Time: 14:35 – 14:50
Session: PhD & Trainee Talk

The Misunderstood Mental Skill: Self-Compassion and Sustainable Athlete Performance and Well-Being

Speaker Profile

Sterling Kerr is a PhD student at the University of Saskatchewan, where his research focuses on self-compassion within sport and physical activity. He works within the KINpassion Lab, exploring how psychological factors such as perfectionism, self-criticism, and burnout influence athlete performance and wellbeing.

With a background as a professional football goalkeeper, coach, and sport psychology researcher, his work is grounded in both applied and academic experience. He also holds a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Newcastle University.

Overview

Self-compassion is increasingly recognised as a powerful psychological resource within performance environments, yet it remains widely misunderstood. This session explores how self-compassion can serve as an effective alternative to the self-critical tendencies often reinforced in sport.

Drawing on a growing body of research, the talk examines how self-compassion supports emotional regulation, adaptive coping, and psychological wellbeing. It highlights how self-criticism, often perceived as motivating, can in fact undermine performance and increase vulnerability to burnout.

The session will translate these insights into practical strategies for coaches and practitioners, demonstrating how self-compassion can be integrated into sport environments to support both performance and long-term athlete development.