Great athletes face highs and lows—streaks of success followed by tough challenges. When results are inconsistent, self-doubt can creep in. The natural tendency is to link performance to identity: “I played poorly, therefore I’m not good.” But elite performers don’t let results dictate their confidence. Instead, they develop a mindset that seems almost… delusional.
The Power of ‘Delusional’ Confidence
What if, instead of questioning their abilities, an athlete fully committed to their belief in themselves—regardless of external results? This mindset doesn’t mean ignoring reality; it means refusing to let temporary setbacks define their long-term capabilities.
A high-level basketball player I worked with embodied this approach. We called it the ‘3s Over 2s’ mindset. This meant he was willing to pull up for a 3-pointer over taking an open layup— because he believed so strongly in his shot. He embraced the idea that others might see him as ‘delusional.’ This didn’t mean he would take a 3 over an open 2 (as the context of the game might dictate that). Instead it was about his mentality — that he wasn’t worried what people thought of him when took a shot.
We wanted him to feel “I don’t care if they think I’m delusional — I’m going to keep trusting my shot.” This was the confidence he needed when shooting, and it is especially important after he misses a few shots.
This is a powerful way to stop worrying about what others think of you. And it is why you will see many of the greatest athletes in the world embrace extraordinary levels of confidence. Because if they don’t they could not sustain their performance. If McDavid let a couple of games with no points shake his confidence, then he would struggle to keep making plays and get back on the score sheet. He would start playing safe or scared and stop taking the necessary risks to make plays.
To be clear — these superstars still have doubts. They are human.
What matters is having a way of processing the doubt and getting back to that “delusional” level of confidence.
Dissolving the Illusion of the Masses
This concept connects closely with the idea of being ‘disillusioned.’ The illusion that is embedded in sports is that:
Losing, mistakes, struggling = athlete sucks
Winning, making plays, succeeding = athlete is great
Although there might be truth to this when looking at the bigger picture and a large sample of results. But when looking at moment to moment, day to day, or week to week this is an illusion. Many athletes get caught up in the variability of the short-term results and, therefore, experience yo-yo confidence that goes up and down with it.
Notably, when they struggle, they let the results create an internal identity crisis — which is the main catalyst for a downward spiral.
But the key point here is that it is an illusion.
You can dissolve the illusion that short-term results dictate your capabilities.
The truly elite don’t ride the emotional rollercoaster of wins and losses. They trust their preparation, believe in their abilities, and detach their self-worth from temporary outcomes.
They are disillusioned!
Applying this Mindset Effectively
This confidence switch isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about choosing how to engage with it. In competition, athletes must fully trust themselves. Then, after the performance, they can step back, reflect, and refine.
However, some athletes struggle because they carry this ‘delusional’ confidence everywhere, which can lead to arrogance and poor interpersonal relationships. The key is knowing when to turn it on and off.
Similarly, adopting this mindset doesn’t mean being blind to improvement—it means refusing to let setbacks shake your self-belief. It’s about dissolving the illusions, trusting the work, and going for it whole-heartedly.
This blog was written by Coach Cassidy.
Blair has over 13 years of experience as a Professional Dancer, Assistant Dance Captain & Cast Manager, as well as an additional 17 years of training. Over the last 3 decades, she has lived and experienced first hand the highest of highs & lowest of lows that come with pursuing a career in the Performing Arts.
Alexis Woloschuk is a name synonymous with mental fortitude in the world of professional hockey. Throughout her career originating playing boys hockey, going to an academy away from home, playing her four years at Boston University and 7+ years in pro hockey she’s learned the importance of resilience, confidence, and dismissing both fear and other’s opinions. With a blend of relatability, confidence, and an acute understanding of playing to one’s potential, Alexis helps athletes reshape the way they perceive and harness the power of their minds.
Sean Mahoney is a member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), and a Master’s candidate in the Sport and Performance Psychology program at the University of Denver. For as long as he can remember, Sean has been fascinated by human performance and how to gain an edge over the competition. For most of his athletic career, he focused on the physical aspect of performance but neglected the mental. Because of this, he struggled with performance anxiety, focus issues, and limiting beliefs pertaining to confidence and self-doubt. His lack of focus on optimizing his mental game prevented him from reaching his full potential.
Louie is a mental performance coach from Toronto, Canada with a professional hockey career spanning over 14 years. Being a standout player at the University of Michigan, Louie was a Hobey Baker finalist and a 1st team All-American, which led him to getting drafted by the Ottawa Senators and playing in renowned leagues across the globe, including the DEL, SHL, and AHL.
As a former member of McMaster University’s women’s soccer team, Emilie intimately understands the demands and challenges athletes face on and off the field. Although she encountered many challenges as a high-level athlete, particularly struggling with self-doubt and overthinking, Emilie was able to make a remarkable transformation when she began to embrace the principles of sports psychology.
Max is currently attending William James College, where he is earning a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Masters Degree in Professional Psychology. During his time as an undergraduate student, Max was inducted into the International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi), and played on the Quinnipiac University men’s club ice hockey team.
Danielle Hanus, MA
Monica Russell, MA
