Q&A with Amanda Johnson

She says much like mental coaches, sport psychologists are responsible for helping athletes overcome mental blocks such as anxiety and choking. “We provide techniques to help keep [athletes] motivated and confident,” she says of the role she plays professionally.

It was in her final year studying Psychology at university that she decided the field of sport psychology was a viable option, given her own interest in athleticism. She was further inspired to get into the field when a friend of hers broke his leg during football season. “Seeing the struggles he endured as an athlete first hand pushed me even more to enter the field.”

Since joining SPORTT, Amanda has worked with a number of national athletes, some of whom have gone on to the Olympics and the Paralympics, as well as national teams that have competed regionally and internationally.

Today, Amanda sheds some light on the inner workings of sport psychology, the ways she remains strong and steadfast in such a male-dominated field, the most fulfilling part of her career, and some of the specific issues that women in sport face mentally and physically.

Q Can you tell us more about the Elite Development and Performance Unit at SPORTT? What exactly does your work entail?

EDPU is a department within SPORTT; here we facilitate the development of our national athletes by providing services such as strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, physiological testing and analysis, massage therapy, sport psychology, and sport nutrition. In the past these services would have been accessed outside the country but now they are housed locally.

Q What is something unexpected people may not know about your job?

Many people think we are ‘shrinks’ with a nice comfy couch to come sit and talk about your problems but the field is actually very hands-on. We are very active and have athletes up and moving in order to teach mental skills.

Q What part of your professional life makes you feel most fulfilled?

Where do I start with this one? In every sport profession we want to see our athlete succeed. For me, I enjoy seeing the athlete’s reaction when they first have a breakthrough on something we have been working on. To date one of my most fulfilled moments was seeing one of my athletes become selected for a prominent team after being dropped for performance difficulties. This client was at a really difficult place in her life but she committed to the process and yielded the results.

Q As a woman in a high-powered field, what would you say is the secret to success?

I have experienced the most growth by being open. I have come across athletes from all different backgrounds. Being open allowed me to be flexible in my approach and planning as each team/athlete has unique experiences and learns differently.

Q In your words, why is an athlete’s mental health just as important as their physical condition?

Picture two athletes on a starting line, both of the same physical capabilities. The only thing that separates them is their ‘mental toughness.’ The one with the ability and skill to dig a little deeper and push a little harder when the body can’t go anymore. This is what we call the psychological edge. However, this edge can’t be achieved unless an athlete’s mental health is in check.

Q Are there any mental issues you see the need to address in your clients, especially women?

I would not say mental issues but the female athletes have greater challenges. I recently read of an Olympic athlete (Jessica Ennis-Hill) who had an unplanned pregnancy and had to take time off the sport to give birth and then decide if she could commit to going for another Gold. Here it is increasingly important to manage your expectations and emotions and re-evaluate your goals. This is where a sport psychologist can help.

Q Your thoughts on the stigma of mental illness among persons in TT? How can we come to a better place of understanding surrounding issues of mental health and women?

Although I do not deal specifically with mental illness (clinical psychologist), I do see that people in Trinidad and Tobago still have difficulty accepting it as there is still a strong stigma attached. I believe with greater education and awareness the perceptions we have can change. Many people need to know that with proper treatment many of these patients can live normal and healthy lives. In saying that, we need to have more outpatient clinics to help reacclimatise the patients back into society after their treatment process.

Q What unique experiences do you have as a woman in the local sport industry?

I feel privileged that athletes trust me to take them on a journey to reaching their full potential.
My field in particular, I see the weaknesses that they do not want to show to the world and assist in creating the best possible version of themselves.

The general public is harsh when it comes to athletes’ performances. They either win or lose.
But I get to see first-hand the hard work that is put in and the progress they have made despite the outcome.

Q Have there been misconceptions about your abilities as a woman in your field? How do you overcome these? I

I believe my greatest challenge is being ‘young’ and even more so young and female. Often when the Sporting Bodies meet me I do not think aesthetically I meet their requirements at first.

However, when I start speaking about the field, my experience, ways I would deal with specific situations… perceptions change. I am confident in the product that I bring to the table and that has helped me overcome this.

Q Sport is a male-dominated field. How do you do your part to ensure others know women belong in sports (whether on the frontlines or behind the scenes) just as much as men?

I encourage all my athletes to be empowered regardless of gender. For females specifically, this area is critical if gender issues arise. It is important for them to focus on letting the work/ performance speak for itself, weather you are a professional in sport or an athlete so that people are able to see you are putting in 100% and reaping the rewards. I myself try to project this as a woman professional in sport and hope that my actions set an example for others. The EDPU department is comprised primarily of women professionals and we have all let our work speak volumes to gain the respect of the sporting population.

Q What are your thoughts on ending sexism? Have you had personal experiences to speak of?

Being a woman in sport, simple issues such as the way we dress affect the message we are trying to deliver. It is difficult and often when dealing with male coaches or other professionals, some inappropriate comments/gestures are made. It is upsetting but as stated earlier I have confidence in my product and I try to leave an impression where my work will speak volumes versus what I may be wearing. If this interaction can change one person at a time and gain the respect of women in my _ eld or any sporting profession, then I am doing my part.

Q Any last words, thoughts, or pieces of advice you’d like to share?

Sport Psychology is a growing field. The Rio Olympics is proof of this where amazing athletes such as Simone Biles (Gymnastics, Team USA) have reaped the benefits of sport psychology.

If any athletes want to have that competitive edge it is essential that their mental strength is as developed and prepared as much or even more than their physical. I am passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential and fulfil their goals and I am happy to see the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago begin to use the service to grow in this area.