Behind the scenes at the Canada Games with Carl Nienhuis, Team BC’s mental performance coach

By the time the Canada Games torch was lit last month in St. John’s, N.L., Dr. Carl Nienhuis knew who needed a pep talk, who thrived under pressure, and who just needed a listening ear. Part counsellor, part drum-beating superfan, he was the steady force behind Team BC’s psychological and emotional game plan.

Long before medals were handed out, the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) assistant professor of kinesiology worked behind the scenes to make sure Team BC athletes felt supported, connected, and ready to enjoy the ride of their lives.

Carl and two other mental performance consultants (MPCs) worked with dozens of athletes, coaches, and Team BC mission staff.

“Our primary task was to protect, manage, and enhance the psychological and emotional environment of the team,” he explained. “We were available to help them handle the stresses and anxieties of the games, optimize performance and experience, and support relationships between athletes and coaches.”

For example, Carl said each athlete on Team BC was among the best of the best, used to being the star on their club team back home, accustomed to plenty of playing time and recognition. Surrounded by other stars on Team BC, some had to adapt to smaller roles — a change that could be challenging.

“Learning to communicate with new teammates and coaches could also be tough,” he said. “I spent a lot of my time in group or individual sessions working through team dynamics.”

Carl is a Canada Games veteran, making his debut at the 2013 gathering in Sherbrooke, Que.

Each Team BC cycle lasts 12–18 months. Long before the St. John’s games, he began connecting with players and coaches, building relationships vital to support team success. He ran workshops with each team upon arrival, sharing as much intel as he could about what they were about to experience.

By the opening ceremonies, he had met nearly everyone, giving him a clear sense of who might need extra support. He helped them prepare for each event and debrief afterward. He recalled that his schedule would typically get extra busy if an athlete or team underperformed.

The Canada Summer Games — featuring 19 sports, 240 medal events, and more than 5,000 competitors — are meant to be a joyful celebration of community and competition, but for young athletes, the scale of the event could be stressful.

“There were 12 national championships happening all at once — a bit of a circus that added stress and pressure with more media attention and fans in the stands,” Carl said. “For many sports and athletes, the Games is a very big event where performance mattered a lot. High-performance athletes often focus narrowly on wins and medals, but I tried to help them experience three things — performance, enjoyment, and growth.”

Once Team BC athletes were competing, Carl became ‘The Cheer Guy,’ a role he earned for firing up fans in the stands and leading the Team BC pep rally.

“I have a loud voice and a drum, and I bring energy,” he said. “I’d hop from one venue to another, getting the stands going. Sometimes parents were on pins and needles watching their kids, and I encouraged them to rally, have fun, and celebrate their kids being at the games.”

This was Carl’s eighth Canada Games, and he still loves what he does. Each host city — Sherbrooke, Prince George, Fort McMurray, Winnipeg, Red Deer, Niagara, Charlottetown, and St. John’s — has offered something unique.

“The hospitality in St. John’s was unparalleled compared to other communities I’ve visited,” he said. “Everyone talks about the Newfoundland warmth and generosity, and it’s real. But every Games I’ve experienced has offered something different with the environment and volunteers.

“What makes it really special each time is the people I get to work with on Team BC, and that’s why I’ll look to be involved again in the future.”