Dr. Nicole Polanichka on Turning Competition Anxiety Into Confidence

<p><strong>Season 2, Episode 11</strong><br /><strong>Guest:</strong> <strong>Dr. Nicole Polanichka</strong> — Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Mental Performance Consultant, Veteran Fencer</p><p><strong>What we cover</strong></p><p>Nicole’s fencing origin story (and <i>The Princess Bride</i> connection)</p><p>The veteran fencing community as a supportive, lifelong home</p><p>How her psychology training reshaped her approach to competition</p><p>Why the stigma around mental health in sports is lifting</p><p>What makes fencing unique: individual pressure + fight-or-flight triggers</p><p>Red flags for parents: when nerves cross into fear or lost joy</p><p>Physiology of competition-day anxiety (and why it helps, not hurts)</p><p>Reframing nerves as “go juice” and building pre-bout mantras</p><p>What parents and coaches can do (and not do) to support athletes</p><p>Pre-competition routines: control the controllables, consistency, music, notes</p><p>Reset tools after a bad bout: “short memor...