The Contract Cue: A 3-Word Self-Agreement That Stops Choking

You know the moment: one mistake, and your head runs the rest of the game. In this episode Coach interviews a sport psychologist and an elite pro athlete who both use a tiny, ritualized self-agreement—what we call the 'Contract Cue'—to stop spirals and reconnect to their practiced skills. This is not positive talk or pep-talk fluff. It’s a quick, embodied promise you make to yourself that shifts ownership, reduces self-judgment, and frees your body to do what you’ve trained. We break down why a micro-contract works (neuroscience + somatics), how to craft one that fits your identity, and exactly when to use it in competition. You’ll leave with a clear step-by-step drill to create, rehearse, and test your Contract Cue so you can convert mistakes into momentum and become the athlete coaches trust in tight moments.