Sport and peak performance

For decades, Dyslexic Thinking has been responsible for some of our greatest inventions, brands, art and even icons.

From the iPhone to Virgin. DreamWorks to Muhammad Ali.

Yet, this kind of thinking has rarely been taught, measured or treasured by traditional education systems or workplaces.

But now, as we enter the 5th Industrial Revolution – a world powered by human intelligence AND machines – the demand for this creative, innovative and adaptable thinking has never been greater.

   Welcome to DyslexicU, the University of Dyslexic Thinking

Timing: 5 minutes

Watch this video, in which Kate Griggs welcomes you to DyslexicU, the University of Dyslexic Thinking, a new school of thought where you can learn the intelligence the world needs now.

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KATE GRIGGS

Welcome to DyslexicU, the University of Dyslexic Thinking, a new school of thought where you can learn the intelligence the world needs now.

For decades, Dyslexic Thinking has been responsible for some of our greatest inventions, brands, art, and even icons. From the iPhone to Virgin, DreamWorks to Muhammad Ali. Yet this kind of thinking has rarely been taught, measured, or treasured by traditional education systems or workplaces.

But now as we enter the 5th Industrial Revolution, a world powered by human intelligence and machines, the demand for this creative, innovative, and adaptable thinking has never been greater. Just as previous industrial revolutions, fuelled by steam power or electricity or computers and digital connectivity, transformed our world, modern day artificial intelligence is revolutionising the type of thinking that is critical for success today.

Because AI has learned to aggregate and recall knowledge faster and better than humans, making the skills that AI cannot easily replicate like problem solving, innovation, lateral thinking and interpersonal skills, the most sought-after skills in every job, in every sector worldwide. And these skills are inherent to one particular group of people... dyslexics.

Now is the time for dyslexics to learn more about their Dyslexic Thinking skills and to shout about them. And it's time for non-dyslexics to learn more about Dyslexic Thinking skills and develop them. Because these are the skills needed to thrive in this new AI powered world. DyslexicU is here to help everyone to do just that.

In this course, I explain Dyslexic Thinking and the vital role it plays in sport and unlocking peak performance. During the course, I'm joined by unstoppable sports stars who explain why their Dyslexic Thinking is so valuable and how it gives them an edge in each of their fields. Alongside the film content you will find lots of links to useful resources to help you unlock your own peak performance.

This course on sport and peak performance is proudly supported by the Muhammad Ali Center, who are dedicated to mobilising Muhammad's legacy to helping every person achieve their greatness. Let's jump straight in and hear from their incredible president and CEO, DeVone Halt.

DEVONE HALT

What does it take to be the greatest? Skill, speed, determination? For Muhammad, it was all about belief. Believing that you were capable of whatever you put your mind to and having the conviction to follow it through. I mean, this was a man who said he was the greatest even before he was.

Muhammad was confident about everything he did. He never questioned himself, he just believed he could do it. And that laid the foundation for everything he achieved both inside and outside the boxing ring. He said, ‘It's the repetition of affirmations that lead to belief. And once those beliefs become a deep conviction, things begin to happen.’ And as the first fighter to win three World Heavyweight Championships on three separate occasions, as well as an Olympic gold medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he really did become the greatest.

Our mission at the Muhammad Ali Center is to inspire greatness and to strive to unlock it in every child and every adult. And that's exactly what this course will help you do too. Whether you're a Dyslexic Thinker yourself or you're coaching a dyslexic at home, at work or in life, I hope this course will help you find ways to unlock your greatness and go on to do things you never thought possible. Thanks for taking it.

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In this course, you’ll find out why Dyslexic Thinking is now recognised as a valuable set of skills.

Dyslexic brains process information differently.

Our neural pathways are different from someone who is not dyslexic, meaning… we literally think differently.

This gives us a pattern of valuable strengths, which are called Dyslexic Thinking skills.

This course helps you to understand what Dyslexic Thinking is and why it’s now seen as the world’s most sought-after skill.

   What exactly is Dyslexic Thinking?

Timing: 2 minutes

In this video, Kate describes how dyslexic brains process information differently.

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KATE GRIGGS

So, what exactly is Dyslexic Thinking? Dyslexic brains process information differently. Our neural pathways are different from someone who is not dyslexic, meaning we literally think differently. This gives us a pattern of valuable strengths, which are called Dyslexic Thinking skills. The dictionary definition of Dyslexic Thinking is: 'An approach to problem-solving, assessing information, and learning, often used by people with dyslexia, that involves pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking, and interpersonal skills.'

In 2022, LinkedIn, the world's largest career platform, added Dyslexic Thinking as an official skill, recognising that this type of thinking was becoming vital in the changing world of work. The 2024 Intelligence 5.0 report found that as a result of AI, the type of intelligence the world needs has changed. Creativity, communication, adaptability, complex problem solving are the skills that research tells us are vital to every job in every sector, across the world. They are the skills all humans need to thrive alongside AI and they are all Dyslexic Thinking skills.

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There are six Dyslexic Thinking skills.

Most dyslexics are a combination of a few of these, rarely all!

   Dyslexic Thinking skills

Timing: 4 minutes

Watch this video, in which Kate describes each of these skills.

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KATE GRIGGS

There are six Dyslexic Thinking skills, and most dyslexics are a combination of these, rarely all. Let me talk you through them.

The first Dyslexic Thinking skill is Visualising. Interacting with space, senses, physical ideas and new concepts. Dyslexic Thinkers who are good at visualising may be able to visualise complex user journeys or see project plans come together in their mind. We may excel at product development, visualising how parts fit together and can see challenges from multiple angles, or see and sense business opportunities and how they come together.

Second, we have Imagining. Creating an original piece of work or giving ideas a new spin. Dyslexic thinkers who excel at imagining drive innovation. We see what could be, not what is. We come up with new ideas and approaches that no one else has thought of because we see the world differently, and this helps drive business forward.

Next, we have Communicating. Crafting and conveying clear and engaging messages. These kinds of dyslexic thinkers are great at simplifying concepts, building narratives, or selling a vision that helps to galvanise the rest of the organisation to make it happen. We are great at taking lengthy, complex information and simplifying it into short, easy to understand formats.

Next, Reasoning. Understanding patterns, evaluating possibilities and making decisions. Reasoners make connections across complex issues, subjects and data which others don't see. We use our intuition, think around problems connecting the dots of insight. Brilliant big-picture thinkers, we cut through the noise, rise above a problem or situation to get a helicopter, big-picture view, rather than getting stuck in the detail.

Another Dyslexic Thinking skill is Connecting. Understanding self, connecting, empathising and influencing others. Dyslexic thinkers excel in empathising, negotiating and expressing themselves orally. We are also highly self-aware with high levels of emotional intelligence. These skills help make us great leaders who can build, support and empower teams, people and organisations.

The sixth and final Dyslexic Thinking skill is Exploring. Being curious and exploring ideas in a constant and energetic way. Dyslexic thinkers have endless curiosity for finding out new things, learning new skills and finding different ways to do things. We don't like the status quo. We have boundless energy and passion for digging into things and exploring subjects so the most is learned, and inspiring others to do this too.

Now you have a big-picture understanding of Dyslexic Thinking, let's do a deeper dive into why it makes unstoppable sports stars and how you can unlock your own peak performance.

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Now you have a big picture understanding of Dyslexic Thinking, let’s do a deeper dive into why it plays such a vital role in Sport and Peak Performance.

This course introduces you to some of the world’s best dyslexic sports stars, from basketball stars like Magic Johnson and A’ja Wilson, to NFL legends like Tim Tebow and Rashan Gary – Olympians like Noah Lyles and F1 mavericks like Lewis Hamilton, as well as the greatest sportsperson of all time… Muhammad Ali.

It finds that while each one of them might have struggled in the classroom, they broke boundaries, smashed records and revealed their true greatness in the sports arena. It asks what lessons can we learn from them about peak performance and unlocking our own greatness?

   What makes dyslexics such unstoppable sports stars?

Timing: 2 minutes

In this video, Kate asks what gives sports champions their edge? And finds that many of the world’s best sports champs are powered by their Dyslexic Thinking.

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KATE GRIGGS

What gives a sports champion their edge? Talent? Skills? Perseverance? A will to win? How about their Dyslexic Thinking?

In whichever sport you look at, Dyslexic Thinkers push boundaries, smash records and inspire us with new ways to achieve our greatness. In basketball, dyslexic legends like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and A’ja Wilson have risen to the top of their fields. In the NFL there's Tim Tebow, Mark Schlereth, and Rashan Gary. And when it comes to Olympians there's Caitlyn Jenner, Michelle Carter and Noah Lyles, who smash the record for US Olympic trials in the 200m.

And in Formula One there's racing mavericks like Sir Jackie Stewart, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton, who has more wins, pole positions, podiums and points than any other driver in history. In British football there's Lionesses Alex Scott, Rachel Yankey. And, of course, in the boxing ring there is the greatest sportsperson of all time, Muhammad Ali, who was three times World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

However, many podiums, titles, and medals they've achieved, they all share one thing, they are turbocharged by the power of their Dyslexic Thinking skills. And while each one of them might have struggled in the classroom, they broke boundaries, smashed records and revealed their true greatness in the sports arena.

So, what lessons can we learn from them about peak performance and unlocking our own greatness? These are the skills I'll share in this course.

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This short session sets out the five reasons dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars.

Setting out the big picture – before the course dives in and explores them, one by one.

   Reasons why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars

Timing: 1 minute

In this video, Kate explains the five reasons why dyslexics make such unstoppable sports stars.

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KATE GRIGGS

Here are five reasons dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars.

1. We are brilliant visualisers.

2. Our spatial awareness is our superpower.

3. We tap into our intuition and change the game.

4. We develop elite levels of perseverance.

5. We cultivate exceptional focus and find our flow.

I'll take you through them one by one so you too can unlock your peak performance in whatever it is you put your mind to.

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While dyslexics struggle to memorise facts, like times tables, spelling, punctuation or grammar rules, they have an incredibly strong visual memory – which can give them the edge on the sports field.

Intuitively, they use their visualisation skills to spot details others miss and unlock their peak performance by imagining or visualising what they want to become real.

This section also contains valuable insight for coaches, teachers and parents.

   Dyslexics are brilliant visualisers

Timing: 10 minutes

Kate hears how visualisation helps dyslexic sports stars in Formula 1 racing, English Premier League football, Women’s Basketball (WNBA), NFL and more.

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KATE GRIGGS

The first reason why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars is we are brilliant visualisers. The dyslexic thinking skill of Visualising. While dyslexics struggle to memorise facts like times tables, spelling, punctuation or grammar rules, they have incredibly strong visual memory which can give them the edge on the sports field.

Formula One racing champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, can visualise each twist and turn on every racetrack. He says, “The old Nürburgring had 187 corners per lap, and I can still give you every gear change, every braking distance on each of the 187 corners. But I can't say the alphabet”. Some describe this as being part of our spiky profile, where we index highly in some skills, often outperforming our peers, but struggle greatly with other tasks people find easy.

Jackie Stewart also puts his success down to picking up on small details others might easily overlook and being able to communicate with his mechanics more clearly, which builds a stronger team. Let's hear from Jackie now.

SIR JACKIE STEWART

My greatest skill is attention to detail. I'm good at attention to detail. And when your attention to detail is good, you're picking up things that other people don't think are important, but these are the things, the little things that suddenly stops a racing car.

I learned how to communicate. I learned how to explain, when I became a racing driver, why a car was doing this instead of this. I could talk to the mechanics and engineers of how the car was behaving itself. It took me longer to explain it, perhaps, than most people but it was probably more vivid because I was seeing it as the problem that was stopping me from getting pole position or a better starting position at least or winning a race.

KATE GRIGGS

It's a skill shared by former England and Premier League footballer, Joleon Lescott, who has won every major honour in English football, including two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the League Cup with Manchester City. He says his incredible visual memory allows him to spot details others might miss.

JOLEON LESCOTT

Like if you used to say to me there was a certain game, I'd be confident I could memorise an element of it, a detail of it that probably would go unnoticed to most people.

KATE GRIGGS

If you're dyslexic, learning how you learn best is key to turbocharging your success and unlocking your peak performance. Former England rugby captain, Chris Robshaw, explains how he learns best visually and by getting hands on.

CHRIS ROBSHAW

For me, I'm a very visual person. I see stuff. I need to go through bits whereas other people like to read, they like to listen to stuff. I could sit in a meeting room, and we could talk about our plays and our line outs, whatever it be in terms of our structure of our rugby and a lot of that won't go in but, however, if I go out on a pitch and run through it once it will all go in and I'll be completely fine.

KATE GRIGGS

Similarly, Tim Tebow, champion NFL quarterback, taught himself game plays by using flashcards before big games, while the rest of the team would memorise complicated playbooks. Let's hear again from Joleon Lescott.

JOLEON LESCOTT

The way I learned was perfect for the career I had. It was audio, and it was visual, and it was obviously doing. That isn't always the case at school. It was a different method and it was like, I'm not absorbing the information that way. And there was no other way, there wasn't an audio version. It was cheating if you were listening to stuff. So again, as I got older, I realised that isn't the case, it's just the way I absorb the information.

KATE GRIGGS

And if you're someone who manages a dyslexic at work, teaches them in the classroom, or coaches them on the sports pitch, here's one important tip. It's vital to share information in a way that's easiest for a dyslexic to absorb and remember if you want to create a winning team.

The phenomenal basketball player, A’ja Wilson, who became one of the most successful female players of all time, was lucky to have a coach in her early career who understood how her dyslexic mind worked. Her coach, Dawn Staley, says, “If I'm writing something on the board, sometimes I'll go over and over stuff. – make sure she has it. And if she doesn't, she'll let you know”.

Dyslexic coaches like NFL legend, Joe Whitt Jr, instinctively know that each player learns differently and adapts his coaching to it. He says, “I think that's one thing that dyslexia gives me. It gives me the ability to think outside the box. I think that's one reason why my players play so well. I give them the traditional teachings of football, but I then say, ‘Let's learn it in a different way’”.

But it's not just visual memory that enhances performance, elite athletes are incredible at imagining or visualising what they want to become real. They can see themselves at the event they're preparing for, becoming champions, winning gold medals and giving a peak performance. They visualise how their body will move and perform before they make it happen.

From neuroscience, we have learned that by visualising doing an action, you're stimulating the same part of the brain as when you're performing the skill. It's possible to practise and improve a skill just by thinking and visualising that you're doing it. The more you do it, the better you become. In fact, research has shown that visualisation can improve performance by as much as 45%. Here's Chris Robshaw to explain more.

CHRIS ROBSHAW

Wherever I'm playing whether a club or country, I'll sit down the night before and just take fifteen minutes going through the plays and I'll actually picture myself where I need to be at this play, where am I going next, so you actually see it all, and for me that's my best way of learning.

KATE GRIGGS

Lindsey Vonn, who was named America's best woman skier ever by Sports Illustrated, says, “I always visualise the run before I do it. By the time I get to the start gate, I've run that race a hundred times already in my head, picturing how I'm going to take the turns”. One of the world's greatest sportspeople of all time use this skill to best effect. The three times World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and humanitarian force for good, Muhammad Ali. Let's hear from his wife, Lonnie Ali, on how Muhammad used his Dyslexic Thinking to visualise his success.

LONNIE ALI

Muhammad, not only was he determined, he could visualise in his mind, in his brain, what he was going to accomplish and probably what he looked like. I have been told by classmates, former classmates of his in high school that when he was training for the Olympics, going through winning the Golden Gloves, winning these trophies and things, that his ambition was always to become the Light Heavyweight Champion, because he was smaller then so heavyweight, he probably thought he wouldn't get to be big like a heavyweight, but the Light Heavyweight Championship, and then eventually the Heavyweight Championship, he even drew out on paper, probably when he should have been paying attention in class, the jacket he was going to wear, he was going to design and wear once he became that champion.

And he could see it in his mind. I think he saw the grandeur, the glory and the accolades and what it would be like to be that person, to be the Light Heavyweight Champion of the world, and then first to win the Olympics and to be an Olympic Champion. But yes, that was that perseverance, that grit, that determination that propelled him and um laid the foundation of everything he achieved in life.

KATE GRIGGS

My favourite Muhammad Ali quote is, “If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it”. So that's the power of visualisation. While it's a skill set that dyslexics are hardwired to have, and Muhammad Ali used to brilliant effect, it's a technique we can all use to unlock our greatness. So, when it comes to visualising, here are three key takeaways from this section.

1. Dyslexics have a strong visual memory.

2. They use their Dyslexic Thinking skill of visualisation to memorise plays and spot things other people miss, which helps tactically.

3. They visualise success and use their grit and determination to make it happen.

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Dyslexics literally see the world differently. It’s all to do with how we process information – and this can be an incredible advantage in any sport.

Thanks to their Dyslexic Thinking skill of visualisation, dyslexic sports stars develop an extraordinary perception of the space around them, and this often allows them to transform the outcome of a game.

   Using our spatial awareness as a superpower

Timing: 8 minutes

In this video, Kate finds out how sports stars use their spatial awareness as a superpower in everything from Formula 1 racing to NFL games.

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KATE GRIGGS

The second reason why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars is our spatial awareness is our superpower, the Dyslexic Thinking skill of visualising. Dyslexics literally see the world differently. It's all to do with how we process information. And this can be an incredible advantage in any sport.

But let me explain more. Spatial awareness is the ability to use visual information to understand the relationship between your body and the objects and people around you. Thanks to their Dyslexic Thinking skill of Visualisation, dyslexic sports stars develop an extraordinary perception of the space around them. This includes their relationship to others on the pitch, track or boxing ring, and it helps them to make split second decisions about how and where to move next.

If you're a dyslexic NFL player, it helps you to assess your relationship to the players around you, the ball and the goal line and make speedier decisions about plays. The quicker you can do it, the faster you outsmart the other side. Vancouver neurotherapist, Mari Swingle, says, “There's a different form of spatial perception that dyslexics have, so it's almost fundamentally what hurts them in their learning to read actually helps them on courses and tracks”.

Strongly linked with our visual memory, spatial awareness allows you to make a mental map of the players around you. You can constantly scan the field to assess the position of players, giving you more time to make smart decisions or be a step ahead of the play. It's no surprise that many racing drivers are dyslexic. Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Sir Jackie Stewart.

Spatial awareness is key for racing drivers because it helps them navigate the track, avoid collisions and overtake other drivers. It involves being aware of your position in relation to other vehicles and the track and being able to process a lot of sensory information quickly. When it comes to overtaking, drivers need to be able to judge whether they can fit through very small gaps. To navigate tight corners at fast speeds, drivers need to understand how their car's position relates to the track. And to avoid collisions, drivers need to use their visual spatial skills to assess their relation to other cars on the track and changing track conditions.

In some instances, it's all about being prepared. Here's rising racing star, Elliot Cox, to explain more.

ELLIOT COX

My Dyslexic Thinking helps a lot with um visualising where I need to be on the track. Dyslexia can help you, for me at least, I can take a mental snapshot of a track map or something my coach sends to me and play it over in my head while I'm driving. That helps a lot.

KATE GRIGGS

In the NFL visual spatial skills are particularly relevant. It helps players to judge distance, speed and direction of objects, which is crucial for catching the ball. It enhances peripheral vision, allowing them to keep tabs on where their teammates and the opposition are. It also helps them judge distance from the goal lines. Here's NFL insider, Jordan Schultz, and Green Bay Packers star, Rashan Gary, talking about the beauty of Dyslexic Thinking in this clip from our World Dyslexia Assembly in 2023.

RASHAN GARY

So, in my profession, being a professional football player, my dyslexia skill that I lean on is my memory. So, from schemes we're able to see 11, 12 personnel, all the way to 14. From seeing three slots out, to two over here, to knowing when this guy moved this way. Just seeing it the first time I'm able to break it down and I'm able to line up, see this and I can play to what I'm feeling.

So, it's kind of cool how even when we're on the sideline and we're making on the fly judgements, okay I need you to cut inside or if you see this, do this and I'm able to see it and you don't have to tell me more than two times. And that's a key thing, when they tell you to do it, the first time that you do it right. So, I'm happy that I'm able to have that, my superpower.

JORDAN SCHULTZ

It's a superpower, yeah. What Rashan just described in about two minutes, it might have gone over your head. It definitely went over my head, and this is what I do! I say football takes a few minutes to learn but a lifetime to master. What he just described are complexities that happen on the fly. And those adjustments you're talking about are often the difference between making a play and not, winning and losing.

KATE GRIGGS

Spatial awareness is vital in football too. It helps dyslexic players to create a snapshot of the game around them. In a split second, they can assess the visual pattern of players’ positions on the pitch and spot the gaps. This helps create the kind of plays that can win or lose a game.

You've said, “Top players see faster, they know what needs to happen or what's going to happen, they just do it faster”. That is Dyslexic Thinking.

JOLEON LESCOTT

Obviously, I always looked to the more efficient way to get something done for my school journey, but then in terms of my thinking patterns for my playing career, it just allowed me to process things. I don't know if it was quicker but just smoother. I just felt I was able to make the decisions based on all the factors and all the variable things that could happen.

KATE GRIGGS

Former Everton player, Steven Naismith, agrees. He points to a goal he scored against Arsenal at Goodison Park. By computing a series of variables inside a fraction of a second, he correctly worked out the probability of Romelu Lukaku scoring, the likelihood of the keeper saving it, and arrived at the right place at the right time to score what seemed a simple goal.

He says, “To be a great footballer you need to be able to picture something before it happens and to be in the right place at the right time, for me I would definitely say that's down to dyslexia. I suspect a very high percentage of footballers are dyslexic because they have the right skill set. They are thinking differently and that's what makes them great”.

So, when it comes to the dyslexic superpower of spatial awareness, here are three key takeaways from this section.

1. Dyslexics see the world differently and this can be a huge advantage in sport.

2. Our visual-spatial skills mean we have an extraordinary perception of the space around us.

3. This helps us judge our position in relation to others and make smart decisions or be a step ahead of the play.

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Dyslexic sports stars use their intuition to get a sense of what will happen next and respond quickly.

They synthesise all the visual information around them in a split second and weigh up all the possible outcomes in a situation, then act fast.

   Tapping into our intuition

Timing: 3 minutes

In this video, Kate hears from gifted children, an educator and NFL star Rashan Gary about how dyslexics use their intuition on the sports field.

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KATE GRIGGS

The third reason why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars is we tap into our intuition, the Dyslexic Thinking skill of Reasoning and Visualising. When dyslexics use their strong visualisation skills, this can translate into an uncanny knack of knowing how the game is going to unfold or where the play is going to take place, which often influences the results of a game. Children at Millfield School, which specialises in sport and dyslexia explain this here.

CHILD #1

It's like a superpower in a way, because you can see things that other people can't. You see the bigger picture.

CHILD #2

I'm better at hockey because I know where to stand in the pitch, because I understand the game better.

KATE GRIGGS

Josh Clark, Chair of the International Dyslexia Association and Head of the Landmark School in Beverly, Massachusetts, describes dyslexic children's intuitive ability.

JOSH CLARK

They could be the child on the sports field, seems to have this premonition of how things are going to work. The child that can predict where the ball is going to go or know to move left when everyone else moves right because they understand that that's how the play is going to come about.

KATE GRIGGS

This kind of intuitive skill leads to an ability to be in the right place at the right time, which can change the course of a game. Here's NFL star Rashan Gary, to tell us more.

RASHAN GARY

Something I'm big on and that I key on. It could be different formations, different personnels. I'm able to look at a guy having his foot dug in the ground a certain way or having someone's weight on the tip of his fingers from the opposition, and I could tell where the guy going, where the play is going to go, to help me play better.

KATE GRIGGS

Amazing. The dyslexic mind's ability to see what others miss, weigh up all the possible outcomes in a situation and act fast to capitalise on an opportunity. It's no wonder that Rashan Gary is such a vital member of his team.

Here are three key takeaways from this section.

1. Dyslexics are skilled in spotting details others miss and weighing up all of the possible outcomes in a situation, and all in a split second.

2. This leads to an uncanny knack of knowing how the game is going to unfold.

3. It helps them be in the right place at the right time, which can change the course of a game.

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As dyslexics, our struggles at school, where reading, writing and recalling facts don’t come easy, mean we develop an incredible ability to persevere, and each failure or obstacle makes us stronger and more focused.

Dyslexic sports stars draw on this grit and determination to cultivate a gold-medal-winning mindset, which helps them develop unshakeable self-belief and bounce back from failure.

   Developing elite levels of perseverance

Timing: 10 minutes

Kate shares insight from the world’s most driven dyslexic sports people on perseverance, including Lewis Hamilton and A’ja Wilson and finds there are techniques we can all use to unlock our peak performance.

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KATE GRIGGS

The fourth reason why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars is we dig deep and develop exceptional perseverance, the Dyslexic Thinking skill of Exploring. Four in five dyslexics say that knowing they were dyslexic helped them to develop the perseverance needed to succeed.

Take Olympic gold medal winner, Caitlyn Jenner. She said, “If I wasn't dyslexic, I probably wouldn't have won the Games. If I had been a better reader, then that would have come easily, sports would have come easily, and I never would have realised that the way you get ahead in life is hard work”. Olympic shot-put champion, Michelle Carter, agrees. She says, “You can do whatever you set your mind to – you just may do it differently. You may have to work a little bit harder, but you can do it”.

Often our struggles at school where reading, writing and recalling facts don't come easily mean we develop an incredible ability to persevere. And each failure or obstacle makes us stronger and more focused. It also means we spend much of our lives operating outside of our comfort zone.

Defying the odds, breaking boundaries, and cutting your own path are all things that Britain's remarkable female footballers are used to. Rachel Yankee, former British football player and Lioness, who was the most capped England player of all time, male or female says, “No matter what anybody threw at me, no matter what problems there were, I could get over them. I could jump those hurdles and solve those problems and take those hits. Even when people were saying I shouldn't be playing football: girls don't play football”.

And while many people might think skills gives champions their edge, the world's greatest boxer, Muhammad Ali, believes otherwise. He says, “Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made of something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill”. That grit and determination is what drives many dyslexics, both on and off the pitch, and it's a valuable lesson for anyone who wants to unlock their own peak performance.

Cultivating that gold medal winning mindset starts with building an unshakable self-belief. Brilliant Dyslexic Thinker and seven times Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, has had more wins, pole positions, podiums and points than any other driver in history. He says, “As a driver, you've always got to believe in your heart that you've got what it takes to win it. You've always got to believe in yourself. You've always got to arrive on the day and believe it can happen. You've always got to believe in the positives”.

Believing in yourself while others around you may not is key too. While many dyslexics grow up acutely aware of the things we can't do and the impact this has on our teachers and parents, we're also masters at working harder in order to succeed, developing grit, determination and resilience along the way. Alex Scott, the former footballer who went on to become one of the most decorated players in English women's football said, “My hardest lesson has been my most fruitful, too. That when people don't believe in me, I can prove them wrong. With sheer passion and determination, I made it through each stage. I love a challenge and to prove to people that I can, when they say I can't”.

When women's football was just developing, Alex helped Arsenal secure the UEFA Women's Champions League title in 2007. The first time an English women's team had won the competition. She went on to win multiple FA Women's Premier League titles and FA Women's Cups too. Lately she's transitioned into sports commentating, another hugely male dominated field. And she's continued to use her passion and determination to defy the odds, as well as her Dyslexic Thinking skills of Communicating.

The last point that helps dyslexics develop exceptional levels of perseverance and unlock our peak performance is our attitude to failure. From an early age we develop huge amounts of resilience as we try, fail and then try again. At school it may have been the red pen through our spellings, being asked to read aloud or getting another F in standardised tests that are more suited to standardised minds. But as dyslexics, we learn not to fear failure. Instead, we use it as fuel to move forward and reach the next level.

A’ja Wilson, the iconic female basketball player who has won the WNBA championships twice and the Most Valuable Player three times says, “If I've learned one underrated lesson from my journey so far, it's that adversity is like a fertiliser for greatness. I feel like sometimes you have to go through things to grow through things. It's not easy and it doesn't look pretty at the time, but when you're hoisting that trophy, or you have a statue or you're writing a book or just waking up every morning with a smile on your face, that's a win in itself”.

Dealing positively with failure develops resilience and strength, and both of those are vital for unlocking your peak performance. Here's NFL star and Green Bay Packers player, Rashan Gary, to explain more.

RASHAN GARY

Yes. In life you never fail, you always learn. There's always tests, and either you pass, or you fail, or you even learn from it. So, that's how I take life, I had my mum instil that in me. It doesn't matter how hard things get, there's always someone going through something harder, and you always have to have that type of perspective, and you have that type of perspective, life is easy. You're just able to be faithful and do as you do.

KATE GRIGGS

It's vital in the world of racing, too. Let's hear again from up and coming racing star, Elliot Cox.

ELLIOT COX

I think failure is very important. In racing, you fail more than you succeed. It makes the good times feel even greater, and you learn more from your mistakes than you will from successes. I have a mental toughness coach, Ben Newman. A lot of people in sports have a mental toughness coach or a mental coach in general. The more you dwell on failure or mental hardships, the worse your performance on the course or on the field will be. So, I just try to push past them. Always think that you're the best you can, always think you can do it. Never have any negative thoughts, as much as you can.

KATE GRIGGS

And it's a mindset that fuels the seven times Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, too. He says, “I have a very close relationship with failure. Failure, in my opinion, is 100% necessary for greatness. More times than I can remember, the lesson that I've learned through those failures have ultimately ended up with me having success. Failure is where I hone and build my strength”.

Recovering from failure means finding ways to manage your mindset and counter any negative self-talk. The key to this for Noah Lyles, the record-breaking Olympic sprinter, is positive self-affirmation. After every race regardless of the outcome, Noah Lyles embraces a sense of accomplishment. This positive reinforcement helps him to build confidence and prepare for future challenges. It's a technique we can all use. Celebrating wins, no matter how small, is crucial. And it's not just about the big victories, it's about recognising progress. And when it comes to you achieving your peak performance, it's all about building momentum.

Back to A’ja Wilson, she says, “There may be days when you are not the greatest, but you can still persevere no matter what. You are enough. No, no, no... more than enough. As a matter of fact, the best is yet to come”. With a mindset like that, no matter what challenges you face, you can lean into your strengths and take on the world.

Here are three key takeaways from this section.

1. From an early age, dyslexics develop exceptional perseverance, and we are used to operating outside our comfort zone.

2. We use our grit and determination to build an unshakable positive mindset and defy the odds, knowing our will is stronger than our skill.

3. We see failure not as a setback, but as a springboard to success.

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Mental resolve in elite sport is often cited as the difference between victory and defeat. And it’s something we can all learn from, if we want to find our greatness.

Kate reveals how to find your focus, visualise success and silence your negative self-talk.

   Cultivating exceptional focus and finding our flow

Timing: 8 minutes

Learn the techniques top dyslexic sports people use to focus and stay calm when the stakes are high, and the pressure is on.

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Transcript

KATE GRIGGS

The final reason why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars is we have exceptional focus, the Dyslexic Thinking skill of Exploring. While it's true that some dyslexics find it easy to get distracted and need support to stay on task, many can become fully absorbed in their passion and find their flow.

Finding your passion is the secret to any dyslexic success, it's what happens when we find what we're naturally good at and love to do. Because we love to do it so much, we practise it until we become extraordinarily good at it, and it becomes our superpower. Skill plus practice plus passion equals superpower. Here's NFL superstar, Rashan Gary, to give us his take.

RASHAN GARY

I feel like once you find that one thing that you truly love, the abilities that you do have and your superpowers that you do have, you're able to open up because you know that's something that you're giving your all and you're very passionate about.

KATE GRIGGS

When it comes to elite athletes, this ability to follow their passion, focus, and stay calm when the stakes are high, and the pressure is on is crucial for their success. Sir Mo Farah is the most successful British track athlete in modern Olympic Games history, winning the Olympic gold medal in both 5,000m and 10,000m in 2012 and 2016. He's also a brilliant dyslexic sports champ. When it comes to the importance of focus, he explains, “If I don't train, I don't win. If I don't focus, I don't win”.

It's often about drowning out the noise and focusing 100% on the task ahead of you. Legendary female basketball player, A’ja Wilson says, “I don't really pay attention to the outside noise or who's in front of me. I'm battling with myself at the end of the day”. Part of this comes from preparation, putting in the hours, honing your skills and feeling ready for what's ahead of you. Here's former England football player and pundit, Joleon Lescott, to explain more.

JOLEON LESCOTT

For me, confidence and belief come from knowing you've done the work. If I know I've done everything in my power to be the best I could be, then it's going to give me a certain level of belief.

KATE GRIGGS

It's a view shared by Alex Scott too. She says, “I knew that to be the best right-back in the world, I had to improve my fitness so I could run up and down constantly for 90 minutes”.

But outside of preparation, to really achieve a peak performance, it's about controlling your mind and finding your flow. Vancouver neurotherapist, Mari Swingle, says a dyslexic mind can display exceptional focus when they ‘get in the zone’ which leads to extraordinary calmness that allows them to outperform others.

Mental resolve in elite sport is often cited as the difference between victory and defeat. And it's something we can all learn from if we want to find our greatness. Keeping focus at the pinnacle of an event and having that determination to convert potential into successful outcomes separates the good from the greatest. And it is what dyslexic sports stars excel at once they find and follow their passion.

Professor Steve Peters is an English psychiatrist who has worked with elite athletes at the pinnacle of their career across every sport from England rugby to British athletics. He's credited with transforming the fortunes of British cycling along with Dave Brailsford and mentored Olympians like Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Bradley Wiggins. He says, “My experience across various sports is that possibly as many as 90% of elite sports people will say that mental attitude and ability to deal with emotions and thoughts are critical to a successful performance”.

In his view the brain is split into three parts. The computer, your operating system, the human and the chimp. To succeed, you need to control your inner chimp who is often responsible for causing your anxiety, fear, and negative self-esteem. Learning how to control the negative self-talk that comes from our chimp is key in order to help us perform at our best. The answer to this lies in drowning out the noise and finding our focus.

Tim Grover has been a coach and mentor to some of America's biggest sports icons, from dyslexic basketball legend Kobe Bryant to all-time great Michael Jordan. He's written the definitive guides to peep performance, Winning: The Unforgiving Race to Greatness and Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable. He says, “Focus is about controlling your behavior, so it becomes easier to do the right things, and harder to be distracted by the wrong things. Control your thoughts, and you control your emotions. Control your emotions and you control your actions. Control your actions and you control the outcome”.

One dyslexic athlete who does this to great effect is Olympic sprinter, Noah Lyles. During a race he maintains focus through visualisation. He starts by visualising each phase of the race from his stride to his breathing, ensuring he remains in control. This focus helps him block out distractions and maintain composure even under intense pressure. A study from the Psychology of Sport and Exercise finds that athletes who practise mental focus techniques tend to perform better in high pressure situations.

And this gold medal winning strategy is something we can all apply in our own lives. It's easy to be distracted in our always-on digital age. But just as Noah Lyles narrows his focus during a race, we can learn to shut out the noise and hone-in on what's crucial. It's like having tunnel vision when you need it most. Cutting out everything but the task at hand. This level of focus can turn a good performance into an extraordinary one and help all of us find our greatness.

Here are three key takeaways from this section.

1. Dyslexic minds develop exceptional focus when we follow our passion. Skills plus practice plus passion equals superpower.

2. We practise hard and are able to focus 100% on the task at hand to find our state of flow.

3. This means drowning out the noise, silencing the negative self-talk to find a state of calm that helps us to outperform others.

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We asked our circle of dyslexic sports champions to share their top tips on what it’s like to be a Dyslexic Thinker and how to find your greatness.

   How to find your greatness

Timing: 3 minutes

Watch this video to learn top tips from Joleon Lescott, pundit and former Manchester City football player; Jackie Stewart, three-times Formula 1 World Champion and Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali, three-times World Heavyweight Boxing Champion

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Transcript

KATE GRIGGS

We asked our circle of dyslexic sports champions to share their top tips on what it's like to be a Dyslexic Thinker and how to find your greatness. Here are some of our favourites.

JOLEON LESCOTT

Just experiment with different things. Again, finding your passion. You you'll definitely be at an advantage in some area. It tends to be practical, I felt. So definitely do a variety of things to find one that you're good at and also what you enjoy. But for an older dyslexic, I would say try not to be embarrassed. And also, that applies to the younger ones, try not to be embarrassed because I think that was a hindrance to me, I think because it wasn't a common thing.

SIR JACKIE STEWART

Let's do something different, let's find something you're good at. It doesn't matter what it is and you can then see the giants who, you know, Steve Jobs and people like that who suddenly create new things in the world that nobody's ever seen. Leonardo Da Vinci was dyslexic. Einstein was dyslexic. For goodness sake, what can you do better than that as an example! You would almost say that you would like your children to be dyslexic.

LONNIE ALI

I think that people who are dyslexic should never think of it as a disability or an obstacle. They should think of it as a gift, something God gave them, a little special, little extra special to make them think outside of the box, to give them really an edge on others who do not have those same capabilities as people with dyslexia. Because they think different, they intake information different. They're empathetic, they're compassionate. They think big, they have vision. Being a dyslexic gives you that opportunity to explore those areas of your life.

And with Muhammad, Muhammad thought anything and everything about him was great! So, he would say, if you're dyslexic, you're great. All you've got to do is follow through. And I would say, trust your brain. It's the brain God gave you and trust it. Let it take you to the places you were meant to be and climb the mountains you were meant to climb and to aspire to be the best that you could be.

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Of course, not all successful sports stars are dyslexic, but what this course has shown is that dyslexics tap into the skills they are hardwired with to approach the game differently, and this gives them a competitive advantage on the track, on the pitch or in the boxing ring.

So, if you’re a dyslexic thinker, now is the time to tap into your Dyslexic Thinking skills to unlock your peak performance.

If you’re not a dyslexic thinker, we hope you’ve learned more about the Dyslexic Thinking skills that can really turbocharge your performance.

   Conclusion

Timing: 2 minutes

Watch this video, in which Kate summarises all the reasons why dyslexics make such unstoppable sports stars.

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Transcript

KATE GRIGGS

So, there you have it, the five reasons why dyslexics make unstoppable sports stars.

1. We are brilliant visualisers.

2. Our spatial awareness is our superpower.

3. We tap into our intuition and change the game.

4. We develop elite levels of perseverance.

5. We cultivate exceptional focus and find our flow.

Of course, not all successful sports stars are dyslexic, but what this course has shown is that dyslexics tap into the skills they are hardwired with to approach the game differently and this gives them a competitive advantage on the track, on the pitch or in the boxing ring.

So, if you're a Dyslexic Thinker, now is the time to tap into your Dyslexic Thinking skills to unlock your peak performance. If you're not a Dyslexic Thinker, we hope you've learned more about the Dyslexic Thinking skills that can really turbocharge your performance. And it's good to remember that as basketball star, A’ja Wilson, says, “There are different paths to greatness,” and I hope this course will help you find yours. Thanks so much for taking it.

Please share the DyslexicU courses with your community, with your friends and family, because each ripple, however small, will lead to a sea-change in how Dyslexic Thinking is understood and harnessed across the world. Be sure to check out the links and resources on the DyslexicU course page. You'll find lots more useful information to help you unlock your potential.

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Now that you’ve completed the course, it’s time to try the knowledge check.

The quiz has eight questions. It has a pass grade of 70% and provides you with feedback depending upon the mark you achieve. You can take the quiz as many times as you would like until you pass.

If you have completed all the elements of this course's learning and successfully pass the knowledge check, your digital badge will be sent to you via the email address you used to enrol on the course (usually within 36 hours). You can then add the badge to your LinkedIn profile as well as sharing it on other social media accounts.

Inspired by everything you’ve learned?

Ready to use Dyslexic Thinking to unlock your peak performance?

Here are further resources to help you on your way:

• Listen to interviews with inspiring dyslexic sports stars in our Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking podcasts: Rashan Gary, Joleon Lescott, Elliot Cox and many more.
• Watch our interviews with Formula 1 racing legend, Sir Jackie Stewart and former England rugby captain, Chris Robshaw and former prima ballerina, Dame Darcey Bussell.
• Learn more about your Dyslexic Thinking in Kate’s books: This Is Dyslexia and Xtraordinary People (for kids)