THINK LIKE A PRO

Pro cyclists don’t just have different genes from the rest of us, their minds work differently too.  Sports psychologist Josephine Perry highlights the mental traits inseparable from success

- Josephine Perry

When in 2009 UK Sport commissioned the Great British Medallists project team at Bangor University to explore what makes multiple medal winners different from the rest of us, their goal was to help identify the stars of the future. The researchers found that genes play a huge role in sporting potential (up to 80%) – no great surprise there. They also found a number of serendipitous advantages such as being born early in the school year, having a trauma-free childhood and growing up close to sporting facilities. By the time we’re fully grown, the die is cast. However, there is one thing we can change to become more like sport’s top performers, and that’s our minds.

Aside from the accidents of birth listed above, there are myriad psychological differences between pro athletes and the rest of us. These mental traits, studied and taught by sports psychologists like me, come naturally to many pros, but they can also be consciously nurtured. So even if you didn’t win the genetic jackpot, you can still expand your potential by learning to think like a pro. And here they are – seven ways to develop a pro mindset…

1 Keep the inner flame burning

All cyclists need to be highly motivated, but once you step up to pro level, the type of motivation changes. To be able to stick with a sport and not get burnt out, it is important to have intrinsic (or internal) motivation – a deep inner love for the physical act of riding your bike. The PBs, Strava kudos, and metrics showing improved fitness are great, but what comes first is the inner satisfaction.