009: PGA Tour Mental Performance Coach Rick Sessinghaus on Flow, Focus, and the Mental Game CalmWaves: Brain Health and Performance

Summary

In this episode, Dallas interviews Rick Sessinghaus from Flowcode (https://theflowcode.com/golf-academy/), a mental performance coach. They discuss the importance of mental performance in various aspects of life, including sports and daily life. Rick shares his journey into this profession and how he helps athletes and coaches improve their performance. They also talk about the concept of flow state and how to achieve it. They emphasize the importance of being present, finding passion, and understanding one's motivation. In this conversation, Dallas and Rick discuss the importance of curiosity and how it can enhance performance. They explore the connection between physical and mental fatigue in sports, and the need to manage both effectively. They also discuss the mental aspects of golf and what separates amateurs from professionals. The conversation highlights the role of gratitude in improving both the golf game and life. They also touch on the potential of brain tech and tools to enhance cognitive performance and help athletes overcome external factors and stresses. Rick shares his approach to working with clients and the importance of finding the right fit.



Takeaways


Rick Sessinghaus is a mental performance coach who helps athletes and coaches improve their performance.
Mental performance is important not only in sports but also in daily life.
Flow state is a state of optimal performance where individuals are fully immersed and focused on the task at hand.
To achieve flow state, it is important to be present, find passion, and understand one's motivation. Curiosity is a key trait that can enhance performance in any field.
Managing both physical and mental fatigue is crucial for optimal performance in sports.
Gratitude is a powerful tool that can improve both golf game and life.
Brain tech and tools have the potential to enhance cognitive performance and help athletes overcome external factors and stresses.



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Background

02:35 Getting into Mental Performance Coaching

03:28 The Mental Game in Different Sports

04:55 The Gap in Mental Game Coaching

06:22 Transition to Mental Performance Coaching

07:47 The Importance of Playing Lessons

09:41 Pursuing a Master's and Doctorate in Applied Sports Psychology

11:02 Learning to Manage Anger and Frustration

13:24 The Power of Curiosity over Criticism

15:10 Post-Round and Post-Performance Routines

19:58 Motivation and Intrinsic Rewards

22:10 Finding Passion and Purpose

24:42 The Joy of Helping Others Succeed

27:07 The Power of Curiosity

27:41 Identifying the Performance Gap

28:13 Filling the Gap with Mental Skills

28:41 Interference Equals Result or Performance

29:18 The Importance of Mental and Emotional Skills

29:46 Training Mental Skills

30:15 Physical and Mental Fatigue

30:45 Recovery Skills

31:15 The Mental Warfare in Golf

31:40 Heart Rate and Recovery Skills

32:23 The Impact of Mental and Emotional State on Performance

32:34 The Equation of Interference and Performance

33:22 Differentiating Nervousness and Excitement

33:53 The Mental Game and State Management

34:24 The Role of Gratitude in Golf and Life

35:15 Playing Within Your Skillset

36:08 Making Better Decisions on the Golf Course

37:13 The Difference Between College, Amateur, and Pro Golfers

38:33 The Foundation for Improving Golf and Life

39:17 The Hardware and Software of the Brain

40:31 The Future of Mental Performance Training

42:55 The Importance of Gratitude and Journaling

44:13 The Integration of Brain Tech and Mental Performance Training

45:23 The Evolution of Golf Coaching and Mental Performance Training

48:11 The Potential of Virtual Reality and AI in Mental Performance Training

49:38 The Importance of Motivation and Doing the Work

53:03 How to Connect with Rick Sessinghaus

54:46 The Power of Gratitude in Golf