Most athletes don’t really aim for the top because they think there is too much competition. So they set “achievable” goals. Problem is, there is a lot more competition for achievable goals than lofty ones. And of the few athletes who DO shoot for the […]

Athletes who race know something other athletes don’t. They know that their visualization needs to be exquisitely detailed. It’s typical for racing athletes to imagine every bump, every turn, every nuance. Partly it’s for safety reasons (especially for ski racers). Mostly it’s because when you […]

Robin Soderling stunned defending champion Roger Federer in Tuesday’s quarterfinal action at the French Open, winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in come-from-behind fashion. It’s the first time Federer has failed reach a Grand Slam semifinal in six years. The mental toughness story behind this match […]

He was only a kid when he had his first interview. “The headline said, ‘Hull, Richard, Howe and Gretzky,’” Wayne remembers. “That was lots of pressure.” Has any 9-year-old ever been saddled with such huge expectations? Not even superstars Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan were […]

I’m always surprised how much athletes underrate themselves. They like the idea of developing an incredibly strong, confident, powerful self-image. …but they never make an unequivocal commitment to BELIEVE in themselves all the way. Why? Secretly, most people worry about becoming an insufferable braggart. The […]

If you are like most athletes, your best showings have happened when you weren’t “trying” to perform perfectly. You simply went out to play a sport you love, and magic happened. You must realize you face a dilemma every time you start an event. Your […]

“My coach doesn’t believe in me.” “I got a lousy start.” “My opponent trash talked me.” These are typical reasons athletes give for their bad attitude or poor performance when the going gets tough. The truth? These athletes are using distractions as an excuse to […]

When Pete Sampras was breaking into the winner’s circle in tennis, legend Ivan Lendl was the guy to beat. Having been whipped by Lendl six months earlier, Sampras was hungry but wary going into the 1990 US Open. After winning the first two sets, Sampras […]

The Green-Eyed Monster And Winning Comparing yourself to others is NOT jealousy. Nor is it wrong. I get this question a lot from athletes who think that comparing themselves to peers – and wanting to beat them – is wrong. So I’d like to set […]

Steel Yourself To Be A Tough Competitor By Lisa Lane Brown In sport, you need to be a TOUGH competitor. That’s because sport is a war, complete with an enemy: your opponent. Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey players ever, understood that sport is […]