Bye Bye Social Media 😭

For now, I have decided to deactivate my personal page to focus entirely on my PhD studies and minimize distractions. I truly enjoy social media—creating reels, laughing at Husky videos, and celebrating my athletes' successes. I’ve always loved using my platform to lift them up and provide exposure, but social media can also be a significant time-sink. That time is now better spent on my research and supporting athletes who need it most.

Reflecting on this past Christmas Eve, I was reminded that there are generally two types of athletes:

1. Those who acknowledge you as a vital part of their success.

2. Those who don’t—and likely never will.

   
   

Initially, it is disheartening to deal with the latter. Often, this stems from a fear of what others might think—a lingering stigma around working with a mental performance professional. I am hopeful that this fear will soon be a thing of the past in the U.S. In my home country of Australia, athletes have collaborated with sports psychologists for a long time. I’ve benefited from this personally for over 12 years, and I owe a special thanks to the amazing Gayelene Clews, who supported me throughout my career and remains my mentor today.

By the time I complete my research in 3–4 years, I hope the athletes who hesitated to acknowledge our partnership will have had time to reflect. I hope they realize that we could have gone so much further together, and that their immediate success was only the tip of the iceberg. Some pull the plug far too early, but the good news is: my door is always open.

What I am discovering through my research is incredibly exciting. The changes I’m preparing for the future will be instrumental in the evolution of mental performance in sport.

To those "non-acknowledgers" who may be reading this: I am sure this isn't a surprise. You were drawn to me because I am authentic and honest. I speak the truth, and I don't plan on changing. In fact, I’ll be dedicating a future podcast episode to this very topic.

A tip to my current athletes: Treat people with respect and always consider their dignity. This is especially true for those who dedicate their life’s work to helping you. A simple gesture of public acknowledgement—even just one line—can deeply impact a professional's livelihood. Behind the "Coach B" persona is a person, a mom, and a small business owner working to support a family and pay college tuition.

I know I can be confronting, but I say what needs to be said because I care about your growth. The world of sport is ruthless; if you cannot handle a few hard truths now, you will not survive the challenges ahead.

Bring on 2026. I’m here to help you conquer it.

— B