WORCESTER, Mass. - It's no secret Olympic athletes like Stephen Nedoroscik have a lot of mental toughness.
Between the stress and pressure of performing for a global audience, Thriveworks clinical social worker Kimberly Jo Lucas Plourde said mentality is key, as it accounts for roughly 80% of what you're able to do physically.
Plourde has worked with Olympians in the past, focusing on their confidence and positivity.
Nedoroscik is back on the pommel horse Saturday and after almost a week’s worth of national attention. Plourde said if he blocks it out, slows down and sticks to what he knows, he'll do just fine.
"It’s a hard thing, but he's been through something like this many times. He's had a lot of accomplishments, so I think he has a mindset that can really focus in on what his job is,” Plourde said. “If he can push aside all the exciting celebrations and focus in on that moment, because its 45 seconds to a minute and then it’s over, so if he can get his brain focused on just the steps he needs to do, he'll do fine. Just like he has been.”
Plourde said the support the USA men's gymnastics team has for one another is showing the entire country what's possible when you work together.