#233 – Unlocking Athlete Potential & Peak Performance with Dr. Scott Goldman
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Episode Summary:
In this episode of Sport Is Life, Ian Hawkins sits down with world-renowned sports psychologist Dr Scott Goldman for a deep, human conversation about performance, intelligence, and what truly drives elite athletes. With over 25 years of experience working alongside NBA champions, Olympic gold medallists, and world-class performers, Scott shares the pivotal moments that shaped his approach; from early experiences in psychiatric hospitals to building systems that respect both performance and humanity.
At the centre of the discussion is the AIQ (Athletic Intelligence Quotient); a groundbreaking tool co-created by Goldman to measure how athletes process the game under pressure. Rather than predicting success or labelling talent, AIQ focuses on understanding how individuals think, solve problems, and make decisions in dynamic environments. Scott explains why yelling is often a sign of poor understanding, how cognitive processing styles differ wildly between elite players, and why knowing the person leads to better coaching, leadership, and performance outcomes.
The conversation expands into high-performance parenting, youth development, and the fine balance between guidance and autonomy. From knowing when to “let go of the bike seat” to shaping environments that encourage fearless learning, this episode delivers powerful insights for coaches, parents, leaders, and anyone serious about developing people. It’s a masterclass in curiosity, compassion, and creating systems that allow individuals to perform at their best.
About the Guest:
Dr. Scott Goldman
HIGH-PERFORMANCE AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Scott Goldman, a high-performance and clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of experience working at the highest levels of sport. Dr. Goldman has collaborated with elite athletes, coaches, and leadership teams across all five major U.S. professional leagues, including NBA champions, Olympic gold medalists, world record holders, and MVPs in every major sport. His work focuses on understanding and amplifying human behavior, relationships, and performance, helping organizations align mental health, wellness, and performance optimization both on and off the field.
Dr. Goldman is currently embedded with several professional organizations, including the Golden State Warriors, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Cubs, and has previously served in leadership roles with the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and multiple major universities. A true pioneer in sport psychology, he was one of the first embedded psychologists in the NFL and NCAA, co-authored national mental health best-practice guidelines, and helped create the AIQ, a widely used intelligence assessment across professional and Olympic sports. His work continues to shape how high-performance environments support both competitive excellence and human well-being.
Links:/
Website: https://aiq.team/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgoldmanphd/
About the Host:
Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.
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