Demystifying Mental Toughness

100 50 Secrets for Optimal Performance and Positive Mental Health

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to episode #100 of Demystifying Mental Toughness! One hundred episodes are something that I would like to celebrate because I feel incredibly ...

099 How to Deal with Overthinking on the Golf Course

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you get caught up overthinking when playing golf? Do you suffer from paralysis by analysis? Or maybe you stand overpressure shots and visualise top...

098 Do You Know Your Why?

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode will help you reflect on how you want to behave moving forwards.  My guest Jon Bartlett, who works as a Performance & Program Operati...

097 What Have You Learned From Last Year?

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness is going to help you learn from the past year so that you can make 2022 a better year.  Included are di...

096 Developing Mentally Strong Footballers

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm joined by Gary Curneen a football or soccer coach, an author and a coach educator who shares with me some great nougats of advice for coache...

095 David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Final Part

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you are an athlete, do you struggle to transfer your skills from training or practice to competitive situations?  Or if you're a coach, does your ...

094 How to Develop Mentally Strong Rugby Players

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, I'm joined by Professor Adam Nicholls where our conversation is mostly based around the sport of Rug...

093 How to Overcome Mental Blocks in Football

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I chat with leading Sport Psychologist Dan Abrahams about the mental blocks that footballers present that can go on to influence why they strugg...

092 ACT in Sport, Improving Performance through Mindfulness

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode I introduce the concept of Acceptance Commitment Therapy or Training (ACT) and Mindfulness with co-author of an excellent book on t...

091 How to Transfer Your Cricket Skills to Matches

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're a batsman or bowler, a wicket keeper or a fielder the psychological challenges in cricket are vast.   The game is unique where despite...

090 Mental Toughness Compilation 007

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Mental Toughness compilation episode includes short snippets of advice from our most recent 9 episodes.  We touch on many aspects of Mental T...

089 How To Transfer Your Golfing Skills To The Course

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There's a common theme across a lot of sports where athletes find it hard to transfer their skills from training or practice to competitive events and...

088 How To Play As Well As You Practice

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 88 of Demystifying Mental Toughness, I had the pleasure of talking to a former professional basketball player, serial author, and entrepren...

087 From Professional Football and Goalkeeping to Physiotherapy

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm joined with Carl Bell who played football at Newcastle United's academy from the age of 13 and progressed to reserve team level before injur...

086 Observations: How to Learn from Setbacks

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you someone who responds positively to setbacks, knowing that these types of situations provide an opportunity for personal development?  Do you ...

085 David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Part 4

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Being comfortable in your own skin as a teenager can be difficult.  It's an age when you are physically and emotionally developing and rapidly on occ...

084 Mental Toughness and The Leaders Mind

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's podcast episode, I chat with Dr. Jim Afremow and Phil White who have written an excellent book to be released in December 2021, called The ...

083 Life Lessons from a World Champion Boxer

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is a former world boxing champion and now a personal performance coach and professional speaker.  In this episode, Billy Schwer and I d...

082 Supporting Children in Sport with Positive Feedback

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The conversations that take place after competitive matches or events can often be emotionally charged for the young athlete, parents and coach.   Ye...

081 Mental Toughness in Combat Sports

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we take a look at Mental Toughness and how it applies to combat sports with a well-qualified guest, Stuart Wade, who has won 4 wor...

080 Mental Toughness Compilation 006

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Mental Toughness compilation episode includes short snippets of advice from our most recent 9 episodes.  By tuning in you will learn more abo...

079 David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Part 3

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To make your way in life to be the best person that you can be, to give yourself the best opportunity in your chosen field being comfortable in your o...

078 How to Gain an Edge

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I chat to the creator and founders of Kymira Sport and Golf in the UK, Tim Brownstone and Michael Davis, and the sponsors of our p...

077 Before, During and After Professional Football

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss with former professional footballer Danny Thomas, the psychological qualities that helped him break into and maintain a car...

076 Mastering the Mental Game of Refereeing

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we discuss the most demanding job on a football pitch.  No not the role of the goalkeeper, but the referee.  It's a job which rar...

075 How to Rebuild Your Identity

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is an inspiring one where Grant Phypers, a leadership coach, and I discuss how Grant defines mental toughness, we chat about how he overc...

074 How Can I Make My Child Feel Confident?

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's question comes from a parent, Anna to a talented golfer.  Anna's son, Harry is 14 years old however he lacks confidence and she worries about...

073 David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Part 2

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part 2 of a series of episodes on being comfortable in your own skin, where I unpack 3 more common "toughness" themes where we can unconscious...

072 Mastering the Mental Side of Cricket

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The psychological challenges in cricket are immense, whether you're a batsman or bowler, a wicket-keeper, or a fielder. The sport has got very unique ...

071 Mastering the Mental Side of Tennis

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're in the height of the summer of sport here in the UK where Wimbledon is currently being played.  For those that aren't familiar with Wimbledon I...

070 Mental Toughness Compilation 005

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are now 70 episodes into the Demystifying Mental Toughness podcast.  Today our first-class guests provide many short snippets of advice with some ...

069 David on Being Tough Vs Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Part 1

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To maximize your potential, to perform at your very best consistently, and to feel truly content there is an argument to say that being comfortable in...

068 How Hard Is It To Become A Tour Professional Golfer?

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many young golfers have a dream to turn professional and then compete at the highest level, on the European Tour or PGA Tour, winning major championsh...

067 Supporting Children to Transfer their Skills from Training to Competition

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I answer a popular question that I get asked from parents of young athletes.   "My daughter can perform really well when she prac...

066 Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest today is very inspirational, Marilyn Okoro was a top-class athlete, an Olympic bronze medalist, and now an athletepreneur and mentor.  In t...

065 Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's podcast episode looks at how elite sporting environments can impact an athlete's mental health and psychological wellbeing.  My guest, Clinic...

064 How to Support Young Footballers

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a football coach, player or parent of a young player or simply a fan of football you'll enjoy this.  I speak to Edu Rubio who has coached a...

063 7 Reasons Why Golfers Should Visualise

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I answer a popular question I get asked by golfers, "I struggle with my confidence, overthink, and can be indecisive on the golf c...

062 Mastering The Mental Side Of Golf

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In my conversation today with talented PGA Golf Professional and Regional England Golf Coach, JJ Vallely, we discuss if it is possible to master the m...

061 Why You Should Build Your Mental Toughness

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I chat to a Mental Toughness expert, Paul Lyons where we discuss what mental toughness is.  The crossovers that exist from the sport and exerc...

060 Encouraging Mentally Healthy Environments

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people don't view mental toughness in the correct light.  Many have preconceived ideas that mental weakness is the opposite of being mentall...

059 What does Success Mean to You?

09 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Success is very different for everyone.  It can mean earning more money to some, medals or power to others, fame, getting fitter or even losing weigh...

058 Are You Your Biggest Enemy on The Golf Course?

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In conversations with golfers, I often ask them what their biggest obstacle is to shooting lower scores and playing better golf.  The following words...

057 How to Cultivate Mental Toughness and a Growth Mindset in Rugby

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that basic qualities such as your intelligence, skills or talents fixed.   In other words, they are consider...

056 How Committed Are You?

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Motivation is defined as "a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way".   Whereas according to Professor Peter Clough and Doug St...

055 How to Develop Mental Strength in Young Athletes

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You've got mental strength or you haven't some people often wrongly assume.  Mental strength or mental toughness can be developed with self-awareness...

054 The Importance of Effective Communication in Sports

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An important element of mental toughness that is often not thought about is our ability to communicate effectively, both on a 1-2-1 basis and in group...

053 Why Mental Toughness is NOT a Male Macho Trait

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode shatters the myth that mental toughness is a male macho trait.  Three very talented ladies from different fields demonstrate that it is ...

052 Getting Out of Your Own Way on The Golf Course

02 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, leading Sport Psychologist Gio Valiante discusses how to overcome fear on the golf course, European Tour player Chris Paisley chats about how h...

051 Why Talking Matters

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mental Toughness is not just about getting your head down and gritting it out, it's more complex than that.  Simply talking about the situations that...

050 Mental Strength Does Not Guarantee Success

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode highlights some misconceptions placed on Mental Toughness where 3 leading authorities in the field; Doug Strycharczk, Professor Peter Clo...

049 How Does Sport Psychology In Elite Football Academies Help

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is one that may interest, young footballers, football coaches, parents of talented footballers, and sports psychologists.  Where James M...

048 How To Build Mental Toughness Through Powerlifting

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Training in any sport can get repetitive at times, powerlifting isn't any different.  At the elite level, you train squats, deadlifts, and other lift...

047 Mental Game Tips For Putting

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the golf course, putting is a part of the game that you must master to be able to shoot low scores and reach your golfing potential.  Confidence i...

046 Why Snowboarding is a Metaphor for Life

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Life, sport, or our careers are not straightforward.  There is no linear path that you can carve out as regularly we are faced with challenges and se...

045 Building Confidence in Your Putting

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a golfer who wants to play your best golf more often.  You will have to have confidence in your putting stroke under pressure.  Many golfe...

044 Observations: How to Assert Yourself

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Life throws at us different situations in social settings; dealing with difficult people, coping with criticism, and approaching people where we can c...

043 Thriving in Professional Football

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is helpful for young footballers, parents and coaches where former professional footballer Jamie Forrester's shares his thoughts on how t...

042 Characteristics of High Performance Athletes

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is not enough to be motivated if you are going to fulfil your talent.  You must also be able to show immense commitment, where the promises you ma...

041 How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To have confidence in your ability is a necessity to achieve your potential.  To have a lot of interpersonal confidence is also appealing and can giv...

040 Mental Toughness Compilation 004

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Where does the time go!  We're now 40 episodes in so it's time for another compilation episode which is action-packed with the best bits from the pre...

039 How to Develop Fearless Athletes

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, John Fletcher who is recognized as an outstanding coach chats to me about helping athletes express themselves so that in pressure sit...

038 Playing Professional Women's Rugby

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Taz Bricknell is a professional rugby union player, playing in the Premier 15s for Worcester Warriors.  She plays in the back row and has also played...

037 World Class Thinking, World Class Behaviour

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is an inspiring one, where Penny Mallory, the first woman to have driven a rally car for Ford and to drive in the world championships tel...

036 How To Improve Your Intensity When Training And Competing

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on some difficulties that athletes are having during the coronavirus pandemic, especially now in the UK with...

035 Thrive, Don't Just Survive 2021

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we talk about an extremely important topic, dealing with stress so that we don't simply survive but move forwards more positively.  I'm joined ...

034 David Charlton Gets Grilled By Nathan Sherratt

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After being interviewed on a series of podcasts, I realised there were parts of me that I haven't talked about on my own podcast.  So I invited a gre...

033 Mental Toughness Lessons From A World Champion

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Aly Dixon is an English long-distance runner who currently holds the 50km world record and won the 2019 50km World Championship in Brasov, Romania.  ...

032 How Can I Be Grateful For The Little Things

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Charlton helps ambitious athletes to reach their aims, faster.  He supports a range of highly motivated athletes and coaches.  From ambitious ...

031 How to Turn Your Life Around and Inspire Others

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Jueno is the founder of The Sports Business Club, an organisation which funds grassroots sport and charity / community projects across the UK. ...

030 Mental Toughness Compilation 003

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is the 3rd compilation episode which is action-packed with the best bits from the previous 9 episodes including many pearls of wisdom that the gu...

029 How to Play Professional Rugby with Confidence

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lome Fa'atau is a former professional rugby player from Wellington, New Zealand.  He played for the Hurricanes and Chiefs in Super Rugby, as well as ...

028 Why is Mental Toughness Important?

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Peter Clough needs little introduction. Whilst at the University of Hull, Peter initiated a programme of work which led to the development o...

027 How to Develop Mental Toughness with Young Footballers

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Henderson is Professional Football Coach and with many years' experience working with Premier League & International Youth Athletes, both male...

026 Observations: How To Set a Monthly Goal?

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Charlton helps ambitious athletes to reach their aims, faster.  He supports a range of highly motivated athletes and coaches.  From ambitious ...

025 How the Mentally Tough Deal with Lockdown

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Charlton helps ambitious athletes to reach their aims, faster.  He supports a range of highly motivated athletes and coaches.  From ambitious ...

024 Mental Toughness in Professional Football

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Julian Dowe is a former professional footballer whose knee injury prematurely ended a stuttering career after nine years in the game. During this time...

023 Observations: Self Confidence in Sport

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Charlton helps ambitious athletes to reach their aims, faster. He supports a range of highly motivated athletes and coaches. From ambitious youn...

022 How to Feel More Confident

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Robbie Thompson is a personal trainer and lifestyle coach with over 12 years of coaching experience. He has worked with a huge range of clients from m...

021 How to Reach Your Full Potential

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm joined by Steve Hackney, a former celebrated rugby union professional who played in England's top division of domestic rugby union for Notti...

020 Mental Toughness Compilation 002

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mental Toughness Compilation 002 Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing...

019 5000 Consecutive Days Running and Counting

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

018 From Professional Footballer to Alcoholism Consultant

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

017 How to Play Fearless Golf

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

016 Observations: Learning From Your Mistakes

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Charlton helps people to reach their goals, faster. Supporting footballers, golfers, rugby players, motor cyclists, triathletes, cricketers, box...

015 Essential Elements of Rest and Recovery

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

014 Observations: Improving Your Mental Preparation

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Charlton helps people to reach their goals, faster. Supporting footballers, golfers, rugby players, motor cyclists, triathletes, cricketers, box...

013 How to Stay Present like a Major Champion

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

012 The Yips, High Speed Crashes and Trauma in Sport: There is Hope for Athletes

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

011 Mental Toughness, Mental Health and High Performance Uncovered

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

010 Mental Toughness Compilation 001

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

009 Play Better Golf Under Pressure

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

008 Academy Football, Professional Football, Injuries and Early Retirement

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

007 How Elite Athletes Mentally Prepare

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

006 Observations: Be Honest with Yourself

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

005 Observations: The Art of Learning

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

004 Life on the European Tour

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

003 Developing a Premier League Mindset

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Ramage is an Assistant Football or Soccer Coach for Phoenix Rising FC in the United Soccer League. He is a former footballer who began his caree...

002 How to Deal with Adversity

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...

001 The Importance of Mental Toughness

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Demystifying Mental Toughness is for people who want to reach their goals faster and are curious what high performing athletes and professionals do to...