Dr. Nicole Detling Miller is the Sport Psychology instructor at Ashworth College. We're also proud to say that she was chosen to be the official U.S. Speedskating Team Sport Psychologist for the 2010 Vancouver games. She will serve as the team's mental coach, helping athletes overcome any confidence, composure, anxiety and distraction issues that might hinder performance.

Dr. Detling Miller was recently featured as a guest on Stephen Colbert's show, The Colbert Report. Colbert is a big supporter of the U.S. Speedskating Team and did several TV segments highlighting his humorous efforts to get on the team! He was given the honorary title of Assistant Sports Psychologist, so she became his new "boss."

Her "Sport Psychology for Peak Performance" course at Ashworth is designed for coaches, trainers, exercise and fitness instructors, recreation directors and athletes who want to improve performance and reach the winner's circle. It teaches useful mental strategies to achieve a team's personal best. Ashworth students learn specific techniques in the areas of goal setting, maintaining concentration, relaxation, handling competitive pressure, avoiding burnout and much more.

To put it simply, sport psychology is mental training for enhancing performance. Many athletes work with coaches on their physical skills and abilities, but few also work on the psychological components of their sport. But you don't have to be an athlete to benefit from sport psychology. Every individual performs on a daily basis – and most can use the tools Dr. Miller teaches to enhance their performance.

Dr. Detling Miller received her PhD in Sport Psychology at the University of Utah. She also completed an internship in sport psychology and sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic. She has been consulting with athletes and performers since 1998. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), the International Society for Sport Psychology (ISSP), the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD), and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). She also has a coaching certification through the American Sport Education Program (ASEP).

Read more about Dr. Nicole Detling Miller in the "Ashworth College Instructor Appears on Colbert Report" press release.