Episode 125: Why do some athletes choke on the world's biggest stage?

Episode 125: Why do some athletes choke on the world's biggest stage?

From Trail Society by Keely Henninger

March 17, 2026 · 1h 8m

About this episode

The episode explores why some athletes excel under pressure while others falter, delving into the science and psychology behind performance in high-stakes situations.

Hillary is back from her recent travels, Corrine shares some upcoming race decisions, and then they dive into the topic of the day: Why some athletes are “clutch” on the world’s biggest stages, while others “choke”—and what the rest of us can learn from those moments. Corrine and Hillary explore the science of performance under pressure—from Olympic heartbreak to gold-medal breakthroughs. They break down the neuroscience of choking, why overthinking sabotages performance, and the psychological tools athletes can use to re-set mid-race. They also highlight Olympic champion Alysa Liu’s joy-first approach to sport and what endurance athletes can learn from it. You'll hear: What “choking” actually means in sports psychology Why pressure can disrupt automatic skills The neuroscience behind overthinking during competition The role of embarrassment and identity in athletic performance Why “just treat it like another race” rarely works Practical tools to re-set your brain mid-race Self-determination theory: autonomy, competence, and community Why joy and intrinsic motivation can unlock peak performance From the pointy end of performance to mid-pack athletes, If you’ve ever panicked under…

People in this episode

Host: Keely Henninger

Guests: Hillary, Corrine

Topics covered

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