#015 - Caroline Anderson - You're Wrong about Confidence and Nerves (Here's Why...)

In this episode, sports psychologist Caroline Anderson breaks down the real psychology behind high performance, and why confidence isn’t the magic key we’re often told it is. She explains the difference between feelings and actions, how nerves can actually help you perform, and the practical mental tools athletes can use to stay focused and consistent under pressure. Caroline also shares lessons from her career supporting elite athletes, including her role as an Olympic psychologist for Australia, and the strategies she uses to help athletes manage doubt, regulate emotions, and control what truly matters on game day.Caroline also opens up about the human side of performance psychology, reflecting on her rare journey from competing at the Olympics to returning 20 years later as the team psychologist. She talks about earning athletes’ trust, navigating the emotional highs and lows of elite sport, and what it really takes to help people show up at their best on the world’s biggest stage. A fascinating look at the challenges, motivations, and passion that drive her work behind the scenes, and the mindset shifts anyone can apply to perform under pressure.Timestamps:(00:00) Understanding Confidence(03:20) The Role of Behaviour in Confidence(05:12) Overcoming Internal Barriers to Confidence(08:47) The Pitfalls of External Validation(11:30) Navigating Overconfidence and Arrogance(14:33) Building Internal Confidence(16:58) Pressure and Performance(19:14) Thriving Under Pressure(20:34) Training for Calmness in Pressure Situations(27:06) Understanding Nervousness and Performance(28:50) The Role of Pre-Match Routines(33:55) Mindfulness and Mental Recovery(37:53) Recognizing Mental Fatigue(42:20) The Pursuit of Happiness and Success(45:29) Debunking Myths in Performance Psychology(46:16) Personal Purpose and Success MeasurementFind Caroline: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-andersonInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/caroline_anderson_psychologistFind Richie:YouTube: Richie O'Brien - YouTubeInstagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠