As athletes move into more advanced leagues in any sport, the competition gets stronger, faster and more skilled. The gaps in physical ability begin to shrink and as this happens, the need to have a reliable mental game becomes more and more pressing.

What really amazes me about sports is how two physically similar athletes can have such dramatically different results. One goes on to the big leagues and the other ends up working the night shift at Taco Bell.

It may interest you to know that Steve Nash, 2-time recipient of the NBA MVP Award and 6-time NBA All-Star, has out-shined many “freak of nature” competitors who were stronger, faster and more experienced since his professional career began in 1996.

“Nash spent many hours perfecting his talent. He videotaped college and NBA basketball games so he could “watch the players’ moves over and over, and then try to do them myself.” Nash thinks the visualization techniques and mental agility so useful in sports will soon be more recognized as crucial skills for all aspects of life.” (1)

New England Patriots quaterback Tom Brady, NFL MVP and 3-time Superbowl Champion, wasn’t always at the top of his game like he is now. He was seventh on the depth chart when he enrolled at Michigan State and had to fight for playing time every day. It was only after he hired a sports psychologist to help him get his mental game firing on all cylinders that things started to turn around. He finally got his big break when the New England Patriots drafted him in 2000. Since then, he’s never looked back…

“The only thing I’ve learned is that you’ve really got to prepare, because when you get that opportunity, you never know what can happen.”

- Tom Brady

Tiger Woods, winner of 14 major golf championships including the Masters, US Open, Open and PGA, was taught self-hypnosis and mental techniques at the at of 13 by Dr. Jay Brunza and still uses them to this day to get into “the zone” quickly and easily - and to remain focused and centered on the golf course.

“I always have an inner peace on the golf course. I’ve learned to trust the subconscious, and my instincts have never lied to me.”

- Tiger Woods (August 2001, Golf Magazine)