What are the yips? Imagine something you do every day, an ability that is so practiced that you can do it without consciously thinking about the specific movements necessary to perform it: something like driving, walking, typing, or even breathing. Now imagine not being able to do that thing, and for no apparent reason. You have no idea how long you’ve lost the ability for, and no idea how to get it back. That is the yips, and on the first episode of Losing Control, you’ll hear from two athletes who experienced it firsthand: Tyler Matzek, one of the toughest relief pitchers in Major League Baseball, and the one and only Rick Ankiel, whose struggle with the yips–and triumphant comeback–is legendary. You’ll also hear from Sports Illustrated’s very own Stephanie Apstein, who has adopted the yips as an unofficial beat and written about those who have experienced it across sports, from Olympic G-O-A-T Simone Biles to World Series Champion Jon Lester. It’s Meet the Yips, on the first episode of Losing Control.     


Rick Ankiel, a retired professional pitcher, outfielder, and author of “The Phenomenon: Pressure, the Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life”


Stephanie Apstein, Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated


Tyler Matzek, 2021 World Series Champion and current relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves 

What are the yips? Imagine something you do every day, an ability that is so practiced that you can do it without consciously thinking about the specific movements necessary to perform it: something like driving, walking, typing, or even breathing. Now imagine not being able to do that thing, and for no apparent reason. You have no idea how long you&rsquo;ve lost the ability for, and no idea how to get it back. That is the yips, and on the first episode of Losing Control, you&rsquo;ll hear from two athletes who experienced it firsthand: Tyler Matzek, one of the toughest relief pitchers in Major League Baseball, and the one and only Rick Ankiel, whose struggle with the yips&ndash;and triumphant comeback&ndash;is legendary. You&rsquo;ll also hear from Sports Illustrated&rsquo;s very own Stephanie Apstein, who has adopted the yips as an unofficial beat and written about those who have experienced it across sports, from Olympic G-O-A-T Simone Biles to World Series Champion Jon Lester. It&rsquo;s Meet the Yips, on the first episode of Losing Control.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Rick Ankiel, a retired professional pitcher, outfielder, and author of &ldquo;The Phenomenon: Pressure, the Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life&rdquo;
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Stephanie Apstein, Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated
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Tyler Matzek, 2021 World Series Champion and current relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves&nbsp;
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Losing Control is a documentary podcast about the Yips, or what happens when elite athletes and performers lose control of their ability to do the things that they do best. Told through conversations with athletes, coaches, scientists, reporters, and more, join host and mental performance coach Justin Su'a as he goes down the rabbit hole with some of the biggest stars and sharpest minds in sports and performance today to uncover the truth about one of the strangest phenomena in the game. You'll walk away with stories that empower you to prioritize your mental health and strategies that will help you to constructively embrace the challenges you face on and off the field. It's Losing Control, with Justin Su'a.

Losing Control is a documentary podcast about the Yips, or what happens when elite athletes and performers lose control of their ability to do the things that they do best. Told through conversations with athletes, coaches, scientists, reporters, and more, join host and mental performance coach Justin Su'a as he goes down the rabbit hole with some of the biggest stars and sharpest minds in sports and performance today to uncover the truth about one of the strangest phenomena in the game. You'll walk away with stories that empower you to prioritize your mental health and strategies that will help you to constructively embrace the challenges you face on and off the field. It's Losing Control, with Justin Su'a.

Losing Control

Episode 1: Meet the Yips

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b0b138e5-953e-4743-bb54-ae7500d6c1bb/transcript