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…
Three Strategies to Tame Your Inner Critic Whether we like it or not, we all have an inner critic. You’re going to miss this free throw. You’re not smart enough to pass this test. You’re a bad parent. These types of thoughts can swirl around in our minds and deflate our spirits. Yet while…
Let’s talk about “mistakes”. Nobody likes them, but they are an essential part of athletics and life. Failing can be a major source of mental distraction and distress, and it’s tempting to develop the mindset of avoiding mistakes at all costs. However, the path to excellence lies in changing your relationship to failure. Failure will…
As our knowledge base grows, society is more willing to accept the impactful role that mental health plays in an athlete’s overall well-being, self-esteem, and performance. Richard Williams, Serena and Venus Williams’ father taught them that ‘sports are 70% mental’. When an athlete is struggling, it’s important to identify the mental health concern(s). Whether the…