Navigating Emotional Storms: Lessons from Olympic Coach Shawnee Harle

Spirit of an Athlete Podcast

This episode of 'Spirit of an Athlete' podcast features host Amanda Smith in conversation with Shawnee Harle, a two-time Olympic women's basketball coach for Canada. Harle discusses the importance of mental toughness from the viewpoints of a coach, player, and parent, emphasizing its role as a differentiator among athletes. By sharing personal coaching experiences and the evolution of her understanding, Harle illustrates the common pitfalls in traditional coaching methods that rely on physical solutions for emotional challenges. The discussion highlights the significance of mental performance coaching, the impact of a coach's approval on athletes, and strategies for fostering self-reflection and emotional resilience in athletes. Harle introduces practical tools for managing emotions and cultivating mental toughness, including getting 'curious not furious' and practicing forgiveness rather than judgment. Additionally, she touches on the role of parents in supporting their athlete’s emotional journey. The episode concludes with Harle guiding listeners on where to find her 'Mental Toughness Toolkit', designed for athletes, parents, and coaches.
Here's where to find Shawnee Harle:
Get your Mental Toughness Toolkit here!
Website: https://www.shawneeharle.com/
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: @ShawneeHarle
Facebook: Shawnee Harle

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Check out more from Amanda:
Website: Body Whisper Healing
Instagram: @Body.Whisper.Healing
Facebook: Body Whisper Healing

Chapters

1. Navigating Emotional Storms: Lessons from Olympic Coach Shawnee Harle (00:00:00)

2. Meet Shawnee Harle: A Journey Through Mental Toughness (00:00:15)

3. The Role and Pressure of Olympic Coaching (00:01:52)

4. Learning from Experience: Shawnee's Coaching Insights (00:04:38)

5. The Importance of Mental Toughness in Sports (00:05:59)

6. Coaching Culture and Emotional Intelligence (00:09:25)

7. The Never-Ending Quest for Approval in Sports (00:12:34)

8. Parental Influence and Athlete's Self-Approval (00:16:15)

9. Shawnee's Mental Toughness Toolkit for Athletes (00:22:05)

10. Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Shawnee Harle (00:27:48)