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Published on:

11th Jun 2025

Mindset Matters: Cultivating Mental Toughness in Young Athletes with Cat Lutz

Master mental performance with Cat Lutz of IMG Academy. Discover how to build focus, manage emotions, and set goals that elevate athletic success—essential strategies for high performers and young athletes.

This episode of Charge Forward Coaching features Cat Lutz, Head of Mental Performance at IMG Academy. Cat discusses the importance of mental performance in athletics, emphasizing that it often becomes the key differentiator as athletes progress in their careers. She highlights the significance of goal-setting, self-awareness, and developing personalized mental routines for athletes.

Cat explores the concept of emotional management in sports, stressing the importance of understanding one's optimal emotional state for peak performance. She also shares insights on maintaining focus during high-pressure situations, especially for young athletes. Cat emphasizes the importance of "playing the game, not the moment" and focusing on controllable factors like breathwork and effort. 

Cat discusses IMG Academy's holistic approach to athlete development, which includes not only athletic training but also mental performance, leadership, nutrition, and personal development. She stresses the importance of "running your own race" and avoiding harmful comparisons, particularly for young athletes.

Don’t miss Cat’s valuable insights into the mental aspects of sports performance, drawn from her extensive experience as both an athlete and a mental performance coach.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction and Cat Lutz's background
  • (03:25) Why mental skills are the ultimate performance separator
  • (05:01) Goal-setting: The key to athlete commitment and motivation
  • (07:00) Crafting personalized mental routines for peak performance
  • (15:10) The art and science of effective pre-game speeches
  • (21:56) Staying focused under pressure: Strategies for big moments
  • (26:32) "Run your own race": Avoiding the comparison trap

Key Takeaways:

  • Mental skills are often the differentiator at higher levels of competition
  • Effective goal-setting focuses on the journey, not just the destination
  • One-size-fits-all mental routines don't work—personalization is key
  • Great pre-game speeches address focus, energy, efficacy, and support
  • In high-pressure moments, focus on playing the game, not winning or losing
  • Breath control can be a powerful tool for staying present in high pressure situations

Resources & Links: 

Bios:

James Blasco is the founder of Charge Forward Coaching and a certified mental toughness and resilience coach. He specializes in helping athletes and high performers sharpen their focus, build confidence, and stay composed under pressure. With clients ranging from youth athletes to seasoned pros, James is passionate about helping people show up strong—no matter the arena.

Dr. Cat Lutz, PhD, CMPC, is a former Division I and overseas professional basketball player with a decade of experience working with elite athletes across collegiate, professional, and international levels. She holds two master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, as well as a PhD in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology. Past research has focused on coach communication and coach-athlete dynamics, with a special focus on the psychological and performance influences of the pre-game speech on athletes. Currently, she serves as the Head of Mental Performance at IMG Academy, where she oversees a team of 12 mental performance coaches and works with youth athletes to improve their mental game. Her professional mission is to empower athletes with evidence-based mental skills that not only elevate performance in sport but also equip them to navigate life’s challenges by becoming resilient and confident individuals.

Tags:

mental performance, IMG Academy, student athletes, goal setting, self-awareness, emotional regulation, coach-athlete communication, pregame speeches, focus techniques, youth sports development, mental toughness, sports psychology, athletic development, performance optimization, stress management, confidence building, mindfulness in sports, resilience training, sports leadership, mental imagery, breathing techniques, performance anxiety, team dynamics, sports motivation, holistic athlete development, Cat Lutz, little league world championship, team sports, sports, mental performance, leadership, nutrition, personal development, goal-setting, self-awareness, focus, energy, efficacy, support

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About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

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