Using Your Mind Gym

Awhile back, one of my Jiu-Jitsu fighters had been diligently preparing for his MMA fight. He was practicing his stand-up and ground game, focusing on preparing his body for the upcoming challenge. The night of his fight, he mentioned something about using his mind gym, a term he heard from a mutual friend. I hadn’t ever heard of this before, so I asked him what he was talking about. He simply explained that he was going over the upcoming fight in his head, using his mind gym. Well that made since. That’s something most of us do without really putting a label on it or thinking about it terms of being a necessity.

I picked up on this concept and began using this term, prompting other fighters to use their mind gym on the day of their bout as they anxiously waited for their fight. The more I thought about this, the more I realized that using one’s mind gym is something we should be doing all the time, not just during the short period before the big fight.

I began making a concerted effort to think about different ways to work through the various aspects of Jiu-Jitsu, in my mind gym. This was all well and good for the time being, but I continued to think that there had to be more to this whole mind gym concept, more than just an exercise in mental visualization.

One day I decided to Google "mind gym" just to see what I would come up with. I came across a book by Gary Mack and David Casstevens entitled Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence (McGraw-Hill, 2002). I purchased it, and read it, and came to realize this was the missing link I’d been looking for.

I’m not going to give you a full book review, but rather point out some of the content and how it brought this concept together for me. It’s really nothing more than the power of positive thinking and consciously understanding how using your mind can affect how you perform, both positively and negatively.

Here are some quotes from the book:

“Ninety percent of the game is half mental.” -Yogi Berra

“You have to train your mind like you train your body.” -Bruce Jenner

Some athletes and performers describe their best-day experience as “playing in the zone.”

Studies have proven that mental training will not only enhance performance and improve productivity but also add to your enjoyment.

What you think affects how you feel and perform. Training your brain is as important as training your body.

“The mind is a powerful thing and most people don't use it properly.” –Mark McGwire

Learn to use your mind or your mind will use you. Actions follow our thoughts and images. Don't look where you don't want to go.

“The whole idea is to get an edge. Sometimes it takes just a little extra something to get that edge, but you have to have it.” -Don Shula

“The most important part of a player's body is above his shoulders.” -Ty Cobb

Sports psychology is the science of success. Studies show that within a group of athletes of equal ability, those who receive mental training outperform those who don't almost every time. Mental skills, like physical skills, need constant practice.

“Under pressure you can perform fifteen percent better or worse.” –Scott Hamilton

Everything gets interpreted. Pressure is in the brain of the beholder. Learn to view pressure as a challenge to meet rather than a threat of defeat.

“The most important attribute a player must have is mental toughness.” –Mia Hamm

“Competitive toughness is an acquired skill and not an inherited gift.” –Chris Evert

“Nothing stands between us and success but our will to win. Our warrior mentality means that once we step on the field, we are coming after you with a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude.” –Mia Hamilton

“Every time I play, in my own mind I’m the favorite.” -Tiger Woods

Confident athletes have a can-do attitude, a belief they can handle whatever comes their way.
Focus on the task – do not let negative thoughts intrude

“I may win and I may lose, but I will never be defeated” – Emmitt Smith

Your mind is like a parachute – it only works when it’s open. What did you learn today and how will it make you better tomorrow?

“Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.” -Mary Lou Retton

“It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.” -Carl Lewis

Seek progress rather than perfection.

Fear of failure makes failure more likely.

You have to learn how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” – Lou Piniella

Pace instead of race – learn to slow down and focus when you feel rushed.