Sports Psychology Coaching
The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast by Eli Straw is a mental training podcast for athletes, competitors, coaches, and performers who want to improve confidence, focus, and performance under pressure. This podcast teaches practical sports psychology strategies to help athletes overcome fear of failure, performance anxiety, overthinking, and loss of confidence after mistakes so they can trust their training and compete freely.
Each episode covers key mental performance topics, including:
• Sports psychology and mental training for athletes
• How to build confidence in sports
• Overcoming performance anxiety and pressure
• Trusting your training and competing without fear
• Focus, composure, and mental toughness in competition
• Letting go of overthinking and perfectionism
• Visualization, mindfulness, and present-moment performance
• How to perform consistently in games, races, and competitions
Hosted by mental performance coach Eli Straw, this podcast provides simple, practical mental game coaching used with athletes from youth to elite levels. Learn how to stop playing scared, compete with freedom, and unlock your true performance.
If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach looking for sports psychology tips, mental toughness training, and performance mindset strategies, this podcast will help you build the mental skills needed to perform at your best when it matters most.
*This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychological or medical treatment. I am a mental performance coach, not a licensed psychologist. For clinical concerns, consult a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
Episodes
542 episodes
How to Stop Spiralling After Mistakes in Sports | Mental Reset Routine
Do you spiral after making mistakes in games? In this episode, I’ll teach you a simple mistake reset routine athletes can use to stop replaying the last play, refocus in the present moment, and get ready for what’s next.
Why Athletes Get Nervous Even When They’re Prepared
You can train hard, prepare well, and still feel nervous before a game. In this episode, I explain why athletes get nervous even when they’re prepared and walk you through a simple mental exercise you can use to shift your focus back to what yo...
3 In-Game Tips to Stop Playing Scared
Playing scared during games can lead to hesitation, overthinking, and trying not to make mistakes. In this episode, I share three in-game tips athletes can use to reset their focus, handle fear of failure, and compete with more confidence and f...
How to Build a Stronger Mental Game This Off-Season | Athlete Mental Training
The off-season isn’t just a time to get stronger physically. It’s also one of the best times to improve your mental game by reviewing last season, identifying the challenges that held you back, and building a daily mental training plan that hel...
3 Practical Keys to Playing Freely in Sports
I break down three practical keys to helping athletes play more freely, stop overthinking, and trust their game.
5 Self-Talk Tips to Increase Confidence in Sports
In this episode, I share five self-talk tips athletes can use to build confidence, stay focused, and respond better to mistakes. You’ll learn how to replace negative judgment with helpful cues and create self-talk that actually improves your pe...
5 Daily Mental Exercises to Reduce Sports Anxiety
In this episode, you’ll learn five daily mental exercises to help reduce sports anxiety and strengthen your mindset as an athlete.
5 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Hurt an Athlete’s Confidence
In this episode, I explain five common goal-setting mistakes that can hurt an athlete’s confidence, including focusing only on outcomes, setting goals outside your control, constantly judging yourself, and giving up after setbacks. You’ll also ...
3 Reasons Athletes Are So Hard on Themselves (And How to Stop
In this episode, I explain three common reasons athletes are so hard on themselves:They believe being hard on themselves motivates them.They do not want to make the same mistake again.They believe criticizing thems...
What Does it Mean to Play Freely in Sports?
Learn 5 characteristics of playing freely in sports, and what you can do to take steps to begin playing more freely in games, and get closer to reaching your full athletic potential.
5 Characteristics of Mentally Tough Athletes
Learn 5 characteristics of mentally tough athletes. Mental toughness in sports is a skill that can be developed by understanding what it takes to truly have a strong mindset.
Be Proactive With Your Mental Game in Sports
Learn what it means to be proactive with your mental game in sports, and what you can do to train your mind as a way to elevate your performance.
Stop Labeling Games as Good or Bad
As athletes, it is easy to label a day as either good or bad based on how you performed. But most days are not that simple. There is usually some good and some bad mixed together. And even when things do not go the way you wanted, there is stil...
4 Pregame Visualizations to Try
Visualization is one of the most powerful mental training tools available to athletes. In this episode, I walk you through four simple pre-game visualization exercises that can help you feel more confident, focused, prepared, and ready to perfo...
Why Don't I Play Like Myself in Games?
In this episode, I break down why your performance can change depending on the situation, who's watching, the importance of the game, and the pressure you place on yourself. You'll learn why you may feel confident and free in one environment bu...
Routine to Build Confidence in Sports
Learn a routine you can begin applying today to strengthen your confidence as an athlete and build more trust in yourself and your skills.
Strategy to Be More Present During Games
Being present is a superpower in sports! Learn a two-part strategy you can use to be more present when you compete.Cyclical breathing article:
Strategy to Stop Letting Distractions Hurt Your Play
Do distractions cause you to underperform? Learn the main reasons distractions affect performance and a powerful strategy you can apply to your next game to manage distractions.
How to Stop Overthinking When You're Playing Well
Have you ever started a game playing great, only to become aware of how well you're doing and suddenly start overthinking? Many athletes fall into the trap of thinking, "I hope I can keep playing well," which creates pressure, tension, and a de...
4 Tips to Play Without Fear
Does fear hold you back in games? Learn how to play without fear as an athlete and get yourself to the point where you can play aggressively and freely.