What should you do if you have a big game, competition, or tryout coming up—but your recent practices haven’t gone well?

This is something I see athletes struggle with all the time. When practices go poorly leading up to a performance, confidence drops. Doubt increases. Athletes begin to question whether they can perform well.

In this episode, I explain how athletes can mentally prepare for competition even when recent training sessions haven’t gone well.

I discuss why many athletes base their confidence on their most recent performance, how that can hurt you mentally going into a game, and what you can do instead to compete with more trust, freedom, and present-moment focus.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why bad practices before a game can damage confidence
• How athletes accidentally use the wrong point of reference before competing
• How to mentally reset before a competition or tryout
• How visualization can rebuild belief in your ability
• Why true confidence is about playing freely, not guaranteeing success

If you’re an athlete who struggles with confidence, performance anxiety, or performing worse in games than in practice, these strategies can help you compete with more composure and trust in your abilities.

I work with athletes from around the world through my 12-week 1-on-1 mental performance coaching program, where I help athletes build confidence, improve focus, and perform better under pressure.

Learn more about mental performance coaching here:
https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

Athletes often struggle with anxiety and overthinking because they focus on results, playing time, or other things outside their control. In this episode, I explain why focusing on controllable actions like preparation, response to mistakes, and present-moment thinking improves confidence, reduces anxiety, and helps you perform better under pressure.

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

Game-day confidence isn’t about hyping yourself up. It isn’t about convincing yourself you’re the best player on the field.

It’s about trust.

In this episode, I break down why confidence often disappears during competition — even when you’ve prepared well — and I share a simple three-pillar strategy you can use to build real game-day confidence and perform more freely under pressure.

If you play well in practice but struggle during games, I explain:

• Why preparation alone doesn’t guarantee confidence
• How fear and anxiety overshadow trust during games
• What real confidence actually is
• How to shift your focus away from outcomes and onto controllables
• The three pillars of building game-day confidence
• How to reset quickly after mistakes

I also explain how I help athletes build confidence week by week inside my structured 12-week one-on-one mental performance coaching program.

Confidence isn’t about guarantees.

It’s about learning how to be present, relaxed, and trusting yourself — even when pressure is high.

If you’re ready to stop chasing fake confidence and start playing freely, this episode will give you a clear direction forward.

Learn more about working with me 1-on-1 here:
https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

If you (or your athlete) are underperforming during games, you might be asking:

Do we need more practice? Or is this a mental game issue?

In this episode, I break down how to tell the difference between a physical skill problem and a mental performance problem. Because sometimes working harder on mechanics actually makes things worse — especially when pressure, anxiety, and overthinking are the real issues.

You’ll learn:

• How to know if performance drops are caused by pressure
• Why practice alone doesn’t always fix confidence
• The difference between skill development and mental performance training
• How anxiety can change mechanics (like with the yips)
• Why over-focusing on form can hurt performance
• The key question to ask: Does performance change when pressure increases?

If you perform well in practice but struggle in games, this episode will help you understand why.

Mental training doesn’t build skill. It builds the ability to trust your skill under pressure.

If you're an athlete trying to figure out what’s holding you back — or a parent wondering whether your child needs more reps or mental performance coaching — this episode will give you clarity.

If you're interested in learning more about my 12-week mental performance coaching program, you can find the link below.

Share this episode with another athlete or parent who may need it.

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

How do athletes reset mentally between plays or points?

In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains a simple and effective mental reset routine athletes can use between every play, point, or moment in competition. Resetting quickly helps prevent one mistake from turning into many and keeps your focus, confidence, and performance consistent.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The 3-step mental reset routine (Release → Refocus → Recommit)
• How to let go of the previous play or point quickly
• How to refocus your attention in the present moment
• How to commit to the next play with a clear intention
• Common mistakes athletes make when trying to reset
• How to train your reset routine in practice and visualization

This mental reset routine can be used in any sport, including tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, and golf, and is designed to help athletes stay composed, focused, and ready for the next play.

Read the full article on mentally resetting during games:
https://www.successstartswithin.com/sports-psychology-articles/focus-training-for-sports/how-to-mentally-reset-during-games/

Learn more about 1-on-1 mental performance coaching:
https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

Many athletes tie their self-confidence directly to stats, wins, and recent performances. When they play well, they feel confident. When they struggle, their confidence drops — and that drop in confidence makes it even harder to turn things around. This creates a frustrating cycle of slumps, pressure, and underperforming.

In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains why confidence tied to results is unstable and how this pattern increases fear of mistakes, stress, and timid play. More importantly, he outlines a clear strategy to help you separate your confidence from outcomes and build belief based on controllable process habits instead.

You’ll learn:

• Why confidence that depends on results keeps athletes stuck in slumps
• How fluctuating confidence leads to tight, hesitant performance
• Why athletes become afraid of their own reaction to mistakes
• How to build confidence from preparation, effort, and mindset
• How to redefine success during games in a way that stabilizes performance
• The mindset shift required to let go of outcomes and reclaim control

If you’re tired of feeling confident only when things are going well, this episode will help you build stable, process-based confidence that holds up under pressure — even during bad games.

For athletes who want deeper support, Eli also shares how his 12-week one-on-one mental performance coaching program helps athletes build lasting confidence and mental resilience.

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

What’s the best way for athletes to develop positive self-talk habits before and during games? In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains how your thoughts shape your mindset, emotions, and performance, and how to train your thinking to compete with confidence and freedom.

You’ll learn how negative thought patterns create fear, tension, and hesitant play, and how positive self-talk helps athletes stay confident, focused, and resilient under pressure.

Eli breaks down a simple, practical system for building strong self-talk habits both before competition and during games.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why self-talk directly impacts confidence, emotions, and performance
• How to identify and replace negative thought patterns before competition
• A simple daily self-talk routine to retrain your mindset
• How to use mantras during games to stay calm, focused, and confident
• How reframing helps you recover quickly after mistakes
• How proactive self-talk keeps your mind positive under pressure
• How to stay present and avoid outcome-focused thinking during competition

Positive self-talk is not about “just thinking positive.” It is about training your mind to support your performance, manage fear, and help you compete freely and confidently.

If you want to strengthen your mental game, build confidence, and learn how to control your mindset before and during competition, this episode will give you a clear system to start using immediately.

Eli Straw is a mental performance coach who works with athletes around the world through a structured 12-week mental performance coaching program focused on confidence, composure, focus, and resilience under pressure.

Learn more about 1-on-1 Mental Performance Coaching: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching

Share this episode with an athlete who struggles with negative thinking, fear, or confidence during competition.

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

What is the best way to build a strong, repeatable pre-performance routine as an athlete?

In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains how to create a pre-game mental routine that helps you feel confident, focused, present, and ready to compete. A strong pre-performance routine does not guarantee perfect results, but it gives you a consistent mindset so you can perform at your best under pressure.

You will learn how to identify your ideal competitive mindset, choose the right mental training tools, and build a routine that works for your personality, sport, and level of play. Eli also shares a simple sample pre-performance routine that athletes can begin using immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a pre-performance routine is and why it improves consistency
• How to develop the right competitive mindset for your personality
• The three core goals of a strong pre-game routine: readiness, presence, and letting go
• Mental training tools you can use, including mindfulness, breathing, visualization, self-talk, journaling, and controllable goals
• A simple, proven pre-performance routine used by athletes across many sports

How routines build confidence, focus, and emotional control during competition

This episode is for athletes who struggle with nerves, inconsistency, pressure, or feeling mentally unprepared before competition and want to develop a reliable mental routine.

Work With Eli Straw (Mental Performance Coaching)

If you want help building your own personalized pre-performance routine and strengthening your mental game, learn more about Eli’s 12-week 1-on-1 mental performance coaching program below.
Inside the program:

• Mental game assessment
• Personalized mental training plan
• Weekly coaching sessions
• Mental skills training and exercises
• Ongoing support between sessions

Learn more here: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

Why are you confident in practice but nervous in games?

Many athletes play freely and confidently during training — but once competition starts, they feel anxious, tight, and afraid of making mistakes. In this episode, I explain why this happens and the best approach for athletes who are confident in practice but nervous in games.

As a mental performance coach, this is one of the most common issues I see. The difference between practice and competition is not skill, it’s pressure, consequences, and how you respond to nervousness.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• Why games feel more intense than practice
• The real reason nervousness leads to tension and poor performance
• Why trying to “force confidence” makes things worse
• How to accept nerves without letting them control you
• How to shift from outcome-focused thinking to controllable goals
• A simple two-step approach to play more freely in competition

Key takeaway: Nervousness is not the problem. The way you respond to nervousness determines how you perform.

Instead of trying to eliminate nerves or create fake confidence, you’ll learn how to:

1. Acknowledge that games matter and accept nervousness
2. Focus on small, specific, controllable actions that lead to success

This process builds real confidence — the kind that shows up under pressure.

If you struggle with performance anxiety, game-day nerves, fear of mistakes, or playing worse in games than in practice, this episode will help you develop a stronger mental approach to competition.

—

I also offer a 12-week 1-on-1 mental performance coaching program where we:

• Start with a full mental game assessment
• Build your custom mental game plan
• Meet weekly to train mental skills
• Use structured exercises and accountability
• Provide ongoing support between sessions

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.

What’s the best way for an athlete to start mental training if they’ve never worked with a sports psychologist or mental performance coach before?

The best way to begin mental training is to treat mental skills like physical skills and build a simple daily routine focused on four foundational areas: mindfulness, self-talk, self-awareness, and visualization. Mental skills such as confidence, focus, and composure are trainable, and with consistent practice, athletes can develop a stronger mindset and perform better under pressure.

In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains what mental training is, why mindset is trainable, and how athletes can begin building their mental game starting today.

Direct Answer

The best way for an athlete to start mental training is to build a simple daily routine that includes:

• Mindfulness meditation to improve focus and stay present
• Self-talk training to reprogram negative thinking
• Journaling to increase self-awareness and understand fears
• Visualization to build confidence and mentally rehearse success

Athletes do not need a coach to begin. They need consistency. A simple 20 minute daily mental training routine can significantly improve confidence, focus, and performance in competition.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What mental training is and why it matters
• Why mental skills are trainable like physical skills
• The four foundational mental skills athletes need
• How mindfulness improves focus and composure
• How self-talk builds confidence and controls negative thinking
• How journaling improves awareness and emotional control
• How visualization strengthens confidence and performance under pressure
• How to build a simple daily mental training routine
• How to use mental training as part of your pre-game routine

Simple Daily Mental Training Routine (20 Minutes)

• Journal writing
• Self-talk statements
• Mindfulness meditation
• Visualization

If you want a structured and personalized mental training plan, Eli offers a 12 Week 1-on-1 Mental Performance Coaching Program that includes:

• Mental Game Assessment
• Custom Mental Game Plan
• Weekly Coaching Sessions
• Personalized Workbook and Exercises
• Ongoing Support Between Sessions

➡️ Interested in 1-1 mental performance coaching? Schedule your free introductory call to learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!

👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course

📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN

📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY

Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make

*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed professional.