By Todd Durkin (Founder of IMPACT X, Mindset Coach, Author, Speaker) & Andrew Simpson (Founder of Player's Fitness and Performance)
In today’s world of sports and fitness, physical training is no longer enough. You can have the best facility, the best programming, and the best nutrition plans, but if your athletes or clients are constantly battling self-doubt, fear of failure, or loss of motivation, they will never reach their full potential.
That's why developing mindset coaching skills is no longer optional. It's essential.
At Player's Fitness and Performance (PFP), we recognized this gap early. Despite giving athletes great physical results, many were still stuck mentally. So we did something about it. We trained our team in mindset coaching, created a system for implementation, and today, not only are our athletes stronger from the neck up, but we've also added a six-figure income stream to our business by offering 1-on-1 and group mindset coaching services.
And here’s the kicker: our coaches feel more fulfilled, confident, and influential than ever.
The 5 Mental Blocks Holding Athletes Back
No matter how talented an athlete is (and many of these apply to your adult clients as well), there are invisible barriers that can sabotage their performance. Here are the five most common mental blocks we see in athletes of all ages:
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Fear of Failure
Athletes play safe, hold back, or avoid risk because they're terrified of making a mistake.
- Negative Self-Talk
"I always mess up," "I'm not good enough," or "They’re better than me." These thoughts are performance killers.
- Comparison Trap
Instead of focusing on their growth, athletes spiral into anxiety from comparing themselves to others.
- Loss of Identity
When sport becomes the entire source of self-worth, injury or failure can lead to emotional collapse.
- Lack of Trust in Themselves
Doubting their preparation, skill, or readiness causes hesitation and second-guessing under pressure.
Mindset coaching gives athletes tools to overcome these blocks, bounce back from setbacks, and build real mental resilience. It doesn't replace physical training—it enhances it.
Why You Need Mindset Coaching in Your Facility
- Increased Retention: Athletes and parents don’t just want speed and strength. They want confidence, leadership, and mental toughness. When you provide this, they stay longer.
- Differentiation: Most gyms are still just offering "strength and conditioning." When you offer a complete mental & physical transformation, you stand out. Naming your “secret sauce” as we did with The Winning Athlete Formula is the next step to adding credibility to your program.
- Coach Fulfillment: Your staff doesn’t want to just count reps. They want to change lives. Mindset coaching gives them the tools to do just that.
- Revenue Growth: Mindset coaching can be monetized as a stand-alone offer, an add-on service, or included in your high-ticket packages.
At PFP, our investment in mindset coaching has created real-life breakthroughs on and off the field—and it's now a core part of our mission.
So, How Do You Get Started?
The truth is, you can’t fake mindset coaching. It takes skill, practice, and the right tools. That’s why we created the Get Your Mind Right Mindset Certification for coaches, trainers, and fitness business owners who want to:
- Learn how to coach the mental side of performance with confidence
- Gain a proven system for integrating mindset coaching into workouts, check-ins, and team culture
- Increase impact and income by serving the whole athlete
Whether you're working with youth athletes, adults, or high performers, it's time to train the mind as intentionally as we train the body.
Because performance starts with the mind.
To learn more about the Get Your Mind Right Mindset Certification, click here and take the first step toward transforming your business, your athletes, and your impact.
Stay strong. Lead boldly. Mind right.
