Courage to Confidence: Embrace Fear by taking Courageous Action with Theresa Giunta, MS, CMPC

Hello! Welcome to the Monkey Mind Newsletter where we provide you with the tools to be a more successful and resilient athlete and human. 

CONTRIBUTOR
Theresa Giunta, MS, CMPC

Theresa is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), and founder and owner of  TG Performance, LLC. Theresa works as a Certified Mental Performance Coach, inspiring and empowering individuals to unlock their true potential, own their mindset so they can own their results in performance. Theresa is a  former 2X All American Lacrosse Player in both midfield and defense from West Chester University. Theresa understands the need for mental toughness and grit to reach the next level of performance.  Theresa has worked with clients who want to achieve their best, ranging from professional athletes,  national team athletes,  Division I, II & III collegiate programs, youth and club athletes and coaches, business professionals and healthcare workers.  With the combination of her education and experience, energy and passion working with individuals and teams, Theresa is able to connect and assist clients in their specific needs for optimal performance. She is also certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Yoga instruction. Theresa has presented at the Regional AASP conference, the Philadelphia Coaches Conference, the Athletic Department at West Chester University, for companies such as Warby Parker, Intern U, and, for  multiple Division I, II and III athletic institutions and athletes. In her free time, There enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and vacation in Ocean City, New Jersey.

• Certifications: Certified Mental Performance Consultant from AASP; Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction , 200 YTT- Yoga Certification

• Degrees: Bachelors in Psychology from West Chester University; Masters in Kinesiology, the Psychology of Human Movement, Temple University

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.tgperformancemindset.com

Instagram: tgperformancemindset

TOPIC
Courage to Confidence
Embrace Fear by taking Courageous Action 

Courage over confidence, a phase trademarked by Dr. Mitch Greene, Sport Psychologist and owner of Greenpsych, influenced me to discuss how we need to act with courage to develop confidence, hence taking courage to confidence.

What is the difference between feeling confident and acting confident? 

It’s the difference between a courageous mindset and a safe mindset. A feeling is an emotion, and according to Harvard Brain Scientist, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, emotions only last in our body for up to 90 seconds. They are chemical reactions. She explains, “when a person has a reaction to something in their environment, there’s a 90-second chemical process that happens in the body; after that, any remaining emotional response is just the person choosing to stay in that emotional loop.” 

When you’re only using the “feeling” of confidence, it’s a toss-up whether you’ll actually act with confidence. It’s like leaving confidence up to chance. Experiencing an emotional reaction before a performance, whether that be excitement, fear or worry, is inevitable, and that’s a good thing. Usually, when you are  presented with these emotions pre-performance, it’s the indicator that you care enough to take action. You get to choose your response.

What it means to ACT confidently: 

Recognize and do the hard thing, despite fear. Act with courage and take risks despite the uncertainty of the outcome. When we act with courage, we are given the opportunity to inspire enjoyment in the process. In turn, we develop confidence.

Confidence doesn’t just show up. Athletes have to work for it. They have to act on it. Confidence that is sustainable, in face of challenge, adversity, or fear, is an ACTION

Fear always precedes courageous action. So, Embrace it.

MENTAL PERFORMANCE TOOL
Embrace Fear. Act with Courage. Be Confident.

1. “NABB” the fear by using this strategy (adopted from the N.A.B.B Technique, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Harvard Brain Scientist): 

• N: Name the strong emotion 

• A: Accept the strong emotion 

• B: Breathe 

• B: Connect Breath to Body (breathe through the body to release the emotion). 

2. Develop I AM affirmation statements to embody your strengths, and skills during performance. 

   1. I.e. I AM strong, I CAN do hard things ,I enjoy the process…

3. Ask yourself: What is the opportunity for me to learn, grown and find enjoyment?

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