Ep 34: Mental Performance in Sports with Dr. Amy O'Hana

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💪🏃💃When you think of an athlete, who or which qualities come to mind? Are only individuals who perform at elite levels athletes? And, what do athletes have in common with organizational leaders?
Some of our answers to those questions are: High performers, active participation, builders of skill, and passion. No. See answer to number 1.
Helena, Mike and Expert-in-residence, Dr. Amy O’Hana, licensed professional counselor and Assistant Professor, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, at University of Western States, go deep on mental performance in athletes. And, it’s not just for athletes; this conversation has so many insights for anyone who is a high performer, whether in a sport, art, or business.
In this episode:
🎙️Who is an “athlete”?
🎙️The role of self-identity and why defining who you are as an athlete can impact your level of success and effectiveness
🎙️Burnout and anxiety in sports or high performers; the disconnection from the meaning the sport has to an athlete
🎙️The importance of mindset
🎙️The sinister side of the “growth mindset”
🎙️The drive to be better, faster, stronger
🎙️Harmonious passion vs Obsessive passion
🎙️Developing the tools to be self-aware and identify when a tool or practice no longer works and when it’s just enough
🎙️Exhaustion and our ability to stay connected with the intersection of our values and what drives us
🎙️ Why grit and sheer force of will can only take you so far

Dr. Amy O’Hana is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Oregon and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (CCE). She has been a full-time counselor educator for 19 years, manages her own private practice and has been the director of two counseling training clinics. Her clinical expertise is in ethics; diagnosis and assessment; career and vocational counseling; grief, loss, and adjustment; and clinical training in practicum and internship. She has taught at UWS as a full-time CMHC faculty member since July 2021.
Amy’s research interests are human potential and motivation, Erotic Intelligence (Er-I) (which isn’t necessarily about sexuality), spirit-body-mind integration, and spirituality. She is the author of two published books, When Your Child is Grieving (2019) and Beyond Burnout: What To Do When Your Work Isn’t Working For You (2020). In addition, she has authored or co-authored many other professional publications and presentations, including a website.
Amy is an expert in career and vocational issues, including burnout and secondary traumatic stress (e.g., stress and trauma due to occupation, such as military or first responders). You can find Amy on LinkedIn and www.amyohana.com.

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified medical professional. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and may not be those of the hosts or CoNut Media LLC; we are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. Listeners should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

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1. Ep 34: Mental Performance in Sports with Dr. Amy O'Hana (00:00:00)

2. Ep 23: Burnout with Dr Amy O'Hana (00:11:18)

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