Blog – Mind Sports

Handling Success: The Glamourization of Sports

admin May 22, 2025 0 Comments

In the glittering world of professional sports, athletes frequently serve as icons of success, fame, and financial riches. We see their accomplishments on the field, court, or track, and we love to see their lavish lifestyles. However, beyond the sparkle and glamour is a grey truth that we fail to acknowledge.

The story begins with an athlete’s exceptional performance in one of the national competitions. The athlete had been working hard to prepare for the tournament and the hard work paid off. But what happens next is sort of a game changer. In today’s social media ruled era, the athlete’s achievements bring in a lot of positive attention. The athlete is now in talks for selection in the nationals team. Along with that the athlete starts receiving many sponsorships and endorsement deals. The athlete, fueled by the sudden turn of events, continues performing well in the upcoming competitions, while adjusting to his new upgraded lifestyle. The athlete, who has been receiving a lot of attention on social media and otherwise, now has to split his time between training and media shoots, endorsements and the parties. He also starts spending a lot of time reading his fan reviews and comments on the internet, at times he feels bothered by the negative comments that come up once in a while. When the performance drops, there are incidents of trolling. To divert the mind, the athlete engages in parties, which has an effect on the next day of training. From here, all of us can imagine how the downfall begins.

While this is not the case for majority athletes, it is the reality for quite a few of them. Most athletes even after receiving fame and recognition continue to be internally motivated and perform consistently. However, with the increasing exploits of social media and the increasing glamour of the sports industry, many athletes are now falling prey to the dazzling lifestyle and to the perks of this limelight.

The sports industry has seen a significant increase in glamour and media attention, with athletes becoming celebrities and endorsements becoming common. This has led to a blurring of the lines between sports, entertainment, and marketing, as sports channels and Bollywood are increasingly promoting each other. The fast pace of social media also plays a crucial role in showcasing the lives of athletes, both on and off the field, further amplifying the glamour quotient. Although receiving fame and recognition can be substantially good for an athlete’s career, it can have adverse effects as well. Glamour in sports can have both positive and negative effects on athletes. On one hand, it can increase media attention, boost revenue, and provide opportunities for endorsements and sponsorships. However, it can also lead to societal pressure, objectification, and a focus on appearance over athletic achievement. Additionally, glamour can contribute to a culture of entitlement and a detachment from the true essence of sport, potentially leading to mental health issues and a decline in focus on athletic performance.

In this blog, let us explore some effects of glamourization of the sports industry on the athletes:

Positive Effects:

Increased Media Attention:
Glamour can attract more media coverage, leading to greater recognition and exposure for athletes and their sports. This can help in bringing the lesser known sports to limelight.
Enhanced Revenue:
Increased media attention can translate into more sponsorships, endorsements, and overall revenue for athletes and sports organizations. These revenues in turn help the organizations in providing better support for their athletes.
Opportunities for Endorsements:
Glamorous athletes are often seen as desirable representatives for brands, leading to lucrative endorsement deals.
Role Models and Inspiration:
Some athletes, especially those who overcome adversity, can serve as inspirational role models for others, regardless of their level of glamour.

Negative Effects:

Societal Pressure and Body Image Issues:
The emphasis on physical appearance can create pressure on athletes, particularly female athletes, to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, potentially leading to body image and self perception issues.
Objectification and Trivialization:
The media’s focus on an athlete’s appearance or other lifestyle choices rather than their athletic skills can lead to objectification and trivialization of their accomplishments, particularly for female athletes. This may create a sense of over exposure and loss of privacy for the athletes, as their every move gets scrutinized on social media.
Culture of Entitlement:
Excessive attention and fame can lead to a sense of entitlement, making it difficult for athletes to stay grounded and focused on their sport. Gaining a celebrity status may erode their motivation and hunger to win for the country.
Mental Health Challenges:
The pressure and scrutiny associated with glamour can contribute to mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. This could also lead to social isolation and decline in athletic performance.
Deterioration of Athletic Focus:
The focus on glamour can sometimes overshadow the importance of athletic performance, leading to a decline in focus and training. Engagement in activities other than sport may gain precedence over regular training as they become the means of monetary gains and entertainment. Demands of high profile sports and constant media attention can lead to burnout and feelings of depersonalization, losing touch with their true selves.

As it can be observed, most of the effects of this glamourization of sport are psychological in nature. To mitigate the negative impacts of glamour and celebrity on athletes, they can focus on maintaining a grounded mindset, prioritizing their training and performance, and seeking support from coaches and mentors. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and developing strong communication skills can help them navigate the demands of fame and media attention.

1. Maintaining a Grounded Mindset:

Focus on the sport:
Athletes should prioritize their training and performance above the allure of fame and fortune.
Self-Discipline:
Self-discipline is crucial for maintaining consistency in training, adhering to a healthy lifestyle, and staying focused on goals.
Stay focused on goals:
Developing a clear vision and action plan for their athletic journey can help them stay grounded and focused.
Embrace a functional mindset:
Instead of striving for perfection, athletes can focus on performing their best based on their preparation.
Learning from Success and Failure:
Successful athletes learn from both their successes and their failures, using them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

2. Prioritizing Training and Performance:

Consistent practice:
Regular training and competition are essential for building confidence and developing skills, helping athletes stay focused on their craft.
Seeking coaching and mentorship:
Coaches and mentors can provide guidance, support, and help athletes navigate the challenges of fame and the media.

3. Managing Media Attention and Social Pressure:

Developing communication skills:
Athletes can learn how to manage media interviews and social media interactions effectively, protecting their privacy and maintaining their focus.
Practicing mindfulness:
Mindfulness techniques can help athletes manage anxiety and stay focused on their goals, regardless of external pressures.
Building a strong support network:
Surrounding themselves with supportive friends, family, and mentors can provide a sense of grounding and help them navigate the challenges of fame.

By implementing these strategies, athletes can mitigate the negative effects of glamour and fame, allowing them to maintain their focus on their athletic goals and overall well-being.

Rasika Kalgutkar, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Mental Health in Sports

The Off Season Advantage : How to Stay Ahead

admin April 23, 2025 0 Comments

The off-season is a critical period in an athlete’s yearly schedule. It’s a time to rest, recharge, and refocus. While many athletes use this time to work on their physical skills, it’s equally important to prioritize mental training.
The off-season can be a challenging time for athletes. Without the structure of regular training and competition, it’s easy to lose motivation and momentum. Athletes may also struggle with feelings of uncertainty and doubt about their abilities. However, with the right mindset and strategies, athletes can use this time to their advantage.
One of the most effective ways athletes can use the off-season is by setting specific, achievable goals for the upcoming season. By breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, athletes can create a roadmap towards achieving success. Visualization is another powerful tool that athletes can use to prepare for the upcoming season. By visualizing themselves succeeding, overcoming challenges, and achieving their goals, athletes can build confidence and mental toughness.
Positive self-talk is also essential for athletes during the off-season. By practicing positive affirmations, athletes can build confidence and self-belief. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help reduce stress and improve focus. Journaling is another useful tool that athletes can use to reflect on the past season, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. When reflecting on the past season, athletes can ask themselves questions like:

What were my strengths and weaknesses?
What were my biggest challenges, and how did I overcome them?
What did I learn about myself and my sport?
What goals did I achieve, and what goals did I fall short of?
What changes can I make to improve my performance in the upcoming season?
By prioritizing mental training during the off-season, athletes can experience a range of benefits. They can improve their focus, increase their confidence, and develop better resilience. Mental training can also enhance overall performance and competitiveness.
To get the most out of the off-season, athletes should stay active, engage in activities that promote physical and mental well-being, and seek support from coaches, teammates, or mental performance specialists. Prioritizing self-care is also essential, including adequate sleep, nutrition, and relaxation. By taking care of their physical and mental health, athletes can return to competition feeling refreshed, motivated, and ready to perform at their best.
Ultimately, the off-season is an opportunity for athletes to recharge and refocus. By prioritizing mental training and taking care of their physical and mental health, athletes can set themselves up for success in the upcoming season. With a strong mental game, athletes can overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and perform at their best.

Kiran Salunkhe, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Uncategorized

Role of Coaches & Support Staff in Injury Management

admin March 22, 2025 0 Comments

In the previous segments of this series, we explored the occurrences of injuries in sports, psychological factors that contribute to it and how athletes cope with injuries. In this last segment of the series we address the role coaches and support staff play in helping athletes prevent, minimise and manage their injuries.

Social Support is the most frequently researched psychosocial resource when it comes to injury management. The notion that people feel the need to be associated with others who provide love, warmth, social ties and a sense of belonging is always considered as an emotionally satisfying aspect of life. Social support has been identified as a useful coping resource when dealing with a variety of stressors such as stemming from sport injuries. In sports context, this support is mainly received from the individuals involved in the athletes’ sporting career. Those individuals being the coaches and support staff such as physios, medics and so on, it becomes crucial to understand how these individuals can facilitate injury management.

Role of Coaches and Support Staff in Injury Prevention

Injury prevention is a key focus for coaches and medical teams alike, especially in contact sports where the risk of injury is inherently higher. Coaches and support staff play a critical role in injury prevention by implementing prevention programs, monitoring athlete workload, promoting safety, and educating athletes on proper techniques and injury recognition.

Here are certain interventions coaches and support staff can undertake on the psychological front to reduce the risk of injuries.

Monitoring Athlete Workload:
Coaches must carefully monitor training loads and match intensities to avoid overtraining and potential injuries.
Promoting a Culture of Safety:
Coaches should foster a team environment that prioritizes safety and well-being, encouraging athletes to report injuries and seek medical attention.
Educating Athletes:
Coaches should educate athletes about proper techniques, common injuries in their sport, and injury prevention strategies.
Recognizing and Addressing Potential Injuries:
Coaches need to be vigilant in recognizing signs of fatigue, pain, or potential injuries, and take appropriate action, such as providing rest or seeking medical advice. Immediate referral to the appropriate authorities should be made in such cases.
Communication and Collaboration:
Coaches should maintain open communication with athletes, parents, and medical staff to ensure a holistic approach to injury prevention and management.

Role of Coaches and Support in Injury Rehabilitation

Athletes’ rehabilitation process may benefit greatly from the social support provided by coaches and support personnel (Podlog & Dionigi, 2010). For example, coaches can use social support techniques like goal-setting and cognitive reframing to help injured athletes heal more quickly. To help them in their work with athletes, coaches invest years in acquiring context-specific coaching expertise.

Athletes’ injury experiences can be enhanced if coaches provide constructive support during the rehabilitation phase. While many coaches already possess exceptional abilities that positively affect their athletes’ recovery, others find it difficult or are unsure of where to find help. There are several ways coaches can practically help in supporting injured athletes.

1. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment:

Establish Trust: Ensure athletes feel comfortable discussing their feelings and concerns without fear of judgment.
Prioritize Mental Health: Emphasize that mental well-being is as important as physical health.
Open Communication: Encourage open and honest dialogue about the injury and the recovery process.

2. Provide Emotional Support:

Active Listening: Listen attentively to the athlete’s concerns and validate their emotions, whether it’s anger, sadness, or frustration.
Empathy and Understanding: Show empathy and understanding for the athlete’s situation.
Encourage Positive Thinking: Help the athlete maintain a positive attitude and focus on their strengths.

3. Promote a Growth Mindset:

View Recovery as an Opportunity: Encourage athletes to see the injury as a chance to develop new skills, such as mental resilience, game analysis, or leadership qualities.
Focus on Gains: Shift the focus from what they’re missing to what they’re gaining during the recovery period.
Set Realistic Goals: Help the athlete set realistic and achievable goals for their recovery.

Understanding Boundaries While Providing Social Support

While it is crucial that coaches and the supporting team provide social support and guidance to the athletes during their injury and rehabilitation phase, it is also critical that we understand our boundaries while providing this social support. After sustaining an injury athletes go through difficult emotional phases such as panic, anxiety, depressive episodes etc. In such cases, it is mandatory that the coaches or the support staff, whoever notices these issues, should refer the athletes to appropriate authorities. It might be common practice for coaches or the physios and the doctors to offer counselling to athletes, however, it might be appropriate in cases of serious emotional distress. At the end, the goal is to help our athletes recover and return to pre injury levels of performance.

Rasika Kalgutkar, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Sport Injury and Rehabilitation

Athletes’ Struggle with fear of Re Injury

admin February 22, 2025 0 Comments

For athletes, getting injured is a sad reality that can disrupt their training, performance, and health. While recovering from an injury is very important, another issue that often gets ignored is the fear of getting hurt again. This fear can really affect an athlete’s mind, hurting their confidence and mental health. It can make them doubt their skills, value as an athlete, and even their purpose. As athletes work through the tough process of recovery, they also have to deal with the emotional struggles that come with being injured. In this blog, we’ll look at how fear of reinjury and feeling lost in their identity are connected for athletes.

Fear of re-injury is not just a mental challenge, it can greatly affect an athlete’s performance and recovery. Uncertainty about how long recovery will take, along with the pressure to perform at their best, can increase stress and self-doubt. This fear can take over an athlete’s thoughts and actions, always there in the background. It can show up as anxiety, nervousness, or avoiding certain activities. Athletes might hesitate to push themselves, worried they could get hurt again. Some may become overly cautious, constantly checking their bodies for any pain or discomfort. This fear can make it hard for them to fully focus on their training and recovery.

Fear of re-injury can make athletes feel disconnected from their sport. They might think they’re losing their skills, confidence, and sense of self. Injuries can make them question if they can ever perform at the same level again. Many athletes find their self-worth in how well they compete. When they can’t play, they may feel lost and ask, “Who am I if I can’t play?” The more they identify with their sport, the harder it is for them to cope after an injury. This self-doubt can be overwhelming, making it tough for athletes to get back on track and regain their confidence in training and competition.

The fear of re-injury can also impact an athlete’s relationships with teammates, coaches, and family. They might feel like a burden or that they’re letting others down. This feeling can lead them to pull away from social interactions, making them feel disconnected or like they no longer belong to the team. For many athletes, their sport is a big part of their identity, so this isolation can make their fear even stronger and harder to overcome. Additionally, the pressure to return to competition can increase the fear of re-injury. Athletes may feel like everyone is watching them closely—coaches, teammates, and fans—and expecting them to perform well, even if they’re still recovering. This pressure can create a sense of urgency, pushing athletes to rush back into competition before they are fully ready. This can lead to even more anxiety and stress, making it difficult for them to focus on recovery. Overall, the combination of fear, isolation, and pressure can make it challenging for athletes to feel confident and supported as they work through their injuries.

An athlete’s fear of re-injury can be affected by their past experiences. If they have been injured before, they might feel more anxious and fearful about getting hurt again. They may believe they are stuck in a cycle of injuries or that their body is weak. This fear can be very strong and hard to overcome.

In conclusion, the fear of re-injury is a significant hurdle for athletes that goes beyond physical recovery. It affects their mental health, self-worth, and relationships, making recovery even more challenging. As they work through their injuries, athletes must confront not only their physical limitations but also the emotional weight of fear and self-doubt. Recognizing the connection between past experiences and current fears can help athletes address these feelings more effectively. It’s essential for athletes, coaches, and support networks to create a safe environment where they can express their fears and anxieties. Open communication and understanding can foster a sense of belonging, helping athletes navigate their recovery journey. By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of injury recovery, athletes can rebuild their confidence and reconnect with their sport, ultimately emerging stronger and more resilient.

Kiran P Salunkhe
Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Sport Injury and Rehabilitation

Psychological Precursors and Responses to Injury

admin January 22, 2025 0 Comments

As much as the Olympics brought glory to us, it also brought us moments of tears as the campaigns of some athletes ended tragically with injuries. Indian wrestler Nisha Dahiya battled severe pain and injury but lost her quarter-final bout in the women’s 68kg division at the Paris 2024 Olympics wrestling competition. Murali Sreeshankar managed to breach the qualifying standard in the men’s long jump but did not travel to Paris as a knee injury ruled him out for the entire 2024 season. Even the mighty Neeraj admitted that the fears of aggravating his injury slightly held him back during the Paris Olympics.

As discussed in the previous blog, Injuries are not just physical wounds for athletes, but a realm where no athlete wants to be. Sport injuries, although not very uncommon in the field, have tremendous effect on an athletes’ sporting career as well as on their wellbeing. Recovering from a sports injury entails more than just healing the wound, the athlete has to undergo many psychological stressors ranging from bearing the constant pain, the emotional pain of not being able to play or missing out on important competitions, loneliness, even anxiety and depression at times. In these times understanding the psychological antecedents and responses to injury becomes a crucial step in appropriate rehabilitation of that injury.

From a sport psychology perspective, here’s our take on why and how athletes sustain injuries and what are some common reactions to them.

Psychological Precursors to Sport Injury

Although an injury is defined as any physical harm caused to one’s body, it may have its roots in one’s psychology. Research conducted over the past decades suggests that both external (physical) and internal (psychological) factors, or their interaction could lead to an injury. This means that a person’s psychological state, which could be positive or negative, may have an effect on the chances of an athlete sustaining an injury. This can be understood with the help of an example, a long jumper competing in his first National tournament, is under tremendous pressure of performance. As a consequence, his focus keeps shifting constantly to the opponents, to their scores, constantly feeling nervous about his jump, which leads to him missing a step in his run up before the jump and causing an ankle twist.

A reason why this happens lies in the cognitive appraisal that one does of the situations that they face. In simple words, how one perceives a situation determines their psychological state while facing that situation. The more the athletes perceive it as a stressful situation, higher are the chances of the athlete sustaining an injury. The perception of stress is determined by many underlying factors such as the athlete’s personality, their life experiences, their upbringing and so on. These factors are instrumental in deciding one looks at a situation as a challenge or as a danger. Athletes may experience poor muscular coordination as a result of stressful situational assessments, which can also cause negative effects like peripheral constriction (missing task-relevant inputs), increased muscle stiffness, and loss of attention. Additional factors include worse situational cue recognition, delayed decision-making, increased reaction latency, or other sensorimotor abnormalities.

Responses to Sport Injury

Along with physical distress, an injury brings a lot of emotional distress for the athletes. Sustaining an injury entails a break from the respective sport, which alone is distressing enough for an athlete. Along with that, it brings considerations such as rehabilitation period, attaining the pre-injury fitness, return to the sport, missing out on important tournaments. An injury can alter the path of an athlete’s sporting career which may cause heightened distress such feelings similar to grief, or even anxiety or depression at times. Here too, individual differences in personality, life experience, coping skills as well as available coping resources play a huge role in the rehabilitation journey of the athlete.

This idea views injury as a dynamic process that considers situational and individual factors in relation to rehabilitation adherence, and it describes the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive reactions to sports injuries. Since recovery results are focused on the athlete’s cognitive evaluation, emotional reactions, and behavioral reactions, it is inferred that all three can directly affect recovery outcomes.

In order to help athletes cope better with injuries, it is vital that professionals understand the stressors that may lead to an injury, and how the athletes may respond to it.

Rasika Kalgutkar, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Sport Injury and Rehabilitation

Athlete Injury: Unseen Challenges

admin December 22, 2024 0 Comments

“Injury is a part of the game, but it’s how you respond that matters.” – LeBron James.

This quote resonates deeply with athletes who have faced injuries. It’s a reminder that injuries are an opportunity to grow, learn and come back stronger. As athletes thrive to excel, injuries are a potential challenge that they come across. A single misstep can instantly lead to an injury thereby affecting their season or even their entire career. Injury recovery is not just about rehabilitating the body but also overcoming the mental hurdles of injury. Although physical challenges are well taken care of, psychological challenges often remain unaddressed. Athletes with injury need to confront the psychological challenges such as fears related to the injury, handling self-doubt, dealing with isolation from teammates etc. In today’s blog article, we discuss the mental challenges that athletes with injury commonly face as the first part of our “Athlete Injury” series.

Injuries come with its own challenges. Psychologically, athletes come across fear of reinjury, self-doubt, isolation, loss of identity and demotivation. Many elite athletes have experienced fear of re-injury. One example is Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Nadal has suffered from recurring knee injuries, particularly in his tendons forcing him to miss significant time on the court, including several Grand Slam tournaments. He has spoken publicly about his fear of re-injury, stating that it’s a constant concern that affects his game. He has mentioned that he’s always thinking about his knees, worrying about when the next injury might occur. However, Nadal didn’t hold back his fear, rather he figured out a way to overcome it and adapt his game. He developed coping mechanisms to manage his anxiety and stay positive, including visualization techniques and mindfulness practices. By doing so, he was able to mitigate the psychological impact of his injuries and continue competing at the highest level.

Injuries often lead to self-doubt and athletes question themselves whether they will ever be able to return to their original best form. “Will I ever be able to regain my strength, speed, and agility?” “ Will I be able to perform at the same level as I did before the injury?” are some of the common thoughts that athletes encounter. Overcoming self-doubt requires a supportive network, including coaches and parents. Athletes must also develop coping strategies, such as positive self-talk, visualization and mindfulness. By reframing their mindset and focusing on their abilities, athletes can begin to rebuild their confidence and overcome self-doubt.

Athletes often define themselves by their sport. They have been known as a “cricketer”, “athlete” or a “badminton player” etc. for most parts of their lives. When their career is abruptly disturbed due to injury, they face a serious loss of identity. This void can manifest as an emotional disturbance, uncertainty about the future and a loss of purpose. Athletes may struggle to come to terms with their new reality, questioning their sense of self-worth and wondering who they are without their sport. Prioritizing their physical and emotional well-being is essential for athletes navigating an identity crisis. By focusing on well-being and seeking support when needed, can help in successful transition. Additionally, cultivating a growth mindset can empower athletes to view their injury as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Injuries can also lead to demotivation, causing athletes to feel disconnected from their sport and unsure about their future. The physical limitations imposed by an injury can make athletes feel like they’re losing their edge, leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness.

For instance, an athlete who is used to training intensively may feel demotivated when they’re forced to take their time off. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding their recovery and self-doubt regarding return to their original best performance, can lead to decreased enthusiasm and drive. To overcome demotivation, athletes can focus on small, achievable goals during rehabilitation, and reframe their mindset to find ways in staying engaged. Athletes can thus maintain their motivation and momentum, even in the face of injury.

In conclusion, injuries can have a profound impact on athletes, extending beyond physical pain to psychological challenges. Fear of re-injury, self-doubt, isolation, loss of identity and demotivation are just a few of the unseen challenges athletes face. However, by acknowledging these challenges and seeking support, athletes can overcome them and emerge stronger.

Kiran Salunkhe, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Paris Olympics 2024

India at Paralympics: The Zeal to Win

In our series, India at Paralympics, we addressed certain aspects that help our Paralympians and all other athletes realize their potential and attain success. Today, as we sum up this series of learnings from the inspiring stories of our Paralympians we look at a very special factor that is evident in every Paralympian and in every athlete who loves their sport and their country. Yes, we are speaking about the determination, the drive to win…the desire to see the work done till the end.

This year at the Paris Paralympics, Preethi Pal became India’s first and the only athlete to win two medals in the track and field category. Hailing from a small village in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district, Preethi was born with weak legs and an irregular leg posture, making her prone to various diseases. She was called a “cursed child” by the villagers, but Preethi’s determination proved to be far more stronger than insults and challenges thrown at her. At 17, she was inspired by watching the then Paralympians make their country proud and realized that she too, could pursue her dreams. Going into the Paris Paralympics, once the ‘cursed’ Preethi was confident enough that she would achieve her dream. Before the Paris Games, her coach and mentor Fatima Khatoon took her to Gajendra Singh, an army man and coach-husband of para athlete Simran Sharma for intensive training, Preethi says about the encounter, “The coach took me in on one condition, that I will never say no to training. He changed my technique, gave me proper nutrition, and worked on my endurance and strength. The medals in Kobe gave us a lot of confidence.”

An amazing quality seen in the Paralympians, is that they do not rely on second chances. Life itself is the second chance that they have received. Some have recovered from fatal injuries before turning to the sport and for some who were born with unfortunate disabilities in their bodies, being able to play the sport is the second chance that they have gotten from Life. They believe in proving themselves at every chance they get, they never say Better Luck Next Time, as there might not be a next time. They go in for every challenge with a do or die attitude. This attitude can only come when three factors are combined…the passion for the sport, the love for your country and an unshakeable belief in self.

Another aspect of this unwavering determination is that the fear of failure appears to be on the lower side when it comes to the Paralympians. Most of the Paralympians come from a place where they have endured many insults and stigma from the society, rejection and discrimination is something that they have known for a long time. As a consequence, they do not carry the baggage of ‘what will people say’ anymore. People have said what they will, and now it is their chance to prove them wrong. The only vision they have is of their Ultimate Goal. Another reason here, is the disheartening fact that the Para athletes are more prone to injuries and physical discomfort than their able bodied counterparts. There is a lot of uncertainty for when something might come up which might stop them playing. Hence, they fearlessly execute their game at every chance they get to do so.

High Jumper Praveen Kumar was grappling with an injury just 3 months before Paralympics. This is the same athlete who performed a record setting jump of 2.08m in the T64 category, winning the Gold. There were many instances of para athletes getting injured before or during the Paralympics, but one factor common for all of them, was that they never gave up.

Now as India sets its sight on the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Zeal to Win is one factor that every athlete needs to imbibe in themselves. Remember why you started, know your purpose and do what it takes to fulfill that purpose. Second chances are a good opportunity to prove oneself, but one must rely on those for achieving their dreams. Believe every chance you get to be the last one and fight for it!

Rasika Kalgutkar, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Paris Olympics 2024

India At Paralympics: Believing in Yourself

admin November 6, 2024 1 Comments

In the last installment of our Paralympics series, we delved deeper into the role that Motivation plays in helping Paralympians excel at their sports. The motivation to attain mastery in a sport and to achieve success remains a crucial factor in their realizing their sporting career. But have you ever wondered where this unwavering motivation, to keep going in spite of the hardships thrown at them by life, comes from?

Trevor Jenifer, an American Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Athlete says, “For the entirety of my life, I’ve been stared at because I’ve been different. You know, kids have stared at me, parents have stared at me, and it’s just because I didn’t have any legs. And now we’re changing that perspective—you could stare at me, but now you’re staring at me because I’m a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, I’m a father, and I’m a full-time employee with the federal government. I want people to know that there’s life outside of my disability. I don’t let my disability identify who I am. All these other things do. So it’s not just about the sport—it’s outside of sport. We’re demolishing the stigmas that surround disability.”

When we read this statement, the question that pops up first in your mind is, how does one develop such a strong sense of identity even when one is deemed to be different from the rest of the world? This strong sense of identity comes from an equally strong sense of self worth and belief in one’s abilities. In psychological terms, we call it Self-Esteem. In simple words, Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself, and the value you place on yourself. It’s based on your beliefs and opinions about yourself. Self-Esteem is a crucial factor when it comes to sport as it has an impact on the athletes confidence, their performance, their body image, their social relationship and on many such factors.

Kapil Parmar, a visually challenged but tremendously cheerful Indian Paralympic medalist, experienced repeated abuses from his fellow villagers when he first started para-judo eight years ago, but it only fueled his drive to do something meaningful with his life. On September 4, Parmar, 24, became India’s first Paralympic medalist in judo, winning bronze in the men’s 60kg (J1) category at the Paris Games. “When I decided to start para judo in 2017, some people of my village taunted me about how I would play the sport as I can’t see but you always move ahead because of these taunts only,” Parmar told PTI in an interview.

Self-esteem starts developing from childhood and is affected by one’s upbringing, their life experiences, their achievements as well as their setbacks. One must always work hard to build a positive self image for themselves. Now this becomes even more challenging when one is born with a disability that hampers their daily functioning or when one loses one or more of their abilities to unfortunate incidents. Yet our Paralympians have proved to us that it might be tough but not impossible. When one strongly believes in their abilities and in the effort that they are putting in, in mastering a particular task, no disability can stop them from realizing their full potential.

Let’s have a look at what learnings we can take away from our Paralympians and how we as athletes can enhance our self-esteem –

Prepare, Don’t Compare – You are your biggest competitor, and you must always strive to be better than yourself. By comparing ourselves with others we tend to reduce our self esteem by putting a negative filter on it.
Recognise your Strengths – We all know what we are bad at, but it is rather more important that we know what we excel at. Our strengths are the steps that help us up the ladder of success.
Call it ‘Areas of Improvement’ rather than ‘Weaknesses’ – Our own mindset plays a role in determining whether we get better or stay stagnant. When you believe that you can always improve upon a particular aspect, growth is bound to happen.
Set Realistic Goals – Dream Big, but when you prepare a roadmap to achieve those goals, set targets which are realistic and achievable in your current time frame.
Use Positive Self- Talk – Make a list of positive self-statements and read them to yourself every morning and night, or everytime you feel low on motivation.
Solve the Problem – When a problem situation arises think, “How can I make it better?” Or “How can I contribute towards solving this problem?” rather than feeling sad about why it happened to you.

Self-esteem is an integral part of one’s identity, and athletes must take special care that they do not let their self-esteem go down, even in the face of setbacks. It is in those difficult moments that we need it the most. All individuals are different and unique in some way or the other, however, it is up to us how we make sense of our identity. Just like our Paralympians, we need to hold our heads high as we face the challenges that come.

To learn from our Paralympians and get more glimpses of their journey, follow our blog series India at Paralympics!

Rasika Kalgutkar, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Paris Olympics 2024

India at Paralympics 2024 : Motivation

admin October 22, 2024 0 Comments

In the first part of our Paralympics series, we reflected on India at the Paris Paralympic Games and its revelation of resilience – the ability to bounce back from setbacks. As much as resilience helps athletes overcome their challenges, motivation also acts as a fuel to keep pushing forward consistently. It is the drive that keeps them going to reach their highest potential. As Canada’s Para-canoeist Brianna Hennessy
has profoundly put:
“The Paralympics means so much more because everyone here has a million reasons to give up, and we’ve all chosen to just go on… It’s a bigger picture than the medals, it’s a bigger picture than our country’s flag. It’s all of us coming together on that world stage and representing something greater than ourselves.” – Brianna Hennessy (Para-canoeist)
This quote strongly expresses the motivation of para-athletes and how it’s not just about personal or national glory but also about representing a shared human spirit that inspires millions. It is the drive that keeps them going beyond the limits set by others, and even at times, the limits set by themselves. In this blog, let’s explore the drive that keeps them going – what we commonly call ‘Motivation’.
Motivation is the drive to participate and persist in a particular activity. It is a factor that can be improved and developed through various techniques and strategies. However, it becomes important to identify the root source of motivation for any athlete. Playing a sport to win medals, to win scholarships, to stay fit, to enjoy the sporting experience are some of the sources of motivation for athletes. Like any other athlete,
our Indian para-athletes also are motivated by a variety of factors. Mariyappan Thangavelu, who recently won a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has often spoken about how he could support his family financially through para-sports. Raised in poverty, his childhood experiences motivated him to uplift his family despite the limited sources. His mother, a vegetable seller, has been his source of motivation and inspiration.
Manasi Joshi, who lost her leg in 2011 due to a road accident. During her rehabilitation period, she found her passion for badminton. She has often spoken about breaking barriers with regards to how society views people with disabilities. She believes that accepting challenges and having a strong self-belief are some of the motivating factors that drive her to work for inclusivity and empowerment through sport.
Bringing a change in societal views by redefining what it means to live with a disability, Manasi has a deeper motivational source in her sporting career.

Navdeep Singh who narrowly missed out the podium finish at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, made a strong comeback by winning a Gold at the Paris Games.

Although he was facing challenges, his experience in Tokyo became a turning point as well as a fueling factor to prove his true potential. He channeled his setbacks into motivation to achieve greater heights.
Thus, our para-athletes have a purpose that fuels their motivation to achieve their goals. Drawing inspiration from them, let’s explore how athletes can work on their motivation levels by using certain techniques and strategies :

● Identify your purpose – Having a purpose that is beyond winning medals or recognition helps sustain motivation. This could be a deeper purpose such as contributing to your country’s success, overcoming societal barriers etc. During tough times, such deep purposes help athletes remain focused and
motivated.
● Set clear, achievable goals – Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable goals which helps create a sense of accomplishment thereby improving your motivation levels.
● Review your progress – Maintain a log of your daily tasks and track your progress throughout. This can be a great motivator along with giving you a sense of fulfillment.
● Use Mental Imagery – Visualizing helps block your distractions and stay focused on your performance thereby motivating you to give your best.
● Feedback – Ask for feedback from your coaches and support staff members. This will help you get a better understanding of how much you have progressed and where your efforts need to be exerted.
Thus, by identifying your purpose, setting achievable goals, reviewing progress, utilizing mental imagery, and seeking feedback, athletes can cultivate motivation and reach their potential. The remarkable stories of our para-athletes remind us that motivation is an essential factor for success.

As we have explored resilience and motivation pertaining to Paris Paralympics 2024, we will tune into more such mental factors. Keep following our blog series “India at Paralympics 2024” for more updates.

Kiran Salunkhe, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Paris Olympics 2024

India at Paralympics 2024: Biggest Lesson in Resilience

admin September 22, 2024 0 Comments

A young boy of 23, who was having fun with his friends at his aunt’s house, was struck by a tragedy that left him paralyzed from waist down. Dharambir Nain, the gold medal winner of men’s club throw F51 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024, hit the rocks while diving in a river near his aunt’s house, this incident left him paralyzed from waist down and bed ridden for almost a year. His father had passed away in 2011, after that this incident in 2012 left him completely shattered. From being bed ridden to winning a Gold at the Paralympics, what would have been the journey of this man? A journey that no able bodied person can imagine.

The Paris Paralympics 2024 was full of not just one such story but 84 stories of grit and resilience. India competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris from 28 August to 8 September 2024. We made our official debut at the 1968 Summer Paralympics and have appeared in every edition of the Summer Paralympics since 1984. This was India’s 13th appearance at the Summer Paralympics, and we sent a strong contingent of 84 athletes. The Paris edition turned out to be the most successful campaign yet as we won 29 medals, surpassing the tally of 19 at the Tokyo Olympics. Avani Lekhara was the first to open up the tally with a gold medal along with Mona Agarwal winning the bronze in the women’s 10m rifle event. Following them Kumar Nitesh, Pramod Bhagat, Sumit Antil and others also won Golds for India in their respective events. Many other athletes like Suhas Yathiraj, Nishad Kumar, Navdeep, Praveen Kumar, Marriappan Thangavelu, Preethi Pal and many more, won silver and bronze medals in their respective sports.

These Paralympians have shown some of the greatest qualities in terms of Mental Toughness. In this blog, we focus on one of them which is Resilience.

Each of the para athletes have gone through life shattering events in their lives. Some were born with unfortunate defects in their bodies and some have faced terrible accidents where they have lost their limbs or their mobility. However, they didn’t let their disabilities define themselves. One such example is Men’s Para Javelin Thrower Ajeet Singh. In 2017, Ajeet’s life changed dramatically when he got involved in a fatal train accident. While attempting to prevent his best friend from falling off the train, Ajeet became entangled in the wheels, resulting in the amputation of his left arm below the elbow. Despite this life-changing experience, Ajeet refused to let it shape his destiny. Four months following his recovery, he returned to training, focusing his emphasis on athletics. These athletes have strived hard to create a place for themselves in a world that does not very well understand them, which is only possible if one is highly resilient. Resilience is the psychological quality that allows some people to be knocked down by the adversities of life and come back at least as strong as before. Rather than letting difficulties, traumatic events, or failure overcome them and drain their resolve, highly resilient people find a way to change course, emotionally heal, and continue moving toward their goals. This sounds easier in words than done.

Let us understand what are the characteristics of highly resilient people –

Awareness: They are aware of their emotional reactions, the situations they are in, and the behavior of others around them.
Problem solving: They look for solutions to problems instead of ruminating why something happened, and can identify the correct issue and create a solution.
Flexibility: They are adaptable and can respond to adversity or life crises. They may even use difficult events as an opportunity to try new things.
Positivity: They have a disposition to view the present or future positively and confidently.

As we reflect back on the Paralympic Games, these characteristics have been much evidently seen amongst our athletes. All eyes were set on Sheetal Devi, India’s para-archer who competes with her feet, hoping to win her first ever Paralympic medal at the Games this year. Whilst handling the global pressure, she finished at 9th position at the individual event. However, she came back stronger at the mixed team event by winning a Bronze medal, creating history for India with its first ever Paralympic medal in archery. Resilience can also be seen in the form of maintaining a legacy. It’s about overcoming challenges and maintaining a drive to win on a consistent basis. Avani Lekhara, India’s first female Gold medalist has proved this right by successfully defending her title at the Paris Games.

Thus, whether it’s the pressure arising from injury or from defending a title, resilience becomes an important factor to help athletes focus on the right things. The good news is resilience can be built, it can be enhanced by using certain mental training strategies. It helps athletes bounce back stronger, but also to maintain their peak performance consistently. However, Resilience is not only limited to sports, it is a quality that helps athletes face the challenges in life as well.

In this month’s blog, we explore the quality of resilience demonstrated by our athletes at the Paralympic Games 2024. However, resilience is not the only deal, there is a lot to learn from these athletes and their lives. In upcoming blogs, we will explore more qualities and life lessons that can be learnt from our Paralympians! Keep following “India at Paralympics” for more!

Rasika Kalgutkar, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

Kiran Salunkhe, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports

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