In high-performance sport, athletes are trained to win. To push harder. To prove something.
But what if real strength isn’t about proving anything - and everything about letting go?
This is the story of a former pro volleyball player who competed at the highest levels - national teams, global stages, packed arenas. And still, the biggest work he’s done didn’t come in the gym. It came from facing the quiet question that lingers when the cheering stops:
“Who am I when sport is over?”
Mental Readiness: Less About Grind, More About Grounding
During his career, “mental readiness” was often reduced to toughness. Be strong. Block it out. Perform anyway.
But he learned something deeper: true readiness comes when ego steps aside.
“Once I learned to play without ego, I stopped worrying about how I looked and started focusing on how I felt. That changed everything.”
He found strength not in perfection - but in process. In rituals. In being intentional with preparation, not just reactionary to performance.
“Readiness is about quiet rituals that help you listen to yourself. Not hype. Not noise. Reflection.”
Support Systems Were Informal - And Not Enough
Back then, mental wellness wasn’t a thing in his sport. At least not formally.
“Teammates were my only support system. No coaches were trained in it. If you were struggling, you were either silent - or seen as a distraction.”
That silence came at a cost. It fed performance anxiety and identity confusion. It also shaped how he now defines what athletes truly need.
“If a system like HONE had existed, I would’ve felt more seen. More supported. Not just as a performer - but as a person.”
A Message for Coaches: You’re Shaping Identity, Not Just Skill
Today, he works with athletes on the transition beyond sport - a time he says is often overlooked, yet deeply tied to mental wellness.
“Athletes aren’t just learning plays. They’re building identity. If that identity is based only on winning, you’re setting them up for a fall.”
His message to coaches?
“You need to train the person, not just the player. You have to see beyond the stat sheet.”
He believes coaches who model care, ask better questions, and embrace vulnerability build not just better teams - but better humans.
Advice for Athletes: Don’t Wait to Know Who You Are
His advice to today’s athletes is simple, but urgent:
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Build identity beyond sport. Don’t wait for retirement to ask who you are.
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Create rituals of reflection. Listen to yourself often.
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Challenge the culture of silence. If you need help - ask.
“You don’t lose your edge by being honest. You find it.”
This Is What Mental Readiness Looks Like
Mental readiness isn’t about blocking out emotion. It’s about understanding it.
It’s not about silencing fear. It’s about learning from it.
At HONE, we believe that identity and performance go hand in hand.
That when athletes are mentally supported, they rise higher - and stay grounded.
Because sport doesn’t last forever. But who you become through it? That’s the legacy.
Want to Learn More?
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