Coaching The Inner Chimp.

This paper is based on the writings of Dr Peters theory called “The Chimp Paradox”, which is a mind management model that was used quite successfully with the British Cycling Team. This mind theory states that the mind is divided into two parts.

 

The two parts of the mind consist of “inner chimp” , which is the part that runs our emotions and gut instincts, makes snap decisions and thinks in black and white. While, the other part is rational, logical and require evidence and sees things in shades of grey. Peters says that we cannot live without the inner chimp but it dominates our mind and it can be catastrophic.

 

The inner chimp will come up with a plan for you if you already do not have one. But the problem with this plan is that it will be emotional, maybe neurotic and it will be haphazard. The inner chimp is based on your own emotional makeup and gut instincts. So for example, if you are sensitive to emotional outbursts then this will be part of the inner chimps plan.

 

It is possible to control the inner chimp but the problem is the chimp turns up when we don’t want him/her to do so. For example you maybe eating a strict diet because you maybe trying to hit a competition weight for your lifting class but the inner chimp tries to tempt you with junk food or it tries to convince you that eating healthy is a pointless activity and that food is to be enjoyed. This part of the inner chimp is your minds survival instincts.

 

Another example of the inner chimp at work would be if you hear an athlete say “that wasn’t me out there” after a poor or uncharacteristic performance. In this case it was not the athlete but his inner chimp taking control because the athlete at some point had given away control to the inner chimp because the athlete had lost faith in their abilities or plan they had. So what does an athlete or coach do? Well you would set out to control the inner chimp by recognition and control.

 

So how do you recognise and control the inner chimp? Well the most basic recognition of the inner chimp would be at the prehistoric level of the sexes. The prehistoric level of the inner chimp is hardwired into mind because it is the most basic line or level at which the mind has for development, a starting point if you will. This prehistoric level is designed for survival of yourself and the species. So the inner chimp of a male is driven by alpha type ego, acquiring and exerting power and territory as well as sex while a female’s inner chimp is insecure, maternal and more emotional and is hardwired to flee or freeze rather than stand and fight like the male’s inner chimp. So knowing this its possible to control the inner chimp of both sexes, but of course there will be variations of these inner chimps within the sexes due to modern environmental and social backgrounds.

 

As a coach the male inner chimps can be controlled by giving them group tasks, which help to satisfy the alpha within them and this helps the inner chimp to focus its energy on allowing the rational and evidence requiring part of the mind take more control, which in turn allows more focus on the male athletes own performance in training and competition because the males inner alpha chimp wants to look dominant in all tasks so therefore must maintain a high degree of skill, strength and power. Where as the female’s inner chimp needs more vocal reassurance and the couragement to realise her alpha female characteristics. This can be accomplished by allowing the female athlete to train among the males and treated on the same level as the male athletes. This will (hopefully) have the effect of male dominance rubbing off on to the female, which will trigger the prehistoric survival instincts to emerge.

 

Now, there are 4 principles, which apply to a coach and to the athlete. These are:

 

1.      Have a Plan

2.      When the inner chimp speaks – let it speak and let it finish.

3.      Answer the inner chimp with logic and rationality.

4.      Dismiss the inner chimp by using keys words unique to you. These words or phrases are a personal choice and with the coach it depends on the relationship they have with their athlete.  

 

Its important for both the coach and the athlete to know and understand that the inner chimp is like the Terminator it will absolutely not stop. The inner chimp is always there, it starts the day you are born and it dies when you do. But it can be controlled and to control it you must have a plan and as a coach you must not only fight your own inner chimp but your athletes too, As an athlete you must fight your inner chimp when you need too, like the night you are in bed, alone trying not to think of the competition the next day. 

 

 

Reference:

 

Anonymous. 2014. Coaching the Whole Chimp: Why Coaching the Athlete isn’t Always Enough . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sportscoachuk.org/blog/coaching-whole-chimp-why-coaching-athlete-isn%E2%80%99t-always-enough. [Accessed 10 January 16].