As a mental performance coach, I’ve learned something powerful over the years: pressure doesn’t just affect athletes—it affects performers in every arena of life. Whether you’re stepping onto a field, walking onto a court, or standing on a stage, the mental game is often what determines how freely you perform.

Recently, I was reminded of this lesson through a conversation with a friend of mine—an executive at a company I work with. One day, he approached me looking completely rattled. He was tense, distracted, and visibly anxious. I knew something big was coming, but I let him explain.

In two weeks, he told me, he had to get on stage in front of over a thousand people—not to give a presentation, but to dance. Not lip-sync. Dance. And he wanted it to be great.

He knew I work with athletes on confidence, pressure, and performance, so he asked the question so many athletes ask in different ways: How do I calm my nerves and perform at my best when everyone is watching?

Fear is something every athlete experiences—but very few talk about openly.

Fear of failure.
Fear of letting coaches or teammates down.
Fear of not being good enough when it matters most.

If you’ve felt this before a big game, tryout, test, or performance, you’re not weak. You’re human. Fear is part of competitive sports. The difference between average athletes and elite performers isn’t the absence of fear—it’s how they respond to it.

One of the greatest minds in boxing history, Cus D’Amato, understood this better than most. He famously said:

“People who watch you judge you on what you do, not how you feel.”

Let that sink in for a moment.

Athletes often assume that others can see their nerves, doubt, or anxiety. But the truth is, they can’t. Coaches, teammates, and spectators don’t see your internal battle. They judge you by your actions—your effort, your decisions, and how you respond when pressure shows up.

That’s why fear itself isn’t the enemy.

“Get out of your own way.”

That’s the message I want athletes, coaches, and parents to really sit with.

I recently finished reading Shot Ready by Steph Curry, and it’s one of the best books I’ve come across for mental performance, confidence, and mindset. It’s packed with simple one-liners that hit hard—but one story stood out more than the rest.

Steph shared a moment he regretted from high school. As a freshman, he chose not to try out for the varsity basketball team. Not because he wasn’t prepared. Not because he didn’t love the game. But because he didn’t think he measured up.

On the day of tryouts, a friend asked if he was going to give it a shot. Steph brushed it off like he didn’t care. But internally, he noticed something: his friend was taller, bigger, and looked the part. In his mind, varsity basketball was “for him—not for me.”

That decision wasn’t about skill. It was about fear.

I have a close friend—a professional musician—explain how he reached an elite level on the guitar in record time after switching instruments. His strategy was refreshingly simple.

He didn’t practice what he already did well.

He targeted the hardest chord progressions and riffs first. The ones that felt awkward, frustrating, and uncomfortable. He worked on them relentlessly until he couldn’t get them wrong. Once they became automatic, he immediately moved on to the next weakness.

No shortcuts. No ego. No hiding.

That approach applies directly to athletic performance.

Most athletes don’t fall short because of a lack of talent, strength, or work ethic.
They fall short because they never learned how to train their mind.

You’ve already proven you’re willing to work. You’ve put in the hours, sacrificed weekends, pushed through fatigue, and done what many won’t. Physically, you’re prepared. But then the moment gets big—the tight scoreboard, the final rep, the pressure-packed play—and something shifts. Confidence wavers. Doubt creeps in. Focus drifts.

That’s not weakness.
That’s a gap in training.

In the documentary One of a Kind, baseball legend Greg Maddux emphasizes the importance of mental performance in achieving success. Maddux, a pioneer in recognizing the mental aspect of sports, invested in working with a sports psychologist to focus on controllable factors. He shifted his attention from external concerns to perfecting his pitching technique, illustrating the power of process over outcome. For athletes and professionals alike, prioritizing mental training, concentrating on what you can control, and embracing the process can lead to significant improvements in performance. Learn from Maddux’s approach to unlock your full potential.

Success is within reach when you have a clear vision, unyielding belief, and the willingness to take massive action. As a mental performance coach, I’ve seen these principles drive entrepreneurs and athletes to achieve their goals. A clear vision guides your path, belief in yourself fuels persistence, and massive action turns dreams into reality. By embracing these three steps, you can transform your life and achieve anything you set your mind to. Start today by clarifying your goals, building belief, and committing to relentless action. Your success is waiting!

Welcome back! I'm Dan Gazway, your Mental Performance Coach. Today, let's explore the power of mindset. Mindset is the key to handling life's ups and downs, especially in sports and life. Resilience shapes our journey, and maintaining a positive attitude, regardless of challenges, is crucial.

In baseball, a game of frequent failures, I learned invaluable lessons about resilience. For example, after being laid off from a job I loved, I quickly refocused, reaching out to contacts and landing a better position within weeks. This resilience was built through sports, where overcoming failure is part of the game. Embrace challenges, stay present, and learn from each experience. A resilient mindset will help you navigate life's curveballs with confidence.

Kobe Bryant's success was rooted in his unwavering dedication to the basics. Despite being an NBA all-star, Kobe's 4 AM workouts focused on fundamental drills, which he believed were key to his excellence. His philosophy of "never getting bored of the basics" highlights the importance of consistent effort and mastery of foundational skills. By returning to the basics and practicing diligently, you can build a strong foundation that enhances performance in any field. Embrace these lessons from Kobe to achieve greatness in your own pursuits.

Discover how to improve your performance under pressure by focusing on the present moment, controlling what you can, and emphasizing the process over the outcome. In high-pressure situations, ask yourself three key questions: Is the outcome important? Is it uncertain? Do you feel judged by the outcome? By staying present, managing controllables, and concentrating on the process, you can reduce anxiety and perform better. Don’t let results define your self-worth. Implement these strategies to handle high-pressure moments with confidence and poise, whether on the field, at work, or in personal relationships.

Discover three powerful strategies to enhance your performance under pressure. First, get excited about the opportunity, transforming anxiety into enthusiasm and increasing your success rate by 17-22%. Second, reframe high-pressure situations by telling yourself, "This is just like practice," reducing anxiety and improving performance. Finally, focus on what you can control, boosting your confidence and calming your nerves. Whether on the field, at work, or in personal relationships, these techniques will help you handle pressure like an elite athlete. Embrace these strategies to become more confident and capable in any pressure situation.

Hello everyone! I’m Dan Gazaway, your mental performance coach. Today, I want to talk to you about the importance of seeking opportunities that make you uncomfortable. Comfort and growth are not friends; growth happens just outside of your comfort zone. By intentionally seeking discomfort, you push your boundaries and learn new things about yourself. I’ll share examples from my life, particularly in public speaking and baseball, to illustrate how stepping out of your comfort zone leads to significant growth. Embrace discomfort, whether in public speaking, sports, or daily interactions, and watch yourself evolve. Remember, if you're too comfortable, you're slowly dying.

Playing baseball effectively requires mental fortitude and a focus on the present moment. Mental performance coach Dan Gazaway emphasizes the importance of "playing the game one pitch at a time," a philosophy that extends beyond sports into everyday life. Legendary pitcher Oral Hershiser's focus on the present pitch exemplifies this mindset. Gazaway shares his own experience, highlighting how visualization and focusing on the current pitch can enhance performance. This approach helps in overcoming past mistakes and not worrying about future outcomes. Adopting this mindset in various life aspects, such as work and personal challenges, can lead to better results and overall success.

In "Mastering the Mound: Building Confidence for Peak Performance," mental performance coach Dan Gazaway emphasizes the critical role of demeanor and presence, not only in baseball but in various aspects of life. Confidence, he explains, is conveyed non-verbally and can impact opponents' mindsets. Gazaway advises athletes to cultivate confidence in everyday situations, like maintaining good posture and making eye contact. Practical tips include visualizing success, practicing positive self-talk, and ensuring a strong handshake. Embracing these habits can prepare individuals for high-pressure moments, reinforcing the mental game, which is crucial for overall success.

My name is Dan Gazaway, your mental performance coach. Consistent effort over time always yields desired results. Whether it's staying healthy, developing skills, or achieving professional excellence, consistency is key. Stories of NBA player Jim Brogan's daily 1,000-shot routine and Nolan Ryan's unwavering workout schedule illustrate how persistence leads to greatness. In coaching, I emphasize small, consistent practices that add up over time. By focusing on consistent effort in any pursuit, you can build resilience, improve skills, and achieve long-term success. Start today, and watch your life transform.

Today, I emphasize waking up with purpose to improve your life and those around you. Intentional living, as highlighted by President Thomas S. Monson's quote, "We are the product of all we read, all we view, all we hear, and all we think," underscores this principle.

Applying purpose daily, like focusing on specific goals in practice for athletes or setting small, intentional goals for personal development, enhances productivity, relationships, and personal growth. Embrace intentional living, set clear goals, and transform your life and inspire others. Start today with purpose.

Dan Gazaway introduces time blocking, a powerful time management tool to boost productivity and balance busy schedules. Time blocking involves dedicating 15 to 90-minute segments to focus on specific tasks without distractions. Gazaway, balancing a full-time job, pitching lessons, and family life, shares practical examples like scheduling lessons, managing social media, and studying. This method has helped him and his student-athletes maintain productivity and reclaim valuable time. He encourages others to try time blocking, highlighting its effectiveness in managing time and achieving goals. For more tips, subscribe to his channel and enhance your productivity with time blocking.

Greg Maddux, known as "The Professor," displayed exceptional mental focus in his pitching career, emphasizing control over outcomes. In a notable interview, Maddux evaluated his performance by stating "73 of 78," indicating 73 out of 78 pitches were executed as intended. This approach, focusing on controllable elements rather than results, highlights three key aspects: prioritizing process over outcome, striving for precision, and building mental resilience. By applying Maddux's philosophy—focusing on controllable aspects, setting measurable goals, and evaluating based on execution—you can enhance your performance and achieve greater success in all areas of life.

Dan Gazaway shares the inspiring story of how he started his baseball coaching business from scratch. Twenty-three years ago, despite his love for his job selling weight equipment, he dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. A conversation with his coworker Terry, who encouraged him to follow his passion for baseball, sparked the idea of becoming a pitching coach. With confidence and determination, Dan started small, offering lessons in a local park. His dedication and persistence paid off, leading to a successful business built on passion and perseverance. Dan's key message: just start, believe in yourself, and take that first step.