Mental Performance Myths That Are Holding Athletes Back from Peak Performance
4 Myths That Are Holding You Back from Unlocking Your Mental Game
There are common myths that many athletes believe about mental performance training. But if you’re reading this, you’re not here to be just another common athlete. You want to take your performance to the next level, and that starts with understanding the truth about mental performance training.
Let’s break down four myths you’ve probably heard—and why believing them could be the biggest mistake of your athletic journey.
Myth 1: Mindset Will Naturally Take Care of Itself
Have you ever been told that as you gain experience, your mindset will just “fall into place”?
Reality: Mindset is not a passive process. Just like physical conditioning, your mental game requires deliberate practice. Confidence, focus, and resilience don’t magically appear—they’re built through consistent effort. Without active mental training, even the most skilled athletes can falter under pressure.
Myth 2: You Just Have to Outwork Others
You’ve likely heard this one before: “Hard work beats everything.” While effort is crucial, it’s not the only piece of the puzzle.
Reality: Physical work without mental preparation leaves you vulnerable. How will you respond when things don’t go your way? When the pressure is on, it’s your mental strength that keeps you in the game. The most successful athletes don’t just work hard; they also work smart by training their minds to handle adversity, stay focused, and bounce back from setbacks.
Myth 3: Mental Training Takes Too Long to Show Results
Some athletes avoid mental training because they believe it’s a slow, frustrating process with no immediate payoff.
Reality: While it’s true that building a strong mindset takes time, you’ll start to see benefits much sooner than you think. In fact, even a few minutes of focused mental training—like visualization or controlled breathing—can create noticeable improvements in your performance and composure. And over time, those small gains compound into lasting mental toughness.
Myth 4: There’s Too Much Going On—Figure It Out Yourself
When your schedule is packed with practices, games, and recovery, mental training can seem like just another thing to juggle. Many athletes believe they’re better off figuring out their mindset on their own.
Reality: You don’t have to go it alone. Mental training provides structured tools and strategies to help you manage pressure, maintain focus, and stay confident no matter what’s going on around you. Just like you’d turn to a coach for physical training, having guidance in your mental game accelerates your growth and helps you perform at your best when it matters most.
Want to Be Extraordinary? Break Free from These Myths
If you’re serious about becoming the best version of yourself as an athlete, it’s time to leave these myths behind. Mental performance training isn’t a luxury—it’s a game-changer.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. With the right tools and support, you can build a mindset that helps you thrive under pressure, recover quickly from mistakes, and consistently bring your best to the field, court, or rink.
Think Strong, Play Strong.
Coach Kristin Tullo is a certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach and creator of Think Strong. Play Strong that has over 10 years of experience with athletes from the youth to collegiate levels. Through her Mental Performance Coaching programs Coach Kristin helps athletes, parents and coaches build focus, confidence and motivation for improved performance.
Follow her for daily tips on mental performance on Instagram.
