S8 E1: Sport & Performance Psychology w/Dr. Edson Filho and Dr. Carly Block

In this episode, we are joined by two professors from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education who specialize in the research and practice of sport and performance psychology - Dr. Edson Filho and Dr. Carly Block. We discuss a number of topics relative the mental side of performance; starting with the field of sport & performance psychology and it’s practitioners, the idea of Flow, perfectionism in performance, the interconnection between different psychology processes like goal setting and motivation, confidence and coping with stress, mental skills training, team cohesion, self-awareness, the integration of sport psychology into performance systems and teams, and more! We hope that this episode provides a depth and breadth of understanding about how sport psychology principles and practitioners can be utilized in performance settings, not just in sports.

Summary

• What is Sport & Performance Psychology?
• Concepts and theories from the field
• Mental performance skills
• Integrating sport psychology into systems
• How athletes and performers benefit from sessions w/sport psychology consultants

Dr. Edson Filho is an associate professor of sport, exercise & performance psychology at Boston University, where he is the director of the Performance, Recovery & Optimization (PRO) Lab. His research centers on performance optimization in individual and team settings. He studies the individual and shared zones of optimal functioning as well as the relationship among team processes (e.g., cohesion, team mental models, and collective efficacy). He is also interested in developing applied interventions for performance optimization and mental health for athletes and performers across domains.

Dr. Filho is the author of over 100 manuscripts and book chapters and has edited three books. He is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and an Established Supervisor and Established Practitioner registered with the International Society of Sport Psychology. DR. Filho is a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist registered in the United Kingdom. He has worked as a consultant for professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes. His work on performance optimization has been funded by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and been featured in media outlets including BBC Latin America, the Boston Globe, Nature Lindau, and Scientific American.

Dr. Carly Block is a Lecturer in Sport and Performance Psychology at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, where she teaches and supervises graduate students in the Counseling/Sport Psychology program. She earned her doctorate in Sport Psychology from Florida State University and her master’s degree in Sport Psychology from Miami University. Carly’s research aligns with her theory-to-practice approach, focusing on developing evidence-based psychological interventions for specific populations in sport, such as goalkeepers and perfectionistic athletes. She has coauthored manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national and international conferences in the field of sport psychology. Dr. Block is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and has spent over the past 10 years working with athletes and performers. She has extensive experience consulting with collegiate, competitive youth, and professional athletes and performers at both the individual and team level. Through her applied work and private practice, she is passionate about helping clients improve self-awareness, enhance enjoyment and performance, and build life skills that extend beyond sport and performance settings.