Track & Field

Briefly contrast your hardest season to date, with your best season. What were the basic differences?

Health is the Key: Contrasting Seasons Reveals Crucial Difference

This is a fantastic question. When I first read it, my initial response was, on my best seasons, I was happier, I enjoyed the process more, etc, etc. When I took a deeper dive into it, I realized that all of it centered around health, right? When I compare my hardest season to my best season, my best seasons, I was healthy. My hardest seasons, I dealt with injuries through and throughout the season, overcoming. There were seasons based around overcoming and triumph, etc. And not enjoying the process as much. I would say the basic difference was, on my best season, I was really making sure that I got 8 hours of sleep. I was making sure that on a daily basis, I was hydrated. I was making sure that I was on top of my massage, and my chiropractic appointments, and making sure I foam rolled, and making sure I stretched. All of those small things that helped keep me in the game on a consistent basis, are what I would say made me achieve my best season. In comparison to some of my worst seasons, where a lot of highs and lows, so the training might have been great. I might have had good competitions, but I wasn't able to sustain that level of performance because my recovery did not match the level of output I put in my training.

The difference between my best and worst seasons was that I was more focused on recovery in my best season, making sure I was well-rested, hydrated, getting massages and chiropractic treatments, foam rolling and stretching.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/dkhn5aagphqi8hx1ufbm.vtt

When contrasting my hardest season to my best season, the basic differences revolve around health. In my best seasons, I was healthy and able to fully enjoy the process. However, during my hardest seasons, I dealt with injuries throughout, which made it a season of overcoming and triumph, but with less enjoyment.

The key difference lies in the focus on health and self-care. In my best season, I prioritized getting 8 hours of sleep, staying hydrated, and consistently attending massage, chiropractic, foam rolling, and stretching sessions. These small but important actions helped me stay in top form consistently and contributed to my best season.

On the other hand, during my worst seasons, there were many highs and lows. While my training might have been great and I had good competitions, I couldn't sustain that level of performance because my recovery didn't match the output I put into my training.

In summary, the basic differences between my hardest and best seasons were the level of attention I gave to my health and recovery, which ultimately impacted my overall performance and enjoyment of the process.

As a coach, what do you do to help athletes develop a successful mindset?

Unlocking Athletes' Success: Why Coaching Requires Individualized Mindset Development

Step one of what you can do as a coach to help an athlete develop a successful mindset is to realize that there's not a one size fits all answer to helping an athlete develop a successful mindset. The best coaches I've ever worked with, they've met with each athlete individually and started to try to speak their language to see what it is that they needed to help be successful. What you can do for one athlete to help them be successful may not work to help another athlete achieve at all. Some athletes, you just got to tell them what the goal is and they'll get ready. Some athletes require a little bit more communication. It requires a little bit more getting to know them, peeling back the layers. And that doesn't mean that they're not as talented or they can't achieve as much. But what it means is that when you take the time to peel back those layers and really get to know that athlete, it usually comes along with a bigger buy-in and then most times bigger results. So take the time to get to know each individual athlete and find out what it is that they need because there's not a one size fits all answer.

To help an athlete develop a successful mindset, take the time to get to know them individually and find out what it is that they need. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so take the time to peel back the layers and really get to know the athlete for better buy-in and results.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/qeikdu66wruecu9dkzkj.vtt

As a coach, helping athletes develop a successful mindset requires recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best coaches I've worked with individually meet with each athlete to understand their unique needs and speak their language. What works for one athlete may not work for another.

Some athletes respond well to clear goals and instructions, while others require more communication and a deeper understanding. It's important to take the time to get to know each athlete on a personal level, peeling back the layers to uncover what motivates and drives them. This personalized approach leads to greater buy-in and, often, better results.

There is no universal solution, so it's crucial to invest the time and effort to understand what each individual athlete needs to develop a successful mindset.

Darrell Hill answers your Track & Field questions. See all the advice Darrell Hill has and get answers to your own Track & Field questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Darrell Hill is an American track and field athlete and Nike-sponsored competitor. Hill won the US Shot Put title at the 2018 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and holds the Penn State school record indoors at 20.51 m (67 ft 3+1⁄4 in). Joe Kovacs holds the outdoor record 21.02 m (68 ft 11+1⁄2 in) just ahead of Hill's 20.86 m (68 ft 5+1⁄4 in). On July 1, 2016, at the 2016 Olympic Trials, Hill threw a new personal best of 21.63 m (70 ft 11+1⁄2 in) to finish third and qualify for the 2016 Olympics.  He trained with USOC coach Art Venegas through 2017 and is now coached by Ryan Whiting of Desert High Performance in Phoenix, Arizona. Hill previously competed for the University of Houston during his freshman year before transferring to Penn State University. He placed fourth in the 2012 USA Junior Track and Field Championships at the University of Indiana, Bloomington.