From tests to sports, why we choke when it matters most

Under pressure, our nerves can take over. At job interviews, performing in front of an audience and it's definitely present in sports. But why do our skills desert us at such a crucial moment? And what can be done to avoid choking? Studies have shown that when people tell themselves they're excited rather than nervous, they perform better. This podcast explores more ways to avoid the choke and why it happens. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 23, 2022.

Guests in this episode:

Sian Beilock is a cognitive scientist and author of Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting it Right When You Have to and How the Body Knows its Mind. She's recently been named President-elect of Dartmouth College.

Sandra Bezic is a former Olympian and Canadian champion in figure skating (with her brother Val), and is now a producer, director and choreographer.

Carolyn Christie is a retired member of the flute section of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She now teaches classical flute at McGill and is also a Certified Mental Skills Consultant.

Niklas Häusler is a neuroscientist and co-founder and CEO of the German startup company Neuro 11.

Noa Kageyama is a performance psychologist. He maintains a blog and podcast, Bulletproof Musician.

Elizabeth Manley was world and Olympic silver medalist in figure skating in 1988, and is now an executive life coach.

Jennifer Montone is the principal horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Aaron Williamon is head of the Center for Performance Science, a partnership between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College, London.