Five key mental performance skills that Dr. Naser teaches professional athletes, emphasizing the importance of sleep, mindset, preparation, joy, and self-talk in optimizing performance. These skills are applicable to athletes of all levels and sports, and are rooted in behavior analysis and science.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mental Performance in Sport
• 01:57 The Relationship Between Overt and Covert Behaviors
• 03:20 The Importance of Sleep for Performance
• 04:15 The Mindset of Being Hard to Beat
• 06:31 The Power of Joy and Love for the Sport
• 15:32 The Relationship Between Self-Talk and Performance

Takeaways

• Sleep is a critical and underrated performance enhancer for athletes.
• Maintaining joy and love for the sport is essential for high performance.

Disclaimer: Behavior of Sport™ (podcast, newsletter, YouTube, and social content) is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, behavioral health, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No provider-client, therapist-client, or other professional relationship is created by viewing, subscribing to, or engaging with this content; such a relationship exists only under a signed written agreement. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own health, performance, or professional decisions, and do not delay seeking advice because of anything discussed here. Guests appear in their personal capacity only. Their participation does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship by any organization they are or have been associated with, and does not mean they are clients of Dr. Alicia Naser or Alicia Naser LLC. All views expressed are the speakers' own, for discussion purposes only, and are not official positions or performance guidance for any athlete, coach, or team. Behavior of Sport™ is produced by Alicia Naser LLC and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All content is the property of Alicia Naser LLC and protected under copyright law; reproduction or distribution requires written consent.

In this episode of Behavior of Sport Podcast, Dr. Alicia Naser sits down with Will Morlock, Director of Athletic Performance for Michigan State University men’s hockey, to talk about what it really takes to train elite hockey players. From offseason development and on-ice speed work to athlete feedback, testing, and the balance between data and coaching intuition, this conversation breaks down the science and art of performance in a way that’s practical, thoughtful, and deeply grounded in real-world experience. Will shares his unusual path into performance coaching, including his background in soccer, his master’s degree in the UK, and the long road from unpaid internships to working with collegiate and national team athletes. He also explains how he approaches training differently depending on the athlete, why the ice matters more than the gym in hockey, and how he builds trust and buy-in through communication, flexibility, and individualized programming.

Takeaways

• Early morning workouts allow Will Morlock to spend time with his family before training athletes.
• The path to success in the sports industry involves sacrifice, delayed reinforcement, and a slow burn of experience and knowledge. Player development in hockey involves a comprehensive approach to physical training, including body composition, power, and speed. Mental resilience and competitive spirit are crucial for success in the sport.
• The use of technology and data in training programs should be balanced with the coach's experience and intuition, and athlete feedback is essential for program effectiveness.

Chapters

• 00:00 Balancing Personal Life and Training
• 03:12 Transition from Soccer to Hockey
• 09:05 Training Philosophy and Player Motivation
• 10:32 Educational Background and Career Path
• 17:06 Comparison of Sports Science Systems
• 20:15 Assessment and Training for Speed
• 39:59 Preparing for National Team or College Hockey Camp

Disclaimer: Guests appearing on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. Guest appearances do not indicate that individuals featured on the podcast are clients of Dr. Naser. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. The content contained in this podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical, psychological, or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law.

The conversation covers topics such as preparation and connection, daily routines and workouts, emotional intelligence in sports, disconnecting from emotions, emotional maturity in athletes, language and communication, pressure and goal setting, the brilliance of silence, the concept of goal setting, and understanding barriers to success. The conversation delves into the complexities of self-awareness, identity, and the role of external support in fostering self-awareness. It also explores the impact of criticism, beliefs, and superstitions on self-awareness and performance in high-performance settings.

Chapters

• 00:00 Preparation and Connection
• 01:10 Daily Routine and Workouts
• 03:05 Emotional Intelligence in Sports
• 05:06 Disconnecting from Emotions
• 07:02 Emotional Maturity in Athletes
• 09:23 Language and Communication
• 17:02 Pressure and Goal Setting
• 22:01 The Brilliance of Silence
• 25:03 The Concept of Goal Setting
• 29:20 Understanding Barriers to Success
• 29:25 Self-Awareness and Identity
• 31:00 Self-Reflection and External Support
• 33:00 Seeking External Perspective
• 35:59 Navigating Criticism and Beliefs
• 39:58 Superstition vs. Routine
• 54:20 The Psychology of Superstition and Routine
• 57:07 Understanding Positive and Negative Reinforcement
• 01:00:22 The Impact of Coaching Strategies on Performance
• 01:04:29 The Role of Superstition and Routine in Sports
• 01:05:51 Coaching Analogies and Their Impact
• 01:13:48 The Philosophy of the Game

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Disclaimer: All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on Behavior of Sport podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this material without explicit written consent is strictly prohibited.