Game day pressure is real, and it can throw us off before we even start. But what if we could train our minds like we train our bodies? VIS Expert and Sports Psychologist Ashley Zapata, PsyD, shares how we can handle nerves, reframe anxiety, and build a mindset that helps us show up strong, focused, and ready to compete.
Topic: Mind
September 06 2025
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It’s the morning of an important competition. You’ve got the pre-game jitters and nerves. Your heart’s already racing and you’re not even on the field yet.
You keep picturing all the ways you could fail. What if you miss an easy lay-up, lose a ground ball battle, or somehow score an own goal. These intrusive thoughts and pre-game jitters can feel insurmountable.
Regardless of your sport and intensity level, competition day can be scary and overwhelming. To perform at your b...