Brooke Dickerson: Mastering Mental Toughness in Sports

Summary

In this episode of the you can't fool you podcast, host Rockne O'Leary interviews Brooke Dickerson, a talented beach volleyball player who shares her journey from being a student-athlete to a businesswoman. They discuss the challenges of identity after sports, the differences between beach and indoor volleyball, and the importance of mental training in athletics. Brooke reflects on her experiences at Florida State and Alabama, highlighting the competitive nature of beach volleyball and the significance of mental toughness in achieving success. In this conversation, Brooke Dickerson shares her journey as a volleyball player, discussing the challenges of inconsistency in performance and the importance of mental toughness. She emphasizes the role of self-talk and body language in sports, and how these lessons translate into everyday life. Brooke also reflects on her physical training regimen and the adjustments needed when transitioning between beach and indoor volleyball. Finally, she shares her current projects and how her athletic background continues to influence her professional life.

Takeaways

• Brooke emphasizes the importance of having multiple identities beyond being an athlete.
• She struggled with her identity after her competitive volleyball career ended.
• Involvement in various activities helped her maintain a sense of self outside of sports.
• Beach volleyball requires players to find their own partners and tournaments, making it more independent than indoor volleyball.
• Brooke's proactive approach in seeking recruitment opportunities was crucial for her success.
• She highlights the importance of mental toughness and visualization in sports performance.
• The competitive nature of beach volleyball can create challenges within team dynamics.
• Brooke's experiences at Florida State were marked by a supportive environment and strong team camaraderie.
• She faced a learning curve in adapting to the unique structure of beach volleyball competitions.
• Mental training became a key focus for her, leading to improved performance. Inconsistency in performance often relates to mental toughness.
• Focusing on one play at a time is crucial in sports.
• Throwing away a bad play can help reset your mindset.
• Self-talk can significantly impact performance and confidence.
• Choosing positive affirmations before games boosts confidence.
• Body language affects not only personal performance but also teammates.
• Strength training is essential for explosive sports like volleyball.
• Transitioning between sports requires adjustments in technique and mindset.
• Nutrition plays a vital role in athletic performance and recovery.
• Skills learned in sports can be applied to professional and personal life.

Sound Bites

• "Part of the game is very important."
• "Focus on one serve at a time."
• "Throw away the bad play."
• "Self-talk feeds the good wolf."
• "Choose three positive words before a game."
• "Negative energy breeds like wildfire."
• "Strength training was huge for us."
• "What kind of athlete would I have been?"

Brooke Dickerson: 

IG: @brookie_dickerson

IG: @dickerson_diys