No pain, no gain. You’ve heard it many times. But do you apply it to your own life? Katie Ledecky, 17-year-old swimming champion who looks very much like the next Olympic superstar, does. After smashing her own world record in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle over the weekend, Ledecky referred to what it takes to compete […]
In just one day, the Winter Olympics have given us breath-taking glimpses into the mental game, from snowboarder Jessika Jenson’s reframing to single skater Jeremy Abbott’s defeated body language. Abbott fell on his first jump in the team competition, finished seventh, and put his head between his knees and covered it with his hands. Jenson […]
Comfort is the enemy of growth. Navy SEALS know that, and they’re teaching it to U.S. Olympians. “We’re going to re-set your baseline today,” a SEAL tells a group of athletes as they embark on a grueling session to test and expand their limits. Olympians and SEALS are just like the rest of us. They […]
Sacha Baron Cohen did more than pull the prank of the night at last night’s Oscars. By dumping the supposed ashes of North Korea’s Kim Jong Il all over Ryan Seacrest, Cohen gave us all a peek into where greatness comes from — outside the comfort zone. “The skills and actions you need to be […]
People like to say that there is no such thing as a stupid question. They are wrong. There are plenty of stupid questions, and for proof all you need to do is hang around the Super Bowl. Over the years, the press corps has used the preview week to pose some questions that have gone […]
Any coach has two main jobs: to teach and to motivate. That process involves words, so we must be very careful about the exact words we use. Jack Perconte has offered a wonderful article on things to say and to not say. Among his points is that your tone and body language make all the […]
What does the first day of winter mean to you? Some people think of the long, difficult slog until spring. Others rejoice that the days begin getting longer. For some, winter means ski season. For others, a countdown to baseball’s Opening Day. In other words, it’s up to you. Peak performance coach Dave Cross of […]
You gotta believe! That’s what the New York Mets said in 1973 when they went from last place all the way to the World Series. That’s what the Detroit Red Wings are saying as they try to rebounded from a 3-0 Stanley Cup deficit to defeat the San Jose Sharks. But what is real belief? […]
If you’re looking for a way to raise your game — no matter what that game is — get a hold of “Winning the Big One,” a video by former LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman. You’ll find plenty of great information on how winners think. In particular, Bertman says that winning the big one is […]
Peak performance coach Dave Cross taught me about reframing. It’s a mental technique in which you simply look at a familiar landscape in a different way — a way that’s better for you. Cross told the story of bringing his team into a hostile gym for a crucial game. The fans were making lots of […]