Many of my (Coach Brant) clients find themselves thinking about the end result before the game or race is even over. This is a common trap—whether it’s an athlete tightening up while holding a lead or mentally checking out after a single bad stretch. Just because you had one rough period, why let it ruin the next two?
A National Team Runner I work with struggled with this problem—their mind kept drifting to the finish line instead of focusing on each step of the race.
The solution: “Don’t write the game report before it’s over.”
Each segment of a race or game is just a chapter in a larger story. A tough start or mid-race struggle doesn’t dictate the final result. Similar to the mantra above, athletes can reinforce this mindset with other mantras like:
“I get to write this chapter.”
“I have a mind of steel – nothing throws me off.”
“I determine the outcome based on what I do now.”
These affirmations help athletes stay grounded, make better in-the-moment decisions, and remain adaptable. Instead of being trapped by thoughts of the final outcome, they stay engaged in the process—giving themselves the best chance to win or, at the very least, finish strong.
The tendency to pre-script the outcome—whether preparing excuses, celebrating prematurely, or anticipating the post-race narrative—pulls athletes out of the present moment, where real performance happens.
By resisting the urge to pre-write their post-game narrative and instead staying locked into the present, the athlete I mentioned above started making comebacks, breaking through mental barriers, and transformed their abilities as a runner leading to a national team qualification.
The game isn’t over until it’s over—so don’t write the ending before you’ve played your part.
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.
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.
Danielle Hanus, MA
Monica Russell, MA
