Introduction
Every athlete practices the same physical drills over and over — ground balls, free throws, swings, serves. But how often do they practice mental training?
In sports, we invest in strength coaches, nutritionists, and physical therapists. Yet the single factor that determines whether athletes thrive or burn out — their mindset — often goes untrained.
Dr. Julie “Dr. J” Wiernik, licensed sport and performance psychologist and founder of Gettin’ Gritty, believes it’s time to change that. Her mission: make mental training as routine as physical practice.
1. The Hidden Gap in Athlete Development
Athletes are told to “stay focused,” “be confident,” and “shake it off.” But nobody shows them how.
Coaches emphasize mechanics and game strategy, but rarely teach how to manage anxiety, perfectionism, or fear of failure. Parents cheer from the stands, unsure what to say after a tough game. And players — especially young ones — are left believing their struggles are weakness rather than normal human psychology.
“Everyone takes ground balls,” Dr. J says, “but who’s teaching them how to take a mental one?”
That’s the gap she’s closing.
2. What Mental Fundamentals Really Teach
Dr. J’s Mental Fundamentals video series was built to fill that coaching gap. Each short lesson trains the essential mental “muscles” that determine performance under pressure. This seemingly small addition is the difference between good and great:
- Focus: Blocking distractions and staying present.
- Confidence: Rebuilding belief after setbacks.
- Resilience: Bouncing back when things don’t go as planned.
- Calm: Managing nerves before competition.
- Identity: Remembering who you are beyond your stats.
- Communication: Handling coaches, teammates, and parents effectively.
The bonus is these skills don’t just apply to sports — they translate to academics, relationships, and career success. Mental fundamentals are life fundamentals in so many ways.
3. Why Don’t We Train the Mind?
It may seem like mental training is an obvious skill needed for outstanding athletic performance. Then why is it so often an overlooked part of an athlete’s day? There are three main reasons mental training has lagged behind:
- Stigma: Many still see mental coaching as something you need only when “something’s wrong.”
- Access: Most sport psychologists are concentrated at elite or collegiate programs.
- Cost and time: Traditional therapy or coaching sessions can be expensive and inconsistent.
The result? To many athletes never learn to master the part of the game that matters most — their mindset. Dr. J’s program fills this critical gap in being the kind of athlete that takes their place on the diaz.
4. Dr. J’s Mission: Make Mental Training Mainstream
Through the Gettin’ Gritty Journal and Mental Fundamentals video library, Dr. J has made mindset training accessible for every athlete — from 8-year-olds learning to compete, to college players chasing scholarships, to parents navigating high-pressure seasons.
Her philosophy is simple: mental health isn’t just about fixing problems — it’s about building strength before problems start.
“You wouldn’t skip conditioning before a season,” she says. “Why skip mental conditioning?”
5. How to Integrate Mental Coaching Into Everyday Practice
Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, here’s how to start:
- Schedule it like practice. 10 minutes before training — one video lesson, one journal reflection.
- Normalize the talk. Coaches should discuss mental skills as performance tools, not therapy.
- Model it. Parents and coaches can share their own mental routines or how they manage stress.
- Repeat. Confidence and focus grow from repetition, just like muscle memory.
Call to Action
The next generation of athletes needs more than talent — they need tools. Start training the mental game today.
👉 Explore the Mental Fundamentals video series.
👉 Download the Gettin’ Gritty Journal.
👉 Share this post with a coach or parent who can help change the culture.
BONUS: Learn more about Dr. J on her Facebook page!
