Training without clear goals often leads to frustration. When progress feels unclear, self-doubt can start to consume an athlete’s mind. Setting up SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals is important to help avoid unclear feelings and frustration. SMART goals help athletes turn vague intentions into focused action. Instead of saying “Get faster”…
Athletes aren’t just performing in competitions; they may feel the pressure to perform online too. Social media has become a huge part of people’s daily lives, and athletes are no exception. It is a space to celebrate wins, post highlights, and stay connected. Over time, social media can quietly shift from a fun outlet to…
Every athlete chases a moment, but what happens when that moment ends? “You work your whole life to celebrate winning for a few minutes”. That’s how World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler describes the emotional aftermath of winning. With 16 career wins, including three majors, Scheffler has lived the dream many athletes chase. But…
Every athlete has an internal dialogue. For driven athletes who set high standards for themselves, self-talk can become a source of pressure. The desire to succeed, coupled with internal expectations and external demands, makes negative self-talk more likely to develop. The inner voice may plant negative thought patterns in an athlete’s head, “Don’t mess up”…
Fear is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign that you care about your performance. In sports, mental toughness is often misunderstood. It’s seen as being fearless, emotionless, or completely unfazed by pressure. The truth is, even the strongest athletes feel fear. The difference between athletes who are successful vs athletes who…
Today, we would like to share three key mental game strategies identified by NBA sport psychologist Dr. Alex Auerbach. In his decades of work with world-class athletes, he analyzed three of the most important mental techniques that successful athletes use, and we’ve included them below. Technique 1: Add Some Fixed Mindsets to Your Growth…
Confidence comes more easily when games are going in your favor. The real test of confidence comes during or after a setback. Athletes know the feeling of a missed opportunity, a critical mistake, or falling short of a goal. These moments can cause doubts, not just in performance, but in identity. Thoughts may start…
Have you ever wondered why Scandinavian countries like Denmark are consistently reported as the happiest nations in the world? Emory University professor Marina Cooley was curious as well. She investigated this phenomenon while teaching a class on happiness in Denmark. What she found might surprise you. The difference maker? Hobbies. Yes, hobbies. The pockets…
At some point in time, every athlete asks themselves the question, “Was that performance really an accurate reflection of my skills as an athlete” In sports, it’s easy to tie your-worth to your results. The wins, the scholarships, the stats, it’s normal to let those things affect you. Every athlete dedicates time and effort,…
Recently, the popularity of mindfulness meditation has skyrocketed. What began as an ancient practice is now a common method for improving mental health. It’s true, meditation can be transformative, and today we’ll examine three evidence-based reasons that explain how meditation reduces stress and anxiety. The first reason relates to our body’s nervous system. In…