PCA Founder Interviews Dr. Amy Saltzman on Mindfulness
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Founder, Jim Thompson, interviewed Dr. Amy Saltzman on September 16, 2021. Amy is a holistic physician, parent, athlete (was a gymnast and competitive cyclist), author, and occasional poet. She is the author of three books: Still Quiet Place (for Athletes; for Teens; and Mindfulness Program for Children and Adolescents). Jim wrote the forward for the athlete's book.
Jim conducted a 50-minute interview with Amy on Zoom, and here are a few key quotes from their session:
1. What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention here and now with kindness and curiosity so we can choose our own behavior. Our best is to be in this moment.
2. Gentleness with self is the gateway to courage.
One example of gentleness with self is your (PCA's) mistake ritual...which combines elements that can be done in the run of play.
3. How can a practice of mindfulness benefit youth coaches and youth sports parents?
It's a whole environment. Each responsive moment builds calm, which allows us to be in a state of flow. It also contributes to positive scanning (note: this refers to seeing the positive and learning in each moment).
4. How does mindfulness benefit mental health?
It enhances performance, athletic and academic performance. It decreases stress, anxiety, and depression. It increases healing and the speed of rehab.
5. Anxiety lives in the future.
Depression lives in the past. Possibility lives in the present.
