Talented potential across performance domains can often benefit fiom, indeed may even need, a variety of challenges to facilitate eventual superior adult performance. In tandem with, or perhaps as a consequence of such challenge, the central importance of psychological competencies and characteristics in negotiating the performance pathway is well established in the literature and gaining traction in the applied domain. ResiHence (Seligman, 2011), the growth mind-set (Dweck, 2006), or more comprehensive `profiles` such as mental toughness (Clough, Earle, & Sewell, 2002; Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2007) or the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs; MacNamara, Button, & Collins, 2010a, 2010b), have been associated positively with both outcome and process on the talent development pathway (MacNamara et al., 2010a). In short, performers high in these and other related constructs seem more able to both negotiate the development pathway and realize and sustain successfiil careers. However, a common and face-valid philosophy o f many pathways is to minimize the number, and certainly the impact, of developmental challenges for best performing youth. Indeed, efforts are often made to make the training environment super-supportive. For example, providing young athletes with financial, coaching, and sport science support in a supportive environment is a common feature ofTD pathways. This approach is undertaken in an efiort to minimize challenge and allow young athletes to focus on their sporting commitments. Such support to enhance focus is certainly a feature of the working practices commonly established and maintained by top performers (i.e., those already at the top) across a variety of domains. However, as with so many other aspects, the ways by which top performers manage their performing environments are not necessarily equally positive practice for developers. The problem is further compounded since the best performing young athletes may often not encounter many challenges at all during the development years; `natural` ability can take a performer an awfully long way up the pathway before any naturally occurring setbacks (e.g., defeats, de-selection) are encountered. Indeed, the low transfer of youth to senior success would attest to how smoothness often precedes a fall in talent development terms. This presents a potential conundrum; how do young athletes build and acquire the confidence, resilience and other psychological characteristics needed to achieve at the highest level without experiencing and overcoming adversity and challenge on the way up?
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