Former WBC world super middleweight champion Glenn Catley reveals how hypnotherapy helped him successfully recover from defeat to win in the ring again.

BACKGROUND

A stoppage defeat in his previous bout, confidence at an all-time low.

THE CHALLENGE

British middleweight title fight with Neville Brown, an established champion with advantages in experience, boxing ability, height, reach and a rapier jab.

SOLUTION

Three to four weekly solution-focused hypnotherapy sessions (with David Newton) during the three-month training period leading up to the fight. The sessions would include a pre-trance focus on positives to help engage intellectual control followed by a focus on any pressing requirements.

TRANCE SEGMENT

Trance induced with relaxing guided imagery followed by mental rehearsal (visualization). This would be detailed and specific including things such as the ring entrance and introductions, a round-by-round rehearsal, practicing the tactics, combinations, specific punches (such as a countering uppercut to Brown’s jab), the people in attendance at the arena, post-fight celebrations and so on. Additionally metaphors and positive language are used. 

HOMEWORK

Additional self-hypnosis to accentuate one-to-one sessions.

THE RESULT

In a scintillating performance, Catley systematically destroyed Brown, reporting “complete focus and an inevitability of success.” 

The flow state experienced by Catley, more commonly known as 'being in the zone' is the uttermost state of mind top athletes reach in peak performance.

Flow is a hypnotic state and can certainly be attained more readily by practicing visualization, mindfulness and utilizing hypnosis.

“Landing those punches was as automatic as catching a glass falling from a kitchen cupboard. I knew I would beat Neville Brown because I had already won that fight already countless times in my mind.”

HYPNOTIC

UFC legend Georges St Pierre never lost again after receiving hypnosis treatment following his loss to Matt Serra in 2007, winning 13 fights, regaining his UFC welterweight title from Serra and successfully defending it nine times in the octagon over the course of five years.

The first known book on the subject of hypnotism was released in 1843.