The Mental Game Gym Podcast

Andrew Crome
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The Mental Game Gym Podcast helps athletes and parents build the mindset for high performance. Hosted by a mental performance coach, we dive into sport psychology strategies, real stories, and tools to boost confidence, focus, and resilience. Whether you're chasing a goal, coming back from a setback, or supporting your athlete, you'll learn how to train the mind like you train the body — so you can show up and play free when it matters most.

  1. The Confidence Checklist Every Athlete Needs

    Feb 11

    The Confidence Checklist Every Athlete Needs

    Click here to register for the FREE virtual workshop! Summary In this episode of the Mental Game Gym podcast, host Andrew Crome discusses the importance of building confidence in athletes. He emphasizes that confidence is not a feeling to wait for but a skill that can be developed through intentional practice. Crome introduces a confidence checklist, highlights the significance of setting intentions, and explains how to manage unhelpful thoughts. He also discusses the necessity of resetting after mistakes, stepping into discomfort for growth, and celebrating actions over outcomes. The episode concludes with a focus on values as the core of an athlete's identity and introduces the Know, Grow, Show cycle for sustainable confidence. Sound Bites "Confidence is not something you wait for; it's built." "Stepping into discomfort is essential for growth." "Confidence is a skill that can be trained and improved." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Preparation for Athletes 01:52 Building Confidence: A Skill, Not a Feeling 04:11 The Confidence Checklist: Intentions and Actions 08:28 Managing Unhelpful Thoughts and Feelings 11:25 The Importance of Resetting After Mistakes 16:26 Stepping into Discomfort to Build Confidence 21:38 Celebrating Actions Over Outcomes 24:10 Connecting to Values for Sustainable Confidence 27:36 Conclusion: Confidence as a Skill to Train Keywords mental performance, confidence, athletes, mental skills, Olympic preparation, sports psychology, resilience, intention setting, unhelpful thoughts, resetting mistakes

    30 min

  2. Feb 4

    What You Don’t See: Inside the Mental Prep of Olympians

    Keywords Olympics, mental preparation, emotional regulation, visualization, mental toughness, athlete mindset, performance coaching, resilience, mental training, sports psychology Summary In this episode of the Mental Game Gym podcast, Andrew Crome delves into the often unseen mental preparation that Olympians undergo. He discusses the importance of mental training, emotional regulation, and visualization techniques that athletes use to prepare for competition. Crome busts common myths about Olympians, emphasizing that they experience nerves just like everyone else, but they have developed strategies to manage them. He provides practical tools for listeners to implement in their own performances, highlighting the significance of mental resilience and preparation for unexpected challenges. Takeaways Olympians engage in extensive mental preparation. Everyone experiences nerves; it's how you manage them that matters. Confidence is built through consistent practice and small wins. Mental toughness involves acknowledging emotions, not ignoring them. Visualization should include rehearsing adversity, not just success. Athletes prepare for unexpected challenges as part of their training. Emotional regulation techniques can be applied by anyone, not just Olympians. Naming and noticing feelings can help regain control during pressure situations. Creating a pre-performance reset can enhance focus and performance. The mental work behind Olympic success is accessible to everyone. Sound bites "Everyone gets nervous." "Prepare for the unexpected." "Emotional regulation is key."

    15 min
  3. How to Stop Overthinking and Compete with Clarity

    Jan 28

    How to Stop Overthinking and Compete with Clarity

    Summary In this episode of the Mental Game Gym podcast, host Andrew Crome discusses the importance of mental toughness and how to manage self-doubt and negative thoughts. Through the story of a gymnast named Maya, he introduces a mindset shift that encourages athletes to view their thoughts as pieces on a chessboard, rather than trying to eliminate them. Crome outlines a three-step process to help athletes relate to their thoughts differently and refocus on their performance goals. He emphasizes the need for practice and offers insights from the British Olympic rowing team to illustrate the importance of focusing on progress rather than self-doubt. Takeaways Mental toughness is about showing up despite negative thoughts. You are not your thoughts; you are the observer of them. Visualizing thoughts as chess pieces can help manage them. It's important to notice thoughts without judgment. Focusing on what matters in the moment is key to performance. The British Olympic rowing team asks, 'Will it make the boat go faster?' Practice is essential for developing mental skills. You can still perform well with doubts present. Being the board means holding space for all thoughts. Responding with action instead of overthinking leads to success. Sound bites "This takes practice. This takes time." "Will it make the boat go faster?" "Just notice that battle, be the board." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Game Gym 00:33 The Mindset Shift: Competing with the Noise 01:03 The Story of Maya: A Gymnast's Struggle 04:37 The Chessboard Analogy: Thoughts as Pieces 06:06 Practicing Mental Toughness: A Three-Step Process 08:11 Focus on Progress: The British Olympic Rowing Team 09:22 Conclusion: Be the Board, Not the Pieces Keywords mental game, mindset, mental toughness, athletes, performance, self-doubt, focus, resilience, mental skills, competition

    11 min
  4. Not Getting The Game Time You Expected? How To Prepare For Your Opportunity

    Jan 21

    Not Getting The Game Time You Expected? How To Prepare For Your Opportunity

    Summary In this episode, Andrew Crome addresses a common challenge faced by athletes when they transition to a higher level of competition. Many athletes who have previously been stars on their teams find themselves struggling to adapt when they move up, often feeling overlooked and confused by their reduced playing time. Crome emphasizes that this experience is not a personal failure but rather a natural part of growth. He introduces the concept of 'hinge moments,' which are pivotal opportunities that can arise unexpectedly, and stresses the importance of being mentally and physically prepared for these moments. Crome provides practical strategies for athletes to navigate this transition effectively. He encourages a shift in focus from status—such as starting positions and scoring—to standards, which include daily training habits and personal improvement. By setting controllable goals and maintaining a positive mindset, athletes can build resilience and readiness for their next opportunity. The episode concludes with actionable steps for listeners to implement in their training routines, reinforcing the idea that growth often occurs outside of immediate rewards and recognition. Keywords athlete mindset, mental performance, hinge moments, sports psychology, athlete transition, motivation, training habits, confidence, personal growth, sports coaching Takeaways "You're just in the early chapter of growth at a higher level." "The bench is not where your career ends. The bench is where a lot of careers are built." "Opportunity doesn't reward potential. It rewards preparation." "When you've always been the best, you can accidentally start believing that being the best is the price of admission to feel confident." "Start measuring success by your standards, your values." Sound bites "New level, new learning curve." "Opportunity doesn't reward potential. It rewards preparation." "If you're moving up a level and your role changes, it doesn't mean that you're failing." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Athlete Transitions 01:51 Understanding the Hinge Moment 04:09 Shifting Focus: Status vs. Standards 05:55 Mental Mythbusters: Growth Without Game Time 06:29 Preparing for Your Hinge Moment 07:58 Five Ways to Prepare for Opportunity 12:25 Wrapping Up: Embracing Change and Growth

    14 min
  5. The Mental Warm-Up Every Athlete Needs

    Jan 14

    The Mental Warm-Up Every Athlete Needs

    Summary In this episode of the Mental Game Gym Podcast, Andrew Crome discusses the critical role of mental preparation in achieving peak performance. He emphasizes that success under pressure is not about luck but about preparation. Through practical tools and a structured approach, he guides listeners on how to develop a mission mindset, create a game script, and activate their game face. The episode also highlights the importance of visualization and navigating choice points during performance, ultimately encouraging athletes to take control of their mental game. Takeaways Mental preparation is essential for peak performance.Hope is not a strategy; preparation is key.A mission mindset defines your competitive intent.Your game script outlines specific actions to take.Game face activation helps trigger your competitive identity.Visualization is a powerful tool in sports psychology.The choice point is where mental preparation pays off.It's not about the setback, but how you respond.Confidence comes from consistent preparation, not hype.Take control of your mental game to enhance performance.Keywords mental preparation, performance, mindset training, athletes, visualization, game face, mission mindset, game script, mental performance coach, confidence

    16 min
  6. Stay C.A.L.M.: The 4-Step Reset for Athletes Under Pressure

    Jan 7

    Stay C.A.L.M.: The 4-Step Reset for Athletes Under Pressure

    Keywords mindfulness, sports performance, mental game, CALM tool, emotional regulation, focus, pressure management, athlete training, mental resilience, competitive advantage Summary In this episode of the Mental Game Gym podcast, Andrew Crome discusses the importance of mindfulness in sports performance. He introduces the concept of mindfulness, debunks common myths, and explains how it can serve as a competitive advantage for athletes. Andrew presents the C.A.L.M tool, a four-part mental reset strategy designed to help athletes manage pressure and maintain focus. The episode includes practical exercises and real-world examples to illustrate the effectiveness of mindfulness in high-pressure situations. Takeaways Mindfulness is a skill that can be trained. Being present helps athletes avoid getting stuck in the past or future. Mindfulness is about focusing your mind, not clearing it. Athletes can bounce back faster from mistakes with mindfulness. Mindfulness enhances emotional regulation and reduces anxiety. The CALM tool helps athletes act with intention under pressure. Adaptability is crucial for athletes in changing situations. Letting go of mistakes allows athletes to stay focused. Mental focus is essential for performance consistency. Mindfulness can be applied in everyday life, not just sports. Sound bites "Mindfulness is a competitive advantage." "Mindfulness helps you stay in the present." "Mindfulness gives you space to choose." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness in Sports 01:31 Understanding Mindfulness: Definition and Misconceptions 05:02 The Science Behind Mindfulness and Performance 07:00 Real-World Examples of Mindfulness in Action 08:47 Introducing the CALM Tool for Athletes 14:01 Applying CALM: A Practical Exercise 16:49 Conclusion: Mindfulness as a Tool for Control

    18 min
  7. How to get into the zone before the game starts

    12/24/2025

    How to get into the zone before the game starts

    Keywords Game Day Power Level, mental performance, athlete mindset, confidence, pregame routine, energy management, performance psychology, sports psychology, mental game, athlete preparation Summary In this episode of the Mental Game Gym podcast, Andrew Crome discusses the concept of Game Day Power Levels, a tool designed to help athletes find their optimal mental and physical state before performance. He explains the three power levels—low, optimal, and overload—and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and preparation in achieving peak performance. The conversation also addresses common myths about confidence in sports and provides practical strategies for athletes to manage their energy levels effectively. Crome encourages listeners to develop a pregame routine that aligns with their ideal power level to enhance their performance consistently. Takeaways Game Day Power Level helps athletes find their optimal performance state. There are three power levels: low, optimal, and overload. Self-awareness is crucial for managing performance energy. Confidence comes from preparation, not external events. Don't wait for a big play to feel ready; train your mindset. Every athlete has a unique ideal power level. Develop a pregame routine to achieve your optimal state. Recognize patterns in your performance related to power levels. Use music and self-talk to boost energy before games. Breathing techniques can help calm nerves before performance. Sound bites "I just need to make a big play." "Train yourself to be ready." "Don't wait to feel ready."

    16 min
  8. High Performance Parenting With Eira Parry

    12/17/2025

    High Performance Parenting With Eira Parry

    Keywords High Performance Parenting, youth sports, parental support, athlete development, coaching, sports psychology, parenting tips, athlete autonomy, goal setting, team selection Summary In this conversation, Andrew Crome and Eira Parry discuss the vital role of parents in supporting young athletes. Eira, the founder of High Performance Parenting, shares insights on how parents can navigate the complexities of youth sports, emphasizing the importance of emotional support, autonomy, and character development over mere outcomes. They explore strategies for effective communication, goal setting, and handling the pressures of competition, ultimately advocating for a balanced approach that fosters both athletic and personal growth in children. Takeaways Parents play a crucial role in supporting young athletes. Emotional support is more important than technical advice during competitions. Encouraging autonomy helps children develop life skills. Post-game conversations should focus on effort and process, not just outcomes. Parents should avoid adding pressure during competitions. Goal setting should involve the child’s input and can focus on enjoyment. Team selection can be a source of conflict; understanding the process is key. Mistakes are part of the learning process; embrace them as opportunities. Parents should also enjoy the sports journey, not just facilitate it. Character development is more important than winning. Sound bites "Sport can shape great human beings." "Parents should enjoy the journey too." "Who do I want my child to become?" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to High Performance Parenting 03:45 The Journey of a High Performance Coach 06:04 Understanding Parental Involvement in Sports 08:53 Supporting Young Athletes from the Sidelines 11:40 Navigating Game Day Dynamics 14:03 The Importance of Communication After Performances 16:32 Managing Pressure and Expectations 18:57 The Role of Parents as Cheerleaders 21:25 Preparing for Competition Day 24:03 Embracing Mistakes and Learning 26:35 Goal Setting and Expectations in Sports 30:22 The Power of Goal-Setting 33:35 Navigating Team Selection Conflicts 38:02 Building Independence in Young Athletes 40:26 Fostering Character Development Through Sport 42:52 Quickfire Round: Fun Insights and Reflections

    51 min
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The Mental Game Gym Podcast helps athletes and parents build the mindset for high performance. Hosted by a mental performance coach, we dive into sport psychology strategies, real stories, and tools to boost confidence, focus, and resilience. Whether you're chasing a goal, coming back from a setback, or supporting your athlete, you'll learn how to train the mind like you train the body — so you can show up and play free when it matters most.

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