Check out our latest blog post written by Coach Louie.
In the world of sports, greatness isn’t solely defined by skill or physical prowess. It’s about the ability to influence the game, to leave a lasting imprint that transcends the final score. This quality is what separates good athletes from the truly exceptional.
Consider elite hockey players Brad Marchand, Tom Wilson, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Sidney Crosby. Each of them possesses a unique ability to “game break,” to shift the momentum of a match in their team’s favor. They don’t just play; they impact. They understand that to excel at the highest level, they must go beyond their technical abilities and become catalysts for change on the ice.
Brad Marchand exemplifies this mindset by not only scoring crucial goals but also by disrupting opponents’ strategies. His impact isn’t just physical; it’s psychological. He knows when to push boundaries, to tilt the game in his team’s favor through sheer force of will.
Similarly, Tom Wilson’s style may be controversial, but his ability to deliver pivotal hits can swing a game’s momentum. He epitomizes the concept of making a statement on the ice, of leaving a mark that affects both teammates and opponents.
Then there are the superstars like McDavid, Matthews, and Crosby, whose offensive brilliance is matched only by their strategic acumen. They possess an innate understanding of how to break a game wide open, using their skills to dictate play and create opportunities that others might miss.
What sets these athletes apart is not just their physical talents but their ability to transform themselves into characters who thrive under pressure. These characters know how their role impacts the game and when to play it. The game is not merely a competition but a stage where they must perform. Just as actors immerse themselves in their roles, athletes must embody their game personas with intensity and focus.
This shift in perspective—from player to performer—can be transformative. It means embracing the pressure, the spotlight, and the expectations that come with being at the top of your game. It requires stepping onto the ice and owning the role they have created for themselves.
Unleashing Your Alter Ego: Getting into Character
Deciding who you want to be in the arena is more than just choosing a character; it’s about defining your alter ego—the embodiment of your ideal athletic persona. At CEP, we believe in the power of this alter ego to transform your performance. Just as an actor immerses themselves in a role, you too can channel a specific persona that enhances your abilities and mindset when competing.
The alter ego is a carefully crafted identity that embodies the ideal version of oneself as an athlete. This alter ego is characterized by specific traits, attitudes, and behaviors that align with peak performance. It’s not about pretending to be someone else, but rather about tapping into aspects of your personality that enhance confidence, focus, resilience, and intensity.
A compelling example of harnessing the alter ego in sports is Kobe Bryant’s adoption of the persona known as the Black Mamba, which was intentionally created with Todd Herman, a core mentor here at CEP. Bryant, renowned for his tenacity and skill on the basketball court, embraced the characteristics of the Black Mamba—a deadly and agile snake—to elevate his game to legendary status. The Black Mamba embodied his killer instinct in clutch moments, and his ability to strike fear into opponents. By naming and visualizing his alter ego, Bryant summoned qualities that were already within him, allowing him to access them consistently during competition.
Like Kobe, those who impact the game embrace their roles as performers. Beyond merely executing skills, they embody a mindset and presence that transforms their performance into a game-changing force.
The path to Consistent Elite Performance isn’t just about physical training or technical skills; it’s about finding your character and embodying it…consistently. Whether you’re aspiring to be the next great talent or striving to elevate your current game, remember to always examine your impact on the game. The great performers’ fingerprints are left all over every match they play.
Nicholas Santino is a Senior High-Performance Coach, PhD Candidate, and the official Mental Performance Consultant for Elite Prospects. From his specialized psychology research program, to his PhD studies, Nicholas has gained a tremendous foundation of knowledge and appreciation for the human experience. His passion for psychology has accumulated to a commitment to studying and applying positive psychology and stoicism. This commitment has led Nicholas to conduct many research studies focusing on understanding why and how some people thrive and prosper while others do not. His admiration for evidence-based solutions has propelled Nicholas to produce studies revolving around mindfulness, grit (perseverance and passion), performance, quality participation, social relationships, and well-being.
A Native of Quebec, Sara was part of the St. Lawrence University Women’s Ice Hockey team that competed in the NCAA Division 1 hockey league ECAC. During this time, Sara helped her team appear in four ECAC Hockey Tournaments and two NCAA Frozen Fours, and was a four-time member of the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Squad. Following her career at St. Lawrence University, Sara played one year of professional hockey with Lugano, where she truly honed her skills in understanding the intricate connection between mindset and performance.
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.
Natasha Habert draws from her training in sport and performance psychology, personal experiences as a competitive athlete, and deep passion for consistent high performance. She is a lifelong athlete and high performer, excelling in volleyball as both a player and coach.
Luciano’s hockey career is highlighted by his time playing college at the University of Victoria and two professional seasons in Europe. Throughout his career, he struggled with performance anxiety, a lack of consistency, fluctuations in confidence, and being caught in the results trap. This eventually led him to deviate from the main reason why anyone should play sports – for the enjoyment of the game. As a former athlete, Luciano has a unique understanding of the psychological pressures and struggles that athletes experience.
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.
Savannah Fitzgerald is earning her M.A. in Kinesiology, Sport Psychology Option at California State University, Fresno. Possessing an internal motor that fires her rage for success, Savannah forged this attribute over five years while competing as an NCAA D-I water polo player and swimmer. Combined with her opportunity to represent and compete for the United States, she feels that sport has significantly impacted her professional development. Due to her personal experience playing at all levels, Savannah’s passion for mental performance began when she struggled to overcome pre-competition nerves and post-competition processing. When she discovered a world out there that people were referring to as ‘sport psychology,’ she felt like a piece of her brain was unlocked. Reality shifted as she stumbled into a space consisting of the most beautiful blend of elite performance, mental well-being, and athletics.
Gabe is currently completing his Master’s in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria. Although Gabe played several years of high-level baseball, including a stint in the British Columbia Premier Baseball League (BCPBL), he chose hockey as his sport to pursue at the highest level possible. Gabe went on to play four years of junior hockey with the Richmond Sockeyes in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) while also coaching minor hockey. Prior to junior hockey, Gabe played 3 years in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) where he experienced the pressures and expectations of moving on to the next level. During those three years, Gabe constantly compared himself to others and struggled with coping when things did not go his way. Over time, he learned how to focus on his own process and path to the next level, while also developing strategies to improve well-being.
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.
Mia Landry is a former varsity hockey player at Brock University, where she competed at the USPORT level and was part of the 2021-22 OUA gold medal team. Mia currently represents Canada on the Women’s National Ball Hockey team and is pursuing a Master of Kinesiology Sport Psychology at her alma mater. Her research focuses on areas such as team cohesion, group dynamics, leadership styles, and sports culture.
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.
