Why driven female athletes burn out faster — and what to do with Dr. Erin Haugen

Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with sport psychologist Dr. Erin Haugen to explore strategies for managing pre‑race anxiety and building sustainable performance habits for female athletes.

Listeners will discover practical tools to calm nerves, balance training with life demands, and build resilience that translates to both sport and everyday challenges.

• Identify “bravery goals” that focus on showing up despite anxiety, rather than solely on performance outcomes.
• Use intentional “intent‑setting” or “whoop‑goal” frameworks to align daily actions with core values.
• Incorporate mental rest (e.g., stepping away from sport, mindfulness breaks) to prevent burnout and boost creativity.
• Leverage body cues and HRV trends to make informed training adjustments instead of reacting to single‑day data.
• Practice the “what if I don’t do it?” question to gain perspective on fear, relief, and motivation before races.

Dr. Erin Haugen, PhD is a licensed sports psychologist, performance consultant, and founder of Haugen Performance. Specializes in mental health, performance psychology, well-being, and leadership training for those working in demanding industries.

Dr. Haugen’s website: https://www.haugenperformance.com/

Dr. Haugen’s Performance Consulting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haugenperform/

Dr. Erin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drerinhaugen/

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