018 - 5 Superpowers of Athlete's Brains

Athletes: Are your brains wired differently than non-athletes? YES! Years of physical training, mental training, stress, wins, losses, goals achieved and goals missed, pain, joy and discipline wire your brain to give you mental superpowers that others may not have. In this episode I'm giving you my top 5 mental strengths that athletes have, plus I'm giving you a bonus superpower at the end! You'll learn what they are, what's happening in your brain, and specific things you can do to make the most of your athlete brain. Resources & videos mentioned in this episode: Next Season Podcast 007 - Unlocking Elite Effort https://youtu.be/pCG6wKtyn6M?si=DcWIFsX-gssgfjSP Next Season Podcast 008 - Ambition Without Attachment https://youtu.be/0dnK-zEMmrQ?si=hp1hC7Vl2UL0dFGm Next Season Podcast 010 - Mental Toughness https://youtu.be/pQBpEQuSSWk?si=T-x7U2ViauH6FLPW Next Season Podcast 013 - We Suck at Goal Setting https://youtu.be/kPwEfh5PLak?si=ARU6KWqgI_PCHVaK Next Season Podcast 014 - Turn Your Goals Into Habits https://youtu.be/H25eHDXz4SU?si=7ZvAjNtyEB3-ffd- The Science of Hitting a Major League Fastball (Insider Science) https://youtu.be/RENLMum5wz4?si=D9jGUq_oazRaV6Vn Next Season Athletes Focus Matrix - https://www.nextseasonathletes.com/free-stuff Play Sports for a Quieter Brain: Evidence From Division I Collegiate Athletics (Journal: Sports Health) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31813316/ 00:00 Intro & the Athlete's Brain 00:40 Top 5 Superpowers of an Athlete's Brain 03:50 Superpower 1: Heightened Focus & Concentration 11:31 Superpower 2: Elevated Grit & Resilience 17:57 Superpower 3: Greater Neuroplasticity 23:53 Superpower 4: Decision Making Under Pressure 29:49 Superpower 5: Higher Level Goal-Oriented Thinking 33:44 Bonus Superpower: Managing Pain & Discomfort 37:27 Wrap Up, Gratitude & How You Can Help