Mental Training Mondays

Mental Mondays: Training the Mind Like We Train the Body

Mental toughness is the ability to perform your best in any situation—especially when things get hard. It’s not just about staying positive; it’s about using specific mental skills to manage stress, push through challenges, stay focused, and bounce back from setbacks. Research shows that athletic performance is 50–70% mental. That means preparing the mind is just as important as preparing the body.

As coaches, we train athletes physically with conditioning and technique. But sport also tests mental skills like confidence, focus, composure, and resilience. Just like flip turns and streamlines, these mental skills can be taught, practiced, and improved. The more athletes learn to take ownership of their mindset, the more success they’ll find—not just in swimming, but in life.

That’s where Mental Mondays come in. Each week this season, our swimmers will explore a new mental skill or character trait through brief, guided conversations during practice. Topics include building confidence, managing emotions like anxiety and fear, developing positive self-talk, staying motivated, visualizing success, and navigating challenges such as perfectionism and pressure. Coaches will lead group discussions and reinforce these ideas throughout the week. Families will also receive take-home talking points and resources to help connect these lessons beyond the pool.

You can read more about Mental Mondays and our season's curriculum on our website.

We’re excited to continue building our athletes’ mental capacity for training, competition, and life—one Monday at a time.

Thank you for your support,
Jessica