Both Paterson and Murray are able to use this unusual tactic to help them get into the right mindset and bring out the mental skills they need to back up their technical and fitness abilities. Samantha Murray, the GB pentathlete who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, has recently admitted that she has a competitive alter ego named “Olive” who is brought out when she feels she needs to take on more of the attributes required to succeed her sport. “Assuming the role of McGinty allowed me to get out of my own way and to be the athlete I knew I could be,” she explains. Before adopting her alter ego, Paterson was doubtful of her abilities and lacked in confidence. Before I did it I would have been letting other competitors in front of me. She also uses music, particularly German techno music, to get her into the right mindset. “Be brave” and “fight the fight” are two of her favourites and she uses these alongside behavioural tactics such as grunting, frowning or clenching her fists as if boxing. To get into character Paterson uses trigger phrases written on her hands. She visualises McGinty as a Celtic warrior who is aggressive and fights hard. Paterson’s alter ego shares her Scottish roots, coming from the phrase “getting your McGinty on”. She loved the sports, but her old anxieties and lack of confidence were still there. Gradually, though, she found her way into mountain biking and off-road triathlons.
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After representing Scotland in athletics and triathlons as a junior, Paterson retired from sport to study theatre in California. It’s the case with McGinty, the alter ego of Los Angeles-based Scot Lesley Paterson (pictured).
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Where they feel they don’t have all the required personality qualities to be successful in their sport, they adopt new traits, built around a whole new persona. Some are now developing their own alter egos.