Since 2019, I have worked with nearly 100 high-performing teams and dozens of athletes at all levels around the country. I have never had more clarity about what it takes to be in the best position to max out when it matters the most. Teams and athletes tell me that the sport of volleyball is anywhere from 30% to 70% mental under normal situations. They also acknowledge that most volleyball players don’t train their minds nearly enough. But what if your team goal is to win a state championship and it is 13-13 in set 5 and you’re at the service line. How much of that next serve is mental now? Most athletes say it is 90-95% mental in those moments!
My goal is for you to get your mind and body in sync and to be able to execute what you’ve trained to do. I fully believe we can train mentally for the biggest of moments like we do for any physical skill. Because I always say if you can’t do it when it matters, what’s the point?
FOREWORD BY JORDAN LARSON
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNER AND THE MOST DECORATED VOLLEYBALL PLAYER IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
Leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, I knew it would be a different experience for me for many reasons. One of my biggest concerns was that this could be my last time representing the United States. How did I want the experience to look and feel? I had this ideal scenario in my mind, but what if it wasn’t going to work out like that? How was I going to respond? Secondly, I was concerned about how my body would show up physically. I knew I had done my best to put myself in the best place possible, but sometimes when you are in the arena, you don’t really know. Lastly, we as a team put in so much work off the court around role clarity, accountability, and striving for something that has never been done before in the history of USA Volleyball. With all these emotions and uncertainties, I wanted to make sure I had addressed everything before we left.
I had met Dr. Widman on several occasions through my association with Nebraska Volleyball and guest appearances on the Max Out Mindset podcast. We visited several times leading up to the Olympic Games. I knew how important it was to talk about those things, but I never realized how impactful it was until I took some time to reflect after the Games.
I have always been a player who enjoys speaking on high performance and the mental side of the game, but being able to talk about fears and what I wanted my experience to look like at these Olympic Games really helped me stay present, enjoy the process, and cope with all of it beforehand. When those fears and uncertainties came up there, I was fully prepared to see those feelings, acknowledge them, and let them pass.
I am so grateful for Doc’s willingness to give me his time and tools to help me feel my best. I was able to acknowledge and realize that my concerns and fears are normal. It’s how you respond and how you do the work that matters.
In Max Out Mindset for Volleyball, Doc will share with you challenges that elite performers and teams face. In addition, he will give you strategies to be in the best position to max out when it matters the most.
Jordan Larson
Three-time Olympic medal winner, 2020 Olympic gold medalist, 2014 world champion
