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 […]