Kyle is the 2004 Olympic Floor Champion and a sports celebrity in Canada.
He’s training towards Worlds in September and his 3rd Olympics in 2008.
Having known Kyle since he was 6yrs-old, the first statement I would make is that he has been as successful under pressure as any gymnast I can recall.
Yet even Kyle has self-doubt at times.
From his new blog:
… (sport psychologist Dr.Hap Davis) asked me if I ever drive away from my house, but turn around a couple of blocks away to make sure I put the garage door down…I hate to admit it, but I do this at least once a week (If not embarrassingly more!).
He asked me if I ever drive to the gym, start walking away from my car, but then stop and turn around and walk back to my car to make sure I locked the door. I do that! I really really do…I think I might have a bit of OCD, maybe more than a little! I always have that little voice in the back of my head saying, “did you do this?”. That voice is so annoying and I think I would call it “Self Doubt”.
Hap said that I am probably doing the same thing with my gymnastics. Doubting myself and my ability to do something when I want to. He actually said that after 19 years as an athlete, one has to start being really creative in their ways of self-doubt because everyone has it and many have already exhausted most “normal” forms. My creative way is to completely stop trusting myself, think totally random thoughts and to start questioning things that I have been doing fine for the past 10 years. Not cool.
So here is the challenge:
I have to make a conscious effort everyday to get out of my car, shut my door, point my keys at the door, say to myself, “I am locking the door”, push the button, and walk away knowing and trusting that my door is indeed locked. How do I know it is locked? Because I consciously locked it. Sounds easy enough.
Here is the comparison:
I have to treat my performances or turns in the gym like my car door. Before I go I have to make a conscious effort to be focused. No random thoughts. I have to say something positive to myself like, “I am going to do a great routine”. This will make me present and give me some clarity right before I go. I have to trust myself and my declaration. I have to know that when I say I am going to do something good then I am going to put forth a great effort to do it good.
I applied this theory today at the gym. Before each turn I thought to myself, “Lock the door”. I pictured the feeling I have when I have consciously locked the door and the trust I get from doing it and knowing that I have done it.
I had an amazing training and I haven’t felt so present and strong in a long time. …
No more opening doors…it’s all about truly knowing they are shut and LOCKED!
Kyle Shewfelt – blogspot
This is very much a Buddhist philosophy. Living in the moment.
Kyle with Olympic Gold medallist Clara Hughes
Gymnastics Coaching.com 