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, 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

🧠 If you want to strengthen your mental game and work directly with me, you can learn more about my personalized 1-on-1 mental performance coaching program here: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-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.