Friday 7 October 2011

Overcoming Mental Challenges Of Extreme Sports

In life, we regularly have to mentally challenge ourselves; be it for a new job, a calculation, or simply, making a decision, we all have to do it. 


But how about choosing a career, or hobby, knowing that you will have to face big mental challenges that could mean having to make yourself aware that you WILL receive injury, or perhaps long term damage to your body? 


That becomes a whole different situation.


So how do we manage? I love stunt riding. Every time I get out on to my stunt bike, I face another mental barrier that I need to cross. For example, learning a new trick. Not being able to do that trick already, I have to tell myself that I will come off the bike learning it. But will I get hurt? What part of my body will I fall on? Will I be able to ride again after? All of these questions are the main factor to overcome my personal mental barriers. 


Once I have tried the new trick a few times, my brain starts to become familiar with it, and allows that barrier to eventually begin to lift. 


Is it more difficult for a female to overcome these challenges? Yes. In my opinion, it is. Why? Because we are often less competitive, more aware of our appearance, and have a smaller, weaker body frame than men. 


Does it take us longer to get good at our chosen Extreme Sport? Not always. If you can find a way to overcome those challenges quickly, you will find it easier the next time. Persistence is the key - Alongside taking your time, and not rushing into harder challenges too quickly.


What about the confidence that we need to be able to stick a it? Or to know that we can be just as good as anyone else at our chosen sport. This is something that we all have to work on which simply comes with time. 


Have you had an experience similar to this? What Mental barriers have you had to overcome and how did you do it? I would love to hear your thoughts on this!