Deep Breaths Counseling & Mental Performance

02/04/2026

You don’t have to feel confident to perform confidently.
You just have to act like the athlete you want to become.

Ask:
“What would a confident athlete do right now?”
Then do that.

02/02/2026

Nerves don’t mean you’re weak.
They mean what you’re doing matters.

Reframe nerves as:
“My body is preparing me to compete.”

01/30/2026

Mistakes aren’t proof you’re failing.
They’re feedback showing you what to work on next.

After a mistake ask:
“What does this teach me?”
Not: “What does this say about me?”

01/29/2026

This is going to be an awesome experience! We can't wait to get to work with these athletes!

Parents and Guardians,

We’re excited to share an upcoming opportunity for our players that focuses on an important part of athletic development: mental toughness.

Our board will be offering a Mental Toughness Seminardesigned for youth athletes. The session will help players learn practical skills such as building confidence, handling pressure, staying focused during games, responding positively to mistakes, and developing a growth mindset—both on and off the court.

Seminar Details:
• Who: Open to the first 40 players to sign up
• When: February 8th 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
• Where: Suffield Middle School
• Led by: Andrew Toce, LPC, CMPC

The seminar will be engaging and focused on helping athletes enjoy the game while developing resilience, confidence, and healthy habits that extend beyond basketball.

There is no cost to participate, but we will need to restrict the size of the seminar to the first 40 players that sign up. If there is a large number of families interested in this seminar we will look to add an additional seminar(s) at a future date.

Please sign up with the below link.

https://forms.gle/geGDkBh9qknJHKjEA

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to supporting our athletes’ growth both mentally and physically.

Thank you for being part of our basketball community.

Sincerely,

Suffield Travel Basketball

01/28/2026

Stress comes from trying to control things you can’t.
Confidence comes from owning the things you can.

You can’t control refs, weather, opponents, or bounces.
You can control effort, attitude, preparation, and response.

Before competition, list:
3 things you control.
Ignore the rest.

01/26/2026

Taking care of your mental health isn’t a weakness.

It’s part of being a complete athlete and a healthy human.

Check-In:
Ask yourself once a day:
“What do I need right now to feel a little better?”

01/22/2026

The best performers don’t just manage pressure — they use it.

Staying calm under stress is a trainable skill — and it’s one of the biggest competitive advantages in sport and life.

Reset Breath:
Try 4 seconds in, 6 seconds out, for 5 breaths before competition or between plays.

01/20/2026

Confidence isn’t something you either “have or don’t have.”

It’s built through preparation, self-trust, and learning how to respond to mistakes.

Confidence Builder:
Keep a short “proof list” on your phone of past wins, good performances, and hard things you’ve overcome.

01/16/2026

I just launched something new that I’m really excited about: The Mental Mindset 🧠

It’s a community for athletes and parents focused on:
✔️ Confidence
✔️ Handling pressure
✔️ Bouncing back from mistakes
✔️ Building a healthier relationship with sport

I see every week how many athletes struggle with overthinking, confidence, and pressure — and how hard it is for parents to know how to support without making things worse. This community is built to help with exactly that.

🎉 To build the founding group, the first 30 members get in FREE. After that, it will be $35/month.

If you’re an athlete, a sport parent, or a coach — this is for you.

👉 Link in bio and here to join!

https://www.skool.com/the-mental-mindset-8216/about?ref=2521749692784c20a8079ab21072f02f

01/16/2026

A bad practice doesn’t define you.
A bad game doesn’t define you.
A tough season doesn’t define you.

What defines you is how you respond, adapt, and keep going.

Reframe It:
After a tough performance, ask:
“What’s one thing I learned today that makes me better tomorrow?”

01/14/2026

You wouldn’t expect to get physically stronger without training — so why expect your mindset to just “show up” when you need it?

Mental performance is a skill. And like any skill, it can be trained, practiced, and strengthened.

Confidence, focus, composure, and resilience don’t come from luck — they come from preparation.

Mental Training Tip:
Spend 3 minutes before practice or competition visualizing yourself handling pressure well — not just performing perfectly.

01/07/2026

The second half of the youth hockey season after break can be so difficult as certain players start getting calls from coaches, while others may not. Regardless, there are a lot of things that can be done to maintain focus on the controllable aspects, while also developing and expanding on mental skills!

The second half of the hockey season is different.By now, the standings matter. Roles are more defined. Bodies are more tired. And for many athletes, the recruiting process starts to feel a lot more real.Some players are getting consistent interest from coaches.Some are hearing nothing yet.Some feel...