Breaking Barriers in Sport: Culture and Inclusion in India & the Middle East
Gayatri Bhushan is the co-founder of Mind Matter Performance
Gayatri Bhushan is an HCPC-Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist who helps athletes and coaches harness the power of mindset to perform at their best — on and off the field.
Armed with a Master’s Degree from Loughborough University and experience working inside elite organisations such as Chelsea FC Foundation and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Gayatri brings first-class expertise and a grounded, human-first approach to her work.
As Co-Founder and CEO of Mind Matter Performance, she leads innovative programmes that blend cutting-edge sport psychology with compassion, focusing on performance, resilience, and wellbeing. Beyond the professional arena, Gayatri is passionate about using sport as a vehicle for social change. Through her family’s sports NGO in India, she champions opportunities for underserved youth, ensuring the transformative power of sport reaches those who need it most.
Driven, insightful, and values-led — Gayatri is shaping the future of how athletes grow, compete, and thrive.
Today’s episode is the second part of my discussion with Gayatri Bhushan, co-founder of Mind Matter Performance. We go onto continue to explore the importance of being curious and open to learn about the experiences of others in sport. Gayatri goes onto share further insights from India and the Middle East, where cultural, social, and gender barriers can put limits on opportunities for different athletes, participants and coaches.
Key Learning Points:
- The discussion highlighted the significant impact of Premier League Football in India, with personal stories illustrating the feeling of belonging that fans can feel.
- Challenges in sports accessibility in India are apparent, including socio-economic barriers, gender disparities, and cultural norms.
- Sunil Chhetri’s unfulfilled potential due to bureaucratic hurdles, underscored questionable policies and procedures.
- Sport can transform the lives of families.
Connect with Gayatri Bhushan
Mind Matter Performance Website
Connect with David Charlton
The Mental Edge with David Charlton
Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience For All Athletes and Participants
Ep291: Gayatri Bhushan – From India to the Premier League, Sport Psychology, Belonging & Barriers
Ep290: Gordon MacLelland – Stop Focusing On Results: Developing Life Skills Through Sport
Ep287: Duncan O’Brien – Is A Blame Culture In Team Sports Helpful For Performance?
Ep286: Nathan Sherratt – How To Understand Neurodiversity Better In Football Refereeing
Ep285: Adam Batstone – Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive
Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience
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Best Wishes
David Charlton
Online Cricket Psychologist and Mental Skills Cricket Performance Coach who supports Bowlers and Batsmen around the world from the USA to the UK, the USA to New Zealand, using ONLINE Video Conferencing.
Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence, Host of Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub. With over a decades’ experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, faster.
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Gayatri Bhushan is the co-founder of Mind Matter Performance
Gayatri Bhushan is a leading Sport and Exercise Psychologist (HCPC Registered) dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential—mentally, emotionally, and physically. With a Master’s from the world-renowned Loughborough University and hands-on experience with elite organisations like Chelsea FC Foundation and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Gayatri blends elite-level insight with a personal, values-driven approach.
As the Co-Founder and CEO of Mind Matter Performance, she is on a mission to transform how athletes develop—combining science-backed strategies with a human-first philosophy. From performance optimisation and youth athlete mentoring to embedding mental health into the heart of sport, her work empowers individuals to thrive under pressure and lead fulfilling lives beyond the game.
Passionate about creating lasting social impact, Gayatri also drives initiatives through her family’s sports NGO, supporting underserved youth across India through access to sport and mentorship.