Keeping Our Athletes Safe in a Win-at-All-Costs World

FOCUSED and Inspired:

September 25, 2018

Insights from Lisa Mitzel

When I’m compelled to fight for something important, I am bold and take action. This year, I wrote my second book, Focused and Inspired: Keeping Our Athletes Safe in a Win-at-All-Costs World (FAI) to spark emotional awareness, safety for athletes, and a new sports culture. Coaches, parents, educators, and leaders will benefit in learning that emotional awareness increases performance, self-esteem, and safety. My newsletters give wise tips and tools, wonderful resources, Tour news, and more. We need to listen to athletes, partner and support them in their journey—and inspire greatness. You can make their journey both meaningful and safe!

Sneak Peek - from FAI: Introduction

With the current abuse and safety issues in the sports world, what has become very clear is a need for a universal acceptance of the highest truth: What matters most is an athlete’s safety and well-being. … Athletes are vulnerable: they don’t want to make a mistake, they don’t want to make their coach mad, they don’t want to let down their teammates or disappoint their parents. The worst one…athletes don’t want to be viewed as “weak.”

Competing in a sport is about being strong, tough, able to endure—and going for the win. So, inside every athlete, nervousness, anxiety, and fear are commonplace. And adults have all the power. With mounds of talent in sport, and incredibly tough athletes (who are like superheroes), we cannot dismiss that athletes have emotions , and in fact, they have essential mental and emotional needs. …

It’s now time for change. We can coach and motivate in a healthy way and succeed. We can create great partnerships with athletes. In a “partnership” we connect deeply. We observe, discuss, ask, and listen to athletes, loudly. This partnership begins with authentic human connection—and it’s meaningful. In sport, human connection is not the icing… it’s the cake! Welcome the athletes’ thoughts and feelings. Collaborate and unite as one!

Next week’s FAI Sneak Peek - from Chapter 1: I’ll Protect Every One of You! How to talk about sensitive issues.

More on Lisa's "Focused" books

Spotlight: FAI Foreword

by Gerald S. George, PhD.

I’m beyond grateful for the foreword that Dr. George wrote for my book . His wisdom captures the heart of this vital safety issue for athletes and prompts us to pay attention to our inner voice. Thank you, Jerry! His book, Championship Gymnastics , is crucial for all coaches, judges, and athletes in gymnastics and acrobatic sports.

Focused Tour & Sponsorships

Contact me to visit you! I’m traveling for a year on my “Focused” Tour to teach and inspire this important education of safety through emotional awareness . When programs cannot afford all of the expenses involved, funding is important. Your contribution at GoFundMe will help to sponsor sports programs to learn about emotional awareness , prevent abuse, and keep athletes safe.

Learn more here: https://www.gofundme.com/athlete-safety-education-tour

Lisa’s Videos: Take-a-Breath Tuesdays.

My short videos will get you in tune with new ideas, your intentions, and yourself. I will spotlight parts of my books, share news, and support YOU in developing self-awareness and being the person you want to be in guiding athletes. Follow me on: FB, IG @mitzel_coach, and Twitter.

Focused and Inspired is dedicated to every athlete who has ever been hurt by the misuse of power in sports, and especially dedicated to the athlete-survivors of sexual abuse, who are still healing, and who spoke up and shared their stories. You are so brave! Thank you for helping others to speak up and begin to heal.

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