Molly Picklum's 'Admit It List' Paves Way for World Title Defense
Australian surfing champion Molly Picklum utilizes a mental preparation strategy known as the "admit it list" before competitions. This method involves documenting her thoughts and feelings, ranging from not catching good waves in practice to feeling tired, as a way to acknowledge and address them directly.
Picklum states that this approach helps her to own her feelings and confront potential fears.
Championship Victory Fueled by Strategy
This strategy was employed during her first world surfing title win in Fiji last September. Picklum, then 22, secured a 2-1 victory over 2023 world champion Caroline Marks in the final. This achievement contrasts with her experience four years prior, when anxiety affected her ability to compete.
The Role of Acceptance and Mind Coaching
Picklum also worked with mind coach Ben Crowe, who advocates for acceptance. She noted that this focus on acceptance has been beneficial, as her previous hunger and determination sometimes made it challenging to accept certain situations.
Defending the Title at Bells Beach
The 23-year-old will commence her world title defense at Bells Beach, Victoria, which is the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) tour. Picklum previously finished as runner-up at Bells Beach in 2023. Ahead of the upcoming tournament, Picklum indicated that while she feels some tiredness from a busy week, her equipment is performing well, and her mindset is currently straightforward.