This episode breaks down the practical mechanics of visualization for athletes, covering three powerful frameworks: PETTLEP (a comprehensive roadmap), Action Observation Motor Imagery (watch-then-visualize technique), and Functional Imagery Training (cue-based motivation). In the episode I provide actionable exercises and addresses common visualization barriers, making mental training accessible for any skill level.

0:00 Intro

3:23 Ways to improve your visualization ability

7:37 How to evaluate your progress

11:01 PETTLEP

14:30 A Word From Our Affiliates - Create and Jasper

16:30 Visualization Exercise

20:08 Action Observation Motor Imagery

24:48 Functional Imagery Training

30:18 Comparing the 3 Frameworks

31:39 Overcoming Common Visualization Barriers

36:25 Making Visualization a Habit

39:13 Technology Enhanced Visualization

42:37 Recap

My new book on visualization: https://amzn.to/42oS4hV

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This episode breaks down the science behind visualization as a performance tool, exploring how elite athletes like Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, and Muhammad Ali use mental imagery to enhance their physical performance. This video is a comprehensive framework for understanding different types of visualization and offers practical guidance for implementing these techniques.

0:00 Intro2:54 Benefits of Visualization6:23 How Does Visualization Work?7:27 Types of Visualization10:03 1st Person vs. 3rd Person Visualization11:11 Modalities13:12 A Word From Our Affiliates - Create and Jasper15:13 Famous Athlete Visualization Examples17:45 Visualization Exercise22:07 RecapMy new book on visualization: https://amzn.to/42oS4hVProducts I use:Create creatine gummies: 20% off with code: "ATHLETEX": https://trycreate.co/ATHLETEXJaspr Air Purifier: 20% off with code "ATHLETEX": jaspr.co/athletexExponential Athlete SocialsSupport the Show: https://patreon.com/ExponentialAthleteTwitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcastInstagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exponential-athlete/id1726985417Website: https://exponentialathlete.co/Affiliates:Track your health data with Whoop. Get 1 month free - join.whoop.com/exponentialathlete

There is a crisis facing elite athletes that is hidden in plain sight. The crisis is one of mental health. More recently, high profile athletes like Michael Phelps have been vocal about the depression they have faced during their careers. Many more athletes stay silent, or even worse, ignore their symptoms.

I’ve talked at length about the mental health challenges that face high level athletes. While I’m well read about these topics, I’m no expert, and wanted to get a professional perspective.

I spoke with Dr. Ryan Davis to learn more details about the mental health landscape facing elite athletes. He is a Harvard-trained, Board-certified psychiatrist in Child, Adolescent, And Adult Psychiatry. As the founder of the Mind Health Institute in Beverly Hills, he leads a multidisciplinary mental health practice focused on providing comprehensive, personalized care. He has expertise in both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. What is special about Dr. Davis is that he also works with elite athletes and business executives as a performance coach. He is the perfect person to talk about mental health in high level athletes because understands them intimately.

In this episode, he goes in-depth into the mental health for elite athletes and shares his wealth of knowledge on improving mental resilience, achieving peak performance, and creating more purposeful, balanced lives.

Ryan's Links:

- https://www.capeperformance.com/

- https://www.mhi-bh.com/

Other Links:

- Stolen Focus Book: https://amzn.to/3DTbceo

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:45 Psychiatry vs Psychology

00:08:55 Process for Intake

00:11:38 ADHD in Athletes

00:16:23 ADHD Treatments in Athletes

00:17:55 Feedback Loops

00:19:56 The Pain Cycle

00:22:31 Burnout

00:28:52 Toxic Habits

00:31:43 Signs You Should Seek Help

00:35:25 The Mental Health Stigma

00:37:25 Injuries and Mental Health

00:45:11 Retirement

00:51:54 Icarus

00:53:13 Having a Team

00:56:22 Anxiety in Athletes

01:03:47 Actionable Items

01:06:23 Mindfulness Practice

01:11:09 Yips

01:12:48 Solving problems and getting ahead

01:16:37 Sleep

Exponential Athlete Socials Support the Show: https://patreon.com/ExponentialAthlete Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exponential-athlete/id1726985417 Website: https://exponentialathlete.co/ Affiliates: Track your health data with Whoop. Get 1 month free - join.whoop.com/exponentialathlete