The Q Coach Pod | Mindset Coaching for Handlers with Julie Bacon
Episodes
#60: I’m betting you’re over-valuing your mistakes (And under-valuing your successes.)
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
According to really smart science types, we are wired to focus on the negative. And while that may have saved our lives in the forest, it’s less han...
#59: Are you measuring to build confidence? (Well, you will be after this!)
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We can gain a LOT of confidence and clarity by looking backward in the *right* way. This week I challenge you to give yourself a little credit for how...
#58: Awareness as a superpower (A totally learnable skill!)
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our ability to be truly aware and present to what is happening is critical to shaping the choices we make. Our dogs live in this space - present and a...
#57: The power of settling in (Or, managing successful transitions!)
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Okay, I’m just a lot excited about this episode as it stems from a great talk an author gave about her new book (link below). It gave me a whole new...
#56: But do you have mindset goals? (Because I know you’ve got outcome goals!)
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are awesome at setting goals - especially results-oriented ones. We know the titles and Qs we want, and we have it all planned out. But what about ...
#55: You need a good Plan B (Even if you plan to be perfect!)
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Having a “plan B” is NOT about thinking you might “fail.” On the contrary. A good Plan B means you recognize there are variables in your envir...
#54: Think you need to be mentally tough? (Or could soft be the answer?)
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
People tend to equate having a good mental game with being mentally tough. I can get behind resilient, but the word “tough” trips me up. This week...
#53: The changing face of good sportsmanship. (Who are you striving to be?)
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When I was a kid, to say that someone was a “good sport,” has a ver specific connotation. Today, I’m not sure that we would agree on that defini...
#52: Are you defining yourself by your challenges? (You might have a fixed mindset.)
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all do it - define ourselves by our problems. When we say things like “I am” or “I have,” we wander into a fixed mindset and are in danger ...
#51: Did your preparation let you down? (Or was it your expectations?)
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever come out of a disappointing weekend or run and say, “But I really felt ready! We did everything right! I don’t know what happened!” I have....
#50: Are your friends distracting you? (Maybe, maybe not.)
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ok, so maybe this is a personal problem … but I can easily get distracted at a trial by visiting with my friends - especially when I haven’t seen ...
#49: Are you taking your outside world into the ring? (Some tips for life’s stressors.)
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Life is messy. Jobs, relationships, money … general adulting all make for a stressed-out mind sometimes. But when that stress follows us to the line...
#48: Are you sabotaging your run? (It’s okay, we’ve all done it.)
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a Henry Ford quote that I use often: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right." And nothing is more true when it...
#47: Can’t remember your course? (I’ve got you)
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are a whole bunch of reasons you may have trouble remembering a course or your course plan. Whether you’re in the agility ring or playing rall...
#46: The power of the pause (I promise it works!)
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
First, I report-out on how my weekend went when I made FUN my process goal. Next, I share that I was glad I paused and chose my response to someone wh...
#45: In pursuit of a feeling (Fun IS a process goal!)
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the heels of a particularly fun lesson I’m asking myself, “Am I chasing the feeling of having fun?” In truth, I’m probably not doing this a...
#44: Where do ring nerves even come from? (And how you wave goodbye!)
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Performance anxiety. Ring nerves. Butterflies on steroids. No matter what you call it - or to what degree it happens to you - we all get a little nerv...
#43: Do you even know what success looks like? (It’s about time you did!)
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the business world, one of the most common cliches I hear is, “What does success look like?” It’s a fair question when approaching a project ...
#42: Visualization doesn’t work for you? (Time to troubleshoot)
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Not everyone is visual in their thinking. Not everyone always has a thought running through their heads. Not everyone makes a plan in the same way. So...
#41: The power of negative mantras (Yup, negative ones!)
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re someone who doesn’t think that mantras work, think again! You say dozens of little mantras to yourself every single day. “I don’t ha...
#40: Let’s get fit (Mentally & physically!)
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
While our dogs do most of the work, we need to mentally and physically in shape to do what we do. No, I’m not going to tell you to snag a gym member...
#39: Orlando bound? (Getting ready for a major event!)
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you are heading the events in Orlando or getting ready for a major event of your own, there are some things to keep in mind. Big events have a...
#38: Attitude of gratitude (it’s not a cliche)
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast drops on the American holiday of Thanksgiving, and while we’ve pretty much ruined the holiday by obsessing over shopping deals, I think...
#37: Strike a pose (there’s something to it!)
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Obviously, there is a mind-body connection, but did you know your posture can impact your performance in the ring? It’s a thing! Listen and learn ho...
#36: Singing the seminar blues (but loving every minute!)
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I recently had a working spot in a seminar and while I loved every minute, it was a roller coaster of emotions - from the joy of “getting it,” to ...
#35: Breathe in with intention (and out with the crap)
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are overdue for a quickie breathing & visualization combo to help you set positive intentions and let go of the junk that no longer serves you!...
#34: Make mistakes your fuel (and learn to let go)
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It takes some discipline to refocus your brain away from a disappointment and towards improvement. It’s hard, but it’s a skill you can cultivate! ...
#33: Trying to change your self image? (Aren’t we all!)
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To change our self-image means changing how we see ourselves. We need to believe in the version of ourselves we desire - belief cues the subconscious ...
#32: How’s your sportsmanship? (Let’s straighten those crowns!)
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
While we may be anthropologically wired to look for the negative, it doesn’t mean we have to find it in other people. Let’s chat about how we can ...
#31: Your response is everything (and you control it!)
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Life happens, but it’s how we respond that makes all the difference. The same applies to our reaction to ring nerves and performance anxiety. We hav...
#30: Are we having fun yet? (Hint: you should be!)
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sure knocking down goals is amazing but are you having fun?? Too often we leave fun as an afterthought - for ourselves and for our dogs. Well, doing s...
#29: Are you sabotaging yourself? (Clean up your language)
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do we sabotage ourselves? Oh, it’s easy - we just say some really negative stuff to ourselves right before we walk into the ring! Am I the only ...
#28: Do we want to be tough? (Or resilient?)
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
People talk a lot about mental “toughness” but I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it - certainly not the total picture. Let’s bre...
#27: Back from a hiatus (Or where’d my brain go?)
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m a HUGE fan of extended breaks - both for ourselves and our dogs. We not only renew physically but mentally, too - I see it in my dogs’ renewed...
#26: Making progress & new habits (Or how to break a bad habit)
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The thing is, we really can’t just stop doing something - we have to start doing something else. And that something else may include creating a new ...
#25: Are you hearing voices? (You’re perfectly sane!)
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever have a thought roll through and you wonder where it came from? Or wish you didn’t have the thought at all? Our thoughts - or the voices in our ...
#24: Let’s show a little gratitude (get your mind right for the day)
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every once in a while, I’m going to sneak one in - a meditation that is. Feel free to do this as a walking meditation or in your car before a trial ...
#23 More NQs than Qs? (Getting to the bottom of your disappointment)
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a “coin-operated” world: put something in, get something out. So when we put in the work but don’t see the results it gets frustratin...
#22: Your "big event" is no biggie (assuming you're ready - ha)
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The most common mistake people make with “big events” is to put them on a pedestal and make them somehow more important. While this may be kinda t...
#21: Mind your own biscuits (the trap of comparison)
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s almost too easy these days to judge your own happiness by someone else’s social-media-curated successes. Both our dogs are three so my dog is...
#20: Stuck in the couch? Been there!
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s true, competing with dogs is like having another job. From all the training to the many appointments to trialing, it can all seem like a lot - ...
Can you imagine befriending pressure?
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As this episode airs, I’m putting the finishing touches on a new Masterclass all about how we perform under pressure. What I’ve come to believe is...
Squirrel! Err, Taming distractions
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Distractions can hit at some really inopportune times! But before we can tame them, it helps to uncover why they are popping up like whack-a-moles in ...
On deck? Get present FAST!
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week I’m giving you a shiny new tool you can use anytime you’re feeling unfocused or like you’re getting “carried away.” Do this on the...
Hey, “control freaks,” this one’s for you!
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve often referred to myself as a control freak - after all, I like everything the way I like it. And I’ve also done a lot of coaching around und...
Got Ring Nerves? (or why the Lizard doesn’t get to drive)
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you call it ring nerves, performance anxiety, or butterflies gone wild, we’ve all felt anxiety before we walk into the ring. Knowing what’...
Feel like an imposter? (Spoiler alert: you aren't!)
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As high-achieving, goal-oriented types, it's likely you've felt like an imposter a time or two. Heck, I felt like an imposter in starting this podcast...
Reasons we choke (and how not to!)
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Choking” is kind of an old concept, most often applied to the kicker who misses the last-second field goal, or the batter who strikes out with ba...
Getting into the coveted "zone" isn't just for Olympians
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the summer Olympics near, there are more spotlights on our elite athletes. Soon there will be interviews with Team USA which inevitably lead to que...
Specialty recap (or take-aways from a BIG event!)
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After a week away at my national specialty (Bernese Mountain Dogs), I am sharing my experiences. From what I learned to what went right to how we all ...
Meltdowns happen (and how to come back)
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just because I'm a mindset coach, doesn't mean I don't have my own moments! What may surprise you is that I don't always try to get out of them - at l...
An new twist on outcome goals
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been afraid to REALLY want something? Or have you ever said, "Don't jinx me!" to someone? You may actually be trying to focus on your pr...
Cord Cutting Visualization
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a toxic relationship that you need a clean break from? Or maybe it's an old event or incident that you want to move on from? Too often we ...
The role of our emotions & tone in our handling
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We often consider how we are talking to our dogs, or what commands we are giving, but how often do we consider the tone in which we are communicating?...
The importance of rituals
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rituals - or our sacred routines - don't have to be special, but they do matter. Learn what I mean by rituals and how important they can be to your pe...
Protecting your bubble (and dealing with toxic people!)
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The dog world is unique, to say the least. One minute someone is helping you carry crates into the building and the next minute that same person is sa...
Quickie Breathing Exercise
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever need a quick exercise to ground you? This short breathing exercise - also known as “triangle breathing,” is perfect when you need to retake c...
Visualization Exercise for Setting Intentions
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Carrie-Anne Moss might be best known for her role in The Matrix movies, but she is also a beautiful spiritual teacher. Definitely check out her work a...
My favorite subjects: Growth mindset & Process goals
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Someone once asked me what my philosophy was. I'm not sure I answered the question, but I know it comes down to two things: our ability to stay in a g...
Welcome and About this Podcast
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to my pod and to all things mindset for dog handlers who have goals to achieve!As a mindset coach for dog handlers, I help handlers achieve th...