Understanding Calm vs Relaxed in Racing: The CRC Triangle and Optimizing Performance

Greg from motorsportmind -  bringing you the INNER RACING Podcast! This month, I wanted to share a couple of insights that have been coming up in my conversations with drivers and riders—insights that might just give you the edge on both the track and in your day-to-day mental game. Calm vs. Relaxed: What’s the Difference? Have you ever wondered if being calm and being relaxed are the same thing? Turns out, they aren’t—at least not when it comes to high performance. Calmness is about being in control, especially under pressure. You might still feel stress or adrenaline before a race, but when you’re calm, you’re handling it—you’re mentally ready to make decisions, anticipate situations, and perform at your best. Relaxation feels different. There’s a certain ease to it, which might not always be appropriate right before a competition. Too relaxed, and you might not have that sharpness you need on the grid. When you’re about to get on track, aim to be calm—not just relaxed. Breathwork and mental prep can help bring you into that controlled state. If you focus on calmness, relaxation often follows, but at the right intensity for peak performance. Your True Responsibility on Race Day Another topic we dug into: What are you actually responsible for when you go racing? The answer: your performance. Not the result. You are responsible for maximizing your skills—technically, physically, and mentally. That’s your job. Results are a team effort and often depend on many factors outside your control, including competitors. Focus on continual improvement—identify what you need to stop, start, or do more of in all three performance pillars. When you focus solely on your own performance, you’ll always have one person to beat: yourself. That clarity makes it easier to grow and succeed, no matter the outcome. Thanks for tuning in this week—keep working on that mental edge, and remember: it’s all about performance. See you next time, Greg Host, INNER RACING Podcast   To watch the video version of this podcast visit: https://link.motorsportmind.com/video-podcast