Mindset Shift Empowers Athletes To Overcome Pressure

In today’s competitive sports arena, the difference between breaking through and being stuck can often boil down to one’s mental approach. Mental skills coach Jarred Brown is sharing his insights on overcoming the pressure of being selected for the team by transforming how athletes view their training and performance. Rather than being consumed by the need for perfection, Brown encourages athletes to embrace a growth mindset that opens the door to continuous improvement.

The 2 Hour 46 Minute Mindset Shift

Brown recounts a recent session that lasted precisely 2 hours and 46 minutes—a span devoted entirely to recalibrating an athlete’s mental state. The session wasn’t about adding extra drills or intensifying physical strain, but rather a strategic pause to address the mental block that occurs when an athlete’s desire to be selected turns into an overwhelming pressure to be flawless. “If I make a mistake… I’ll miss my shot,” is a thought many athletes dread, and it often leads them to grip harder, try excessively, and in turn, force performance in a way that backfires.

The Power Of Having A Coach

Brown’s approach underscores the value of having a seasoned coach who can help athletes reframe their mindset. According to his method, the issue isn’t the ambition to achieve first-grade performance but the pressure that elevates the stakes to an unrealistic level. By reimagining the season as a developmental period—one that still values ambition but prioritizes freedom to grow—the athlete learns to focus on the process rather than the final outcome. This shift is a reminder that even if immediate success isn’t achieved, progress is still being made.

Here’s What’s Really Happening

Brown explains that the problem lies not in an athlete’s dedication or effort but in the internal transformation from striving for perfection to simply growing with each practice. When goals morph into pressures, mistakes become paralyzing and natural instincts get overridden by overthinking. Through his private one-on-one sessions—he currently works with only six clients at a time—Brown illustrates how shedding the need for perfection can lead to a calmer, more effective performance. His method is supported by a client response that came in at 6:52 PM following a detailed three-minute audio message, affirming that even under pressure, a relaxed mindset fuels better outcomes.

Here’s The Shift We Made

Instead of tying self-worth to selection, Brown guided his client in reframing the season as an opportunity for development. The new mindset does not diminish the aspiration for top-tier performance but shifts focus: “Even if I don’t make it this week, I’m still growing, still improving, still okay…” This small yet significant change allows the athlete to breathe, stay present, and concentrate on the daily work—the very work that builds the foundations for long-term success. Such a perspective helps athletes relinquish the toxic grip on perfection and instead trust in the consistent process of showing up and building internal confidence.

Because The Athlete Who Performs Best Under Pressure Is The One Who’s Not Owned By It

Brown’s philosophy is straightforward. The best performers are those who remain unshackled by the fear of failure. He emphasizes that maintaining high standards does not require living in a state of anxiety. Instead, athletes can anchor themselves in the actions they can control: showing up every day, winning each moment, and accumulating self-trust regardless of immediate results. Consistent performance under pressure is less a factor of having a vast array of technical skills and more a matter of mental clarity.

The conversation around mindset coaching is not new in the sports world. In previous Instagram posts, Brown has discussed topics like navigating personal challenges, playing with flow, and countering overthinking with streamlined, process-based training. These insights resonate with many athletes who have felt the crushing weight of outcome goals. As one athlete shared in an earlier post, shifting focus from what might go wrong to honing performance cues can turn fear into a powerful tool for success. Brown’s current session builds on that foundation, reinforcing the idea that mental coaching is the missing link for those who train hard yet feel unprepared during critical moments.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be perfect and feared that one slip could cost you your shot, take heart. Brown reminds us that even in the worst-case scenario, you’re still breathing and still part of the game. With a recalibrated mindset rooted in growth, showing up, and trusting your process, performance can ultimately speak for itself. His method not only builds confidence but secures an athlete’s path to continual improvement.

Brown’s approach offers a refreshing alternative to a system that often equates perfection with success. The transformation he advocates is simple, sustainable, and focused on what truly matters: controlling what’s within your reach while letting go of the uncontrollable.

With availability for only one additional private session, Brown’s message remains clear—if you’re ready to leave the pressure behind and start performing with a liberated mindset, the time to act is now.

Reporter

Nisha Bharatan

 

Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood.

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