Author Archives: Rise Above Adversity

“Failure is success in progress.” – Albert Einstein.  Sports (and life) are riddled with adversity, setbacks, failure, and mistakes.  From the time we begin to try to stand up and walk as babies, we begin to make mistakes and experience failure.  At this point in our lives, there is no negative attachment or meaning to…

“The key to success in sports is to focus on the things you can control and let go of the things you can’t.” – John Wooden We don’t always have control or influence over the situations and experiences in our lives but we always have control in how we respond. That is where our power…

The number one conclusion that any athlete or parent of an athlete comes to from performance inconsistency is “confidence.” Like many aspects of the mental game, confidence is an intangible element that although it cannot be measured, we know and we can see athletes who perform with high confidence as well as those who are…

“Champions are made when no one is watching” – Unknown There is no question that playing sports at elite levels requires an unwavering commitment and dedication. Between pre-season preparation, in-season competition, strength and conditioning sessions, team training, recovery sessions, film review, and at professional levels – sponsored events, media availability, and development clinics (to name…

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is practice” – Vladimir Horowitz Athletes are constantly looking for new ways in striving to reach new heights and maximizing their potential. While talent and physical abilities play a significant role in achieving success, there is another crucial factor that sets apart the great from the exceptional: deliberate practice….

The world of sports is often associated with physical strength, agility, and endurance. However, mental strength plays just as critical a role as physical fitness in the success of an athlete. According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is defined by your emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and it is essential for an athlete’s…

We are the stories we tell ourselves.  About ourselves, about our lives, and about our reality. Although our thoughts and self-talk may seem like innocent background noise, those words and stories shape our beliefs and influence the way we live in all facets of our lives. However, it is also imperative to understand that our…

“Victory is in knowing you’ve done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.” – Billy Bowerman Leadership Mentor Ben Crowe, who has worked with some of Australia’s greatest sporting stars such as Wimbledon Champion Ash Barty, Surfing legend Steph Gilmore and Richmond Tigers Footballers Dusty Martin and Trent Cotchin describes the peak performance…

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success start thinking of yourself as a success.” – Joyce Brothers With the evolution of technology and access to industry professionals literally at the click of a button. This current generation of athletes are destined to be bigger, stronger, faster, and more athletic than we have ever…

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell The number one psychological element that is detrimental to the consistency of peak performance and an athlete’s overall success is the element of fear. Fear, put simply, is a loss of control in the mind. It…