I think you’ll enjoy this very enlightening interview with sports psychologist, Keerthana Swaminathan.
In his book, Athlete’s Way of Excellence, Tobe Hanson writes: “The Zone is when you are being intensely aware of what you are doing in that instant.” Well, the truth is, more than playing the sport, understanding the value and importance of sport in life goes beyond describable proportions.
One such, we genuinely feel is the very psychology of it. There’s no better time and moment than today for studying and understanding sports and exercise psychology. With a global pandemic confining us to our couches and kitchens, I thought it would be a great time to have a conversation with a sports psychologist.
Let me introduce you to Keerthana Swaminathan, a professional sports psychologist.
Ravi: Thank you for accepting our invitation for an interview! Can you tell us about what inspired you to get into this profession?
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Keerthana: As a kid, I was obese. As a result of which I had low self-esteem and wouldn’t like to venture into anything new. I was lazy and not motivated about anything. My parents got me into long-distance running for fitness when I was in my 12th grade, and that was a huge turning point in my life. I started getting a fresh perspective, and long-distance running made me feel more confident–weight-loss was just the by-product. I also became acutely aware of myself. I was much better at academics, and I started doing a lot of other things better, running made me change a lot mentally and emotionally. Because I felt such a huge difference, I wanted to pursue psychology and, hence, Sports and Exercise Psychology. I wanted to help people empower themselves.
Ravi: How do you prepare yourself for an individual session? Ad what challenges come with a typical day at work?
Keerthana: I spend a lot of time reading on the subject. I also spend a lot of time trying to understand my clients and plan my interventions–be it an individual or a group session. I engage more in terms of mindfulness techniques. My goal is to make the sessions fun, interactive, and useful for athletes and parents. On challenges, because sports psychology is new, making people understand that it’s a long-term process is hard. Making the players and the parents know that every individual is different is another challenge I face.
Ravi: Regarding the issue of combining studying and sport for children and college goers, how would you advise parents to ensure a balance between school studies and sport?
Keerthana: Parents need to understand that not every child can become #1 in sports or academics. If parents could guide children to find their passion and talent (and focus on giving their 100% in whatever they do), it would be great. Children do require that guidance. In the early years, they need to balance studies and sports. Every individual is different. Some children might have a great interest in sports, and some may not. It is essential for parents to expose their children to both sports and academics, and to guide them to enjoy the sport and study and, hence, push their 100% capability.
Ravi: At what age do you think a child can decide for him/herself whether to continue their sporting passion with a professional career in mind?
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Keerthana: Generally, people say it’s about 14-15 years, but it depends on the child, environment, parenting, and exposure. It also depends on why a child is playing.
Ravi: What are the psychological effects on children when parents shout at referees or act out in other ways?
Keerthana: Children get affected quite a bit by parents. I’ve seen parents have a positive impact, and I’ve also seen parents have a negative effect. Parents need to keep in mind that children learn a lot from their parents’ behavior. They understand and pick up a lot of things from their parents. So parents should be mindful of their behavior, the consequences of the behavior, and they need to guide/teach their children to become independent.
Ravi: At what ages does playing sport and joining a sports club help children?
Keerthana: Children learn empathy, learn to communicate/bond with their peers, and learn to be on their own. It is vital to have a balance between socializing/bonding, and also to enjoy being with themselves, spending time on themselves. Both are equally important. Children learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. They also learn to understand how their actions impact others. Learning these things at a very young age is very important, and all of it can take place in a sports club.
Ravi: Many young people leave home to play for prestigious clubs. What are the effects?
Keerthana: This can have a different impact on every child. In some cases, children become stronger and mature by leaving home at a young age. In other cases, it can have a negative effect. Again, this depends on the environment they are brought up in, and the environment they get into. Both factors shape their mindsets.
Ravi: What advice do you have about mentoring young players from a sports psychology perspective?
Keerthana: For sure, no one coaching strategy fits all ages. Because of that, it is crucial to take a look at developmental milestones, both cognitively and physically, and then to integrate that understanding into one’s coaching philosophy. That enables a coach to identify and apply the appropriate coaching strategy.
Ravi: My personal view is that for decades in India, we’ve resisted anything that threatens “traditional games and values.” What’s your opinion?
Keerthana: In earlier times, sports were not one of India’s priorities. But that situation has been changing over the last few years. A single person or one area of expertise cannot change things. It takes a collective effort to change something as ingrained as our mindsets.
Ravi: Children have a vast appetite for learning, but, in my opinion, it can dissipate dramatically if they participate in out-of-date education systems. The same can be said for a professional sport when coaching is considered. What do you think?
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Keerthana: Due to exposure and the availability of plenty of resources, there are a lot more choices than there used to be. Luxury is now viewed as a necessity, which is a belief that didn’t prevail earlier. So it might be right to say that the environment is the first thing that enables an athlete to grow. I have also noticed from my practice that different individuals tend to look at the same situation in completely different ways. That says the same environment can affect different individuals in different ways. One might thrive, while another might drop out. Hence, having a coach-athlete rapport is essential. Appropriate modifications and reviews should be done because no one environment can generate the same results. Reviewing/revisiting is very important when it comes to the environment.
Ravi: Our brains are often in conflict between seeking comfort and taking risks to develop. Do you agree?
Keerthana: Awareness is the only way to look at it. The individual needs to be mindful about himself/herself and his/her behaviors/emotions so that he can decide if it needs to be an automated response or if he/she can push further. Once the individual is aware, it is only a matter of choice and decision.
Ravi: What advice would you give to young students who want to take up sports psychology as a profession?
Keerthana: It is indeed a beautiful field to be in. But I say to anyone who chooses any field, that it’s unwise to take up a profession just because it looks glamorous. It takes a lot of work to get there. Make sure you know ‘the other side’ of any professional before you take it up.
Ravi: Lastly, what message would you give to the younger generation about ethics and character? And how does your work benefit society?
Keerthana: Character and ethics come first–even before academics. Many people focus on just the outcome and are not bothered about how they get there. Performance goes for a toss if there is negligence in ethics and character.
Let me put it this way: you might win once without ethics and character, but sustained success and performance go hand-in-hand with ethics and character.
Ravi: Very sage advice! Thank you so much, Keerthana, for taking the time to interview with The Sports Column.
