The world of sports is continuously evolving; this can be seen through the implementation of Title IX, the various improvements of safety measures, the growing numbers of participants per sport, and a number of other new practices. A bigger question is, are the athletes themselves evolving too to meet the current needs of sport? Are they changing how they play, or, more specifically, how they prepare?

Was mental training – like confidence building and the maintenance of a positive mindset – a big focus for athletes years ago?

We may not necessarily know the answer, and it may differ for each athlete, but there undoubtedly is a heightened value of applying mental skills training today. College athletics has skyrocketed within the last few decades; more athletes are participating in organized sport at the collegiate level. With scholarships on the line, the stress of having to commit as a young high schooler, and the incorporation of technology into daily life all contribute to the obstacles that come with participating in competitive sports. The generations of Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach (many soccer players will still recognize these big names) is a constant reminder that athletes need to prepare and battle physically; this age group spent hours playing the game, bettering themselves each day, playing and practicing with their brothers and friends in the backyard or in leagues… Now, training the mind to deal with the various stresses and obstacles is of critical importance. In all areas of life, we are forced to deal with situations that take us out of our comfort zone, ultimately requiring us to prepare for adversity.

Technology has opened new doors for athletes to connect with others around the world. It allows us to partake in virtual activities, share beliefs and ideas, and unite through common interests and sports. We have instant access to videos on YouTube, social media sites, and a multitude of interaction methods. However, with this additional information comes added distractions. Spending time online might mean that athletes spend less time outside, are less likely to ‘free play’ in the backyard, or even communicate face-to-face. The challenge now is how to balance time between the virtual world and the real world while simultaneously battling the thoughts inside of our heads.

What does the future look like for athletes?

The pressures to succeed as a competitive athlete will continue to escalate in the future. However, there is increased awareness of the need for mental training, particularly regarding sport. With preparation (confidence building, positive self-talk, goal setting) and practice before athletic events, the athlete will hopefully be able to tackle their obstacles and transfer these techniques over to different segments of their everyday life. Mpowher Athlete is a great resource that provides opportunities for female athletes to improve their mental game.

Here is a list of some programs that Mpowher Athlete offers:

Recruiting Programs: https://www.mpowherathlete.com/recruiting-program-index

Building Confidence Program: https://mpowher-athlete-advantage.teachable.com/p/building-confidence

Setting & Accomplishing Goals Program: https://mpowher-athlete-advantage.teachable.com/p/setting-accomplishing-goals

Leadership Program: https://mpowher-athlete-advantage.teachable.com/p/leadership

… & more!

How will you train your mind and use resources that are available? What will the future look like for you?