Premier Sport Psychology is excited to introduce one of our Summer 2018 interns, Laina Nelson!  Read below to learn more about Laina. Let’s start with a fun fact about yourself. I absolutely love sports, but I also love music and performing. I have been writing music since I was about 13 years old and bought my first guitar. A couple years ago I even got to record my own music in Nashville. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? That is a tough question. I absolutely love to travel, but I have always really wanted to see Niagara Falls or Bora Bora. For real, I […]

The following are excerpts from “How MLB players have embraced psychology to manage high stress” at Sporting News. You can view the full article here. Part of managing those moments is that search for the constant. No matter the stadium, players know that certain things, such as the foul poles, will always be there. Losing themselves in the routine leads back to the familiar, the things that do not change no matter the moment. Focusing on a pebble in the dirt, repeating a mantra, even visualizing all allow for sharper focus and, hopefully, a good performance regardless of context. Dr. Justin Anderson, a sport psychologist who works for Premier Sport […]

By SCOTT CACCIOLA  FEB. 23, 2018 Tyler George, the American vice skip who wears really ratty sneakers, made two outstanding shots to set up Shuster, who came through in a huge way: a double takeout on his last throw to score two for the Americans and tie the match. More chants of “U-S-A!” are filling this place. Throughout their run here, the members of the American team have given huge credit to Dr. Carly Anderson, who came on as U.S.A. Curling’s sports psychologist after their dismal showing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. “We’ve had team meetings where we’re kind of slumping, and she’s just tough on us,” Matt Hamilton said […]

Carly Anderson (nee Raab), 37, is a newcomer to curling but no newcomer to sports psychology. She has a doctorate and a thriving practice with her husband, Justin, in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina. Dealing with curlers is a new experience for Anderson, the mother of two daughters, who said the sport “definitely lends itself to sport psychology.” That’s because curling has the mental pressure of golf with the added elements of teamwork and communication. “Where curling differs from golf is that it is a very team sport where every shot is directly influenced and made/missed by your teammates,” Anderson said. “You may throw a perfect shot but then it […]

Ronda Rousey said she thought about committing suicide after her loss to Holly Holm Author: Christoper Hrapsky Published: 6:56 PM CST February 16, 2016 GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. – Ronda Rousey. She’s fierce. She’s tough. On Tuesday, however, she bared her soul and made a heartbreaking admission on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Rousey told Ellen she thought about killing herself after that huge knockout loss to Holly Holm in November, her first loss since joining UFC….. Carly Anderson, a sports psychologist at Premier Sport Psychology, says top-tier athletes, champions like Rousey, who suffer major defeats can often suffer from symptoms of depression….. Watch the video and read more at Ronda Rousey said she thought about […]

Have you ever worked with a sports psychologist? If so, how did it help you? I’ve been working with Carly Anderson for 3 years now. She has helped me to improve in so many ways. My mental strength and resilience have improved dramatically. I’ve learned to see difficult situations as challenges to overcome rather than disappointments. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Have fun.” It seems silly but when you take a sport as seriously as we do, having fun can seem difficult as times. But having fun, playing loose is much easier than being stressed. What’s a big obstacle that you’ve overcome in your life? Graduating […]