Page 11 - Fully Equipped Playbook

MINDSET
Consistent thoughts lead to consistent results, which leads to consistent confidence. One of the reasons that I started Fully Equipped Athlete was to help develop all aspects of an athlete's game and the mental aspect is critical for success. Sometimes, getting through failures and developing positive habits can be difficult to master on your own. That's where Fully Equipped Athlete comes in. If you want personalized, real talk on how to strengthen your mental game, then sign up for a customized, one on one session that will help take your mental game to the next level!
I struggled mentally when I first got called up to the big leagues. I shouldn't have felt this way, but in my head I didn’t feel like I belonged on the same field as the guys I grew up watching on TV. It was weird. I had worked so hard to earn the chance to be out there with them, but it was as if they were still on another level. Oh there’s Derek Jeter and Big Papi, and me. I couldn't kick this feeling on my own, so I worked with a sports psychologist to alter my mentality.
I knew that maintaining a mental edge was critical, so I knew this was the right decision. I learned to talk to myself, and would say repeatedly, “These guys are just regular guys and I am just as good as they are, that's why I'm here.” Once I could see, and believe we were all on the same field, at the same level, my mindset turned and the results started to become more positive.
But even after realizing my worth on the field, there was still fear inside of me. I was just not comfortable in the clubhouse. New kid on the block, rookie, unproven, in awe, learning my way around the stadium, finding my daily routine. The worst part was how that fear affected my game, in ways I had never experienced before. Suddenly the confident Triple-A slugger was nervous to step between the lines. At one point I struggled with warm up throws. YES, warm up throws. I developed what some call the “yips” and it was one of the worst, most confusing feelings ever. The long throws were fine, but at times I had no idea where the ball was going on short throws. I had been throwing a baseball since I was a toddler, and suddenly it's like I was learning a new skill.
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