Why Trying too Hard Hurts Athletic Performance

In this episode, I explain why trying too hard during games can actually hurt your performance. I break down how pressure leads to forcing outcomes, how that creates tension and slows reaction time, and the mindset shift you need to make to play freely and perform at your best in competition.

🧠 Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes:
If you struggle with overthinking during games, feeling tense under pressure, or playing worse in competition than you do in practice, I work with athletes through my 12-week one-on-one mental performance coaching program.
Together, we build the mental skills needed to trust your instincts, stay present, and perform freely in high-pressure moments.

Learn more: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-performance-coaching/

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why trying to force results leads to worse performance
• How pressure creates tension and blocks your natural ability
• The difference between effort and force during competition
• Why focusing on outcomes takes you out of the present moment
• How tension slows reaction time across all sports
• The mindset shift that helps you play freely and trust your instincts

🧠 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.

Schedule a free introductory call: https://www.successstartswithin.com/get-coaching/

🥇Team Mental Performance Coaching Program: https://www.successstartswithin.com/mental-coaching-for-teams/

👉 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...