Athletes spend countless hours training their bodies — lifting weights, practicing skills, recovering from injuries, and improving endurance. But one of the most overlooked parts of athletic performance is the mind.
Confidence, focus, emotional control, and the ability to perform under pressure can be the difference between a good athlete and a great one.
At Midland Sports Rehab and Active Orthopedics, Mental Performance Coaching helps athletes strengthen the mental side of competition so they can perform with greater confidence, consistency, and resilience.
The Mental Side of Sports Matters
Every athlete has experienced mental challenges in sports:
- Getting nervous before a big game
- Losing confidence after a mistake
- Struggling to stay focused during competition
- Feeling pressure from coaches, teammates, or parents
- Fear of reinjury after being sidelined
- Difficulty bouncing back after a tough performance
Even physically prepared athletes can struggle mentally under pressure.
Mental Performance Coaching helps athletes develop practical tools to manage those moments and stay composed when it matters most.
What Is Mental Performance Coaching?
Mental Performance Coaching focuses on strengthening the mindset behind athletic performance.
Just like physical training improves strength, speed, and endurance, mental training improves:
- Confidence
- Focus and concentration
- Emotional control
- Stress management
- Resilience
- Leadership and communication
- Mental recovery after mistakes or injuries
Athletes learn how to train their minds to perform better during practices, games, competitions, and high-pressure situations.
Because in sports, talent alone is not always enough. The athletes who succeed long term are often the ones who can stay mentally strong through adversity.
Why Athletes Benefit From Mental Training
Sports are demanding — physically and mentally.
Athletes today face constant pressure to perform, improve, and compete at a high level. Over time, that pressure can impact confidence, motivation, and overall performance.
Mental Performance Coaching can help athletes:
- Stay calm during competition
- Improve game-day focus
- Develop pre-performance routines
- Build confidence after setbacks
- Learn how to respond positively to mistakes
- Improve motivation and mindset
- Return to sports mentally stronger after injury
These skills don’t just help athletes in sports — they help build confidence in school, relationships, and everyday life as well.
Meet Coach Kelsey
Mental Performance Coaching at Midland Sports Rehab and Active Orthopedics is led by Coach Kelsey Gustafson, who combines educational training with personal athletic experience.
As a former collegiate athlete with a Master’s degree in Sport & Human Performance, Coach Kelsey understands the pressure athletes experience both on and off the field.
Her coaching approach helps athletes:
- Build confidence
- Develop mental toughness
- Improve focus under pressure
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Create healthier performance habits
- Strengthen resilience through challenges
Whether working with youth athletes, high school competitors, college athletes, or teams, Coach Kelsey focuses on helping athletes unlock their full potential mentally and physically.
A Complete Athlete Recovery & Performance Approach
At Midland Sports Rehab and Active Orthopedics, athletes have access to a full team focused on performance, recovery, and long-term health.
Services that support athletes include:
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Assisted stretching
- Athletic recovery services
- Mental performance coaching
By combining physical recovery with mental training, athletes can create a stronger foundation for both performance and confidence.
Strong Athletes Train Their Minds Too
The best athletes are not the ones who never struggle. They are the athletes who learn how to stay focused under pressure, bounce back after setbacks, and trust themselves during competition.
Mental strength is something that can be developed — just like physical strength.
Mental Performance Coaching helps athletes gain the tools needed to compete with confidence, overcome challenges, and perform at their highest level.
Ready to strengthen your mindset and elevate your game?
👉 Book your appointment today at Midland Sports Rehab!
📞 Call 989.341.1070 to schedule
📍 Midland Sports Rehab
4710 Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI 48640