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Pressure doesn’t start on the tee pad—it starts in your head. We take you inside the real mechanics of self-talk and show how the words you choose can lower cortisol, steady your breath, and unlock smoother, more accurate throws. Drawing on sport psychology research, we break down when motivational self-talk boosts endurance and when instructional cues sharpen mechanics, translating lab insights into on-course routines anyone can use.

We get candid about tough rounds in brutal weather, the social ripple of negative chatter, and the hidden costs of phrases like “don’t miss” that your brain hears as “miss.” You’ll learn how third-person self-talk moves you from the amygdala’s alarm to the prefrontal cortex’s planning, plus simple reframes to stop rumination and protect energy through long tournament days. From grounding techniques and visualization to journaling prompts that catch mind reading and all-or-nothing thinking, these tools help you reset faster and make better choices under pressure.

We also talk care for the system behind the swing: sleep, exercise, therapy, and, when appropriate, supervised medication. Routines matter—wardrobe that signals game mode, pre-decisions that prevent tilt, and two clear cues that travel from field work to finals. Along the way, we share personal stories, caddy dynamics, and disc-specific phrases that keep attention on targets and form, not fear. Change your words, change your choices, change your score.

If this helped you steady your mind and find the gap, follow the show, leave a review, and share with a cardmate. Tell us your go-to performance cue—we may feature it next time.

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Disc Golf Changes Lives <3
To support this podcast or arrange for an interview please contact us at theintentionaldiscgolfer@gmail.com

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Ready to turn tournament nerves into clean lines and confident putts? We sit down with performance consultant and licensed therapist Kai Laird to unpack a mental game that actually holds under pressure. From the first hello to a working plan, Kai shows how assessments connect self-talk, anxiety, focus, and confidence so you can aim your effort where it counts. Instead of vague advice, you’ll hear crisp frameworks, clear routines, and field-tested cues that translate straight to your next round.

We break down the loop all competitors know too well—one mistake, spiraling thoughts, tight hands—and learn how to disrupt it with a three-step process: notice, name, neutralize. Kai explains how pre-shot routines, simple breathing, and vivid performance cues steer your attention toward the only shot that matters: the one in front of you. We explore growth mindset versus fixed mindset, why pressure can be a privilege, and how reframing restores joy and consistency when the card gets quiet and the wind picks up.

Visualization takes center stage with short, daily sessions that combine first-person “feel” and third-person “form.” You’ll learn how to add sight, sound, and touch to your mental reps, why imagery works best when your body is relaxed, and how the right cue becomes a movie your muscles follow. We also address real-life challenges—injuries, anxiety, depression, and the transition after college or pro careers—and share practical ways to find the right fit, whether you need a certified mental performance consultant or a licensed therapist.

Hit play for tools you can use today: better routines, cleaner self-talk, and a mindset that bounces. If this helped your game, subscribe, share with your card-mates, and leave a review so more players can level up their mental bag.

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Disc Golf Changes Lives <3
To support this podcast or arrange for an interview please contact us at theintentionaldiscgolfer@gmail.com

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Pressure doesn’t ruin rounds; untrained minds do. Today we unpack how performance psychology turns nerves into fuel and chaos into clarity, with practical tools you can put to work before your next tee shot. We trace the field from early research to modern routines, then translate the best insights into disc golf language: attention control when the card is noisy, emotional regulation when “nervous” feels like “excited,” and visualization that carries the disc all the way to the chains.

We share the learning targets that guide our practice—focus, goal setting, resilience, confidence, stress management, imagery, and decision-making—and show how to build them into simple habits. Think closed-loop routines you can trust under pace-of-play pressure, small-win stacking that rebuilds momentum mid-round, and strategic planning that frontloads choices so your brain can execute instead of overthink. You’ll hear how we use breathing, progressive relaxation, sensory check-ins, and mantras to get present; how we simulate pressure with team golf and match play; and how a 10-second fix from a trusted caddy can save shots without overhauling your form.

We also tackle misconceptions head-on. This isn’t empty positivity or a quick fix. It’s evidence-based training—visualization, cognitive reframing, and measurable goal frameworks—that complements your mechanics and amplifies your strengths. From biofeedback and slow-motion video to UDisc stats and post-round reviews, we outline low-cost ways to track progress and keep confidence honest. Along the way, we trade stories about slumps, gummy-worm celebrations, worst-shot rounds, and the quiet power of staying in your lane when a cardmate’s negativity tries to hijack your headspace.

If you’re ready to level up your bag and your mindset, start with one habit for thirty days and measure the change. Subscribe, share this with a cardmate who loves process and progress, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your focus is your edge—let’s sharpen it.

Support the show

Disc Golf Changes Lives <3
To support this podcast or arrange for an interview please contact us at theintentionaldiscgolfer@gmail.com