Mental Training: Bryant & Djokovic

Kobe Bryant: Mental Rehearsal

• Kobe Bryant trained six hours a day, six days a week, focusing on basketball skills, weight training, and track work.
• He spent as much time training his mind as he did his body.
• Bryant visualized plays during breaks in his workouts, running through every shot, pass, and defensive play.
• This mental preparation made him seem fearless on the court.
• By mentally rehearsing situations, no situation felt unfamiliar to him, eradicating the fear of the unknown.

Novak Djokovic: Positive Delusions

• In the early years of his career, Novak Djokovic was considered a choker, but he later became known as the goat in tennis.
• Djokovic set his sights on becoming the best tennis player, despite doubts from others.
• Being positively delusional means thinking beyond your current limitations.
• This positive delusion ignited a desire to strive for previously unattainable goals.
• It allowed him to change his diet, workout routine, and engagement with mindfulness.

Tiger Woods: Selfishness

• Tiger Woods has admitted that elite athletes often prioritize themselves to reach the top.
• He cut ties with friends, coaches, and ex-girlfriends to focus on his career.
• Pursuing a dream of becoming the best requires prioritizing training and performances.
• This selfishness can lead to athletes missing family events and making sacrifices.
• Tiger Woods' extreme focus on himself led to controversies in his personal life.

Eliud Kipchoge: Simplicity

• Eliud Kipchoge lives a humble life in rural Kenya despite earning millions of dollars.
• He resides with other athletes in basic dormitory rooms, focusing on running, eating, and relaxing.
• Kipchoge participates in chores like cleaning and washing clothes to stay humble.
• This is because running is one of the most humbling sports
• Kipchoge minimizes distractions and avoids temptations.
• Simplicity allows Kipchoge to devote his energy to breaking running records.

Serena Williams: Loss Aversion

• Serena Williams was driven by a hatred of losing more than a desire to win.
• She strives to avoid losses.
• The very best athletes tap in on their human drive.
• Loss aversion is a common habit among top athletes.
• Being motivated by not losing allowed her to dominate women's tennis for two decades.

Tom Brady: Self-Criticism

• Tom Brady was an underdog due to his physical attributes.
• He was his own harshest critic and focused on his weaknesses.
• Brady constantly reviewed game footage to improve his performance.
• Questioning and challenging himself on a daily basis.
• Maximized his longevity and allowed him to keep playing until his mid-40s.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Adaptive Hard Work

• Cristiano Ronaldo transformed from an exciting talent to a top goal scorer.
• He refused to rely on talent alone.
• He knew that talent fosters complacency and laziness and that it won't carry you far at the highest level.
• He remains adaptive and builds on his talent through hard work.