Q&A and where to go for sport psychology news and views

It's the monthly Mind Room Q&A (plus a rundown of the sport pysch sources I'm reading, watching and listening to)

“He can appear fragile because of the things he’s said but he’s a tough man…He is strong because he’s had to overcome things others would not have been able to. There’s a contradiction in talking about his ‘fragility’ because you need energy and strength to face that. Someone who is capable of overcoming extreme situations, facing breaking points – one day maybe he’ll explain what he’s been through, that’s up to him – shows great strength.”

Luis de la Fuente discussing Alvaro Morata, September 2024

Fragility. Vulnerability. Sensitivity. Sometimes, (when you're confronted with the latest example of the toxic masculinity which continues to afflict football) you need to remind yourself that these are qualities we should cherish, even within the rarefied world of elite sport.

De la Fuente's quote, taken from the Spain national team manager's recent interview with The Guardian, is a poignant reminder of how outdated attitudes can be countered - and how far we have to travel before the abuse dished out to players like Morata becomes a thing of the past.

We've previously covered the Spanish striker's struggles and his faith in sport psychology, but De la Fuente’s insight into how this experience has underpinned Morata's captaincy of the European champions is revealing. The very qualities that are sometimes condemned by dressing room 'camaraderie' are front and centre of the best team in European football.

All of which might provide some food for thought ahead of this month's Mind Room Q&A. The premise is simple: it's your chance to ask the sport psychology questions you want answered.

There are no strict parameters for putting forward queries: it can be anything on what’s going on in the industry, requests for help with a professional problem or another challenge you’re looking for help with. I’ll then go away over the next three weeks, speak to a range of different contacts and pull together some answers, which I’ll publish in the next Q&A bulletin a month from now.

Here are a couple of examples of questions that readers asked in a previous session:

“I am currently a young sport psychology consultant in training. I am curious to hear your thoughts surrounding what I can and cannot do in terms of consulting and coaching while still completing my masters degree. My school has strict limits on us working with individuals and teams. I am finding it difficult to balance patience with wanting to learn and apply my skills. Any insight would be much appreciated!”

“Are there any articles which I can share with my players that home in on maturity development and mindset (with regards to seeing their development in more of an objective light)?”

If that’s piqued your interest in submitting a question, you can take part in the Q&A by becoming a Mind Room Member.

Signing up - for just £4.99 per month (or £49.99 per year) - gives you access to:

• The weekly Mind Room newsletter

• The full archive of 150+ stories and podcast episodes, covering sport psychology theory, practice and strategy

• The monthly podcast/Q&A

In addition to the call for questions (which you can submit via mindroomenquiries@gmail.com or the ‘leave a comment’ button at the bottom of the article), I also wanted to give you a rundown on the sites and social media accounts I visit for sport psychology news and views.