Yes, totally agree with you that is a big root cause of many athletes' struggles. Lots for us to try and improve here.