Unleash Your Inner Athlete: The Power of a Sports Persona

by | Mar 27, 2025 | Career, Community, Goal Setting

I coach athletes from middle school to the NCAA Division I level, and they all have something in common—nerves and self-doubt. Even top-ranked players in starting lineups hesitate and question their abilities. The truth? Every athlete faces these struggles. That’s why I teach mindset hacks to help them break through. This one is fun!

Have you ever stepped onto the field, court, or track and wished you could feel more confident, more aggressive or more unstoppable instead of feeling utterly weighed down by nerves? Maybe you get jittery before a big game or second-guess yourself when the pressure is on. The good news? You don’t have to bring those worries onto the field with you. Instead, you can create a whole new version of yourself—your ultimate sports persona!

Step 1: Define Your Athlete Identity

Before you hit the field, take a moment to think about the kind of athlete you want to be. Do you want to be fearless? Focused? A leader? A powerhouse of energy? Write down the qualities that describe the version of yourself that plays at their best. This is your chance to dream big and set the tone for the kind of player you want to become.

Step 2: Assign a Name, Character, or Animal

Now, give this persona a name! Maybe you’re “The Panther”—quick, strong, and always ready to pounce. Or perhaps you’re “Storm”—powerful, unstoppable, and always bringing the energy. Some athletes even choose superheroes or fictional characters who inspire them. The key is to pick something that makes you feel powerful and confident..

Step 3: Visualize & Create

Once you have your sports persona, bring it to life! Draw it, find an image that represents it, or create a vision board with inspiring pictures and words. Keep it somewhere you’ll see it often—taped inside your locker, on your bedroom wall, or even in your sports bag. When you see it, remind yourself: This is who I am when I play.

Step 4: Step Into Your Persona

When it’s game time, step into the mindset of your persona. Instead of worrying about mistakes or what others think, embody the energy and confidence of your character. This isn’t about pretending to be someone else—it’s about unlocking the best version of YOU!

The Freedom to Be Great

Creating a sports persona gives you the freedom to let go of fear, self-doubt, or hesitation. It allows you to step onto the field with a clear, powerful mindset. You get to decide who you are in the game—and that version of you is unstoppable.

So, who do you want to be? 

Casey Seidenberg is Human Better EDU’s Program Lead and Executive Life Coach. She leads our popular Take Charge of Your Life course for Middle  Schoolers and High Schoolers. She also works with graduate-level educators to Kindergarten teachers and everything in between. Email Casey at  casey@humanbetteredu.org

Are you ready to Unleash Your Inner Athlete?

Curious what coaching could do for the athlete in your life? Click the button below to book a FREE Consultation with one of our coaches and find out how coaching could help make this the best season yet.

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Gaby Jordan

President and Founder,
Human Better EDU

gaby@humanbetteredu.org
+1 917-670-8782

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