Ready to turn your athletic drive into your ultimate psychological superpower? In this episode of the FIERCE Athlete Podcast, host Sam Kelley continues a powerhouse conversation with counseling psychologist Darilyn Bixenman to reveal how female athletes can crush anxiety, build unwavering confidence, and deepen their trust in God. The secret weapon? Self-efficacy—the unbreakable belief that you can tackle any obstacle and triumph on the other side. Darilyn breaks down how the grit you develop in training naturally prepares you for life's toughest moments, from injuries to unanswered prayers. Packed with quick, practical grounding exercises you can do anywhere, this episode gives you the mental playbook to reclaim your peace and stay rooted in your true identity.

Takeaway:

Practice daily "psychological PT" check-in exercise to stay connected with your internal sense of self.

• The Method: Connect with a grounding principle or an interior image that represents your true self (such as a pair of glasses, a basketball, a sacred heart or a deep memory like an image of yourself at seven years old).
• Frequency: You should practice this check-in skill multiple times throughout the day before you actually feel anxious, which makes it much easier to deploy when anxiety does strike.
• Practical Examples:
  • While walking to practice, you can close your eyes for a quick two-second body scan to connect with your interior image.
  • While lacing up your cleats feel the laces to ground yourself in the exact activity you are doing.

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