“Practice makes permanent”, how sports psychologist Jonathan Katz deals with things not going smoothly

Show Notes

As COVID continues to reek havoc through all of Europe and with stricter measures being taken Nationally, what effect is this having on our mental health and our fencing? We thought it was time to check in with psychology again. 

In this episode Ben and Chris are joined by British Fencing’s Lead Athlete Development Programme Sports Psychologist - Dr Jonathan Katz. Jonathan’s expertise has taken him to multiple Paralympic Games, European, World and Commonwealth Championships, making him an ideal person to talk to when things don’t go smoothly,  a little like trying to fence during a global pandemic! 

Showing his cool, calm demeanour throughout this intricate episode, Jonathan talks us through some of the common myths surrounding psychology and mental training asking us the most important question - “What function does your sport serve for you and is it meeting that function?”

With high levels of national stress, maintaining mental health is challenging and with fencing restrictions becoming increasingly tighter, most of us are at risk of losing our deep emotional drive that creates the 'personal high' experienced at the core of our magnificent sport! 

Jonathan goes deeper to explore what makes top athletes tick and how psychology training has changed in his long and decorated career -
“The idea that people can improve their mental skills in just the same way as their physical skills has resulted in psychology being more of a proactive component in the sporting environment”.

Through JK’s experience with show host, Ben, we discover what more British fencers could be doing to gain greater understanding of their progression and developing more of a ‘learning’ mindset - “It may not have gone as you intended, that doesn’t mean it was wrong. It means it was different”. Coining one of his most favourite phrases, Jonathan explains how easy it is to create habits. Leading to the name of this episode - “Practice makes Permanent”! 

If you’d like to know more or speak to JK directly, you can get in touch via:

Thanks Chris. Should be good for me to go live. Please let me have the various 'handles' where folks can find the podcast so I can place on my social media.

Twitter: @DrJonKatz
Email: [e-mail]
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drjonathankatz

What is Fencing: The Fenced In Podcast?

The Fenced In podcast is, in essence sports and fencing framed in a light, conversational piece. The show is hosted by two GB international fencers, Ben Peggs and Christopher Mollard, who have the added dynamic of being coach and student. They share their experience as well as their tried and tested ideas of how to continue to improve in this technical sport that we all remain so passionate about, through lockdown and beyond.

With nearly 30 years of knowledge between them, Chris and Ben discuss how to train and how to improve both their mental and physical fitness in such a way as to maximise their full potential. The duo explore the newest and continually evolving side of our sport that is ‘quarantine training’, sharing their experience from their own homes and exploring the many ways that fencers and athletes in other sports can make the most of training during this global pandemic. Discussing anything and everything - from mindfulness in the living room to point control in the garden, the show also features a much in demand ‘ask us anything’ segment where listeners have the opportunity to ask the questions they want the answers to.
If you’re wanting to make the most out of quarantine then let’s be Fenced In together.

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