Visualize Like An Olympian with Brian Miles, 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
Brian Miles, CMPC

Brian Miles is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and Major League Mental Performance Coach based in Cleveland, Ohio. He boasts a rich academic background graduating with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montclair State University, where he excelled both academically and athletically as a member of their men’s soccer team. Continuing his educational journey, Brian pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Athletic Counseling, accompanied by a certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Clinical Mental Health from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Brian's professional career extends to his impactful work as a Master Resilience Trainer and Performance Expert, primarily with military personnel. Through teaching performance psychology skills and techniques, he empowers individuals to cultivate the mental and emotional resilience essential for excelling in challenging environments. Utilizing applied sport psychology principles, Brian has guided soldiers to enhance their performance as tactical athletes and fostered cohesive, high-performing unit teams, both in preparation for and during combat operations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-miles-cmpc-72b45131/

TOPIC
Visualize Like An Olympian

Default: If we close our eyes and imagine any performance one of the things we find is that we have a default belief about that performance. That is important to know as it is your starting point. That default might be highly positive or even negative.

Don’t Don’t:  The brain’s first language was pictures. Because of this it doesn’t process “don’t”. It’s important you image what you DO want to happen. If by chance you imagine a mistake, imagine yourself working out of it. It’s okay for all imagery not to be perfect. Make sure the story ends how you want it to though.

MENTAL PERFORMANCE TOOL
Tool

Good Reps Build Strength- Imagery is just like any other type of skill you build. The more good reps you get, the better you get at it. This in terms makes your imagery more powerful and can impact your performance.

Relax- When you are first starting imagery it can be very helpful to be in a relaxed place and start with some focused breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. This helps the mind be more open to the images and helps your session be more vivid and powerful. As you improve your imagery starting relaxed may not be as necessary. 

Meaningful/Vivid- The more realistic you can make your imagery (what you see, hear, smell, taste and feel) the more your body and mind will think these images are true. It is also important that this imagery is meaningful to you. You wouldn't take a rep at 50% because you know it doesn’t help you gain as much skill as a rep at 100%, the same is true for your imagery.

TODAY- Consider how you prepare for important moments? Does your preparation process allow you to do what you can, with what you have, where you are?

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