Dr. Derek Vigon

Sport Psychologist

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

Momma I made it !!!! @MasonWBB

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

It was 🔥 getting to present to the elite professionals at @ServiceNow on mental performance tools and #PsychBeats for performance success

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

Dr V still got it 😂💯
The best kind of morning with @GoMasonWVB

[George Mason Women’s Basketball @MasonWBB]

BATON ROUGE BOUND‼️

We will see you in Louisiana on Saturday, Mason Nation! 🔰

#BelieveBIG | #Ubuntu

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

No words necessary. So proud of this group @MasonWBB

[George Mason Athletics @MasonAthletics]

Excellent insights from George Mason Athletics Dr. Derek Vigon about the importance of mental health in college athletics on 𝗔-𝟭𝟬 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁
Hosted by @PhilMartelli and @TMacPhils
Where to Watch --> https://t.co/IpKqIZDIt6

[Matt Schnuck @mattschnuck]

In 2012 Novak Djokovic had a breakthrough in his mental game.

His insight (and what it can do for you):

As he began playing on the biggest stage - he’d have doubts at the worst moments.

Match point. Self Doubt.

Pre-breakthrough, he saw these thoughts as a major problem...As bad...As something he needed to eliminate.

“I used to freeze up whenever I made a mistake.”

His breakthrough - accepting he could not eliminate his negative thoughts and self-doubt ...Even at the worst times on the court.

Old Mindset:
I need to improve so that negative thoughts NEVER arise on the court. If doubt occurs, something is wrong.

New Mindset:
Because I am human, I expect negative thoughts to happen when the pressure is highest. When they arise I just use my tools to manage them skillfully.

Now he EXPECTS doubt to arise on the biggest stage. His insight:

“Everyone goes through these thought processes of self-doubt. I don’t think it is particularly bad. I used to think it was bad. So I was trying to ignore it or shut it down.”

“But the major transformation in a positive way for me started when I acknowledged and accepted those thoughts as part of me.”

Novak’s radical shift was to stop trying to eliminate negative thoughts. But instead to develop strategies that acknowledge his humanity and would be effective when they would inevitably arrive.

Takeaway 1:

Even the best in the world face self-doubt, often at the most inconvenient times. The goal isn’t eliminating these voices - it is finding tools to deal with them skillfully.

Takeaway 2:

Conscious breathing can be an anchor to come into the present moment when negative thoughts arrive at inconvenient moments. Practicing breathwork in low-stakes moments allows one to use this tool to move beyond negative thinking when it matters most.

Novak: “Now when I blow a serve or shank a backhand, I still get those flashes of self-doubt, but I know how to handle them.”

Mental fitness is a state of readiness.

Readiness is judged by how quickly can you recover...

It’s not about staying perfect.

It’s about practicing to be prepared.

If this resonates, comment below and follow
@mattschnuck for insights on inflections in life, entrepreneurship and 25 years in business.

[Daniel Abrahams @DanAbrahams77]

Rafa Nadal…

No matter the skill in his hands, he still experiences unhelpful thoughts, emotions, feelings.

He’s human…

But then he still commits to great body language…front-foot, energy forward, activation, positive energy…no matter what!

He’s in charge…he’s in control

[Dr. Jesse Michel, CMPC @JesseDMichel]

Incredible clip of the 🐐 @DjokerNole talking about his
🧠 🎾
1) practice the mental game
2) accept the ⛈️ inside
3) recognize the ⛈️ and move on
4) 👄 💨 through the doubt and uncertainty
5) use every data point possible to get an advantage

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

S-A Mental Health Week Mural

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

George Mason Athletics is proud to participate in Student Athlete Mental Health week. Mental Health Matters @HilinskisHope

[Zach Brandon @MVP_Mindset]

Scottie Scheffler on mindset, preparation, and competing freely.

#MVPMind

[Dr. Jesse Michel, CMPC @JesseDMichel]

My goodness- this is a 90 second crash course on performance, focus, & mindset under pressure.
🚨 🏈 🧠

1. Acknowledged the pressure
2. Refocus 🧠
3. Process>Feelings
4. Trust your prep
5. Allow your training takeover
https://t.co/UcN1t7DmX9

[Timmy Crowe @timmy400h]

If you have a few moments to listen to this interview as a parent with your child.
Possible one of the best post race interviews I have ever watched #PlayOn

[Hilinski’s Hope @HilinskisHope]

ReUnit3d: Music, the Great Connector

During the summer the Unit3d podcast team is taking a break & airing episodes from the past. Hilinski’s Hope cofounder and also drummer, Mark Hilinski, chose “Music, the Great Connector,” as his ReUnit3d.

Music is universal, just about everyone has a type of music they love, a favorite song or a soothing sound they prefer. Music & sound have been used in many ways to improve or maintain #mentalhealth as well as boost performance. On this episode, George Mason University, Sport Psychologist, Dr. Derek Vigon talks about ways in which #music, vibration & sound can enhance mood, soothe anxiety, improve performance & more!♥️♥️♥️
#zildjian #PsychBeats

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

@HilinskisHope @MasonAthletics LOVE THIS Mark !!!! Music is so powerful and the effects are incredibly healing 🙌

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

Shoutout Matt Forte and Osa Odighizuwa and the NFLPA for putting on this amazing conference. It has been incredible learning from these living legends. Mental health matters. Proud to be part of this clinician directory

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

A great day of golf with these fellow Patriots and a great way to raise support for the @GeorgeMasonU Diversity Scholarship fund !! @MasonSoftball @GoMasonLax with the eagle putt

[Dr. Derek Vigon @dr_vigon]

George Mason Athletics @MasonAthletics Optimal Performance & Wellness panel with the experts !! It was an honor to be a part of this project. Go Patriots !