Sport psychology lessons in Star Trek: Exploring Leadership and Emotional Regulation in Iconic Characters

After my first appearance of Strange New Worlds: A Science of Star Trek Podcast in 2019 recorded at the Art and Science Cafe in Pasadena, California.

Photo credit: Michael Wong

This year I celebrated Star Trek Day by submitting a chapter I am co-authoring on sport psychology in Trek to our editors. Earlier this year, I was invited to contribute to a very unique textbook on leadership. This textbook will draw from the expertise of several professionals from various disciplines (e.g., sport psychology, mental health, educational leadership, planetary science). Each author will share their perspective while mining Star Trek for lessons and or case studies.

The editors of this textbook have already broken new ground in 2023 with their initial book, Leadership in Star Trek: Lessons from the Captain’s Chair. Drs. Jason Kaufman and Aaron Peterson are now expanding the Star Trek leadership literature by asking me and others to contribute our ideas.

Without going into too much detail at this time, my colleague David Smith MS.c, a university lecturer and strength and conditioning coach, and I are writing about the importance of emotional regulation in leadership performance. We’ve included case studies of Picard, Sisko, and the dynamic duo-Kirk and Spock. This has been the most fun I have had writing in a very long time!

It’ll likely be at least a year until my chapter along with the rest of the textbook is published. In the meantime, my podcast appearances in which I discuss mental health and sport psychology issues in Star Trek are still available.

Sport Psychology in Star Trek Podcast appearances

In 2019, I joined California Institute of Technology trained planetary scientist Dr. Michael Wong on Strange New Worlds: A Science of Star Trek Podcast to discuss Star Trek through the lens of mental health and sport psychology. As far as I know, I’m the first sport psychology professional to ever do this!

Episode 62: The Sport Psychology of Star Trek

In my first appearance, I discussed mental performance issues related to Ensign Tilly’s experience going through Starfleet’s Command Training Program, the DS9 crew competing on the baseball field, Picard fencing an El-Aurian bartender, and more! Check it out below:

Episode 138: Psychology in Lower Decks

In my next appearance, I discuss mental health and sport psychology issues demonstrated in Star Trek: Lower Decks. We talked about Boimler’s perfectionism and Mariner’s therapeutic experience on a holodeck, among other psychological themes. Take a listen below:

Episode 139: Psychology in Strange New Worlds
Next, I talked to Michael Wong about the clinical and sport psychology issues presented in the hit show Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. We talked about the trauma Captain Pike endures learning about his inevitable future and Lieutenant Spock’s strategy of inducing rage as a tactical approach. Listen below:

Photo Credit: Michael Wong

Episode 162: Data as a Strategist, Part I

Next, I joined Mike with my colleague David Smith, MSc. in order to discuss everyone’s favorite android Lt. Commander Data. We examined an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) called Peak Performance. We examine how Data copes with defeat. In the words of Captain Picard, “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness, that is life.” Listen below:

Episode 163: Data as a Strategist, Part II

In our follow up episode, David, Michael, and I continue our discussion of Lt. Commander Data as a strategist. We explored how Data navigated prejudice against him in the TNG episode Redemption Part 2. We also talked about how resistance isn’t always futile, as Data outsmarted the Borg Queen in the movie Star Trek: First Contact. Listen below:

Episode 164: Data as a Strategist, Part III

Finally, David, Michael, and I finished our discussion of Data’s strategic abilities by exploring his performance in Star Trek: Picard. We talk about how he mentally outmaneuvers and merges with his brother Lore. Listen below:

Before too long, my co-author David and I will receive notes, suggestions, and edits from our editors. Then, we’ll go through the stress and excitement of further examining and sharing sport psychology lessons in Star Trek drawn from iconic characters like Picard, Sisko, Kirk, and Spock that reflect timeless challenges and triumphs. In the meantime, my podcast appearances offer a great way to explore these themes in depth, from Data's strategic brilliance to Mariner’s therapeutic holodeck experience. My hope is that whether you're a Star Trek fan, a sport psychology professional, an athlete, or all of the above, there’s something in these episodes for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates as we boldly go (or go boldly) further into the intersection of sport psychology and Star Trek!

If anything about my geeking out about Star Trek has piqued your interest in working with me, please reach out for a free consultation.