"Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence"

Each morning when the kids come in for camp, we start off the day by reading the Sports Psychology book "Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence", by Gary Mack with David Casstevens.  The sport psychology consultant, Gary Mack, has worked with some of the top professional sports teams in the country.  His inspirational book shares lessons on building "mental muscle" and improving attitude and performance in an athletic setting.  

Below is an excerpt from "Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence":

"The Four D's"

Motivation gets your going.  Discipline keeps you going.

                            --Jim Ryan

The only discipline that lasts is self- discipline.

                            -- Bum Phillips

Several years ago, a Phoenix-area school district conducted a survey of its high school athletes.  The results confirmed growing rumors and suspicions.  Of the students at three high schools who responded to the survey, more than 20 percent said they knew teammates or other athletes who were using steroids.  

The Paradise Valley district took quick action.  The district instituted random drug tests of its high school athletes.  The program made national news and sparked lively debate.  

Some people outside the district told administrators that drug testing would put our athletes at a competitive disadvantage.  "That logic is strange, to say the least.  If our athletes have healthy minds and bodies, and know they're going to compete fairly, I think that's an enormous advantage for us." 

The school district asked me develop a program to educate coaches and athletes about drugs and offer strategies to improve performance without the use of drugs, especially steroids.  

Learning how to use one's mind can be as potent as any performance-enhancing drug.  

I developed a mental skills training program for drug-free athletes called "The Naturals."  The night I outlined the program at a meeting with hundreds of high school athletes and their parents I brought along two cardinal players, Garth Jax and Ron Wolfley.  

Someone said that people who have no fear either are in mental institutions or on special teams.  Wolfley played on special teams for the Cardinals.  As a player he was fearless and thought and the most quotable player in the locker room.  

When I introduced Wolfley to the crowd his message carried the same energy and passion with which he played the game.  Ron spoke of a former NFL player he knew who took steroids and had become gravely ill.  "I've seen steroids, and I'm telling you, I don't use any of that stuff," Wolfley proclaimed.  "The only drugs I use are the four D's...I don't have to buy them on the street corner.  They don't cost me anything." 

DESIRE: "Want" power is as important as will power when it comes to accomplishing your goals.  What's your wish? What do you long for? What's your dream? How badly do you want it?

DEDICATION: Dedication is turning desire into action, which requires lasting commitment.  Football coach Lou Holtz said, "If you don't make a total commitment to whatever you are doing, then you start to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking."  

DETERMINATION: Everyone wants to be successful, but those who achieve success are steeled by an unwavering resolve.  They are self-motivated-- the kind of motivation that fueled and sustained Jack Nicklaus early in his pro career as he beat golf balls for an hour, then another, on the practice range until it was almost dark. 

DISCIPLINE: It means doing what you have to do when you need to do it, whether you want to or not. Self- discipline-- the only kind that lasts-- is action oriented.  It doesn't procrastinate, and it doesn't make excuses.  "Setting a goal is not the main thing, " said Tom Landry, the former Dallas Cowboys coach who is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  "It's deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.  The key is disciple." 

Once you have your dream and direction, it is desire, dedication, determination, and disciple that keep you going  Ask yourself this: Are you walking your talk?  

Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence. Casstevens, David and Mack, Gary.  The        McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 

Each "Mind Gym" anecdote is followed with a group discussion and an individual activity pertinent to  the lesson of the day.