My Mental Skills Story
As an athlete, I always prided myself on my mental toughness. I thrived in tense games. In fact, I often found myself in clutch situations because I was able to keep my head and perform unshaken. But that all changed when I got to college.
Playing softball at the highest level destroyed my confidence. Instead of focusing on the game in front of me, I started worrying about what my coaches would say to me if I failed. What my teammates would think of me. If they would take my spot. If I even had a spot in the first place. Instead of the cool confidence I once exuded, my thoughts on the field were now “What if this pitch doesn’t work?” “What if I strike out looking?” “What if I bobble a grounder?” This wasn’t me. This wasn’t how I knew I could play.
At that time, I didn’t have the resources to make the changes I should have made. I spiraled deep into performance anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout before I realized something had to change. I left my college team after a year and a half, but I wasn’t ready to leave the sport. I began coaching lessons right away with a focus on positivity and finding what worked for each individual athlete.
Now, ten years removed from my playing days, I’ve learned how to overcome the challenges I struggled with in my last few years as an athlete. I’ve also committed myself to ensuring that none of my athletes feel as lost and hopeless as I did, and to preparing the next generation of athletes with the mental skills they need to succeed on and off the field. To do so, I incorporate the mental side of the game into every practice and lesson I teach, but I still wanted to do more.
In 2023, I earned my certification as a Mental Game Coaching Professional through Peak Performance Sports in Florida. Through this program, I am qualified to teach the mental game to athletes of all ages in a positive, educational setting.
Why Mental Skills Training?
It’s hard to measure the mental game, but it is such a huge piece of our sport. Softball players have to prepare their minds for the next pitch, the next play, the next out–knowledge of the game that is indisposable, but what happens when it doesn’t translate to the way they play?
That’s where mental skills training comes in.
Although it is often overlooked, the mental side of the game benefits athletes by helping them learn to manage challenges, set and achieve attainable goals, and cultivate healthy relationships not only with their coaches and teammates, but with themselves, as athletes and beyond.
Mental skills training might be right for you or your athlete if:
- She performs well in practice but underperforms in competition
- She feels tense or worried, or can’t shake the pre-game jitters
- She struggles to move past mistakes
- She is recovering from an injury and can’t practice her physical skills
- She wants to increase her confidence and focus
- She wants to elevate her game to the next level!
What’s Included
Each of my mental skills coaching packages begins with a free fifteen-minute consultation call, a mental game self-assessment, and a discovery session, in which we meet in-person or remotely to determine the focus of your mental skills journey.
Each package also includes the following:
- A set number of in-person or remote coaching sessions (typically once a week)
- Customized mental training program
- Comprehensive mental skills analysis
- Progress tracking throughout the program
- Mental training worksheets and workbooks
- Individualized mental and applied physical “homework” assignments
- Availability to ask questions via text or email between sessions
- A complimentary, personalized journal for your athlete to record her thoughts and progress
Services
Mental Skills Coaching Packages – In-Person or Remote
One month: $400 – Four mental coaching sessions, comprehensive analysis, customized mental skills training program, mental training worksheets and workbooks, and personalized journal.
Three month: $1200 – Twelve mental coaching sessions and all additional amenities.
Six month: $2400 – Twenty-four mental coaching sessions and all additional amenities.
Any mental coaching session can be upgraded to a deluxe session with one week advance notice. Deluxe sessions include the mental coaching session followed by a half-hour hands-on pitching or hitting lesson where the mental skill will be practiced and directly applied to the physical skill.
Team Seminars
Team seminars are a great way to improve your team’s chemistry and approach to the game. Contact me for more information or to schedule a team seminar!
Consultation Call – Free!
A free fifteen-minute consultation call to discover if mental skills coaching is right for you. Schedule yours by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.
Start your journey to a better mental game today.
Zaranek Softball Training 