Dr. Les Podlog
PhD
UT, USLes is a highly sought after international speaker and an associate professor in sport and performance psychology at the University of Utah. Les leverages the science of sport and performance psychology to help individuals and organizations harness the power of stress and adversity, optimize commitment, and maximize execution.
Les has a unique blend of expertise as a former elite amateur wrestler, teacher, and author of more than 90 scholarly publications. By artfully translating scientific principles into concrete take-home messages, Les leaves audiences with tangible, life-long skills. Les' stories, self-reflective exercises, and interactive activities, facilitate powerful connections with and among audience members.
Background Highlights:
- Former junior (20 and under) Canadian National wrestling champion, a 2-time NAIA All-American, 8th place finisher at the 1995 Junior World Wrestling Championships
- Overcame 3 ACL knee reconstructions, a shoulder reconstruction, a dislocated elbow and various other injuries during his amateur wrestling career
- 17 years of experience as an educator, researcher and consultant
- Ph.D. in Sport & Performance Psychology, University of Western Australia (2006)
- Held faculty positions at Charles Sturt University (Australia), Texas Tech University (USA), and the German Sport University, Cologne (Germany).
- 170 research publications, book chapters and conference presentations on sport, health and performance issues
- Invited presentations in Australia, Europe, Asia, and the United States
- Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in sport psychology, the psychology of sport injury, motivation theory, sociology of Sport
Sample Testimonials
"Dr. Podlog has spoken to our sport science staff at US Ski and SnowBoard on multiple occasions. Dr. Podlog is a brilliant communicator whose enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to highlight the practical implications of scientific findings is second to none. The principles he shared have helped us create lasting, impactful changes in how our athletes cope with the psychological demands of injury and adversity."
- Dr. Alex Cohen, Senior Sport Psychologist United States Olympic Committee
"Stress, adversity and challenge are universal experiences. One of Les' most insightful, inspiring, and practical talks in his workshop series with our faculty and students was on how to use stress and adversity to one's advantage. I have already observed fellow staff and students implementing a number of the ideas from his talks."
- Dr. Henrik Gustaffson, Associate Professor, Karlstad University (Sweden)
"What a powerful workshop on effective communication! Dr. Podlog provided our officers, nurses and study coordinators with invaluable strategies for enhancing the quality of our patient-practitioner interactions. I'd personally recommend him to any organization."
- U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (anonymous to avoid military endorsement of non-federal entity)
"Dr. Podlog is an exceptional professor because of his ability to challenge students to relate and apply class material to real life. His approach to teaching is slightly unconventional compared to other professors, in that he strives to facilitate intrinsic motivation for learning rather than a typical focus on grades. He comes to every class with a clear focus on what he wants the students to come away with, and uses discussion and repetition to ensure we both understand the material and are able to apply it."
- Anonymous University of Utah student, nominated Dr. Podlog for outstanding teacher award
"As a performance consultant for the Indonesian Olympic Committee, I knew Les would be the perfect person to help our coaches optimize athlete performances at international competitions. Coaches' indicated that Les' series of three talks exceeded all expectations. His use of humor, real-life examples, and knowledge of scientific research cut across any potential cultural barriers and engaged our coaches from start to finish!"
- Dr. Stephen Bird Associate professor (University of Wollongong), elite performance consultant and advisor to professional sports teams
"As part of our Global U initiative, we had 100 Chinese coaches participate in various workshops and courses. Dr. Podlog provided 6 outstanding workshops on topics such as cultivating internal motivation, self-confidence, and effective leadership. Coaches remarked that Dr. Podlog continuously energized, challenged, and enlightened them."
- Cheri Daily, Director, External Relations and Global Programs, University of Utah
Les is a highly sought after international speaker and an associate professor in sport and performance psychology at the University of Utah. Les leverages the science of sport and performance psychology to help individuals and organizations harness the power of stress and adversity, optimize commitment, and maximize execution.
Les has a unique blend of expertise as a former elite amateur wrestler, teacher, and author of more than 90 scholarly publications. By artfully translating scientific principles into concrete take-home messages, Les leaves audiences with tangible, life-long skills. Les' stories, self-reflective exercises, and interactive activities, facilitate powerful connections with and among audience members.
Background Highlights:
- Former junior (20 and under) Canadian National wrestling champion, a 2-time NAIA All-American, 8th place finisher at the 1995 Junior World Wrestling Championships
- Overcame 3 ACL knee reconstructions, a shoulder reconstruction, a dislocated elbow and various other injuries during his amateur wrestling career
- 17 years of experience as an educator, researcher and consultant
- Ph.D. in Sport & Performance Psychology, University of Western Australia (2006)
- Held faculty positions at Charles Sturt University (Australia), Texas Tech University (USA), and the German Sport University, Cologne (Germany).
- 170 research publications, book chapters and conference presentations on sport, health and performance issues
- Invited presentations in Australia, Europe, Asia, and the United States
- Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in sport psychology, the psychology of sport injury, motivation theory, sociology of Sport
Sample Testimonials
"Dr. Podlog has spoken to our sport science staff at US Ski and SnowBoard on multiple occasions. Dr. Podlog is a brilliant communicator whose enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to highlight the practical implications of scientific findings is second to none. The principles he shared have helped us create lasting, impactful changes in how our athletes cope with the psychological demands of injury and adversity."
- Dr. Alex Cohen, Senior Sport Psychologist United States Olympic Committee
"Stress, adversity and challenge are universal experiences. One of Les' most insightful, inspiring, and practical talks in his workshop series with our faculty and students was on how to use stress and adversity to one's advantage. I have already observed fellow staff and students implementing a number of the ideas from his talks."
- Dr. Henrik Gustaffson, Associate Professor, Karlstad University (Sweden)
"What a powerful workshop on effective communication! Dr. Podlog provided our officers, nurses and study coordinators with invaluable strategies for enhancing the quality of our patient-practitioner interactions. I'd personally recommend him to any organization."
- U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (anonymous to avoid military endorsement of non-federal entity)
"Dr. Podlog is an exceptional professor because of his ability to challenge students to relate and apply class material to real life. His approach to teaching is slightly unconventional compared to other professors, in that he strives to facilitate intrinsic motivation for learning rather than a typical focus on grades. He comes to every class with a clear focus on what he wants the students to come away with, and uses discussion and repetition to ensure we both understand the material and are able to apply it."
- Anonymous University of Utah student, nominated Dr. Podlog for outstanding teacher award
"As a performance consultant for the Indonesian Olympic Committee, I knew Les would be the perfect person to help our coaches optimize athlete performances at international competitions. Coaches' indicated that Les' series of three talks exceeded all expectations. His use of humor, real-life examples, and knowledge of scientific research cut across any potential cultural barriers and engaged our coaches from start to finish!"
- Dr. Stephen Bird Associate professor (University of Wollongong), elite performance consultant and advisor to professional sports teams
"As part of our Global U initiative, we had 100 Chinese coaches participate in various workshops and courses. Dr. Podlog provided 6 outstanding workshops on topics such as cultivating internal motivation, self-confidence, and effective leadership. Coaches remarked that Dr. Podlog continuously energized, challenged, and enlightened them."
- Cheri Daily, Director, External Relations and Global Programs, University of Utah
Embrace The Rocky Road
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