When Winning Isn’t Enough: Mental Health, Brainspotting, and the Athlete’s Inner Game
In the world of sports, athletes are often painted as fearless warriors—hyper-focused, driven, and always chasing the next win. But behind that intensity, many high performers are quietly wrestling with something they rarely talk about: performance anxiety.
And no, it doesn’t always look like panic attacks or breakdowns. Sometimes it’s far more subtle.
It might be the voice in your head whispering, “What if I mess this up again?” or “Everyone’s expecting me to win.”
It might be tension in your body that throws off your timing, your rhythm, your reaction.
It might be the sleepless nights before game day—even after weeks of training.
When Performance Anxiety Takes Over
Here’s the truth: performance anxiety, when ignored, doesn’t just mess with your stats. It can erode your motivation, self-worth, and overall mental well-being. Over time, it becomes a trap—keeping you stuck in survival mode, afraid to lose your edge.
Why “Shake It Off” Doesn’t Cut It
You’ve heard the advice before:
“Push through it.”
“Get your head in the game.”
“Just toughen up.”
But here’s the thing: mental toughness and mental health are not the same.
Telling an athlete to suppress their anxiety doesn’t make it go away—it just pushes it deeper. The nervous system stays in high alert, and ironically, the very thing you're trying to avoid (underperforming) becomes even more likely.
Let’s be clear:
Performance anxiety isn’t a weakness—it’s a signal. It’s your body saying, “Something needs attention.” Not punishment. Not more pressure.
What If the Answer Isn’t Pushing Harder?
Many athletes think, “If I just train harder, focus more, do more…” But this cycle can lead to burnout, injury, and eventually, a loss of connection with the joy of the sport.
The real solution? Creating space where you’re not performing—but processing.
How Therapy Can Help
That’s where therapeutic tools like Brainspotting come in. This powerful, brain-based therapy helps target and release deep-seated tension and trauma that might be interfering with performance.
It’s not just about talking through your fears. It’s about getting to the root—how your brain and body have stored past experiences, and how they’re showing up under pressure today.
In sessions, we work on:
Recognizing and managing stress patterns
Reconnecting with your body
Building custom tools to help you regulate during high-stakes moments—not avoid them
From Surviving to Thriving
I’ve worked with athletes who once froze on the starting line, and later reclaimed their joy in competition. Not because the anxiety magically disappeared—but because they learned to meet it differently: with curiosity, compassion, and confidence.
If you’re an athlete—or if you support one—here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t need to wait for a breakdown to ask for support.
You don’t have to earn care by winning.
You deserve help now.
Ready to Step Out of the Trap?
If this resonates, let’s connect. Whether you're exploring therapy for yourself or someone you care about, I offer free consultations and would love to hear your story.