Sportual Cafe - Emily Lindsay & "Enthusiasm"

Updated 2 days ago

In this episode of 'The Sportual Cafe: Finding Joy in Sports with Emily Lindsay,' Jeanne explores the connections between sports and spirituality. Emily Lindsay, a licensed professional counselor and certified sports psychology coach, shares her experiences and insights on helping athletes rediscover joy and meaning in their sports careers. Through personal anecdotes and professional advice, Emily emphasizes the importance of process over outcome, the power of reframing thoughts, and the significance of understanding one's 'why' in sports. This episode offers perspectives for athletes, coaches, and anyone interested in the spiritual aspects of sports, aiming to help them find balance, purpose, and enthusiasm in their sports journeys.

Chapters

Introduction to the Sportual Cafe (00:00:11)
The host introduces the show, explaining the exploration of sport, meaning, and spirituality, and thanks the Public Media Network for hosting.

The episode begins with the host welcoming viewers to the show. They discuss the themes of the program, which include exploring the connections between sports, meaning, and spiritual purpose. The host expresses gratitude to the Public Media Network for their support and hospitality.
Guest Introduction: Emily Lindsay (00:00:29)
Emily Lindsay is introduced as a licensed professional counselor and sports psychology coach with a background in basketball and golf.

The host introduces the first guest, Emily Lindsay, highlighting her credentials as a licensed professional counselor and certified sports psychology coach. Emily's educational background and her experience in sports, particularly basketball and golf, are discussed. The host mentions her business, Peak Performance Counseling, based in Kalamazoo.
Emily's Spiritual Word: Enthusiasm (00:01:22)
Emily discusses her chosen spiritual word, enthusiasm, and its significance in her sports and therapy career.

Emily shares her spiritual word, 'enthusiasm,' which resonates with her both in her past sports career and current work as a coach and therapist. She reflects on her competitive nature and lack of joy during her playing days, and how she now helps clients rediscover joy and purpose in sports.
Focusing on Process Over Outcome (00:02:03)
Emily emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process and experience rather than outcomes in sports and life.

Emily discusses how she encourages her clients to shift focus from outcomes and records to the process and experience of playing sports. She explains the difference between being process-focused, which is about being present, and being outcome-focused, which is future-oriented.
Why We Play Events (00:03:12)
Emily reflects on the impact of attending 'Why We Play' events and the importance of understanding one's reasons for playing sports.

Emily recounts her experiences attending the 'Why We Play' events during her time at Kalamazoo College. She explains how these events helped her reflect on her reasons for being a collegiate athlete and how they influenced her career path in counseling and sports psychology.
Individual vs. Team Sports (00:04:39)
Discussion on the differences and similarities between individual sports like golf and team sports like basketball.

The host and Emily discuss the challenges of individual sports such as golf, where players compete individually but contribute to a team score. Emily shares her experiences and the pressure of not wanting to let others down, and how she helps clients reframe their thoughts about performance and failure.
Reframing Pressure and Anxiety (00:06:12)
Emily explains how she teaches clients to handle pressure and reframe anxiety as excitement in sports.

Emily talks about the common feelings of pressure and anxiety in athletes and how she helps them reframe these feelings as excitement and anticipation. She emphasizes the importance of language and word choice in shaping one's mindset and performance.
Techniques for Managing Performance Anxiety (00:08:33)
Strategies for managing performance anxiety through process focus, mental anchors, and grounding techniques.

Emily shares practical techniques to help athletes manage performance anxiety, such as focusing on controllable factors, using mental anchors, and employing reset cues like breathing exercises and sensory challenges to ground themselves during competition.
Spirituality and Community in Sports (00:10:55)
Exploration of spirituality in sports and the importance of community and finding joy in games.

The conversation shifts to the spiritual aspects of sports, finding joy in the games, and the role of community. The host and Emily discuss how reframing words and focusing on the spiritual and communal elements can enhance athletes' experiences.
Encouraging Help-Seeking in Athletes (00:14:38)
Emily stresses the importance of athletes asking for help and seeing themselves as whole individuals beyond their athletic roles.

Emily emphasizes the significance of athletes reaching out for help and being seen as whole individuals, not just defined by their sports roles. She encourages open communication between athletes and their support systems to foster a healthier athletic environment.

Sportual Cafe (2 Episodes)

Updated 2 days ago

Sportual Cafe is where sport and spirituality meet in honest conversation, where we explore the deeper story beneath sport. The story of meaning, growth, struggle, connection and transformation.