Elev8 Episode 163 Be Courageous, Bet on You with Elle Nelson

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Summary Introduction and Background @ 0:00 Elle Nelson introduces herself as a mental performance coach who grew up playing sports, particularly soccer, and struggled with consistency and confidence as an athlete. She discovered the power of sports psychology in college and became passionate about helping other athletes develop their mental game. Overcoming Negative Self-Talk @ 6:06 Elle discusses how she had to overcome negative self-talk and stories she told herself about not being good enough. She learned to take control of her internal narrative and rewrite those limiting beliefs, which became a major key to her success. Authentic Leadership @ 11:54 As a freshman team captain, Elle initially felt a lot of pressure but learned that there are different types of leaders. She embraced her own authentic leadership style of leading by example and supporting her teammates, rather than trying to fit a mold of what a leader "should" be. Neutral Thinking and Emotional Regulation @ 23:37 Elle explains the concept of "neutral thinking" - acknowledging difficult emotions and situations without getting swept up in negativity. This allows athletes to reduce the noise and focus on what's within their control to move forward productively. Advice for Teenage Athletes and Their Parents @ 33:13 Elle shares an exercise she uses to help align the goals and priorities of young athletes and their parents. This can uncover misalignments and facilitate important conversations to better support the athlete's experience. Transferring Sports Skills to the Real World @ 37:26 Elle discusses how the skills developed through sports, such as teamwork, communication, and performing under pressure, are incredibly valuable in the professional world. She highlights how this is especially true for athletes transitioning out of sports careers. Closing Reflections @ 41:22 If Elle could go back in time and speak to her teenage self, she would tell herself to "be courageous and bet on yourself" - a powerful message of self-belief and taking control of one's own narrative.