Why Caring Too Much Hurts Your Performance (You’re Thinking Too Much)
14/04/2026 | 5 min
If you feel like you play worse in games than you do in practice, this is likely why. Caring too much about the outcome—how you play, what people think, whether you succeed or fail—pulls your focus away from the moment and into your head. In this episode, I break down why caring too much creates tension and hesitation, and how to shift your focus so you can play more freely and perform the way you know you’re capable of. Improve your self-talk video: https://youtu.be/S9GI6b-adCc 🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: If you’re an athlete who struggles with fear, anxiety, overthinking, or confidence in games—or a parent of an athlete going through that—I work 1-on-1 with athletes to help them perform freely and confidently.
You can schedule a free introductory call using the link below, and we’ll talk through what’s going on and whether working together would be a good fit.
👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!
👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course
📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN
📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY
Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make
*This podca...
The Real Way to Improve Your Attitude in Sports
08/04/2026 | 7 min
🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: If you’re an athlete who struggles with fear, anxiety, overthinking, or confidence in games—or a parent of an athlete going through that—I work 1-on-1 with athletes to help them perform freely and confidently.
You can schedule a free introductory call using the link below, and we’ll talk through what’s going on and whether working together would be a good fit.
👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!
👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course
📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN
📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY
Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make
*This podca...
The Key to Being Consistent During Games
07/04/2026 | 9 min
🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: If you’re an athlete who struggles with fear, anxiety, overthinking, or confidence in games—or a parent of an athlete going through that—I work 1-on-1 with athletes to help them perform freely and confidently.
You can schedule a free introductory call using the link below, and we’ll talk through what’s going on and whether working together would be a good fit.
👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!
👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course
📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN
📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY
Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make
*This podca...
How to Handle Nervousness Before a Game
06/04/2026 | 11 min
🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: If you’re an athlete who struggles with fear, anxiety, overthinking, or confidence in games—or a parent of an athlete going through that—I work 1-on-1 with athletes to help them perform freely and confidently.
You can schedule a free introductory call using the link below, and we’ll talk through what’s going on and whether working together would be a good fit.
👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!
👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course
📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN
📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamY
Free Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make
*This podca...
Stop Trying to Prove Yourself to Your Coaches or Parents
03/04/2026 | 12 min
In this episode, I go into detail on how trying to prove yourself holds you back, and provide you with two tips you can apply to stop playing with fear when coaches or parent sare watching. 🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: If you’re an athlete who struggles with fear, anxiety, overthinking, or confidence in games—or a parent of an athlete going through that—I work 1-on-1 with athletes to help them perform freely and confidently.
You can schedule a free introductory call using the link below, and we’ll talk through what’s going on and whether working together would be a good fit.
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 competitionsHosted 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.
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