Welcome Back! Approaching the New Season!
As the new sports season approaches, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether you’re coming back from a well-deserved break, an injury, or just a summer filled with other activities, the transition back to intense training and competition can be a bit daunting. But here’s the good news: returning to sports […]
The Power of Taking a Break: Vacation, Recovery, and the Return to Sports
You might have noticed a slight hiatus in my posts, and there’s a good reason for that—I’ve just returned from a fantastic vacation! It’s been a refreshing break, and it got me thinking about the importance of taking time off, especially in the high-pressure world of sports. The Benefits of Taking a Break Vacations aren’t […]
10 Best Ways to Cope With Injury Depression
Hello! I am Matthew Myrvik, a clinical sport psychologist and the proud owner of Excel Sport Psychology. With years of experience working with adolescent athletes in sports medicine, I understand the unique challenges and pressures that come with competing at elite levels. My approach centers on the belief that the problems athletes face aren’t within […]
How to Build a Child’s Confidence in Sports
Takeaway: Young athletes are expected to handle a lot, from balancing school, sports, family, friends, and work. This not only takes a toll on their ability to succeed but also their confidence (and overall mental well-being). In this blog, I’ll explain what self-confidence looks like for kids who play sports and how you can help […]
How to find the elusive “free” in sports!
As a parent, you want your child to enjoy their sport, play with confidence, and handle the pressures of competition with ease. However, it’s common for teen athletes to feel weighed down by expectations and anxiety. Here are some practical strategies to help your teen athlete learn to play more freely and fully enjoy their […]
Should my child see the Professional Athlete or the Professional Consultant? Which is better?
As parents of adolescent athletes in competitive sports, we all want the best for our children. We invest time, energy, and resources to help them excel, but sometimes we overlook one crucial aspect: their mental performance. Many parents assume that a former professional or collegiate athlete, coach, or even another parent can adequately address the […]
How to Outsmart the Mind in Mental Blocks!
Today, I wanted to tumble into the world of mental blocks in sports, using the experiences of a gymnast as our guide. Whether you’re perfecting your swing in baseball or golf, dribbling down the court in basketball, or mastering flips on the gymnastics mat or off the diving board, mental blocks can sneak up on […]
Athlete Perfectionism Explained by a Sport Psychologist [9 Tips to Cope]
Are you tired of feeling like you’re never quite good enough, even when you perform well? Hi there, I’m Dr. Matthew Myrvik, a sports psychologist specializing in athlete perfectionism. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and years of experience working with elite athletes, I’ve developed proven strategies to help athletes and coaches navigate the pitfalls […]
9 Tips to Achieve Performance Consistency in Sports
Consistency is everything in sports! Hello, I’m Dr. Matthew Myrvik, a licensed sport psychologist with over a decade of experience in helping athletes achieve peak performance. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a background in competitive sports, I understand the mental challenges athletes face and the strategies needed to overcome them. In this post, […]
10 Best Ways to Build Mental Toughness for Athletes
Mental toughness serves as the cornerstone of athletic success, shaping the mindset and resilience of athletes across diverse sports arenas. From setting clear goals to managing emotions under pressure, each facet of mental toughness plays a pivotal role in an athlete’s journey towards excellence. Throughout this discussion, I plan to dive deeper into mental toughness, […]