#233: Integrating mindfulness for young athletes – Adrian Moldovan

Drawing on two decades of experience as a school psychologist and sport psychologist practitioner Adrian Moldovan shares insights from his recent program with a boys’ basketball team aged 10 to 12. He describes how he approached the challenge of making mindfulness accessible to children still developing their body awareness and emotional regulation skills. From simple, sensory-based exercises like the “candy exercise,” which invited the young athletes to experience an ordinary object through all their senses, to playful group activities designed to build team cohesion, Adrian reveals how mindfulness can help young athletes become more present and engaged without feeling overwhelmed or judged. The conversation also touches on the common barriers and misconceptions that arise when introducing these practices, such as initial skepticism from parents and coaches or the children’s difficulty understanding abstract concepts. Adrian also explains the importance of modeling non-judgmental acceptance, especially when exercises, like the body scan, don’t unfold as planned, and reflects on the “mental training paradox,” where everyone acknowledges the importance of mental preparation but struggles to implement it consistently. Throughout the episode, he offers practical suggestions for professionals and parents who want to nurture self-awareness, focus, and resilience in children, while respecting their developmental stage and keeping the process engaging. Whether you’re involved in youth sports, education, or simply curious about applied sport psychology, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives on helping young people grow from the inside out.If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is, and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.     Sincerely, Mathias Alberton Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C. BPS trainee Sport Psychologist  MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London, UK.