RU Sport Psych Podcast // Dr. Paul Wylleman

In this episode, we discuss the athlete's lifespan, from how children can be introduced to sports in a positive way to what characterizes good talent development, what it takes to succeed, and finally, what challenges lie ahead at the end of their careers. Paul Wylleman is a clinical psychologist and professor at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels. He is one of the world's leading scholars in research on the athlete's lifespan and a holistic approach to training and parenting. Dr. Wylleman has published on psychological skills, mental health and well-being, and multidisciplinary support for high-performance athletes and Olympians. He has worked as an expert for the Dutch and Belgian Olympic Federations, including as lead sports psychologist at the Olympic Games, and has advised countless other nations on building support networks for Olympic teams. Paul is a former European Association of Sport Psychologists president and has worked on various studies for the International Olympic Committee. The interview with Paul was recorded when he came to give a talk at the Icelandic Gymnastics Association's symposium on the protection and welfare of children, adolescents, and high-achieving athletes.RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment.Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you.