You train your body. You drill repetition. You build strength, speed, and technique. But too often, the mind is left behind — thinking that “just happens” instead of something you actively build just like your body.
That’s why Dr. Julie “Dr. J” Wiernik developed the Mental Fundamentals — a structured, accessible, easy to follow, 20-part video series designed to help athletes, coaches, and parents train the mind like a muscle. In each 3–4 minute module, you get a bite-sized, actionable lesson to build confidence, focus, resilience, and composure when it matters most. There is not a top-tier athlete whether they are local, regional or even an Olympic participant that has not worked their mental game as hard as their physical prowess.
In this blog, you’ll get behind the scenes of how this series was born, what it teaches, and why it’s a game changer for performance, at any level.
From 20 Years of Experience to a Digital Tool
Dr. J’s journey to the Mental Fundamentals started long before cameras. As a licensed sport psychologist and former collegiate athlete, she observed the same gap over and over: athletes were drilled on physical technique and game play, but mental training was rarely structured, consistent, or accessible. More of an afterthought or worse, a mental beating that created stress.
She asked: What if every athlete, coach, or parent could access mental skills training — without scheduling, location, or cost becoming barriers?
Using her broad depth of experience, Dr. J distilled her most critical teachings into 20 fundamentals — each a standalone mental skill. Each video is short by design (3–4 minutes), so the lessons are digestible, repeatable, and applicable in real time.
For parents who are committed to their young athlete excellence and mental / emotional growth, this program takes the stress out and replaces it with confidence and focus.
For young athletes who want to sharpen their edge, up their natural talent, this program activates their focus and growth.
What the Mental Fundamentals Cover
Here’s what makes the series powerful:
- Bite-sized lessons. Short modules (3–4 minutes) make it realistic to insert mental training into a busy schedule.
- Actionable tools. Each lesson includes practical strategies to use immediately — whether in practice, competition, or daily life.
- Core mental muscles. Topics include confidence under pressure, focus when it counts, resilience in setbacks, motivation consistency, anxiety management, handling distractions, perfectionism, and more. (These reflect her website’s promise.) gettingritty.com
- Progressive structure. The fundamentals build on one another — you don’t just “learn confidence” in one video and move on. Growth is cumulative.
The Mental Fundamentals aren’t just theory. They are training sessions for your brain — just like running sprints for your legs.
It Changes the Game
Democratizing mental training. Too often, sport psychology or mental performance coaching is available only to elite or professional athletes. Dr. J’s video series makes it available to anyone willing to invest — whether you’re a youth athlete, high school team, or parent supporting your child.
Bridging the gap.
- Coaches can augment physical training with mental tools.
- Parents can support without pushing or pressuring.
- Athletes can self-manage the mental side of performance.
Consistency & accountability. Because it’s built in short modules and tied to the Gettin’ Gritty Journal, the series encourages daily repetition, reflection, and growth.
Scalable impact. Rather than one-on-one coaching (which is priceless but limited in reach), the video format scales — meaning the same foundational skills reach many.
The Mental Edge (How to Use the Series)
Here’s a sample path you might follow:
- Start with the foundational modules. (Trust, identity, goal setting)
- Watch 1–2 lessons per week. Reflection + journaling in between.
- Pair with the Gettin’ Gritty Journal. Record insights, track progress, note patterns.
- Revisit modules as needed. Use videos as mental “warmups” before big games, practices, or pressure moments.
- Integrate with coaching & team routines. Encourage coaches and teams to embed mental fundamentals into drills, team meetings, and parent check-ins.
Invitation
If you’ve ever felt that mental toughness is the “missing piece” in your training, this is your roadmap. The Mental Fundamentals aren’t reserved for the elite — they are built for the many who want consistent growth, day by day. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
- 👉 Watch the series and start training your mind like your body.
- 👉 Download the Gettin’ Gritty Journal to track your mental workouts.
- 👉 Share with your team, coach, or parent, so mental skills become part of daily your routine with their support.
BONUS: Meet Dr J on Facebook!
