WRAPPING UP RIO; WHAT DID WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS YEAR’S OLYMPICS?
One of the biggest lessons to be learnt from the performances at Rio was that those athletes with the ability to best adapt to unexpected circumstances, achieved the best results. Why? Because “the Olympics is notorious for eating up world champions and spitting them out a long way down the finishing order.” Bo Hanson shares his thoughts on this year’s results and lessons to be learnt. Read more.

SUPERELITES – WHAT MAKES THE BEST, THE BEST?
What differentiates a superelite from someone who competes at the Olympics but goes home empty-handed? New research “turns on its head a long-held view that we must simply pair the best technical and tactical coaches to our best athletes to achieve ultimate performance.” You’ll want to read about the findings presented in November at the World Class Performance Conference. There are significant differences between the superelites and high-performing athletes and you’ll want to know what they are. Read more.

CONSULTANT CASE STUDY – 2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS VILLANOVA MEN’S BASKETBALL
It is not every day that we have the privilege of writing an article about a clients’ success that includes images of the team they work with meeting the US President. But, today is one of those days. We congratulate and celebrate the behind the scenes work of consultant George Naughton and his colleague Dr Jim Brennan with the 2016 National Championship winning team, Villanova Wildcats. Read more.
And check out our Q&A with George.

SOLVING A TOUGH PROBLEM IN SPORT
The book GRIT made it onto many coaches reading lists over the summer (including ours). The interest is well founded. More than ever before, Coaches are saying that their current athletes aren’t as ‘tough’ as they used to be in previous eras. And not just physically tough, mentally tough. But is ‘grit’ really the solution? Has the word ‘grit’ become too interchangeable that the real meaning has been lost? Being mentally tough is not the same as having grit. Find out what you really need to know. Read more.

INNER-WORKINGS OF A SUCCESSFUL COACHING STAFF
The University of Notre Dame Softball Coaching Staff are diverse and they are unique. Not only have they played together, they now coach alongside each other begging the question, what more could you learn from someone you have known so well for so long? But this is no ordinary coaching staff, they are dedicated to understanding each Coach’s unique contribution, have learnt how to use their strengths to complement each other, where to adapt their behaviors and ultimately how to build trust and add value to the team. Find out their secrets to success here. Read more.

9 THINGS TOUGH ATHLETES DO
Consider yourself or your athletes tough? Before you read this article, take time to write your own list of what Tough Athletes do. One thing is for sure, actions always speak louder than words and Tough Athletes take action. You can see their toughness by what they do. Here is our list of 9 actions Tough Athletes do without even thinking. Read more.

PREPARING FOR SUCCESS AFTER SPORT
Whether a student-athlete is graduating and entering the workforce or a professional athlete is retiring, the transition can be difficult. This is a challenge that many of the athletes ending their competitive career at Rio will face. But it doesn’t have to be hard. Now, no matter which Athlete Assessments’ DISC Profile you complete (AthleteDISC, CoachDISC or Sport ManagerDISC), it can be accompanied by a nine page DISC Career Management Report. This optional Report (at no additional cost) is designed to contribute to successful career preparation, planning and transition. Read more.

• Japanese Women Coaches Academy 2016
  In September, Athlete Assessments’ Liz Masen will be heading to Japan again to present at the Japanese Women Coaches Academy. Read more.

• Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Conference 2016
  Are you heading to Arizona for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Annual Conference? We’ll be there again and you’ll find us exhibiting from September 28 – October 1, 2016 at the Arizona Grand Resort, Phoenix. Read more.

WHAT’S NEW?

• Want to be ATHLETE TOUGH?
  We’ve had an amazing response to the launch of ATHLETE TOUGH so we’ve extended the opportunity for you t take advantage of the special pricing until the end of September. ATHLETE TOUGH was developed to help athletes learn the skills of resiliency and mental toughness. It is practical. It is written for Coaches and athletes by a Coach, Athlete and Consultant all wrapped up in one! If you want to learn more about how the ATHLETE TOUGH Program can improve your athlete’s mental toughness visit our dedicated website for exclusive access to a sample chapter from the ATHLETE TOUGH Handbook and a sample from the ATHLETE TOUGH Video Series.

• DISC Career Management Report
  Athlete Assessments works in high-performance and we pride ourselves on being ahead of the curve in delivering services that have a positive and lasting impact on our clients’ lives. We have developed the DISC Career Management Report to accompany any of our DISC Profiles to support effective career management.Find out more.

We are looking forward to the inspiration continuing from Rio with the Paralympics starting soon and we are sure you are too. Check out this inspirational video. No introduction needed and we promise you’ll love it!

We sign off with three of our favorite quotes:

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender. That is strength.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

“Being uncomfortable is the life blood of toughness.” – Bo Hanson

“Greatness isn’t born, it’s grown.” – Malcolm Gladwell

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As always, if there is anything we can assist you with, we’re absolutely dedicated to providing exceptional value and service so get in touch.

Here’s to your success,