Elev8 Episode 189 Wellness & Performance with Dr. Alex Reed

More on Dr. Alex Reed Bio   Summary Dr. Reed on Behavioral Health Tyler welcomed Dr. Alex Reed to the Elevate podcast and asked about her background. Dr. Reed explained her work at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she teaches family physicians and OBGYN residents about behavioral health and primary care. She also discussed her Project Hair Care initiative, which educates barbers and stylists in the Black community about mental health. Additionally, Dr. Reed shared her roles as team psychologist for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids. Mental Wellness in Team Sports Alex discussed the importance of connection and relationships in team sports, emphasizing how culture and collaboration build team strength. He addressed mental wellness in young athletes, noting their tendency to be hard on themselves and the need to help them reframe negative thoughts using techniques like cognitive disputation. Alex suggested asking athletes what supportive advice they would give to a friend in similar situations as a way to help them manage their inner critics. Athlete Mental Recovery Techniques Alex discussed the importance of athletes engaging in activities outside their sports for mental recovery and relaxation. Tyler shared his personal experience with this and asked Alex about the benefits of meditation and breathing exercises for performance. Alex explained the 478 breath technique and described how it helps trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and focus while preventing performance anxiety. Maintaining Team Chemistry in Sports Alex and Tyler discussed the importance of maintaining fun and team chemistry in high-level sports, particularly during rigorous seasons. Alex shared examples of how coaches and teams incorporate fun elements, such as Coach Mike Malone throwing a football to players during practice, leaving unexpected items in players' lockers, or going on team outings. They emphasized how these activities help build team rapport and enhance performance. Play in Building Relationships Alex and Tyler discussed the importance of play in building relationships and its lasting impact on human biology. Alex shared an example from a sports team where players incorporated basketball into their soccer practice by kicking soccer balls into a basketball hoop from a distance, creating a fun competition that also built psychological flexibility. The conversation touched on how mental strength involves adapting to uncertain situations, which is a common experience for athletes. Improv Techniques in Teaching and Sports Alex discussed applying improvisation theater techniques to various contexts, including teaching medical students and working with athletes. They outlined three key rules for improv exercises: having all necessary skills, viewing mistakes as opportunities for learning, and supporting teammates to make them look good. Alex used Nikola Jokic as an example of someone who effectively applies these principles in basketball. Athlete Wellness and Mental Health Tyler and Alex discussed the importance of sleep and rest for athletes, with Alex sharing practical tips for creating a healthy sleep routine. They explored the concept of building authentic confidence through practice and embracing failure, with Alex introducing the "failure bow" technique inspired by circus performers. Alex also explained his Project Hair Care initiative, which provides mental health support and resources to barbers and stylists who often hear intimate client stories during haircuts.