In Episode 2 of Behind the Game, Aaliyah sits down with student-athlete Essence to talk about what it really means to stay locked in.

What does it really mean to be “locked in” as an athlete?

In this episode, we talk about the mental shifts that separate feeling fast from actually performing fast. From overthinking hurdles to staying confident against faster competitors, we break down what it takes to stay focused under pressure.

We also discuss:
• Advice for incoming freshman athletes
• Mental mistakes that slow you down
• What athletes miss when they’re stuck at the same time
• Pre-race rituals and race-day preparation
• Recovery, patience, and leveling up

If you want to compete at a higher level, this episode is for you.