Blog

Hailey Baptiste Wins Debut WTA Match Against Madison Keys

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Tue, 08/06/2019 - 14:52

Hailey Baptiste Tennis Madison Keys Mental Toughness Training

Congratulations to SPMI athlete Hailey Baptiste! Just last week Hailey won her first WTA tennis match against the 14th ranked player in the world, Madison Keys. Hailey was able to stay mentally strong throughout several very challenging moments in the match-winning in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-2. This match was even more special for Hailey as she was playing in front of her hometown crowd in Washington D.C. Hailey has been working on her mental game with SPMI since she was 11 years old with the 1-on-1 online mental training program and it is so great to see how far she has come!

The Power of Not Knowing

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:27

Sports Psychologist

Wanting to know more is a normal part of human behavior and is also a defense mechanism of the brain. This is why many athletes find it so difficult to perform well under pressure. Especially, during those moments when athletes feel like there is something more to lose. But almost every athlete who struggles with pressure also practices this one bad mental habit that keeps them mentally trapped. This habit is wanting to know more.

Mental Toughness In Action: Tom Lewis 2019 British Open

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Mon, 07/22/2019 - 19:13

Congratulations to SPMI athlete Tom Lewis who this past weekend dug deep after ending the first day at the British Open in 118th place. Tom was then able to work his way through, shot by shot, and hole by hole to finish tied in 11th place in golf's last major of the year! One important lesson for all athletes is that mental toughness isn't just about how well one performs under pressure. It is also about how well an athlete responds when the odds are against him.

Think Like a Baby

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 16:55

During competition, the toughest competitor is most likely the one you see in the mirror, yourself! Many athletes start training with SPMI because they notice a big drop in level from practice to competition. These athletes are already performing at a high skill level but really struggle mentally when the game or competition is on the line. Oftentimes, the biggest mistake athletes make in key moments is they start to over-analyze. Many athletes will perceive a situation as more important.

Add Mental Toughness to Your New Year's Resolution!

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Tue, 01/08/2019 - 15:46

It's 2019 and you may think that you have your New Years Resolution plans all figured out. But why is it that so many athletes and individuals fall short of achieving their resolutions? This can be explained by looking at one simple, yet often misinterpreted concept called habits and rewards. First off, many athletes, coaches, and parents underestimate just how many days in a row are required in order to turn a positive action into a habit. In fact, when we surveyed over 100 athletes as to how many days are required to make a habit, most said 21 days and some even said as low as 3 days!

Follow These 2 Simple Formulas to Reach Your Full Potential

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Sun, 11/25/2018 - 16:29

Mental Toughness Advice

Getting stuck is a common trend among many athletes striving to be the best. Athletes work hard and see significant improvement throughout their early stages of competing only to find themselves in performance limbo. So why do many athletes fall short of their full potential? The best answer can be explained through 2 simple formulas.

Formula 1: Talent X Effort = Skill

Formula 1 applies to every athlete who is striving to get better. Although this formula is essential for enhanced performance, it is limited in achieving one's full potential. 

Mental Toughness in Action: Kira Lewis

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Sun, 08/26/2018 - 18:05

Kira Lewis Wakeboarding Mental Toughness Training

Congratulations to SPMI athlete Kira Lewis. Kira has worked very hard on her mental game this year and recently placed 2nd in US Nationals in Wakeboarding held in Monroe, Washington. Kira is now on her way to Japan where she will compete in Worlds. Like most SPMI athletes, Kira trains her mental game through 1-on-1 Online Mental Training.

How Young Is Too Young? James Egozi

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Sun, 08/19/2018 - 16:44

One question many parents and coaches ask about when getting their athlete started on mental training is how young is too young? The answer to this question is based on several factors such as attention acuity, memory retention, and language development. The majority of the youngest athletes who start training at SPMI begin at ages 8 to 10 years old. Athletes under the age of 10 are also pre-evaluated to see which program they qualify for. SPMI's youth mental training program focuses more on behavioral skills training such as routine development, breathing techniques, and goal setting.

Mental Toughness In Action: Natasha Subhash

Authored by Patrick Albán, SPMI on Sun, 07/01/2018 - 23:19

Congratulations to SPMI athlete Natasha Subhash who recently won the 2018 Citi Open Wild Card Challenger. Natasha, who is currently ranked #46 in the junior world rankings, earned a wild card into the Citi Open, a professional tennis tournament in Washington DC. Natasha is also playing in this year's Junior Wimbledon. Mental Toughness is a key attribute to her success and we look forward to continuing to help Natasha reach her full potential on the big stage.

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