Adam Naylor

In Praise of Mediocre Kids

August 26, 2017

Boston Magazine quoting Adam Naylor, School of Education “Last year, my son Finn came home from school and announced that he wanted to play the French horn…” Expert quote: “We’re overdosing our kids on everything,” he says. “The general thought is: The sooner you start something, the sooner you peak.” View full article.   

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Mixed martial arts sends mixed messages about violence in sport

February 28, 2017

The Boston Globe Adam Naylor, School of Education “IF VIOLENCE is going out of fashion in sports, nobody’s told the fans…” Expert Quote: “There’s an edge-of-your-seat kind of thing, a very visceral gut instinct to [MMA].” View full article. 

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Sports psychologists say best prescription is payback for Patriots

January 25, 2017

Boston Herald Adam Naylor, School of Education Victory is sweet. And revenge can make it downright divine…. Expert quote: “If you’re going to the Super Bowl, you shouldn’t need more energy.” View full article

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Do we appreciate Boston’s magical run of sporting success?

January 25, 2017

Boston Globe Adam Naylor, School of Education These two weeks can be the darkest of the year…. Expert quote: “I think the early victories had a larger emotional pop because they were unique and novel.” View full article

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Fame, fortune doesn’t mean immediate success at Fenway

September 15, 2016

Portland Press Herald Adam Naylor, School of Education Rick Porcello spent hours in the video room and on the bullpen mound at Fenway Park last season, analyzing every mistake he made, every home run he allowed, and seeking potential fixes. Expert quote: “The psychology of sports is quite subtle. It’s not that you’re stressed or […]

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Fun? Enjoyment? By any name, exercise!

July 8, 2016

Boston Globe (subscription required) Adam Naylor, School of Education No pain, no gain. This once-heralded mantra, embodied in the 1980s by aerobics diva Jane “Feel the Burn” Fonda, has been largely debunked by the medical community and fitness experts alike… Expert quote: “Fun is overrated in sports and exercise, but enjoyment is essential. This is actually […]

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‘The Crying Game:’ LeBron James and Cavs get emotional after NBA title win

June 22, 2016

CNN.com Adam Naylor, School of Education No major sporting event is complete without tears these days — preferably lots of them… Expert quote: “This is a way for an athlete to deliver his story to us. When we listen to LeBron’s story, he’s telling us there was incredible adversity to his season. Whether we believe it […]

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Patriots’ even-keel approach has psychological merit

October 3, 2015

Boston Globe (subscription required) Adam Naylor, School of Education The Patriots split up after practice Wednesday, headed to weddings and hometowns and old college stomping grounds for a few off days during their bye week, leaving behind the rest of New England with a fascinating juxtaposition… Expert quote: “It’s always easier to go to the […]

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Experts Media Alert – Tom Brady and “Deflategate”

July 29, 2015

Months after the “Deflategate” controversy sprung up in the wake of the New England Patriots‘ AFC Championship win against the Indianapolis Colts in January, NFL officials have again ruled to uphold Patriots QB Tom Brady’s four game suspension. Guilty or not, Brady will have to take the issue up in federal court to have his punishment reduced or […]

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Overcoming collapse no gimme for most

June 24, 2015

Boston Herald Adam Naylor, School of Education When Dustin Johnson missed a putt that he’s probably hit a million times, albeit this one coming on the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open, tournament golfers the world over could empathize with the man walking off the 18th green at Chambers Bay… Expert quote: “I think the […]

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