1/4 H Neuro #151 - Mental Preparation and Neurocognitive Coaching with Anthony Lespade

Introduction

Hello everyone! Today, we are pleased to welcome Anthony Lespade, a coach specializing in mental preparation and neurocognitive training. Anthony has been with us before in a previous episode, and he will share his holistic view on mental coaching. Before diving into the topic, could you introduce yourself for those who don’t know you?

Introducing Anthony Lespade

Thank you for having me! It’s been almost a year since I was here for the first time. My name is Anthony, I live in Bordeaux, and I have a background in tourism. I was an adventure travel guide, particularly on polar expeditions. That's where I began to take an interest in mental preparation. I wanted to understand what was happening within me in those extreme environments, which led me to specialize in neurocognitive training, focusing on attentional capacities.

What are attentional capacities?

Attentional capacities include concentration, refocusing, focus, and even managing impulsivity. My role is to help individuals, especially athletes, optimize these capacities to navigate their daily lives with more energy.

The Mental Preparation Session

During a session, I don’t believe in miracle methods. It is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach and focus on the long term. Each session is designed within a programming cycle. I first conduct an assessment to understand the athlete's needs. This involves asking questions about their diet, sleep, and other pillars of their daily life.

Needs Assessment

I consider this assessment phase as a kind of investigation. I gather clues to establish a personalized support plan. Everything is interconnected, and I seek to understand the imbalances that may exist within the individual. This allows for a shift from mere survival to performance.

Cognitive Issues in Today's Society

More and more people are becoming aware of their attentional difficulties, especially after the pandemic. They often come to me for issues related to confidence or improving their athletic performance. It is crucial to help them understand that their difficulties may be linked to cognitive problems.

Modern Overstimulation

We are overstimulated by our environment, which can affect our cognition. People tend to lose their connection with nature and the elements. This impacts our attention and cognitive abilities. It is essential to learn how to disconnect in order to reconnect better.

Practices to Improve Attention

To work on attention, practices like meditation can be very beneficial. I recommend starting with simple exercises, incorporating duration and variability into the sessions. Meditation can be an excellent tool for training focus.

Starting Meditation

A good starting point is to use meditation to focus on the present moment. It is important to quantify distracting thoughts and learn to let them pass, like clouds. This process may seem difficult at first, but it is essential for developing attentional capacities.

Conclusion and Resources

Thank you very much, Anthony, for this enriching exchange. If listeners want to follow you or learn more, where can they find you?

They can follow me on Instagram, @AnthonyLespade, and my website will be online soon. I am also developing training sessions and seminars, so stay connected!

Thank you again and see you soon!