by Lydia Black | Jun 2, 2026 | Performance Anxiety, Performance Psychology
Experiential avoidance in sport is incredibly common. It happens when athletes try to escape, avoid, suppress, or control uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, or pressure. And while avoidance can feel helpful in the short term, it can quietly get in...
by Lydia Black | Apr 9, 2026 | Mental Health, mental health, psychology, Uncategorized, Wellbeing, Womens health
Many women enter perimenopause feeling like their body has changed without their permission. Energy dips, mood becomes less predictable, and things that once felt manageable can start to feel harder. Alongside this, confidence can take a hit, not always in obvious...
by Lydia Black | Sep 20, 2025 | Mental Blocks, Performance Anxiety, Performance Psychology, sport psychology, Visualisation
In my work with athletes, I’m often asked about visualisation techniques. To be honest, I’ve tended to shy away from recommending them in the past. The main reason? I’ve always seen mixed messaging about how effective visualisation really is, and I’ve worried about...
by Lydia Black | May 7, 2025 | Mental Health, Performance Psychology, Self Care, sport psychology, Uncategorized, Values, Wellbeing
Three Options in High-Pressure Moments Inspired by the work of Dr Russ Harris The Challenge Formula In high-performance sport, there are moments that test you, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. That is where the Challenge formula comes in. Maybe...
by Lydia Black | Feb 28, 2025 | ADHD, ADHD and Athletes, Wellbeing
“ADHD is just an overdiagnosed excuse for laziness”. I heard this from a parent of one of my clients this week, but the reality couldn’t be more different. Despite growing awareness, ADHD remains widely misunderstood. Some dismiss it as an excuse for a...
by Lydia Black | Dec 17, 2024 | Mental Health, Performance Anxiety, Performance Psychology, psychology, sport psychology
Performance anxiety – it’s something every athlete has dealt with at some point. Whether it’s before a big competition, in the middle of a high-pressure moment, or when expectations feel sky-high, the weight of it can be overwhelming. But here’s the thing:...