Sports Psychology Coaching
The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast by Eli Straw is a mental training podcast for athletes, competitors, coaches, and performers who want to improve confidence, focus, and performance under pressure. This podcast teaches practical sports psychology strategies to help athletes overcome fear of failure, performance anxiety, overthinking, and loss of confidence after mistakes so they can trust their training and compete freely. Each episode covers key mental performance topics including sports psychology, building confidence, overcoming performance anxiety, and mental toughness. Hosted by mental performance coach Eli Straw, this podcast provides simple, practical mental game coaching used with athletes from youth to elite levels.
Episodes
3 Practical Keys to Playing Freely in Sports
I break down three practical keys to helping athletes play more freely, stop overthinking, and trust their game. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athlete
5 Self-Talk Tips to Increase Confidence in Sports
In this episode, I share five self-talk tips athletes can use to build confidence, stay focused, and respond better to mistakes. You’ll learn how to replace negative judgment with helpful cues and create self-talk that actually improves your performance. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competit
5 Daily Mental Exercises to Reduce Sports Anxiety
In this episode, you’ll learn five daily mental exercises to help reduce sports anxiety and strengthen your mindset as an athlete. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course
5 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Hurt an Athlete’s Confidence
In this episode, I explain five common goal-setting mistakes that can hurt an athlete’s confidence, including focusing only on outcomes, setting goals outside your control, constantly judging yourself, and giving up after setbacks. You’ll also learn how to set goals in a way that helps you stay focused, measure progress, and build confidence throughout the process. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Perfor
3 Reasons Athletes Are So Hard on Themselves (And How to Stop
In this episode, I explain three common reasons athletes are so hard on themselves:They believe being hard on themselves motivates them.They do not want to make the same mistake again.They believe criticizing themselves proves how much they care.I also discuss how athletes can learn from mistakes and hold themselves accountable without relying on constant self-criticism. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental
Stop Trying to Avoid Mistakes During Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
How to Handle Stressful Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
What Does it Mean to Play Freely in Sports?
Learn 5 characteristics of playing freely in sports, and what you can do to take steps to begin playing more freely in games, and get closer to reaching your full athletic potential. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with con
5 Characteristics of Mentally Tough Athletes
Learn 5 characteristics of mentally tough athletes. Mental toughness in sports is a skill that can be developed by understanding what it takes to truly have a strong mindset. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence i
Be Proactive With Your Mental Game in Sports
Learn what it means to be proactive with your mental game in sports, and what you can do to train your mind as a way to elevate your performance. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tou
Stop Labeling Games as Good or Bad
As athletes, it is easy to label a day as either good or bad based on how you performed. But most days are not that simple. There is usually some good and some bad mixed together. And even when things do not go the way you wanted, there is still something you can learn from the experience. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-perfo
4 Pregame Visualizations to Try
Visualization is one of the most powerful mental training tools available to athletes. In this episode, I walk you through four simple pre-game visualization exercises that can help you feel more confident, focused, prepared, and ready to perform when competition begins. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 C
Why Don't I Play Like Myself in Games?
In this episode, I break down why your performance can change depending on the situation, who's watching, the importance of the game, and the pressure you place on yourself. You'll learn why you may feel confident and free in one environment but tight, hesitant, and overthinking in another.More importantly, you'll learn what these differences reveal about your mental game and how to
Routine to Build Confidence in Sports
Learn a routine you can begin applying today to strengthen your confidence as an athlete and build more trust in yourself and your skills. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid
Strategy to Be More Present During Games
Being present is a superpower in sports! Learn a two-part strategy you can use to be more present when you compete.Cyclical breathing article: https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2023/02/cyclic-sighing-can-help-breathe-away-anxiety.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident
Strategy to Stop Letting Distractions Hurt Your Play
Do distractions cause you to underperform? Learn the main reasons distractions affect performance and a powerful strategy you can apply to your next game to manage distractions. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidenc
How to Stop Overthinking When You're Playing Well
Have you ever started a game playing great, only to become aware of how well you're doing and suddenly start overthinking? Many athletes fall into the trap of thinking, "I hope I can keep playing well," which creates pressure, tension, and a desire to force good results. In this episode, I explain why this happens and share three practical strategies to help you stay present, trust
4 Tips to Play Without Fear
Does fear hold you back in games? Learn how to play without fear as an athlete and get yourself to the point where you can play aggressively and freely. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Menta
Why you play differently when certain people are watching
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
Why One Mistake Destroys Your Entire Game
Why does one mistake snowball into a horrible game? Learn what causes this, and what you can do to reset and stop letting one mistake ruin your performance. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉
4 Tips to Mentally Prepare for Big Games
Do you get stressed in big games? Learn 4 tips to keep in mind to help you perform your best in big games! Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Min
Exercise to Manage Negative Thinking in Sports
Learn a simple yet powerful exercise you can go through after every practice and game to help you gain more control over your thinking as an athlete. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally
Develop a Good Competition Mindset
What is your mindset like on game day? We need to be careful not to take a practice mindset into games, where we overthink and try to fix everything. We need to just focus on letting ourselves play freely, be present, and trust the skills that we've built through training. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coach
Use Your Mental Game to Improve Your Athletic Performance
Learn how you can use your mindset to increase your performance in games. I break down a simple three-part structure you can begin applying today! Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally To
Manufacture Confidence on Game Day
Learn a simple way you can generate a state of confidence and trust on game day. Confidence on game day is needed because it gives you the freedom you need to let go of the result and be present. When you are present, you play your best. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go f
Creating a Mission Statement as an Athlete
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
Self-Talk Trick to Use During Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
Manage Your Emotions in Sports
Do your emotions get the best of you during practices and games? Learn what's at the core of your emotions getting the best of you, and an exercise you can go through to manage your emotions better when you play. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear
Setting Goals for Games
Learn the two types of goals you can set for games and how each one can be used to improve your performance. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖
How to Slow the Game Down
Does the game speed up on you? Learn a simple way you can slow the game down and play with more confidence and composure. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth
Stop Trying to Learn From Mistakes Mid-Game
Do you overthink mistakes? Many athletes try to learn from their mistakes during games, but this only leads to overthinking, self-criticism, and distraction. Learn what you need to do instead, and when you should actually learn from your mistakes. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Aca
What to do if coach pulls you after one mistake
Does coach pull you after you make one mistake? This can cause athletes to play scared and actually cause more mistakes to happen. Learn 3 tips you can apply to play freely, even if coach pulls you after you make a mistake. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing wit
Why You Freeze at the Start of Games (And How to Stop)
Do you freeze up, hesitate, or play tight at the start of games even though you know how good you are? In this episode, I explain why athletes freeze under pressure and what you can do mentally to stop overthinking, trust yourself, and compete freely. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor
Help Your Child Manage Anger & Frustration in Sports
Does your child struggle with losing their composure? In this episode, I share a strategy I have used to help hundreds of athletes manage anger and frustration within sports. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence i
Do this if you're struggling with confidence during games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
Why You Dominate When You Know You’re the Best Player
Athletes often play their best when they feel free, confident, and not afraid of mistakes. In this episode, I explain why athletes often perform better when they know they’re the best player on the team, when they aren’t afraid of being benched, or when they stop trying to prove themselves. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-per
How to Trust Your Training During Competition
Do you struggle with trusting your training during games? Learn what blocks trust and three tips you can apply to trust your training more in competition. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Me
Importance of Acceptance in Sports
If you struggle with sports anxiety, moving on from mistakes, self-doubt, or any other mental game challenge, acceptance will help! In this video, I explain why acceptance matters, what it involves, and how to apply it to your game. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from pl
3 Tips to Stop Being so Hard on Yourself in Sports
How do I stop being so hard on myself during games? In this episode, I provide three tips that answer that exact question. To help you go from criticizing yourself to supporting yourself and getting the best out of yourself during games. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go fr
Simplify Your Goals to Reduce Anxiety During Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
Self-Talk Shift to Play Better in Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
3 Tips to Stop Hesitating During Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
3 Tips to Play Well When You Feel Anxious
How do I perform well when I feel anxious? If you've been dealing with sports performance anxiety, try these three tips to help yourself play well, even though you feel anxious during the game. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to p
Stop Putting Pressure on Yourself During Games
Are you the one putting pressure on yourself to be perfect? In this video, I share 4 tips you can apply to stop putting pressure on yourself during games. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Me
Why Athletes Play Passively and How to Stop!
Do you play passively and defensively during games? Learn why this happens and a mindset shift you need to make to go from playing scared, to playing confidently! Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 wee
Strategy to Deal With an Embarrassing Game (Don't let one embarrassing game destroy your season)
Did you have an embarrassing game? These types of games are difficult to bounce back from and can quickly lead to fear and anxiety. Learn a powerful strategy to handle embarrassing games in a more productive way. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear &
Why You Get Tight in Big Moments During Games
Do you get tight in big moments? Learn why you choke under pressure and a simple, but powerful, strategy you can apply to come up clutch in these big moments. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉
Why Do I Get Shaky Before Games, Even When I’m Prepared?
Do you get shaky and really anxious before games? Learn why this happens and a simple strategy you can apply to manage your pregame stress. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid
How do I stop overthinking at the plate?
Do you overthink at the plate? Learn a strategy I teach to elite hitters to stop overthinking at the plate and hit with a calm and focused mind. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Toug
Why Caring Too Much Hurts Your Performance (You’re Thinking Too Much)
If you feel like you play worse in games than you do in practice, this is likely why. Caring too much about the outcome—how you play, what people think, whether you succeed or fail—pulls your focus away from the moment and into your head. In this episode, I break down why caring too much creates tension and hesitation, and how to shift your focus so you can play more freely and perform the way you
The Real Way to Improve Your Attitude in Sports
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
The Key to Being Consistent During Games
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
How to Handle Nervousness Before a Game
Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: T
Stop Trying to Prove Yourself to Your Coaches or Parents
In this episode, I go into detail on how trying to prove yourself holds you back, and provide you with two tips you can apply to stop playing with fear when coaches or parent sare watching. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing w
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Players and Focus on Your Own Game
In this episode, I break down how comparing yourself to other players hurts your game, and what you can do to stop this constant comparison. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Ki
The Pre-Game Routine I Teach Athletes to Start Games Strong
Learn a powerful pregame rouitne you can apply to your next competition to help you start games strong!Mindfulness video: https://youtu.be/Fp3Yxt2GHHU Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentall
Why You Feel Confident in Practice, But Not in Games
Learn why you struggle with confidence during games, even if you're confident in practice! Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Boo
Why Athletes Become Afraid of Making Mistakes
In this episode, I go over what truly drives fear of mistakes in sports. I also give you two strategies you can begin applying to games if you currently are afraid of making mistakes. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with con
How Frustration Causes More Mistakes in Sports
Why does frustration cause you to make more mistakes? In this episode, I discuss how frustration, either toward yourself or others, distracts you and results in more mistakes. I also go over a mindset shift to work on managing frustration during games. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor
3 Signs Fear of Failure is Hurting Your Performance
In this episode, you will learn the three signs you need to look out for that indicate fear of failure is controlling your game.How to Overcome Fear of Failure Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlwtJYzKCHU Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear &
The Psychology of Playing Scared in Sports
In this episode, I go over why athletes play scared during games. Including the two major reasons why scared play forms, how scared play hurts your performance, and a few tips you can use to stop playing scared during competition. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from pla
Why Athletes Hesitate During Games
In this episode, I discuss the pattern that occurs when athletes hesitate. You'll learn what truly drives hesitation during competition, and a mindset shift you can make to stop hesitating during games. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anx
3 Reasons Athletes are Inconsistent During Games
In this episode I go over three main reasons athletes are inconsistent during games. And three tips you can use to play better during games. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Ki
What to Say to Your Athlete After a Bad Game (Avoid This Mistake)
In this episode, I explain what to say to your athlete after a bad game and how the wrong conversation can actually hurt their confidence moving forward. I break down how criticism increases fear and pressure, why athletes struggle to move on from poor performances, and how you can guide them to bounce back faster.🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes:If your athlete struggles with confidence
Why Trying too Hard Hurts Athletic Performance
In this episode, I explain why trying too hard during games can actually hurt your performance. I break down how pressure leads to forcing outcomes, how that creates tension and slows reaction time, and the mindset shift you need to make to play freely and perform at your best in competition.🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes:If you struggle with overthinking during games, feeling tense un
3 Reasons Athletes Play Great in Practice But Struggle in Games
In this episode, I explain why athletes often play great in practice but struggle in games. I break down the three biggest mental reasons this happens—fear of making mistakes, overthinking with a practice mindset, and trying to over-control performance. I also share a simple mental shift you can use to start performing more freely and confidently in competition.🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for At
Why One Mistake Leads to More Mistakes in Sports
In this episode, I explain why one mistake during a game often leads to many more mistakes. I break down the mental reaction that causes this snowball effect and share a simple reset technique athletes can use to stop mistakes from spiraling and return to confident performance.'🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for AthletesIf you struggle with overthinking, negative self-talk, or losing confidenc
Why Athletes Lose Confidence After One Mistake
In this episode, I explain why athletes lose confidence after one mistake and why a single error can cause negative thinking, fear, and hesitation during competition. I also share a simple mental reset strategy athletes can use to regain focus and prevent one mistake from turning into many more.🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for AthletesIf you struggle with confidence dropping after mistakes, negat
Mental Coaching for Youth Athletes (Sports Psychology for Kids Explained)
In this episode, I explain why mental coaching and sports psychology are so important for youth athletes. I cover the most common mental game challenges young athletes face, including fear of failure, performance anxiety, perfectionism, and negative self-talk.🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Youth Athletes:If your child struggles with confidence, pressure during games, or frustration after mistak
Fear of Failure in Sports: Why Athletes Play Scared (And How to Overcome It)
Fear of failure in sports causes many athletes to hesitate, play cautiously, and hold themselves back during competition. This fear is rarely about the mistake itself, but about the perceived consequences such as embarrassment, criticism, getting benched, or negative statistics. In this episode, I explain why the fear of failure develops, how it leads to performance anxiety and timid play, and a s
Practicing Poorly Before a Game? Here’s How Athletes Should Handle It Mentally
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 competit
Control the Controllables in Sports | Why Athletes Must Focus on What They Can Control
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. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching
How to Build Game-Day Confidence
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
How to Know If You (or Your Athlete) Need a Mental Performance Coach — or Just More Practice
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
How to Reset Mentally Between Plays or Points (Simple Routine for Athletes)
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
What Athletes Should Do When Their Confidence Depends on Stats and Results
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 t
How Athletes Build Positive Self-Talk Habits Before and During Competition
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-tal
How to Build a Strong Pre-Performance Routine (Mental Training for Athletes)
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
What’s the Best Approach for Athletes Confident in Practice but Nervous in Games?
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
What’s the Best Way to Start Mental Training as an Athlete?
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,
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