"90% of coaching is helping people get out of their own way. Ego, fear of failure, status anxiety, external validation = Get in our way." Steve Magness is describing what I call interFEARence. These fears lead to negative imagery, negative self-talk, doubt, hesitation, avoidance goals, and playing not to lose. The coach's job is to counter interFEARence by helping people play with freedom.

I wrap up my improv class tonight with a show at Mom's Basement Theatre in Las Vegas (7:00 PM). I'll let you know how it goes, but in the meantime, here are three more parallels between performance and improv.

Jordan Stolz just became the first man to win three individual gold medals at the speed skating world championships (500m, 1000m, and 1500m). Earlier this year, he won five gold medals at the junior world championships. At just 18 years old, his competitors are marveling at his precocious skill and speed. Bringing a calm and stoic demeanor, he views each race as an opportunity to get better. His relaxed approach allows him to transfer all of his energy to the ice. Stolz grew up in Wisconsin skating on the family pond. When he isn't training, he is hunting and fishing. He travels to Alaska each summer to hunt moose and fish halibut and salmon. The independence and down-to-earth nature of his childhood has led him to doing things that other world class skaters don't do - like sharpening his own blades and plotting his own path. Having already competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he has established himself as a favorite for the 2026 games in Italy.

When you're feeling stress or tension it's important to have tools in your toolbox to address the challenge. One of the best ways to lower activation is through the use of Progressive Muscle Relaxation. By tensing and relaxing your muscles in a sequential process through the body, you can learn to quickly relax when tension arises. If you want to test it out, check out this recording.

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