Sport Psychology Was a Game Changer: How Rhian Returned Stronger Than Ever
Have you ever felt like your sporting dreams might be slipping away?
That’s exactly where Rhian found herself.
A passionate netballer for many years, she had her eyes set on becoming a starter for the national team.
But, a devastating sequence of injuries turned everything upside down.
And it seemed like there was no silver lining.
“I ruptured my Achilles then, a year later, dislocated my shoulder, which led to surgery and three years out of the National Team setup. At the time I was distraught, but those injuries ended up being a blessing in disguise, which I’m now incredibly grateful for.”
Three long years of rehab meant watching teammates progress while she sat on the sidelines, feeling left behind.
She knew how to rehab her body. That wasn’t the problem. The hardest part was the fear that her opportunity was slipping away.
Without her sport, she felt lost. The structure, the identity, the camaraderie - many of the things that gave her life direction and meaning - were suddenly gone.
What if she never got another chance to represent her island at international competition again?
That uncertainty was harder to face than the injuries themselves.
🛑 When Everything Stopped
Rhian’s life had always revolved around sport and performance. Representing the Isle of Man wasn’t just about competition - it was who she was. But when both her body and her confidence broke down, her sense of self fractured with them.
“At the time I was distraught”, says Rhian. Those words capture the weight of that moment - the isolation, the self-doubt, and the constant questioning of whether she’d ever make it back. Her mind became her toughest opponent.
What she didn’t know then was that this low point would mark the start of something even greater: a complete transformation in how she thought, played, and lived.
✨ The Turning Point
During her rehabilitation, someone suggested that sport psychology might be worth exploring.
It wasn’t an obvious step - many athletes are hesitant to work on the mental side of performance.
But something in Rhian was ready for change.
It took courage to reach out. But she did, and booked her first session.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t apprehensive. I’d never worked with a sport psychologist before, but Rich helped put me at ease.”
🧠 The Work: Rebuilding From the Inside Out
Rhian’s journey wasn’t just about recovering her physical ability - it was about transforming her mindset, her approach, and her confidence from the ground up.
“My head felt like a tangled up ball of string. But after speaking to you that first time, I could see there were just a couple of knots that needed unpicking.”
That simple but powerful image captured her experience perfectly.
After months of frustration and confusion, she suddenly saw that her challenges weren’t insurmountable.
They just needed a different kind of attention.
That realisation sparked hope.
Maybe this wasn’t the end of the story after all...
🌱 Step 1: Shifting From Self-Critical to Growth-Oriented
At first, her inner dialogue was harsh and demanding. Like many high-performing athletes, her self-talk revolved around what she wasn’t doing well enough. Every mistake felt like a personal failure.
Together, we worked on replacing that mindset with one centred on growth and learning. Through reflection and targeted tools, Rhian began to recognise that her drive to improve was one of her greatest strengths - it just needed to be directed in a healthier way.
One key tool was the Spotlight Performance Profile, which helped her build deeper self-awareness. It allowed her to understand what her strengths looked like in their sweet spot. It also helped Rhian to see how overplaying her strengths could sometimes work against her, and how embracing balance could lead to better performance.
“Rich helped me shift my mindset from one that was highly self-critical and self-focussed to one that continues to help me grow as a player, a person, and a teammate.”
This shift helped Rhian approach challenges differently - less as threats, more as opportunities.
Instead of striving for perfection, she strived for progress.
🤝 Step 2: Enhancing Rhian’s Mental Approach to Performance and Teamwork
As Rhian’s mindset evolved, so did her view of what success really meant.
Rejoining the team after years away was emotionally complex. She was eager to prove herself but also needed to rebuild trust and rhythm within the squad.
“Rich’s support was a game changer when it came to how I mentally approach situations on the court and off. He supported me in exploring and understanding the type of teammate I wanted to be not just for myself but for those around me.”
Through our work, Rhian explored what kind of teammate she wanted to be - someone who lifted others as much as she performed herself.
That self-exploration reshaped how she played and interacted.
Rather than trying to be a great player, she focussed on being the person that made the team great - a broader contribution, both on and off court.
“I remember a podcast Rich shared with me at the time, an interview with basketball legend Shane Battier. It really helped bring together all the areas we’d discussed, how I could be at my best more often, and how that would have a positive impact on the team. If I could make a valuable contribution on a consistent basis, it would be difficult to leave me out of the team.”
That small shift created more joy, purpose, and connection - qualities that began to shine through in her performance.
🛡️ Step 3: Building Confidence and Emotional Resilience
The final phase was all about self-belief and composure.
Through our ongoing sessions, Rhian developed tools to manage self-doubt, maintain focus, and regulate her emotions under pressure. These became part of her preparation and performance routines.
“It’s led to a massive growth in belief for me as a player and person.”
Now, she uses those tools before every match - to centre herself, stay focused, and keep her strengths in their ‘sweet spot.’ She knows how to prepare in ways that work for her. She plays with freedom and flow, while still operating within the team’s strategic framework.
“Rich’s support helped me find the calm and belief I’d been missing. It wasn’t just about getting back to playing - it was about learning how to enjoy the game again.”
🎉 The Comeback
In 2022, Rhian made her long-awaited return to the Isle of Man Island team - a comeback that marked the start of her strongest season yet.
“In 2022, I made it back into the Island team and have since been lucky enough to be selected for the Isle of Man’s first squads in the Netball World Cup Qualifiers, Inter-Island Games, Nations Cup in Singapore and I was recently voted Players’ Player of a European Test Series by my peers - a highlight of my netball journey to date.”
That recognition - being voted Players’ Player - was more than an award. It reflected how far she’d come, not only as a performer but as a teammate and leader.
“I fundamentally believe this wouldn’t have been possible without Rich’s help.”
Today, Rhian continues to build on that growth. She’s preparing for upcoming tournaments with the Isle of Man netball squad and has her sights set on competing in the Island Games with the Isle of Man basketball team.
And she views ongoing psychological support as essential to her preparation.
💡 What Rhian’s Journey Teaches Us
Rhian’s story reflects something many athletes face: the pressure to be like a perceived ideal rather than the best version of themselves.
In our work, we often talk about how to be yourself, skilfully - because true performance growth comes from authenticity and self-awareness, not imitation.
Rhian’s journey is proof that mental training can be just as powerful as physical training. She didn’t just return to sport - she rediscovered her love for it, and found new strength in who she is.
🎯 Next Steps for Your Own Mindset Breakthrough
Whether you’re recovering from injury, striving for selection, or simply aiming to perform with more consistency and confidence, Rich Sille Sport Psychology can help you unlock the next level of your game. At Rich Sille Sport Psychology, you’ll find the tools, insight, and support to help you sustain both high performance and wellbeing - so you can reach your potential and truly enjoy the process.
👉 Book Your Free Discovery Call - Let’s explore how personalised coaching can help you manage pre-competition anxiety, build focus and confidence, and perform your best when it counts. We’ll identify what’s been holding you back and create a clear mental performance plan to move forward.
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