Comeback Mentality
Bouncing Back, Back Again
One of the biggest problems that athletes consistently deal with aren't the obstacles they face, but their ability to overcome them. Athletes at all levels are faced with trials and tribulations. Whether it's an injury, being cut from your varsity team, or losing in the final of a tournament you so desperately wanted to win, it's inevitable; obstacles are going to hit you.
It may be cliche, but these are the moments that shape you and your career. You can use these obstacles as fuel to help you tackle your next big goal, realign your priorities, and solidify your mentality. Today, let's take a quick look at three stories of athletes who got hit in the face (figuratively), got back up, and changed the way we look at resilience.
Control the Controllables – The Derek Redmond Story
📖 Story: In the 1992 Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond tore his hamstring mid-race. Instead of quitting, he got up and hobbled toward the finish line. His father ran onto the track, helped him, and together they finished the race. Redmond didn’t win a medal, but he won something greater—respect and an iconic moment of perseverance.
💡 Takeaway: Injuries and slumps take away control over results, but athletes can still control effort, mindset, and rehab process. Focusing on what’s in your control prevents frustration from what isn’t.
Reframe the Setback – Michael Jordan’s Baseball Year
📖 Story: After his first retirement, Michael Jordan struggled in minor league baseball. He batted .202—far from his basketball dominance. But instead of labeling it as failure, he saw it as a challenge, a new way to grow. When he returned to the NBA, he had a renewed hunger, stronger mental toughness, and led the Bulls to three more championships.
💡 Takeaway: Slumps and injuries aren’t permanent—they’re opportunities for growth. Reframing a setback as a challenge, rather than a failure, fuels a stronger comeback.
Win Small Battles – Alex Smith’s 17 Surgeries
📖 Story: NFL QB Alex Smith’s career was nearly over after a gruesome leg injury in 2018. Doctors feared amputation, but he focused on winning small battles—first standing up, then walking, then running. Step by step, he rebuilt himself and made a miraculous return to the NFL.
💡 Takeaway: Huge comebacks don’t happen overnight. The key is to focus on small daily wins—hitting milestones in recovery, regaining confidence, and trusting the process. Winning today leads to winning tomorrow.
- Trevor Conner, CEO and Founder of Hearts & Minds
Saquon, Super Bowl Role Model 🏈
After winning his first Super Bowl, Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley took the time to take pictures with a young fan who was celebrating her 3rd birthday. It's always a good time to show others you come across some love (and not just on Valentine's Day!), as Saquon put into practice here.
Anismova's Post-Break Breakthrough 🎾
Professional tennis player Amanda Anismova won her first WTA 1000 title this past weekend, marking her first time being in the top 20 in the world. You might not know it, but Anismova took a mental health break from the sport in 2023, taking the time to work on her art and experience being a college student. She's proving that burnout is the real deal, and taking a break is sometimes the breakthrough you need to get where you need to go next.
Shiffrin's Shift of Perspective
Despite failing to medal in a recent event (her first time failing to do so in her past 6 slaloms), skier Mikaela Shiffrin mentioned keeping her expectations in line with reality. She underwent surgery just 8 weeks prior to the event, making her ability to show up and ski a surprise in and of itself. When you're disappointed in your results, make sure you keep a perspective rooted in reality!
🏆 Action Steps for Resilience
- Control What You Can – When faced with setbacks, shift your focus to what’s in your control: your attitude, concentration, and effort. Let go of what you can’t change.
- Reframe Setbacks as Growth – Instead of seeing failures or struggles as roadblocks, view them as opportunities to improve and come back stronger.
- Win the Small Battles – Set and celebrate small, daily victories. Progress happens step by step, and focusing on each win builds confidence and momentum.
Want to up your mental game? Book a free 1:1 call with Trevor, our founder, below!
