Carol Dweck’s bestselling book Mindset breaks down, among many other ideas, the two different mindsets that individuals may have regarding their talents and abilities. Individuals with a fixed mindset generally think that their talents and abilities are fixed. In sports, this is often illustrated by the supremely talented athlete who falters in big moments, doesn’t … Continued
A Bamboo Mind
When bamboo is in even the worst of storms, it rarely breaks. Instead of breaking, amidst wild winds, it bends. The next day, if you were to return to look at the bamboo, there would be virtually no sign of damage. We want our minds to behave the same way, not necessarily by being mentally … Continued
My CrossFit Mantra
By Ellin Gurvitch, SportStrata Intern “This is when it matters, this is the moment I train for” is my mantra when things get tough. In and out of the gym, it’s easy to push through when things are manageable and maintainable. It’s easy to do the right thing when a task is simple and controllable. … Continued
Experiencing Flow in Everyday Life
Have you ever been so immersed in a task or a moment on the field that it felt like everything else just faded away around you? You were most likely experiencing what is called flow, otherwise known as complete engagement in a task that leads to a heightened state of awareness and consciousness. When we … Continued
Motivation vs. Commitment
Motivation is often considered one of the foundations to achieving our goals in sport and life. However, whether it be the COVID-19 pandemic or the stressors of daily life, performers in every arena struggle with how to stay motivated during long periods of training or difficult times. But what if we told you that rather … Continued
The Mental Gym
“Just like you can train your calves, your thighs, or your quads by doing squats, you can do squats for your mindset and you can do curls for your mental gym.” When you think about your ultimate performance goals, whether it is playing a sport at the highest level, picking up a new hobby, developing … Continued
Finding Happiness with PERMA
Your mind is your strongest muscle, but it can also be your worst enemy, so you have to train it well. PERMA is an acronym for a model of wellbeing put forth by a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, Martin Seligman. According to Seligman, PERMA defines five important building blocks of wellbeing and … Continued
Winning the “What If” Battle
For most of us, our minds tend to drift to the battle of the “What If’s,” especially during the uncertain times of COVID-19. What if I lose my job? What if my kids aren’t back in school in September? What if I don’t make enough money for my family? We ride out the thought train … Continued
Meaning Thru Movement tour with Liv Massey
The Meaning Thru Movement tour was launched in May 2020 by Alison Désir, a globally recognized fitness advocate, mental health professional, and community activist. Each event is designed to advance the conversation about mental health and well being into the running and fitness space. SportStrata’s Liv Massey was asked to lead a conversation on the value of … Continued
Running the COVID-19 Marathon
Even as many states begin to transition out of quarantine, there is still a “new normal” we are faced with, as life may never go back to exactly as it was before. At least not yet, anyway. The entirety of COVID-19 up until this point has felt like a marathon, and for those of us … Continued