mindset
May 28, 2026 5 min read
The Mental Game: How to Perform Under Pressure on Competition Day
The bar is loaded. The crowd is watching. Your hands are chalked. Everything you've trained for comes down to this moment — here's how to make it count.
- 1.Deep breath in — hold 3 seconds — exhale fully
- 2.Visualization of a perfect lift
- 3.One power phrase (mine: "I've done this a thousand times")
- 4.Aggression trigger — slap, stomp, or whatever works for you
Competition is a Skill
Like any skill, performing under pressure can be trained. Most athletes spend 100% of their prep on physical training and 0% on the mental side. This is a massive mistake.
The Pre-Attempt Routine
Every top competitor has a ritualized pre-attempt routine. Mine takes 90 seconds:
Dealing with Missed Lifts
Misses happen. Even to champions. The athletes who succeed are the ones who reset within 30 seconds and move on.
The Night Before
Don't watch highlight reels or pump-up videos. Sleep is your greatest performance enhancer. Be boring the night before a competition.