Drexel University Athletics
Dragons Get Mental Skills From Dr. Barlow While Learning at Home
4/7/2020 11:00:00 AM | Drexel Athletics
#DragonsUnite
PHILADELPHIA - The last few weeks have changed the lives of everyone around the globe. Spring seasons, long-awaited trips and graduations have all been put on hold for an indefinite period of time for people of all ages. Dealing with adversity, fear and change is never easy. In this week's look inside Drexel's performance team, we will get a chance to meet Dr. Madeline Barlow, Drexel's Mental Performance Coach. She works with Drexel's student-athletes and staff to learn mental skills to give the Dragons a competitive edge. In these times, she also acts as a voice to help our student-athletes cope with the changes that came as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
During the year, student athletes frequently visit Barlow's office on the main floor of the Drexel Recreation Center. She teaches mental skills to teams and individuals throughout the year. This includes increasing self-awareness, effective goal setting, maintaining consistency and motivation and improving self-confidence. Whether one of Drexel's athletes is looking to be a better finisher on the final few holes of a golf tournament or trying to improve their concentration to make more free throws, Barlow is there to help and encourage.
Even though there are no shots to make, corners to convert or record times to break, Barlow is still working with the Drexel students during these trying times.
"Mental skills are life skills that can always be worked on," Barlow said. "These skills can be practiced and improved on even during these times. If you apply them to your life now, you will be ready when the season comes to be a champion of the peak performance mindset."
Barlow will continue to provide education on these skills through self-talk and imagery and enhancing focus and concentration. Her new office, like with so many of us, is now at her home in front of her computer. All of her team and individual sessions will be conducted regularly in her Zoom personal meeting room and she is taking appointments from student-athletes around the country while they are away from the friendly confines of the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
"I am trying to make this as much business as usual as I can," Barlow said. "This is the perfect time to learn and practice the skills necessary to up your mental game and gain a competitive edge. Once you learn the skills, it is up to you to put in the work. All you need for most skills is a notebook and something to write with, but, most often, all you need is your mind. Mindset matters and you can train your brain, anytime and anywhere."
Barlow also understands that it isn't always about just getting ready for the next game or season. Times like this can be stressful for everyone, but maybe even more so from student-athletes who just had something they worked extremely hard for, taken away from them.
"If you are feeling anxiety, fear, sadness, or potentially some positive emotions, including relief (from going into work or school during these times), calm, etc., these emotions are all valid." Barlow said. "In particular, anxious thoughts may be more prominent, and rightly so. If you begin to feel overwhelmed by these thoughts and emotions, take a moment to sit and "label" them for what they are: anxious, scared, stressed, relieved, etc. When we become aware of our thoughts and feelings, we are better prepared to manage them. Most importantly, do your best to not push them away. Acknowledgement of your thoughts and feelings is necessary in an effort to navigate them appropriately and in the present-moment."
Barlow says it's important to continue to engage with your coaches, professors, teammates, and support staff. It is more important than ever to be engaged and not to disappear. She stresses to know that you are not alone during this time and that is what your support staff is for. It is much healthier to choose support and connection during these uncertain times.
Barlow was also kind enough to give people in the Drexel community some advice about how to get through the days of working from home in front of a computer screen for eight or more hours a day. She is a big believer in mediation and recommends the beginner course with Joseph Goldstein that can be found at https://www.tenpercent.com. There are some Coronavirus specific mediations on the site as well. For athletes both on the varsity level and the weekend warrior type, she recommends George Mumford's video found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27EQ1YsJ_E.
Barlow can be followed at @madeline.m.barlow on Instagram (for information specific to the transition out of sport). She also has posts and live questions and answers at @dragons_sportpsych.
This is the second part of a continuing series. If you would like to read the first part, about Drexel Strength and Conditioning, please click here.
During the year, student athletes frequently visit Barlow's office on the main floor of the Drexel Recreation Center. She teaches mental skills to teams and individuals throughout the year. This includes increasing self-awareness, effective goal setting, maintaining consistency and motivation and improving self-confidence. Whether one of Drexel's athletes is looking to be a better finisher on the final few holes of a golf tournament or trying to improve their concentration to make more free throws, Barlow is there to help and encourage.
Even though there are no shots to make, corners to convert or record times to break, Barlow is still working with the Drexel students during these trying times.
"Mental skills are life skills that can always be worked on," Barlow said. "These skills can be practiced and improved on even during these times. If you apply them to your life now, you will be ready when the season comes to be a champion of the peak performance mindset."
Barlow will continue to provide education on these skills through self-talk and imagery and enhancing focus and concentration. Her new office, like with so many of us, is now at her home in front of her computer. All of her team and individual sessions will be conducted regularly in her Zoom personal meeting room and she is taking appointments from student-athletes around the country while they are away from the friendly confines of the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
"I am trying to make this as much business as usual as I can," Barlow said. "This is the perfect time to learn and practice the skills necessary to up your mental game and gain a competitive edge. Once you learn the skills, it is up to you to put in the work. All you need for most skills is a notebook and something to write with, but, most often, all you need is your mind. Mindset matters and you can train your brain, anytime and anywhere."
Barlow also understands that it isn't always about just getting ready for the next game or season. Times like this can be stressful for everyone, but maybe even more so from student-athletes who just had something they worked extremely hard for, taken away from them.
"If you are feeling anxiety, fear, sadness, or potentially some positive emotions, including relief (from going into work or school during these times), calm, etc., these emotions are all valid." Barlow said. "In particular, anxious thoughts may be more prominent, and rightly so. If you begin to feel overwhelmed by these thoughts and emotions, take a moment to sit and "label" them for what they are: anxious, scared, stressed, relieved, etc. When we become aware of our thoughts and feelings, we are better prepared to manage them. Most importantly, do your best to not push them away. Acknowledgement of your thoughts and feelings is necessary in an effort to navigate them appropriately and in the present-moment."
Barlow says it's important to continue to engage with your coaches, professors, teammates, and support staff. It is more important than ever to be engaged and not to disappear. She stresses to know that you are not alone during this time and that is what your support staff is for. It is much healthier to choose support and connection during these uncertain times.
Barlow was also kind enough to give people in the Drexel community some advice about how to get through the days of working from home in front of a computer screen for eight or more hours a day. She is a big believer in mediation and recommends the beginner course with Joseph Goldstein that can be found at https://www.tenpercent.com. There are some Coronavirus specific mediations on the site as well. For athletes both on the varsity level and the weekend warrior type, she recommends George Mumford's video found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27EQ1YsJ_E.
Barlow can be followed at @madeline.m.barlow on Instagram (for information specific to the transition out of sport). She also has posts and live questions and answers at @dragons_sportpsych.
This is the second part of a continuing series. If you would like to read the first part, about Drexel Strength and Conditioning, please click here.
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