
Friday Jun 06, 2025
#044 Sports Psychology Series - Transitions and critical moments with Louis Ross
🎙️ Women's Football Hub Podcast – Sports Psychology Series: Transitions & Critical Moments
🎧 Hosted by: Dr. Ian Cookson
🎤 Guest: Louis Ross (Sports Psychologist | Loughborough DICE Program | Formerly with Bristol City Women)
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Women's Football Hub Podcast, Dr. Ian Cookson sits down with Louis Ross, a sports psychologist with experience working in academy football and elite women's football. They dive deep into the psychological impact of transitions in sport, from moving between teams to career-ending injuries, and how athletes can prepare for and navigate critical moments in their journey.
🔹 Topics Discussed:
- Louis Ross’s background in football and psychology
- The role of Go Again, a charity supporting mental health in football
- Working with Bristol City Women and the Loughborough DICE Program
- What transitions in football really mean: youth-to-senior shifts, career-ending injuries, being dropped, coaching changes
- The concept of critical moments – unexpected wins/losses and their impact on mindset
- Athletic identity and its effect on performance and mental health
- The role of sports psychology in helping athletes adapt to change
- Practical strategies for coaches, parents, and players to support transition periods
🔹 Key Takeaways:
✔️ Transitions in football aren't just about retiring or being released – they include injuries, coaching changes, and moving teams
✔️ Critical moments shape an athlete’s mindset – learning to navigate pressure, setbacks, and identity shifts is crucial
✔️ Athletes should develop multiple identities (beyond just footballer) to maintain well-being
✔️ Clubs and coaches play a huge role in easing transitions, but external support (e.g., mental health charities) is key
✔️ Planning ahead can make transitions smoother – athletes should build roadmaps to manage career changes
📢 Join the Conversation!
💬 What challenges have you faced during a transition in sport? Share your thoughts on social media.
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#WomensFootballHub #SportsPsychology #TransitionsInSport #FootballMentalHealth #CriticalMoments #AthleticIdentity #LouisRoss #GoAgain #ACLInjury #FootballMindset
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