For many athletes, the hardest battles aren’t against an opponent - they’re against self-doubt, pressure, and the fear of making a mistake.

This is the story of a former university baseball player who, like so many others, was trained for physical readiness - but left to figure out mental readiness on his own. He’s chosen to remain anonymous, not out of fear, but to shine a light on what so many athletes quietly carry.

Because mental readiness shouldn’t be something you learn the hard way.

Mental Readiness: Not Just for Game Day

Back then, his version of mental readiness meant doing everything right: warming up with intention, studying the opponent, crafting a game plan.

“I found being physically prepared helped me be almost fully mentally ready. But the real test came after failure. That’s where things got harder.”

Bouncing back from mistakes wasn’t easy - especially in high-pressure moments.

“Striking out with the bases loaded. Making an error that leads to runs. That stuff stuck with me. It was hard to reset, to feel confident again in the short term.”

He described his mindset visibly shifting after a misstep - going from “hit it at me”' to “don’t hit it at me.” From confidence to avoidance.

But when he was mentally ready? Everything changed.

“When I’m confident and relaxed, I see pitches better, move better, react quicker. There’s no hesitation or worry. That’s when I perform best.”

The Silent Culture of Sport

Like many athletes, he didn’t have access to formal mental wellness support — and he didn’t even know to ask for it.

“There wasn’t anything specific for athletes. Schools had general counselling, but it wasn’t talked about in sport. You just figured it out - or didn’t.”

Still, teammates and coaches offered informal encouragement. And he turned to online resources to fill the gap.

“I picked up strategies here and there - breathing, visualization, routines. But I was learning alone. Trial and error.”

That experience is what drives his message today.

“Mental wellness wasn’t a common topic. We need to make it something athletes feel safe talking about - because they can’t always manage it alone.”

Advice for Athletes: Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body

He offers practical advice to today’s athletes who want to build true readiness:

• Notice your body: Can you feel your heart rate spike? Can you calm it down?

• Practice pressure: Mentally put yourself in big moments before they happen.

• Visualize success: Recall what great execution felt like — and lock that in.

• Build a plan: Analyze opponents. Know the tendencies. Prepare strategically.

“Having a plan makes it easier to execute. It gives you confidence. You’re not reacting - you’re responding.”

Advice for Coaches: What You Model, They Mirror

His biggest takeaway for coaches is clear:

“Create a team culture where everyone supports one another. When athletes feel safe, they stop playing to avoid failure - and start playing to succeed.”

And just as important?

“Be a good role model. Support your own wellness. Athletes often mirror your behavior - good or bad.”

He sees massive potential in systems like HONE that prioritize wellness and readiness before things break down.

“Even just giving a coach insight into how an athlete is doing - physically or mentally - could change how they train, how they talk, how they lead.”

This Is What Mental Readiness Looks Like

Mental readiness isn’t just about staying calm under pressure - it’s about knowing how to come back from failure.
It’s about preparation, support, and mindset - all working together.

At HONE, we equip coaches with the tools to create that kind of environment. Where athletes are seen. Where culture drives performance. And where mental readiness isn’t left to chance.

Because when readiness is built into the system, athletes don’t just get through the season - they grow for life.