From the Gridiron to the Job Site: Mastering the Mental Game of Performance.
Whether you are an elite athlete, a student facing a high-stakes exam, or a crane operator managing a multi-million dollar lift, the cognitive signature of stress is the same. Why, then, do we focus so much on physical conditioning while leaving our mental state to chance?
In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Braxton Shaw, a Concordia alum and researcher in Construction Performance Psychology (CPP). Dr. Shaw reveals his groundbreaking research on transference, demonstrating how the Psychological Skills Training (PST) used by world-class performers can be applied to academics, medicine, and high-risk industries.
You’ll discover:
- The Four Pillars of PST: How to master goal setting, stress management, self-talk, and visualization to achieve a flow state.
- The Transference Breakthrough: Why the mental tools used on the football field are the exact same skills needed for academic and professional success.
- Proactive vs. Reactive Mental Health: A look at how Construction Performance Psychology is tackling the mental health crisis in high-risk industries.
- The "And One" Breath: A practical, neuroscience-backed technique to reset your stress baseline instantly.
- Dr. Shaw’s Five Life Essentials: Why you must question everything, stack your life with positivity, and never flinch in the face of a challenge.
Stop reacting to stress and start conditioning for peak performance. This conversation provides the blueprint for anyone looking to bridge the gap between potential and polished performance.
Perfect for: Student-athletes, construction industry leaders, educators, and anyone seeking to optimize their mental health and performance under pressure.
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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at www.cui.edu/townsend.
Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at tipodcast@cui.edu for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!
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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by The Songwriter Initiative of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.
