Beyond the Finish Line
When we think of athletic performance, we mostly think of physical health. We think about how the body should work…. or doesn’t work. What we don’t think about a lot with performance is mental health. Being mentally strong and at peace directly impacts the athlete's ability to focus, maintain motivation and overcome setbacks.
Driven athletes tend to be hard on themselves, allowing for anxiety to creep in and burnout to occur. The demands of training and the desire to perform at your best while juggling all other aspects of life can weigh heavy on the mind.
In order for an athlete to perform at his or her best, both physical and mental/emotional health need to be prioritized and attended to. Creating a supportive environment offers the opportunity for athletes to feel comfortable talking about mental health concerns while building a relationship that cultivates a sense of belonging and validation.
Having a trusted person in your corner will elevate your performance. Working with a counselor, therapist or psychologist can provide tremendous benefits for athletes looking to maximize their physical health through better understanding the implications of mental health and mindset on their physical performance. This person will help give clarity and guidance as you navigate training and work. A counselor will help manage expectations, improve focus and concentration, build mental resilience and will help cope with injuries when and if they occur.
ESE is excited to announce the partnership with Shawna Walz, licensed psychotherapist giving our athletes another resource to help achieve their full potential. Shawna is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) who works with a wide array of individuals, couples and family systems. She has passion for helping clients navigate through life's challenges and circumstances, including battling issues of mindset, self-worth, confidence, and a desire toward positive growth and actionable change. Her hope is that her clients gain an increased awareness of who they are as individuals as well as relationally, and that they strive toward becoming the healthiest, most integrated versions of themselves in all contexts, situations and relationships.
As an avid runner and fitness enthusiast, Shawna loves working with other athletes and fully understands and appreciates the mind-body connection and how vital it is for athletes to take care of their mental and emotional health alongside their physical training. Shawna has completed 2 full marathons, 20+ half marathons, and engages in a consistent fitness regimen of running, cycling and weight lifting.
