What do elite athletes and coaches actually think during performance?

In this episode, I sit down with Amy Whitehead to explore the Think Aloud method, a powerful tool used in sport psychology to capture real-time thought processes during performance.

We discuss how self-talk shapes decision-making, how pressure alters cognition, and why reflection and awareness are critical for high-level performance. The conversation also explores how athletes and coaches can train their minds to regulate emotions, improve focus, and perform under pressure.

We go into the different levels of Think Aloud, how it is used differently by athletes and coaches, and how internal dialogue connects to identity, behavior and performance. We also touch on how fatigue and stress influence thinking, and how simple strategies like reframing and awareness ca ...