Our self-talk, or the things we say to ourselves, can either be our worst nightmare or our biggest supporter. We can let doubt and anxieties creep into our internal dialogue or we can bring out our inner champion. Powerful self-talk can improve confidence and make athletes feel more in-control of their performance. It’s important for athletes to understand the differences between positive, negative, and instructional self-talk and how to incorporate it for peak performance.

New year, new me! As 2026 begins, many athletes set goals for their new year and upcoming seasons. However, many fall into the critical mistake of focusing on the outcome instead of the process. By focusing on the process instead of the outcome, athletes can head into the new year feeling more confident and in control of their own performance.