This episode discusses the importance of mental preparation in fencing, the coach-athlete relationship in injury recovery, and the cognitive demands of the sport. Dr. John Heil, a sports and clinical psychologist, discusses the importance of sports etiquette and managing parent expectations. Dr. Ina Harizanova, a former elite modern pentathlete, fencing and swimming coach, and a doctor of clinical psychology discusses the psychological challenges athletes face when injured and offers strategies for coping with those challenges. She stresses the importance of communication, self-compassion, and focusing on what athletes can control during recovery. Olympic fencer Iris Zimmerman discusses the psychological impact of her career-ending injury, emphasizing the importance of perspective and learning from setbacks. Finally, Olympic meda ...