Etienne Vaessen relies on a mental coach: 'Emotions don't have to

Why it matters

Etienne Vaessen's decision to work with a mental coach highlights the importance of mental health in football, especially in a competitive context such as the Eredivisie. After a controversial episode that led to a suspension, the FC Groningen goalkeeper is trying to improve his emotional management, a crucial aspect for his performance on the pitch and his personal well-being.

Key points

  • Etienne Vaessen relies on a mental coach: 'Emotions shouldn't.
  • FC Groningen goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, has undertaken a journey with a mental coach to improve the management of emotions after an accident that cost him a suspension.
  • We work with mental coach: 'Emotie moet no veel omhoog schieten'.
Etienne Vaessen, thirty-year-old goalkeeper for FC Groningen, describes himself as a calm person, but on the pitch he is willing to give everything to win. This determination is a fundamental quality for an athlete, according to Vaessen, but it is important to maintain the right balance without overdoing it. For this reason, he decided to enlist the help of a mental coach. His career took an unexpected turn just over a year ago when he became the center of attention after an incident during a match against Ajax. On that occasion, Vaessen was involved in an altercation on the pitch which led to him receiving a four-match ban. This event pushed the goalkeeper to think deeply about his behavior. “What happened after that match is not justifiable,” Vaessen said in an interview. "I reacted badly, I accepted the punishment and I started to confront people to understand the situation better." Image Growing up in Breda, Vaessen always faced challenges fearlessly, although he now recognizes that this approach is not always the wisest. She has two children and wants to prevent her child from hearing embarrassing questions at school about his behavior. For this reason, after the accident against Ajax, he started a path of awareness with a mental coach. "It's an ongoing process; every now and then I feel the emotions take over again and I check in with the coach again. What exactly are you feeling? How do you feel?" Vaessen goes on to explain that there are times when his competitiveness leads him to excessive behavior: "There are training sessions where I feel a little too intense, where I push the limits to win. We discuss this together. However, it is also part of my nature, it can never disappear completely. We have to make sure that my emotions don't go too far off the rails. And I must say that in this I have already made considerable progress compared to the past." This experience demonstrates how mental support can be crucial for athletes, helping them manage the pressures and emotions associated with competition, making them not only better athletes, but also more balanced people.

What happens now

Vaessen will continue his journey of awareness with the mental coach, addressing the emotional challenges that can affect his performance. This approach could not only help him better manage the pressures of the game, but also become a positive example for young players in the Eredivisie, demonstrating that personal growth is as crucial as technical skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What drove Etienne Vaessen to work with a mental coach?

Etienne Vaessen decided to seek the help of a mental coach after an episode that occurred during a match against Ajax, which led him to reflect deeply on his behavior.

Who confirmed working with a mental coach?

Etienne Vaessen, goalkeeper of FC Groningen, has confirmed that he is working with a mental coach.

Why did Etienne Vaessen choose to address his behavior now?

Vaessen chose to address his behavior after receiving a four-match ban and to prevent his children from facing embarrassing questions at school.

What changes is Etienne Vaessen trying to make in his life?

Vaessen is trying to maintain the right balance between competitiveness and emotional control, working with a mental coach to deal with moments when emotions take over.

What is the importance of determination for Etienne Vaessen as an athlete?

Vaessen considers determination to be a fundamental quality for an athlete, but also recognizes the importance of maintaining control of emotions.

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