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At SPMI, we work with athletes of all ages and across many sports, but one of the most prominent demographics we serve are high school athletes. For many of these athletes, they are working tirelessly toward one goal: earning a college scholarship. While physical ability and technical skill are essential, they are often not what separates athletes at this level. Emotional control and the ability to perform under pressure are what truly make the difference.

At SPMI (Sport Psychology Movement Institute), we work with athletes to help them master the mental game and one of the most common challenges across all sports and levels is intrusive thoughts.

At SPMI we work with some of the best professional and junior athletes in the world as well as many more talented athletes who also are aspiring for greatness. And one of the most common questions that are asked are about what truly distinguishes professional athletes from amateur ones. When people talk about the difference between professional athletes and amateurs, the conversation usually starts with talent, speed, strength, or skill. While those factors matter, they are rarely what separates athletes at the highest levels.

Today’s children are growing up in a world marked by rising anxiety, fear of mistakes, and increasing pressure to be perfect. Many young people struggle with stress, self-doubt, and the emotional weight of expectations. One of the most effective ways to counter these challenges is through sports, an environment uniquely designed to build strength, resilience, and confidence from the inside out.

Athletes make countless mental errors that can disrupt performance, but few are as common or as harmful as focusing on time.

In sports as in life, people admire success. Often times success even becomes a measurement tool for one's overall self-worth in the world.

Unfortunately, this misinformed infatuation by society has lead to many athletes and individuals feeling unhappy and even as a failure when they fall short of reaching society's standard of success. More specifically, what I've encountered at SPMI is that the struggle of chasing success begins at a young age when the athlete starts gaining attention and recognition from his or her coaches, parents, team, and anyone around the sport.

An athlete's focus the day of competition often differs from other days. On non-competition days, many athletes are training hard, working on their weaknesses while strengthening their strengths. However, on competition days athletes may seem tenser, more serious, and in some cases, quieter. This time of readiness is one that many athletes take too seriously. Depending on the time of the event, athletes may separate themselves from their team, reflecting on their upcoming performance and isolating themselves from any distraction that could “harm” their focus and overall result.

In my work with athletes in over 45 sports at SPMI, I have found that at least 50% of wins and losses among athletes of similar levels are decided before the competition starts. The outcome of competition often depends on the mindset a.k.a belief system of an athlete. Athletes who struggle with maintaining a positive belief system also struggle with confidence. Without confidence, the athlete shuts down mentally and is never able to reach nor maintain their full potential because their mindset already decided the outcome of the competition.