Sally Pearson has become an expert in the art of talking to herself.
Throughout every lap of every training session, there's a conversation happening inside the head of the Olympic and world 100m hurdles champion.
When lactic acid build-up leaves her sprawled on the track vomiting, she has a stern word, gets up and starts the next gruelling sprint.
And when she's feeling apprehensive about this weekend's big-stage comeback at the Australian athletics championships, the 30-year-old looks internally for advice.
In the past, this was the job of Ash Mahoney and other coaches before him.
Since Pearson's rare decision last year to take full charge of her career and coach herself, all responsibility falls firmly on her own shoulders.
"I have conversations with myself through whole sessions," Pearson told AAP's sports' editors' conference in Sydney.
"Going out onto the track, knowing what I've programmed for myself, is daunting because I know it's going to hurt.
"Mentally I want to do it but, physically, my body is yelling at me to stop.
"You have to put on your coach's hat and decide whether doing that extra rep is good for you, or you're going to blow up and get injured again."
If there's anyone who understands the intricacies of Pearson's injuries and limitations, it's her.
Nothing has been the same since the London 2012 gold medallist badly broke her wrist in Rome almost two years ago.
Achilles and hamstring problems forced her to withdraw from last year's Rio Olympics, something the usually outwardly ambitious Pearson admitted was a relief because she was physically and mentally "already finished".
There were always doubts about coaching herself, a self-described stubborn perfectionist.
But she knew if she wanted a realistic shot at July's London world championships and 2018's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she needed to start.
"I've really surprised myself that I've gotten to where I am, how fast I've been running and the good shape my body is in," Pearson said.
"I'm excited about seeing what I can achieve under my own program for the world championships.
"The responsibility is on me - no one else. I'm taking on the role of an elite-level athlete, an Olympic gold-medallist athlete, and trying to coach that athlete as well.
"It's hard to talk to myself, but I've calmed down as an athlete and I'm listening to my coach.
"And it's a lot less pressure as an athlete, because I know what my coach is doing."
Pearson also knows what her former coach is doing.
Mahoney is mentoring fellow hurdler Michelle Jenneke, whose 12.99-second 100m hurdles victory in this month's Canberra grand prix has set up an enticing national-titles showdown with Pearson.
Pearson, who has never lost to Jenneke, ran 12.91 on a wet track a fortnight ago and hopeful of qualifying on Sunday for the world titles.
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