Blades & Behavior

Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Blades & Behavior™️ is a behavioral sports psychology podcast exploring the psychology and behavioral aspects of high performance, mental performance, athlete mental health, coaching, and all things high-level sport. Each episode examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors show up under pressure, on the ice and in competition across all sports. From navigating mistakes and expectations to managing pressure in high-stakes moments, this podcast breaks down what actually drives performance when it counts. Grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis, Contextual Behavioral Science, and real-world experience, Blades & Behavior™️ delivers practical tools and honest conversations for athletes, coaches, and sport executives. While hockey is at the core of the show, the principles discussed apply across all sports and competitive environments. Hosted by Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., Board Certified Behavior Analyst, the podcast draws on over a decade of clinical, academic, and behavioral science experience, along with many years working directly with professional athletes and coaches. Dr. Naser is the founder and director of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️. Most performance podcasts focus on mindset, motivation, or mental toughness. Blades & Behavior™️ is different because it is the first sport performance podcast rooted explicitly in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Rather than focusing on “thinking positive” or trying to control thoughts, this podcast breaks down how behavior is shaped under pressure, how habits are built in high-performance environments, and how athletes can systematically train responses to stress. Many of the principles and applications shared on this show have not been discussed in other performance podcasts because they come directly from applied behavior analysis, a field rarely integrated into professional sport at this level. Disclaimer: The Blades & Behavior™ podcast is an independent media platform. Guests appearing on the podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. Guest appearances do not indicate that individuals featured on the podcast are clients of Dr. Alicia Naser. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Any references to teams, leagues, organizations, or brands are made strictly for contextual or informational purposes and do not imply partnership, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement of Dr. Alicia Naser or the Blades & Behavior™ podcast. _______________ New episodes drop every Monday @ 9AM EST. https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

Episodes

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Excellence in Sport Performance

    Link to all of Dr. Naser's Current Offerings, Media, and Client Applications: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser SummaryIn this episode, Dr. Alicia Naser discusses three key behaviors essential for achieving excellence in sport performance: psychological flexibility, mastering the environment, and engaging in objective thinking. She emphasizes the importance of using 'and statements' to foster mental resilience and the need for athletes to focus on facts rather than emotions. The conversation also highlights how creating a supportive environment can enhance performance consistency and confidence among athletes.Takeaways-There are more than three behaviors for excellence, but these are the most common.-Psychological flexibility is crucial for athletes to adapt and perform under pressure.-Engaging in objective thoughts helps athletes focus on facts rather than emotions.-Mastering the environment is essential for consistent performance.-Using 'and statements' can help athletes manage their thoughts effectively.-Confidence is a byproduct of consistent behavior, not the goal itself.-The mind often tells stories that may not reflect reality.-Creating cues in the environment can direct desired behaviors.-Emotions play a significant role in sports but should not dictate performance.-Athletes must learn to separate their emotions from their behaviors.Chapters00:00Understanding Excellence in Sport Performance02:46Key Behavior 1: Psychological Flexibility08:13Introduction to Psychological Flexibility and And Statements18:17Implementing And Statements in Sports and Life18:45Objective vs. Subjective Thinking in Sports25:52The Importance of Seeking Truth in Performance26:00Mastering Your Environment for Performance Excellence28:48The Role of Team Culture vs. Environment32:01Behavior and Performance: The Impact of Environment34:47Cues and Prompts: Enhancing Mental Performance36:33Introduction to Excellence in Sport Performance

    38 min

About

Blades & Behavior™️ is a behavioral sports psychology podcast exploring the psychology and behavioral aspects of high performance, mental performance, athlete mental health, coaching, and all things high-level sport. Each episode examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors show up under pressure, on the ice and in competition across all sports. From navigating mistakes and expectations to managing pressure in high-stakes moments, this podcast breaks down what actually drives performance when it counts. Grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis, Contextual Behavioral Science, and real-world experience, Blades & Behavior™️ delivers practical tools and honest conversations for athletes, coaches, and sport executives. While hockey is at the core of the show, the principles discussed apply across all sports and competitive environments. Hosted by Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., Board Certified Behavior Analyst, the podcast draws on over a decade of clinical, academic, and behavioral science experience, along with many years working directly with professional athletes and coaches. Dr. Naser is the founder and director of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️. Most performance podcasts focus on mindset, motivation, or mental toughness. Blades & Behavior™️ is different because it is the first sport performance podcast rooted explicitly in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Rather than focusing on “thinking positive” or trying to control thoughts, this podcast breaks down how behavior is shaped under pressure, how habits are built in high-performance environments, and how athletes can systematically train responses to stress. Many of the principles and applications shared on this show have not been discussed in other performance podcasts because they come directly from applied behavior analysis, a field rarely integrated into professional sport at this level. Disclaimer: The Blades & Behavior™ podcast is an independent media platform. Guests appearing on the podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. Guest appearances do not indicate that individuals featured on the podcast are clients of Dr. Alicia Naser. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Any references to teams, leagues, organizations, or brands are made strictly for contextual or informational purposes and do not imply partnership, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement of Dr. Alicia Naser or the Blades & Behavior™ podcast. _______________ New episodes drop every Monday @ 9AM EST. https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

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