There is arguably no more polarising figure in sport than UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor.
The public perception surrounding ‘The Notorious One’ differs greatly, especially in Australia, where it is seemingly better to fit in than to stand out.
Love him or hate him, the psychological warfare he unleashes on his opponents has allowed him to reap benefits inside the cage.
The man has even been dubbed ‘Mystic Mac’ for his pre-fight predictions for his opponents, which more often than not have been correct.
McGregor originated from humble beginnings and has attributed his success to visualisation techniques and the law of attraction.
Many people dismiss these concepts as fad quackery designed by people in the personal development game to make a quick dollar off impressionable and sometimes desperate customers.
But does the power of positive thinking have merit?
Fake it ‘til you make it they say, the law of attraction has the support of some quantum physicists and has been a staple in the success of people in many fields, from acting, to business, to sport.
American author Napoleon Hill spent decades studying the most successful people from around the world and summarised his findings in one short quote: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
It takes a great deal of mental power to be an elite-level mixed martial artist, and improving this aspect is something UFC fighters regularly practice in their training schedule.
So if a person’s success is determined by their mindset, then perhaps the psychological development side of Australian football is somewhat untapped.
Ever wonder why set-shot kicking for goal is probably the only aspect of the game that has not improved over time?
There was a recent article written by Mark Robinson about meditation and visualisation implemented by St Kilda’s Maverick Weller as part of his training and pre-match routine.
After consulting with a sports psychologist, he went from being delisted by the Gold Coast Suns to now holding a position in the Saints leadership group.
Weller is an advocate for these techniques and has stated that it helped him in many aspects of his life, on and off the field.
With the demands and pressures of the game at its highest levels ever, many young athletes lack confidence, thus hindering their performances.
More time and resources should be devoted to helping young athletes achieve their true mental potential in sport.
For now, meditation, visualisation and the power of belief may be seen as obscure methods of training, but those who currently practice them may be seen as visionaries sometime in the future.
Follow Jackson on Twitter @JClark182
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