In today’s competitive landscape, the difference between good and exceptional professionals is more than just their technical expertise. There is a need to understand the psychology of human performance and how it affects the whole person. Mental Performance Coaching (MPC) bridges this gap and equips kinesiology professionals with skills not just to treat, but to transform lives.
Dr. Michael J. Norwood brings a unique perspective to this field, having served as both a sport and performance psychologist and fitness professional for over three decades. His experience and current position as a faculty member in Avila University’s online Master of Science in Kinesiology program equip him with knowledge that can guide others toward understanding the evidence-based psychological principles used in MPC.
The Professional Journey: Three Decades of Insight
I have been a kinesiology professional for over three decades. I have served as a sport and performance psychologist working mostly with numerous athletes of all levels, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, U.S. military personnel, law enforcement, and individuals simply wanting to master their mindsets to reach their goals and improve their lives. I’ve also worked as a fitness professional for the same amount of time and a common pattern I’ve observed over the years is that those who deliberately learn to perform well under pressure by systematically overcoming psychological and emotional barriers, not only improve performance under competitive duress, but enjoy more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
The Role of the Kinesiology Professional
As a conscientious kinesiology professional, I embrace my vital roles as a steward of Mental Performance Coaching (MPC) and a catalyst for personal growth by teaching my students and clients essential psychological skills for overcoming various forms of adversity.
It is important that aspiring professionals charged with the task of helping others improve their lives, whether as a coach, athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, physical therapist, or occupational therapist, understand their own psychological processes and self-regulation strategies during difficult times. This depth of personal understanding fosters a healthy appreciation of what others might be going through under your professional guidance and care. Additionally, cultivating sensitivity (not to be confused with pity) and demonstrating unconditional positive regard for your patients, clients, or students are subtle yet powerful strategies that serve as the foundation of trust.
When those you work with trust you, the professional relationship becomes productive, therapeutic, and transformational in and of itself.
Addressing the Gap in Traditional Education
MPC addresses a critical blind spot in traditional kinesiology education: the intersection between positive psychology and peak performance. Students in my MPC class develop both personal awareness through in-depth introspective examination and analysis and professional competencies necessary for transformational practice in their respective fields.
The Foundation: Self-Determination Theory
An invaluable tenet we teach in MPC is learning, understanding, and internalizing the value of Self Determinism Theory which suggests that human beings are productive and fulfilled to the extent that we perceive we have control (i.e., agency) in our lives, we feel competent in what we are doing, and we feel connected to others.
Case Study: Applying MPC in Physical Therapy
Imagine you’re a physical therapist (PT) working with a collegiate softball player who has just torn her labrum in her shoulder. She feels out of control because she can no longer participate in the sport she loves for the rest of the season and doesn’t know what to do. She feels incompetent because the pain in her shoulder is debilitating and she knows that she will have to start from square one to get back to her peak levels of performance prior to her injury. She knows it will be a long road ahead and she doesn’t know if she has the strength or courage to get through rehab. This is her first injury, and she’s afraid of the unknown. Additionally, she now feels disconnected from her teammates because she is no longer on the field practicing and playing games and, in her mind, everyone seems to have moved on without her.
A consummate PT will consider this information and lead constructive conversations that promote effective perspective and empower the student-athlete during the therapeutic process. In addition to prescribing rehabilitation exercises, the skillful PT will structure sessions in a way that helps the softball player recapture a sense of control, competence, and connection. The PT will not only be rehabbing her shoulder, but just as importantly, rebuilding and honing constructive and facilitative ways of thinking by getting the student-athlete to focus solely on what she can control and learn to transfer her competitive fire on the field into the training room.
The Transformational Impact
This approach demonstrates how evidence-based psychological strategies have the power to create transformational outcomes in one’s practice. Whether working with an athlete post-surgery, a stroke victim learning how to feed himself again, or a client striving to lose weight, these skills allow you to address the individual holistically.
These evidence-based techniques and strategies taught in our MPC class help future practitioners develop and sharpen essential psychological and emotional skills that will yield transformational outcomes for their patients, clients, or students in their respective fields. Learning these skills not only makes you a competent professional, but it makes you an agent of positive change.
Ready To Transform Your Practice?
Are you ready to become more than just a technical expert in your field? The online Master of Science in Kinesiology program from Avila University will equip you with the tools and evidence- based strategies needed to create a truly transformational outcome in your professional practice. This advanced program can prepare you for success in teaching, athletic training, allied health, ergonomics, and health and wellness roles.
Learn more about what an Avila degree can mean for you today.
