The Pure Athlete Podcast 124. Mental Performance Coach Justin Su'a: Developing a Winning Mindset For Young Athletes
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Jul 8, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Justin Su'a, a mental performance expert with experience in MLB, NFL, PGA, and ATP, shares insights on nurturing a winning mindset for young athletes. He dives into overcoming mental hurdles like confidence issues and negative self-talk. Justin emphasizes the importance of resilience, communication, and goal-setting strategies. He offers practical advice for parents on motivating their kids and navigating the complexities of performance anxiety. His positive approach inspires athletes to train both mentally and physically for success.
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Justin Su'a's Career Journey
- Justin Su'a transitioned from aspiring pro baseball player to high school teacher and then mental performance coach.
- Coaching youth sports parents sparked his passion for mental performance and led him to work with elite athletes.
Motivate Through Control, Progress, Relationships
- To motivate children, create conditions that foster their internal drive, like giving them choices and showing progress.
- Also, build strong relationships with teammates and coaches for relatedness, which boosts motivation.
Normalize and Manage Anxiety
- Normalize performance anxiety by helping kids identify their optimal arousal level and teaching simple techniques to manage nerves.
- Encourage open conversations about feelings and coping strategies instead of dismissing anxiety.