By John F. Murray, PhD Success is never an accident; it is a psychological state. Over the past 25 years, I have observed that the most elite performers—whether in professional sports or high-stakes business—share a common mental vocabulary. This collection of wisdom isn’t just a list of sayings; it is a blueprint for the mental toughness and performance excellence required to reach the top of your field.… Read the rest
Performance anxiety is that gut-wrenching fear of failing when the stakes are highest. It’s a vicious cycle where your mind and body betray your training, sabotaging the very skills you’ve spent countless hours honing. This is so much more than just pre-game jitters; it's a crippling pressure that makes your talents feel suddenly, frustratingly out of reach.… Read the rest
At its core, sports performance coaching is systematically building an athlete’s mental skills so they can deliver when the pressure is on. Think of it as strength and conditioning for your mind—a dedicated program for developing the confidence, resilience, and focus that creates a true competitive advantage.… Read the rest
This article was originally published by the Cincinnati Enquirer and features insights from Dr. John F. Murray. It is archived here for educational purposes Cincinnati Enquirer – John Eckberg – Crosstown Shootout highlight is when underdog wins prize – Mike Zilliox turned his XU hat around backward, then ambled out onto the floor at halftime at the Crosstown Shootout basketball game between University of Cincinnati and Xavier in January.… Read the rest
By Dr. John F. Murray Sports psychology is about training your mind to sharpen your game on the court. It’s how you turn mental skills like focus, confidence, and resilience into a real competitive advantage. And it’s not just some secret weapon for the pros—it’s a set of practical tools for any player who wants to be their best when the game is on the line.… Read the rest
I conducted my doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida on The psychology of sport injury. It is all about what happens in an athlete’s head after their body takes a hit. It’s the recognition that the unseen wound—the shock, the grief, the sudden loss of identity—can be just as painful and debilitating as any torn ligament or broken bone.… Read the rest
Here’s a truth every serious athlete knows: stress management techniques are skills you build, not talents you’re born with. Mastering these mental tools directly improves your focus, builds resilience, and pays off big time in your performance. It’s about learning to control your mind and body under pressure, turning what could be a roadblock into a real competitive advantage.… Read the rest