Athletics is a combination of both physical as well as mental coaching.
Chris (name changed for anonymity) is a 17-year-old male baseball catcher who sought hypnotherapy to address issues affecting his ability to throw the ball, which began during the 2nd semester of his senior year. Two crucial mind-setters helped him overcome his skepticism about hypnotherapy:
- He was tired of being mentally held back.
- He was eager to get back in the game.
Starting baseball at age 7, Chris aimed to represent his school at the state level, with dreams of playing in college. In 9th grade, he had a demanding vocal coach who used harsh and sarcastic criticism. Many authority figures are often unaware of the harm they inflict. The harsh voice and words echoed in Chris’s mind thru the end of his senior year’s first semester. Consequently, his short throws were impacted; they came from a place of deep emotion, frequently missing their target—too high, too low, or too short.
Using regression, Chris revisited his best game and relived his peak moments as a baseball catcher—the emotions, the atmosphere, and the support he experienced. Applying the logical levels framework, we introduced personal change factors (ie. environment, behavior, capability, beliefs, values), which helped us identify core beliefs and identity challenges that obstruct his desired outcomes. We concluded our work by anchoring Chris to his catcher’s glove and baseball, evoking the sensation of making an incredible throw. The breakthrough occurred at two key moments:
- Chris subconsciously applied the tools from sessions to the practice field. Before leaving the dugout, he would focus on his breathing, calm his mind, and repeat his affirmations while feeling their truth. He applied these affirmations while throwing the ball, combining physical action with mental affirmations and emotions, leading to positive changes within 21 days.
- In the final session, Chris’s game had significantly improved and confidence had surged. He could now achieve a calm mind in less than 5 minutes. College baseball coaches scouted him offering athletic scholarship.
Success was enhanced by his dedication to complete his assignments across our six sessions:
– Practicing, recognizing, and applying a calm mindset before every practice and game
– Listening to the recordings every night, regardless of what happens the next day
Today, Chris, a true freshman student-athlete attending his dream college on the East Coast, continues to utilize all the hypnotherapy tools he learned to strengthen his mindset and skills, placing himself above all other players.
Jo Nontakorn Roongphornchai
Certified Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapist (CMS-CHt)
Fellow of the International Board of Hypnotherapy (FIBH)