Dr. Kate Lund, psychologist, best-selling author, and host of The Optimized Mind podcast, shares powerful strategies for building mental resilience in lacrosse goalies and young athletes.

In this conversation, we explore:

The Relaxation Response Technique: A simple 5-minute daily practice using breathing and a calming word/phrase to modulate stress and build emotional control
Pre-Game Routines & Visualization: How to create a solid foundation of confidence before stepping on the field
Managing Emotions on the Sidelines: Why parent stress transfers to players and what to do about it
The "Even Keel" Mindset: How to celebrate great saves without losing focus for the next shot
Processing Failure: The importance of sitting with disappointment rather than sweeping it under the rug
The Daily Wins Exercise: Writing down 3-5 things that went well each day to counteract negative thought patterns
The Car Ride Home: How parents can support their goalie after tough games

Dr. Lund also discusses her new book, Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting, and shares insights from her personal journey with resilience, starting from childhood challenges with hydrocephalus to becoming a competitive tennis player.

Connect with Dr. Kate Lund:

Website: katelundspeaks.com
Instagram: @dr_kate_lund
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kate-lund

Support the show

LGR 288: Building Resilience and Performing Under Pressure with Dr. Kate Lund