In the vrss podcast, we dive into the psychology, science, and soul of combat sports.
We bring you conversations with people at the top of their fields: from world champions and legends of the game, to the doctors, neuroscientists, psychologists, and coaches pushing performance to new levels.
At its heart, vrss means two things:
You versus the fight, whatever form that takes.
And the verses that get written through it.We’re here to go deeper into those stories.
Into the internal fight, the philosophies, the truths.
Into what fighting really teaches us.
How it rewires the brain, the body, the mind.
And what strength really means - on the mats, and far beyond them.Because the outside never tells the whole story.
The real strength is from within.
In the vrss podcast, we dive into the psychology, science, and soul of combat sports.
We bring you conversations with people at the top of their fields: from world champions and legends of the game, to the doctors, neuroscientists, psychologists, and coaches pushing performance to new levels.
At its heart, vrss means two things:
You versus the fight, whatever form that takes.
And the verses that get written through it.We’re here to go deeper into those stories.
Into the internal fight, the philosophies, the truths.
Into what fighting really teaches us.
How it rewires the brain, the body, the mind.
And what strength really means - on the mats, and far beyond them.Because the outside never tells the whole story.
The real strength is from within.
When everything starts to go wrong - bad calls, unfair moments, missed shots - what separates fighters who spiral from those who stay composed?
Performance psychologist Dr Michelle Pain has spent decades helping athletes build mental toughness and regulate emotion under pressure. She helped establish one of Australia’s first sport psychology programs at Monash University, introduced psychological testing to the AFL draft, and has coached Olympians, professional club players, and esports competitors to perform at their peak.
In this episode, we dive deep into tilt - the emotional hijack that happens when expectations and reality collide. Together, we unpack:
Why anger and frustration spike when things feel unfair
What your TILT type reveals about your triggers
How to develop quick “anti-tilt” resets to regain focus and composure
The difference between telic and paratelic states (and how to use music to control energy)
Why awareness and introspection are the ultimate mental-skills tools for fighters and high performers
Whether you’re an athlete, fighter, coach, or competitor, this episode gives you practical tools to stay composed under pressure and master emotional regulation in the heat of competition.
This is Dr Michelle Pain, and this is the vrss podcast.