What exactly is mindset training?
Mindset training is how we address what’s happening in your teenage athlete’s head. She goes to the gym to work on her skills, but where does she go to work on her thoughts? Rather than leaving it to chance, she can train her mind to be growth oriented, reframe negative scenarios, and stay calm under pressure. Whether she’s making a free throw, or dealing with a negative comment from a coach, building her mindset is a direct link to building her confidence through the ups and downs of basketball. See the full Hoops Magic: Mindset Training program outline below.
Athlete Mindset Training Program
Week 1: Onboarding
In this initial session, the athlete and I get to know each other and create a comfortable environment for her to open up. We’ll discuss her goals for her participation in the program and for her season/year ahead. I’ll learn about her current confidence level, and introduce her to concepts around mindfulness and design thinking, which we’ll use as tools throughout the program.
Week 2: Presence
In this session I’ll work with your athlete to identify negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. She will learn breathing techniques to help her create presence in any moment and help her overcome her inner critic. We’ll also discuss the growth mindset, how she can use it in every day moments, and begin introducing mindfulness practices such as visualization and meditation.
Week 3: Communications
This session is dedicated to learning about your athlete's current environment and her relationships within it. We’ll discuss the dynamics with her coach(es), teammates, and begin exploring what healthy communication looks and sounds like, even when emotions are running high.
Week 4: Inspiration
In this session we discuss the athlete’s current role models, both inside and outside of sports. We’ll explore the qualities she admires, how she can model herself after those who inspire her, and develop a visual piece together that she can use to enhance her visualization exercises.
Week 5: The Media Effect
This session is when we dive into the athletes relationship to social/media, the impact it has on mental health and wellbeing, and how women are portrayed in social/media. We’ll take a look at what’s real, and what’s fabricated, so the athlete can begin understanding how to detangle her self-image from the images being fed to her through mass media sources.
Week 6: Woman Athletes
In this session we’ll discuss the changes she’s experiencing in her body, learn about cycles, the influence of hormones, and how they can impact both her athletic experience and her mental wellbeing. We’ll explore what it means to be healthy, going beyond physical fitness, and talk about the importance of nutrition, sleep, and other key signals from her body that indicate true wellness during these challenging years.
Week 7: Mindset Design
In this session we review what she has learned so far. We’ll identify what resonates, and what is most challenging as we look back at the goals set in Week 1 and assess if we are on track, or if we need to adjust. In this session we’ll also cover organizational skills, time management, and how she can fit mental health practices into her life, in addition to keeping up with school and athletics.
Week 8: Embracing Failure
As we come to the end of the program, we’ll continue to review areas where she wants to increase self-confidence, grit, or mindfulness, and create an action plan for testing. We’ll talk about failure, and how she can use it to continue developing a growth mindset, changing how he she feels about failure and using it as a tool.
Week 9: Celebration & Planning for Success
In our final session together, I’ll request parents/guardians to join as we come together, review and celebrate the progress their athlete has made over the 9 weeks. Together, we’ll practice having an open dialogue, sharing discoveries and breakthroughs, and discuss how she can continue to apply the concepts and design her life as she grows in her athletic career.
Adult Mindset Training Program
(for Parents/Guardians)
Week 1: Onboarding
In a separate onboarding with parents/guardians, I guide parents through what to expect from this program. We discuss in depth how they can best support their athlete’s mental and emotional wellbeing throughout this program. I’ll provide resources and tips to encourage and reinforce concepts learned at home. This is also a safe space for parents/guardians to share concerns or desires for their athlete’s development in the program.
Week 5: Midpoint Meeting
In a meeting for parents/guardians, we’ll discuss how the program is impacting your athlete, and create a feedback session. I can offer additional strategies, resources, and tips for implementing the practices we are developing together.
Week 9: Celebration & Planning for Success
In our final session together, I’ll request parents/guardians to join as we come together, review and celebrate the progress their athlete has made over the 9 weeks. Together, we’ll practice having an open dialogue, sharing discoveries and breakthroughs, and discuss how she can continue to apply the concepts and design her life as she grows in her athletic career.
