Let's Go Mental!

New Season: Your Opportunity to Decide Who You Want to Become A new season is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming. New coach, new teammates, pressure to improve, school starting, social life… it’s a lot. And when that little “what if” voice sneaks in ( “What if I’m not good enough? What if I get benched?” ), it can take over before you even step on the field. In this episode, we’re flippi...

In this episode, I dive into one of the most misunderstood yet powerful concepts in the mental game: trust .  You’ll learn why confidence and trust are not the same, how to switch from a training mindset to a performance mindset, and why most athletes get stuck in the transition between practice and competition. Let's unpack a simple 3-part framework to help you build trust where it matters most: ...

In this episode of  Let’s Go Mental , we dive into one of the most common challenges for athletes: keeping your cool under pressure. Whether it’s a bad call, a teammate not playing their part, or your own performance slipping — frustration can take over and ruin your game. What we break down: Why we lose our composure in the first place What to do if you’ve already lost it The powerful 3 R’s tool:...

Do you hold yourself to unrealistically high standards? Feel like you’re never “good enough” even when you’re working hard? You might be dealing with perfectionism—and in this episode, we’re breaking it down. In this episode we will: • Understand what perfectionism really is • Recognize how it shows up in your game and mindset • Learn how to shift from pressure to progress • Discover powerful ment...

Today we speak about expectation and how to transform and shift from expectations to execution. Learn how to: • Step into your performance “bubble” where distractions don’t reach you • Let go of mistakes and focus on the present moment • Use your breath as a mental reset tool — even in the middle of the game • Replace negative confidence metaphors with empowering ones • Create your own trigger wor...

Special Episode! 3rd edition of Podcasthon! ✅  It Takes a Village: More Than Just a Foundation  – A movement dedicated to raising awareness, creating opportunities, and empowering individuals with special needs. ✅  Social Saturdays: A Safe Space for Connection  – A program where teenagers and young adults with different abilities come together, not as volunteers and participants, but as  compani...

What if I tell you that no matter what you choose in life, it’s going to be hard? Think about it: • Training every day? Hard. • Skipping practice and falling behind? Also hard. • Holding yourself accountable? Hard. • Living with regret? Even harder. The truth is, you don’t get to avoid difficulty—you get to choose which hard you’re willing to face. And in today’s episode, we’ll break down how to m...

In this episode, we tackle the negative impact of comparison in sports—and in life. I share insights on how comparing yourself to others can lower your self-esteem and hold you back. More importantly, I reveal how to flip comparison into a powerful tool for growth. Key Points : • The Comparison Trap: Understand how comparing achievements, skills, or even physical traits can be a joy killer. • How...

In this episode I talk about self-reflection. Most athletes avoid it because it feels awkward, boring, or uncomfortable, but self-reflection is the key to improve—in sports, and in life.  If your goal is to reach the top 1% in your sport, this practice is for you! Key Takeaways: • What is self-reflection? It’s the process of pausing to think about what happened, why it happened, and what you can l...

In this episode I talk about the key difference between being interested and being committed mainly in sports (but in life it is not so different!). Are you the type of athlete who only shows up when it’s convenient, or are you committed to showing up no matter what? Learn why commitment is more than a choice—it’s a skill you can build. What You’ll Learn: • The difference between being interested...

In this episode we talk about the art of transforming preparation into performance . Learn how to create your own pre-game ritual and make the powerful mental shift from preparation mode to game on by design. It’s about stepping into your “bubble,” the place where you leave distractions behind and focus fully on being your best—whether that’s in a game, practice, or any big moment. In this episode...

We’re diving into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of performance: preparation . If you want to excel in sports and life, you have to embrace the backstage work that sets champions apart. We’re going to reframe those so-called “boring” necessities—like sleep and nutrition—into powerful tools that can fuel your performance. Key Concepts: 1. Mind & Body Bank Account: Think of your mind and...

In this episode we are talking about PREPARATION. But not the kind you hear about every day. We're going deeper into what real preparation looks like, the type that goes beyond just warming up or training. This is the backstage work that sets you apart from everyone else. It is about the extra effort no one sees, the habits you build that make the difference in the long run. Whether it is mental f...

After Self-Awareness, Self-Talk, and Self-Control, finally we have the 4th piece of the puzzle: Self-Confidence! Changing perspective from Feeling confident to do Confident! Confidence is a skill. Let's train it starting with these 4 easy tools: Visualization Body language Focus Self-talk Too often we treat confidence as something we cannot control, based on how we feel today, start training this...

After Self-Awareness, your GPS, Self-Talk, your super-power, we have Self-Control...Your Game-Changer Only by following these 3 episode you are a little bit more near to master your mental game. In this episode we will give the power to self-control, when you need to manage your impulses, feeling and behavior with a 4 steps process: 1) Recognize your signals: what happen when you are loosing contr...

In this episode we dive into the world of self-talk-the constant inner dialogue we all have, whether we realize it or not. Learn how positive and negative self-talk can shape your mindset, impact your performance, and influence how you see yourself in life and sports. Discover practical tools to become more aware of your self-talk and how to transform it into a powerful tool for growth. Remember,...

September will be the Month of the 4Selves: Self-Awareness, Self-talk, Self-Control, and Self-Confidence. First pillar: self-awareness. We'll explore why it is like a mental GPS, guiding to better understand emotions, behaviors, and thoughts to stay on track toward your goals. Special tool of the week: the Traffic Light system, introduced by sports psychology expert Ken Ravizza, to help identifing...

Whether you are an athlete, parents or coach, these strategies will help you applroach the season with the right mindset and a clear plan for growth. Episode highlights: Self-assessment: assess your mindset, strengh and weakness, discovering where you are right now. Goals: define your destination. Listen to the previous episode to know more. Creating new Routine: establish new empowering habits to...

Overcoming setbacks in sports can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, athletes can stay driven and focused on their goals.  This episode offers insights on how to navigate disappointment, seek improvement, and maintain motivation during challenging times. Discover 7 strategies that will transform your mindset from being a Victim to be a Success! By harnessing resilience, setting new goa...

Understanding what Motivation is and what motivates you is the magic tool! Unleash your inner drive and discover the ultimate guide to staying motivated with tips and tricks for athletes. Understanding the different sources of motivation, both internal and external, is crucial in mastering the art of staying driven. Learn how to fuel your passion, create routines, and set achievable goals to keep...

In this episode, I delve into the concept of visualization and its immense impact on athletic performance. Exploring the science behind visualization, athletes can tap into their full potential by engaging their right brain, enhancing creativity and intuition. The power of visualization lies in its ability to train the subconscious mind and shape reality by vividly imagining success before it happ...

In the world of sports, unlocking peak performance often is hidden on the power of pre-game routines. This episode delves into the importance of mental preparedness before competition and how athletes can build resilience through strategic pre-performance preparation. By implementing visualization, positive affirmations, breathing techniques, and body awareness activities, athletes can create a fo...

The podcast episode delves into the mental journey of tryouts , providing valuable insights and strategies to overcome stress and excel during this crucial period. How? By reframing the language used around tryouts Focusing on character development Transforming expectations Utilizing visualization techniques athletes can approach tryouts with confidence and determination. The importance of prepara...

Mastering the Four Step Performance System for Goal Achievement is crucial for young athletes looking to enhance performance. In this episode, Barbara delves into setting goals, scheduling with intentions, measuring progress, and reflecting on success. The system provides structure and guidance, making it easier to maintain consistency and motivation.  Contact me:b_cortella@yahoo.it 4 Step Fo...

In this episode we delve into the crucial topic of goal-setting for parents and young athletes. You will gain insights into the difference between long-term process goals and short-term performance goals, This episode equips parents and athletes with tools to redefine parenting, foster intentional communication, and empower young athletes to achieve their dreams through daily actions. Don't miss o...