So back in January 2016, I started working with Rachel Mackay, Scottish boulderer and climber, in how to step up her game in both her mental and physical preparation for her climbing. This project was to benefit both myself and Rachel and there definitely were a lot of gains and improvements to be seen. Rachel needed assistance with several issues she had identified in her climbing performance and I had a few unique interventions in mind that I wanted to try out (as always).
The project aims to demonstrate a number of things. First, my work as a sport psychology consultant and some of the unique creative approaches I take to my work. Second, the logic and theory behind selecting certain interventions (and not just selecting anything). Third, to demonstrate the power of psychology and how it affects us in performance. And lastly, to demonstrate the journey and process through a particular client-counsellor relationship.
The project is still continuing despite some changes that Rachel will tell you about but we are still positive and motivated to continue our relationship and to build upon our amazing work together.
The project aims to demonstrate a number of things. First, my work as a sport psychology consultant and some of the unique creative approaches I take to my work. Second, the logic and theory behind selecting certain interventions (and not just selecting anything). Third, to demonstrate the power of psychology and how it affects us in performance. And lastly, to demonstrate the journey and process through a particular client-counsellor relationship.
The project is still continuing despite some changes that Rachel will tell you about but we are still positive and motivated to continue our relationship and to build upon our amazing work together.
I asked Rachel to come up with a few words to serve as an introduction to herself as well as a summary of where she is today with her climbing,
'Hi! My name is Rachel and I have been climbing since I was 8 (roughly) but stopped for a few years when I was a teenager. Currently I am just focusing on climbing for a while which is great and I have seen some real improvements over the past year – in no little part due to the positive input from Jess at Sport Psych Solutions!
Back in January when I had just finished this interview with Jess I was still recovering from an injured finger but had also just arrived back from a successful and really fun 2 month trip to Spain! Since then I vowed to work on my power and vary my climbing so I wasn’t always on crimps! I have definitely seen an improvement in this area and my finger is fine now, although I always wrap it up in tape to keep my newly found paranoia of injuries at bay. I have also been able to get out climbing in Scotland quite a bit, particularly at Tunnel Wall in Glen Coe which is an absolutely stunning sport venue and well worth a visit!
I have just moved to Liverpool, like literally a few days ago! So at the moment I am hoping to get back into training and a regular routine as due to all the moving and packing/unpacking I have been a little bit all over the place the last week and a bit. Hopefully I can settle into the new city and make some climbing friends soon as I am desperate to get back outside on some rock! However, I do need to keep my training on track despite the moving stuff as one of my main goals this year is to participate in the BLCC in September.
All in all my climbing is going very well and I am excited to see where it takes me for the second half of the year!'
So we begin our project with our very first interview with Rachel..
'Hi! My name is Rachel and I have been climbing since I was 8 (roughly) but stopped for a few years when I was a teenager. Currently I am just focusing on climbing for a while which is great and I have seen some real improvements over the past year – in no little part due to the positive input from Jess at Sport Psych Solutions!
Back in January when I had just finished this interview with Jess I was still recovering from an injured finger but had also just arrived back from a successful and really fun 2 month trip to Spain! Since then I vowed to work on my power and vary my climbing so I wasn’t always on crimps! I have definitely seen an improvement in this area and my finger is fine now, although I always wrap it up in tape to keep my newly found paranoia of injuries at bay. I have also been able to get out climbing in Scotland quite a bit, particularly at Tunnel Wall in Glen Coe which is an absolutely stunning sport venue and well worth a visit!
I have just moved to Liverpool, like literally a few days ago! So at the moment I am hoping to get back into training and a regular routine as due to all the moving and packing/unpacking I have been a little bit all over the place the last week and a bit. Hopefully I can settle into the new city and make some climbing friends soon as I am desperate to get back outside on some rock! However, I do need to keep my training on track despite the moving stuff as one of my main goals this year is to participate in the BLCC in September.
All in all my climbing is going very well and I am excited to see where it takes me for the second half of the year!'
So we begin our project with our very first interview with Rachel..
Our first meeting: Semi-structured Interview with Rachel Mackay
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