Fun, depression & learning

I recently met a guy that is a tennis pro from an Eastern block country, Serbia. We were talking about training methodologies, high level athletes and emotional states, among other topics.

One thing he said to me was amazing: that fun was not acceptable, and was a detriment basically, that limited an athletes possibilities.

Wow. I thought maybe I was interpreting this incorrectly so I asked some more questions to clarify. Apparently I had heard correctly. His point of view was that “fun” got in the way of success. Hmm.

Was this a societal POV , a personal POV or something else? Was this POV something he bought as the Answer? The only possibility? What is it that we think we know about Eastern Block countries? This man has been successful and at the same time, unwilling to incorporate fun into his students worlds.

Even during our talk I could feel his reluctance to perceive of a different possibility.

There have been scientific studies showing that the endorphins generated when one is happy actually increase a persons effectiveness. My own experience shows that in terms of learning new things - it is easier and quicker for people to incorporate changes when they are having "fun" than when they are made wrong for not doing it correctly or if they are depressed. And isn't it ironic that when having fun, people have shown a decrease in depression, as well as other medical conditions. Playing sports has been cited over and over again for being a great way to decrease depression, though when being forced to "play", can we actually enjoy it?

Talking with that man made me curious, thus I'm writing this to invite responses from those that might read this.

There are infinite ways to look at this. Some include the balance between dedication and the willingness to do and be what ever is required to improve, and keeping things light. Have you ever noticed how much harder an athlete has to work when they are upset? It weighs them down, physically and emotionally.

Here is a link to a couple articles by Dr. Ellen Weber that talk about learning, comprehension & depression and how the brain is involved...fascinating.

http://www.mitaleadership.com/mita_educatio/brain.htm

Check them out and hopefully you will find them as interesting as I have.

Brain function is a very interesting aspect in relation to depression. As related to sports, what if we could change the brain wave activity levels and allow for a more enlightening experience? Without drugs or technology. What could that offer the athlete?

What would it look like to generate something that is so effective, simple, and fun, it stood everything that has come before on it's head?

We are already doing this - though most people do not know or do not believe. Are you ready for more? Ready to choose something that is not common or normal, though is so dynamic it will freak you out?

What now?

Have you been injured, maybe have had surgery and are not sure what to do?

Do you wonder if you will ever be able to play tennis to your level again?

Do you lie awake at night frustrated and in pain?

Have you tried everything and nothing's worked?


I've been there and know what it's like.

My name is Alex and I can help change what's going on for you...

I was frustrated, angry and depressed after I broke my hand in a tournament and could not play. As a teaching and playing professional, I thought it was career ending. After years of searching for something that really works and trying everything, I finally found and have developed a method that is unique, easy and effective for getting us out of the emotional pain of being depressed from an injury.

Check this out: The following was taken from the Journal of Athletic Training, by Aynsley M. Smith, RN, MA.

The purposes of this paper are to discuss postinjury depression, the incidence and risk factors of suicide, athletic injury as a psychosocial risk factor, the features common to suicide attempts in case studies of five injured athletes, and the motivation of athletes for sport participation.

The five injured athletes who attempted suicide shared several common factors. All had experienced 1) considerable success before sustaining injury; 2) a serious injury requiring surgery; 3) a long, arduous rehabilitation with restriction from their preferred sport; 4) a lack of preinjury competence on return to sport; and 5) being replaced in their positions by teammates.

Are you maybe even embarressed about feeling bad? So common! Most athletes, hell, most people don't want anyone to know they feel depressed. Particularly men. It is a sign of weakness. NOT! Not asking for help because of other peoples judgment's is usually where we get stuck. I know - I've been there.

Now, I am not suggesting my method should replace medical attention. I am offering something very different in it's approach to easing the feelings of hopelessness and frustration that can plague the athlete after an injury.



For more information and a couple tips to start with, or if you just can't wait and would like to contact me Now, please sign in with your email address and name below.

Brain & Body lubrication

By changing the way the brain functions, we can change how the body responds to input from the brain.

Thoughts, feelings and emotions - are these helpful to a life of ease or is there a different, easier possibility? Can you say "consciousness"?

And how is that connected to depression? Very good question! Look at it - if consciousness includes everything and judges nothing, if we were able to be that POV, do you suppose we would be able to maintain being depressed?

By changing the brain wave activity, we can interrupt the insanity of the mind chatter that contributes to the stuckness of being depressed. This stuckness includes the destructive cycle of self judgment. The damaging power of self judgment is huge! It can manifest physically as well as emotionally...

This can be changed.

I know how to do this - it's quick, easy, fun and really works...

Our Point Of View creates our reality

What does this actually mean?