Motivation & Psychology

Beyond the realms of physical ability, talent, and discipline - what separates a potentially world-class athlete from a champion? The answer is psychology. The practice of visualisation - that is, to vividly imagine the occurrence of the perfect outcome, such as scoring the winning goal or winning the race - is a facet of personal psychology that spans many disciplines, not just sports.

Recovering from injury can be a frustrating process, particularly for those who are used to an active lifestyle. These sports stars went beyond the realms of recovery to achieve high and win big. So if you're currently feeling frustrated by injury, use these stories for inspiration and a reminder that from recovery can come victory. Here are six athletes who defied the odds of injury to achieve astonishing acts of sporting success.

American ballet star Misty Copeland has overcome many obstacles to reach her current level of success and recognition. Alongside breaking socio-cultural boundaries and smashing traditional ballet stereotypes to achieve international star status, Copeland also battled serious debilitating dance injuries that threatened to prematurely end her prodigal career.

Mental health issues within all sports are important to address. Like a person's physical attributes, mental health alters throughout life. Recognising a mental illness, such as depression, in athletes is of utmost importance. 1 in 4 people in the U.K can be affected by mental health issues such as depression or anxiety so educating athletes and coaches about its effects is vital. Athletes are no different to anyone else and the pressure of media, peers, success, competing, training and winning can all contribute to a depressive state.