Most athletes (and coaches!) view doubt as being your worst enemy. Something to be avoided at all costs. I get it. Doubt can paralyze you, causing you to question your abilities and second-guess your every decision. What if I told you there was another way? Doubt can actually be a valuable tool in your arsenal. When used effectively, doubt can be harnessed to build your confidence and lead you to be your best. It lets you check in with yourself and make sure you're prepared for the challenge ahead.

The fifth Essential is learning to Manage Emotions. There is a specific reason as to why you need to MANAGE them instead of CONTROL them. Emotions are a good, healthy, and natural part of life. It’s what makes you human! The challenge comes when you experience an emotion that is too big and impacts your ability to perform in the way that you want.

Be fearless. Suck it up. No pain, no gain. Just do it.

It’s always presented as the gold standard, the thing that you are supposed to aim for and become. The best of the best athletes are fearless. They can enter into a competition and stare it down.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. The importance of being fearless is a LIE. Fearlessness occurs only when you have zero things to fear. And any time you enter into the competition area, you run the risk of losing. The fact that there is a risk means that fear will also exist. There is uncertainty in sport which turns into doubt and fear. You can’t be certain that you will get a hit, make that field goal, or win the game. It’s this uncertainty and the chance to have success in the face of the risk, that makes us love sports.