She Talks Birdie Dr. Shannon Reece

Welcome to Season 2 of the She Talks Birdie Podcast!
I am excited to share a special episode I created in partnership with PXG to launch the new season. Have you ever thought of golf as more than just a game? Perhaps it's hard to consider the far-reaching benefits of golf when you feel as though the course just kicked your butt.
Through my conversation with two members of our military and PXG's Heroes Squad, Corporal Chris Nowak and Corporal Chad Pfeifer, I discovered how PXG is helping veterans heal from visible and invisible wounds through golf. 
Here are the highlights from this episode:
[1:56] Introduction[2:57] Cpl. Chad Pfeifer's story[11:26] Cpl. Chris Nowak's story[15:54] The learning process that has to take place for a veteran taking up golf[24:02] How a veteran's mental toughness can be leveraged in golf to help them successfully navigate life[30:07] How veterans and golfers alike are taught to maintain a positive outlook on the course[33:11] The importance of perspective in golf[35:00] How PXG is supporting veterans through their programs getting veterans introduced to the gamemaking equipment affordablebuilding a community of veterans who look out for each other[41:00] How you can learn more about PXG and their programs (links mentioned are provided below)[44:25] Final thoughts from Chad and ChrisTo get a list of the links mentioned in this episode, please visit my full show notes page at  https://trainingforoptimalperformance.com/021

What's the point of playing golf if you don't love your game. If "love" isn't the word you'd use to describe your current feelings about your game then I can help. In this episode, I share the 3 tools you need to pave the road to a golf game you love. Are you in?
In golf, your brain is your personal navigation system. 
Your brain directs your decisions, actions, reactions, and more moment by moment on the course.
And just like every type of navigation system, your brain operates specific tools that can help you reach your golf goals.
Here are the 3 inner tools that are a natural part of your hardwiring...
[2:51] 1: Your Gut - What is your default thinking when you're playing well or not as you would like?[4:21] 2: Your Imagination - If you know that you are playing with negative or self-critical thoughts, where do you think they are coming from?[6:24] 3: Your Inner Caddy - Did you know that your game has already provided you with every bit of evidence you need to establish a solid belief foundation under your game?[9:39] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.Be sure to download the one-page reference sheet in my latest email newsletter with specific suggestions to help you start leveraging the power of your inner tools both on and off the course. Learn more by visiting https://trainingforoptimalperformance.com/020

There is one incredible quality the best players possess that you can too. It's not a technically better swing, the ability to hole more putts, or even a longer drive. The one thing that separates you from the greatest golfers starts in your mind and works its way into your performance. 
I'm talking about your belief.
The wonderful Arnold Palmer once said, “I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win.” 
Unshakeable belief is the one thing that separates the good players from the great ones. And belief is trained.
The greatest golfers in the game have disciplined their minds so they see themselves and their games from the right perspective. In this first of my new short episode series, you'll discover 3 simple steps that will help you play with a belief that can have a big impact on your golf success.
Here's how this episode plays out...
[6:16] Step 1: Be Honest About Your Current Thought Habits - What is your default thinking when you're playing well or not as you would like? [7:27] Step 2: Identify the Source of Your Limited Perspective - If you know that you are playing with negative or self-critical thoughts, where do you think they are coming from? [8:40] Step 3: Compile Real Evidence to Expand Your Current Belief - Did you know that your game has already provided you with every bit of evidence you need to establish a solid belief foundation under your game?[11:54] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.These three steps will get you on a path to developing the kind of belief that aligns with your current ability rather than holding you back from realizing it.

When you aren’t playing as well as you’d like it is easy to focus on the things that are causing you frustration. You don’t have to be a club-thrower to have challenges with negative thinking. But a little bit of negativity can take a toll on a big portion of your game. 

Honestly, there’s no place for negativity on the course if you want to play well. Operating with the wrong kind of mindset will simply prevent you from getting the results you want. Good rounds require a positive outlook on yourself and your ability to play.
Strengthening your mental game requires self-awareness before you can improve your self-management. In alignment with that approach, it’s important to understand the typical sources of your negative thoughts, how negative thoughts can hurt your round, and how you can begin thinking more persistently so your thoughts improve your performance.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to infuse your rounds with the kind of thoughts that improve scores and avoid the ones that can derail you.
Here's how this episode plays out...
[6:39] Understanding the Source of Negative Thoughts - In order to combat your negativity, you've got to know where it's coming from. [10:05] 4 Kinds of Thoughts That Can Increase Poor Shots and Bad Holes - While there are lots of thoughts that can negatively impact your rounds, here are the 4 most common I come across in my work with golfers that you'll want to avoid.[16:31] 5 Kinds of Thoughts That Improve Scores - You can be more proactive to develop and play with thoughts that enhance your rounds and make it far easier to bounce back following a disappointing shot.[16:55] 1. Grateful Thoughts 
[17:28] 2. Scholarly Thoughts 
[18:08] 3. Humorous Thoughts
[18:55] 4. Flexible Thoughts
[19:34] 5. Present-Centered Thoughts
[22:32] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.

One of the biggest complaints golfers I hear golfers express about the game is how long it can take to play. But the last thing you want to do in response to slow play is to rush because that strategy can actually add time to your round.

The strategies in this episode are practical and centered around the parts of the game you can control because other people's pace of play is not. 
I am constantly hearing the frustrating and disappointing stories of rounds when someone tried to make up for another’s pace of play. It’s simply an approach that is going to backfire on you.

I am not suggesting that you should play at a slow pace that prevents you from staying in position relative to the other golfers on the course. I believe that you should take a quality approach to every shot and set a pace that enables you to do that.

In this episode, you'll learn how to respond best to external and internal motivations to speed up your pace, and three ways you can better prepare for your next round so you play more efficiently.
Be sure to grab your free copy of the one-page highlight sheet by heading to https://trainingforoptimalperformance.com/017
Here's how this episode plays out...
[8:04] Why you might be rushing - There's never a good reason to speed up your pace of play because by doing so you invite negative consequences.[10:39] How to be sensitive to the pace of your body - Emotional stress can also compel you to rush but there are signals your body gives to help you know when you need to get your pace back under your control.[13:13] 3 ways you can improve your pace of play before you play - Discover the three strategies that will help you play more efficiently.[13:46] #1: Reviewing the course - Take time to refamiliarize yourself with the course you are about to play so that you limit the surprises and unforced errors that could catch you off guard.[14:36] #2: Adjusting your strategy - Review the holes where you've lost shots, balls, or found yourself in tough situations to adjust the way you plan to play them.[15:41] #3: Taking a simple focus to the course - Select one thing you wish to take action on that will help you play better or more consistently in that area of your game.[18:16] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.

As I talked about in part one of this episode, there is a time to train your swing and a time to maintain your swing. And there are different rules for each approach.
You cannot be in both phases at the same time. You are either working on your swing or working to trust and play with the swing in the state it’s in without constantly working on it.
When you are training your swing on the range you want to follow rules that help you maintain the right environment to learn and grow. To learn more about those rules, check out my show notes for Episode #015 here.
Even while your swing is under construction, you can gather some valuable feedback by test-driving your swing change on the course from time to time. But just like on the range, you must create a solid environment in which to learn and grow without the pressure to score.
To help you avoid unnecessary frustration, in this episode I share the 5 rules for a good round when you’re in the midst of a swing change.
Be sure to grab your free copy of the cheat sheet for this episode HERE.
Here's how this episode plays out...
[3:51] Rule #1: Play with a Training-Centered Definition of Success - It's counterproductive to measure your success on the course during a training phase the same way you would when you're not working on your swing mechanics.[5:45] Rule #2: Focus on Doing One Thing Well - The last thing you want to take with you to the course is unnecessary mental clutter. You can play with a quieter mind by focusing on making one change at a time.[6:53] Rule #3: Expect to Make Progress By Making Mistakes - You execute your swing change the right way every time when it's new, so give yourself permission to make mistakes so you can learn something valuable from them.[8:19] Rule #4: Be Creative and Flexible - Golf rounds are ever-changing, so you must play with a mindset that allows you to change with the game without getting unsettled.[9:47] Rule #5: Track Your Progress After Every Hole - While you won't be keeping a traditional score, you can track your rate of success as you play.[11:39] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of the 5 rules for play.If you have any questions about how to apply any of these rules to your game, please join me for my next Ask Me Anything Live Q&A Session inside my Facebook group. I show up live every Tuesday at 11:00 am ET and I'd be happy to help you advance your game.
To listen to last week's deep dive into Episode #015 CLICK HERE.
If you'd like to join this free group, head on over to PLAY GREAT GOLF on Facebook.