Sports Psychology: Unlocking the Athlete's Mind

Myths and Challenges of the Profession

One of the biggest myths surrounding psychology is that it's only for 'crazy' or 'unbalanced' people. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, changed this perception, positioning psychology as a bridge to well-being. In sports, there was resistance from coaches who feared losing power, seeing the psychologist as a rival. Kátia, with her experience, emphasizes that the sports psychologist is a facilitator, a mediator between parties, offering 'different lenses' through which to view the athlete. She points out that a psychology professional must understand not only their own field but also have a grasp of physiology, nutrition, and the sport itself, to humanize athletic practice and avoid reducing the athlete to a machine.

The specialist refutes the idea that coaches or other professionals can replace the role of a psychologist. She recounts an episode at a conference where a coach proudly claimed to be the psychologist for his athletes. Kátia intervened, pointing out that while he might understand a lot about physiology or nutrition, he was neither a physiologist nor a nutritionist, much less a psychologist. This distinction is crucial, as a psychologist operates under a rigorous code of ethics, which prioritizes the anonymity and privacy of the athlete. A psychologist's work, when done well, operates behind the scenes, and recognition comes from the results and the athlete themselves, not from seeking the spotlight.

Mental Suffering and Career Transition

The biggest demands for mental suffering in elite sports include pre-competition anxiety and difficulty dealing with defeat. Kátia mentions the case of Joaquim Cruz, an Olympic medalist, who described anxiety as a 'dragon' that pursued him, even leading to the development of a gastric ulcer. Anxiety, in an optimal measure, is necessary for performance, but excess can be devastating. As for defeat, it is seen as the 'shadow of contemporary society' in sports. Although Pierre de Coubertin said that the important thing is to compete, Kátia reminds us that every athlete enters to win. It is a challenge to educate for sports and to value silver and bronze as great victories, not as 'defeats'.

The psychologist also differentiates between working with groups and individuals. In teams, the focus is on building bond and communication, because 'a disconnected team doesn't play.' She cites the example of Real Madrid's 'galácticos,' who, despite bringing together great talents, failed to win titles due to a lack of connection. For individuals, the support is more personalized, considering the specificities of each athlete and discipline. An athlete's career, Kátia emphasizes, is very brief, and the athlete 'dies twice' upon retiring from their athletic identity. Therefore, career transition is an important focus of her work, helping athletes recognize their skills and reinvent themselves for a new professional life, which doesn't necessarily have to be linked to sports.

Specific Challenges for Women and Amateur Sports

Even today, discrimination in sports persists for women, albeit in a more 'camouflaged' form. Sports, historically a male territory, sees women as 'invaders.' Kátia emphasizes that despite progress, there is still no equality or equity, especially at governance and leadership levels. 'As long as the structure isn't changed, it's no use saying there's equality,' she states. She also addresses aesthetic demands and the trivialization of knowledge on social media, which can lead amateur athletes to risky behaviors.

Kátia expresses concern about the high-performance mindset in amateur sports. Many runners wake up at 4 AM for a race but forget the joy of running, focusing only on their time. 'You need to flick the switch to remember the pleasure,' she says. External pressure, comparisons, and the incessant pursuit of 'more and more' lead to unnecessary frustrations. Kátia criticizes the 'foolishness' of those who get injured or neglect their health for an unrealistic goal, justifying it as 'being strong.' She suggests that many of these frustrations are displacements of problems from other areas of life that need to be resolved with therapy.

Sports: Medicine or Pleasure?

The idea that 'sports are medicine' is pathologizing, according to Kátia. For her, sports are, first and foremost, a mind-body connection, a moment of transcendence and presence. They humanize, provided they are practiced with love and common sense. Sports themselves are neither good nor bad; they are what the athlete makes of them. They can be therapeutic, an escape valve for daily stress, but they are not therapy, which requires a specific setting and a qualified professional.

Finally, Kátia addresses the 'post-competition void' or 'post-achievement depression.' She uses the metaphor of a mountain: the climb is arduous, the summit arrival is glorious, but the descent also has its challenges. This void is often a natural relaxation after a period of intense dedication. 'Relaxing is forbidden' in modern society, which confuses sadness with depression. It is essential to learn to 'savor' victory, celebrate the process, and seek pleasure, not just the goal. The question every runner should ask themselves is: 'Why am I doing this?' The answer should be pleasure, joy, health – not self-recrimination or external approval.

For Kátia, sports should be done in moderation, and if the relationship isn't healthy, it's necessary to revisit priorities and, if needed, seek professional help. Her advice for anyone feeling sad after a big race is simple: 'Another one will come soon.' The pursuit of pleasure and joy in practice is true mental health in sports.