Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Michaela, clinical psychologist and founder of My Easy Therapy. As part of the Go Humans Academy, we'll dive into the mental mechanics of teamwork. We'll explore how teamwork can build your self-esteem and resilience through self-acceptance and validation.

In this session, we'll explore the concept of self-esteem during insights from world champion rugby team the New Zealand Black Ferns. As part of this series, they'll share their career highs, lows and lessons they've learned along the way. Let's see what we can learn from their personal stories and professional achievements and discover how we can apply these learnings to boost our own self-esteem. There's my nose. This was after our final game during the Pacific Four series.

That campaign was special for so many reasons. We had been empowered to play a game plan that took guts. It was really high risk. We always tried to play that brave style of footy that we became known for. And for the first time in my time since being in the Black Ferns, I was able to learn who my teammates were. Ready for it? Oh. I think this may have only been my third or fourth test. I had a hard journey in those first few years trying to like break into the team with injuries and coach selections and things like that. To me, self-confidence means that I'm comfortable in my own skin physically and mentally. I accept myself for who I am and I know all my strengths and I'm proud of those and I know my capabilities and I know that I'm able to do whatever I want to do if I put my mind to it.

Yeah. This is back at my school when the first semi-professional Black Ferns contracts were announced. Yeah, I've struggled with like self-belief and that but they've always helped me pick myself back up and have that belief in myself to go hard.

Very early on in my career, I suffered like a really bad run of injuries. The lessons that I learned, the support that I had around me at the time, it gave me the perspective that I now have when I play. And if I never went through those challenges and obstacles and setbacks, watching from the sidelines, supporting my friends, supporting my sister, I never ever would have the perspective and probably the fulfilment and joy that I have when I play rugby as I do now.

Looking at some of these pivotal career moments gives us an insight into the rollercoaster journey of elite sports people. Shedding light on the resilience, we require for sustained success.

Building resilience is an important part of navigating life's challenges and seizing new opportunities. Failure and the difficult emotions it brings is a crucial part of that process.

All too often, fear or failure stops us from taking action but remember, there's no growth without failure. The reality is we should celebrate failure as it allows us to learn about ourselves and helps us grow. It's all about managing those uncomfortable thoughts, facing negative emotions and continuing to show up even when you least want to. And if it doesn't work out, that's perfectly normal. The key is to tell ourselves, I can do it again. Failure is not that big bad monster.

Instead, consider failure to be an important part of our path to success. The experiences we can gain from failure can be invaluable and stay with us longer than easy wins.

Instead, give yourself credit for having a go or attempt in something. It takes courage to face potential failure. Don't let fear or failure keep you from trying. Remember, confidence is built through consistent action. Self-esteem is built not just in the good times but also about establishing the resilience to bounce back from the bad times. Our self-esteem flourishes not only when we win but for the support and camaraderie of a team. So, here are your takeaways for this session.

1. Failure is a stepping stone. Failure isn't a sign of defeat but a sign of your courage to try. Recognise these moments as opportunities for growth, paving the path to your eventual success.
2. Consistency fuels confidence. Having positive self-esteem isn't built in one fell swoop. It's a skill that's honed through action and perseverance. Embrace the process and let it guide you. 
3. Team dynamics. In group settings, harness the power of different perspectives. The collective support and camaraderie can bolster your resilience, nurturing self-esteem in the process. Most importantly, remember to seek professional help if you need it. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. They can provide immediate support to help you navigate your feelings and develop a stronger sense of self.

And don't forget to continue our sessions in the link below or join the conversation using #GoHumansAcademy. And head to ineoshygienics.com for more information and mental health resources.