In the mind's eye, the future unfolds

The art, the science and the magic of visualization transforms

I didn't know about visualization or that even that it was a thing, but at an early age, I intuitively understood that when I could imagine something happen, it opened possibilities, even if they didn't work out. Others called it daydreaming.

Then I learned it was a powerful technique if used to its fullest potential. Visualization in sport is about the athlete mentally imagining himself performing a skill, not only to solidify the move in his mind, but also to enhance confidence and body memory.

The amazing Sue (Vietta) Wilson, PH.D., taught this, among many other optimizing performance techniques, to the York University wrestling team, Twist 'n Shout in the 1980s. Just from talking to her and watching her effect on the wrestlers, I learned so much. And I unabashedly borrowed some of her techniques in the upcoming novel, The Cauliflower Ear Club.

I would like to say that all the imagining in the book was done very seriously and judiciously, with the athletes mentally reviewing their moves over and over. But to be honest, my favourite visualization moment in the novel is not about the sports psychologist Holly teaching the athletes. No, instead, it's about her visiuallizing the assistant coach Nick in a tight fitting, reveal-all singlet. After all, a girl's gotta have fun.