EPISODE · Feb 25, 2026 · 12 MIN
What Athletes Should Do When Their Confidence Depends on Stats and Results
from Sports Psychology Coaching · host Eli Straw
Many athletes tie their self-confidence directly to stats, wins, and recent performances. When they play well, they feel confident. When they struggle, their confidence drops — and that drop in confidence makes it even harder to turn things around. This creates a frustrating cycle of slumps, pressure, and underperforming.In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains why confidence tied to results is unstable and how this pattern increases fear of mistakes, stress, and timid play. More importantly, he outlines a clear strategy to help you separate your confidence from outcomes and build belief based on controllable process habits instead.You’ll learn:Why confidence that depends on results keeps athletes stuck in slumpsHow fluctuating confidence leads to tight, hesitant performanceWhy athletes become afraid of their own reaction to mistakesHow to build confidence from preparation, effort, and mindsetHow to redefine success during games in a way that stabilizes performanceThe mindset shift required to let go of outcomes and reclaim controlIf you’re tired of feeling confident only when things are going well, this episode will help you build stable, process-based confidence that holds up under pressure — even during bad games.For athletes who want deeper support, Eli also shares how his 12-week one-on-one mental performance coaching program helps athletes build lasting confidence and mental resilience. Work with me!🧠 1-1 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/👉 Confident Competitor Academy: Go from playing with fear & anxiety to playing with confidence in just 6 weeks!👉 Mentally Tough Kid Course (for youth athletes)📖 Mind Games Book: https://a.co/d/gXZfORN📖 Athlete Mental Training Book: https://a.co/d/bfojamYFree Training: Top 5 Mental Mistakes Athletes Make*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 professional.
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Many athletes tie their self-confidence directly to stats, wins, and recent performances. When they play well, they feel confident. When they struggle, their confidence drops — and that drop in confidence makes it even harder to turn things around. This creates a frustrating cycle of slumps, pressure, and underperforming. In this episode, mental performance coach Eli Straw explains why confidence tied to results is unstable and how this pattern increases fear of mistakes, stress, and timid pl...
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What Athletes Should Do When Their Confidence Depends on Stats and Results
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