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"The Mindset Behind Success" Lessons from My Journey in Artistic Swimming"

Writer's picture: Reem AbdalazemReem Abdalazem

Updated: Nov 2, 2024

Artistic Swimming demands dedication, discipline, and dynamic effort, where countless hours of training often come down to a single, defining moment. Peak performance at competition isn’t just about talent or preparation—it’s about the right mindset.

As an athlete who had intensive training in different countries like Egypt, Russia and USA and as a coach with experience guiding teams across diverse international settings, I'm taking you with me on a mindset journey.
From my Egyptian experience: 'Robot Mode'
Having started training in Egypt with a Russian coach, I was taught to chase realistic goals with little emotional awareness. This led me to approach training and competition in what we call "robot-mode." I was taught to just do it, show confidence despite fear, push away doubts, and never question things. Luckily for me as a little girl, this helped me focus on my daily improvement, and not compare myself with others. Not doing well only drove me to work harder. This mindset made me resilient, and as I grew older, it fuelled my self-competitive nature, pushing me to constantly outdo myself.

While this approach may seem a bit harsh, it has worked for me. But, it's not the only path to controlling one's emotions.

From my American experience: 'Eustress'
At 18, when I became an All-American collegiate athlete, I saw how athletes from different countries and backgrounds handled stress. Despite having the same training and coach, our approaches varied. Some athletes had pre-competition rituals, while others struggled with fear and doubt. At first, I saw this as weak, but I soon realised that many of them were able to perform confidently when it mattered. They didn’t ignore stress—they felt it all and aimed high. This taught me that:

  • Fear and stress aren't weaknesses; they’re normal.
  • Accepting and embracing nerves can fuel performance- which is something known as "Eustress."
  • Our differences as teammates make us stronger, when we learn to unite.
  • Trusting each other allows us to aim for bigger goals, which we should go for!
  • Vulnerability strengthens the team more than faking confidence ever could.

From my Olympic experience: Be Prepared
As my career became more competitive, I learned that training our minds is as important as training our bodies. Inspired by the American emphasis on teamwork, I brought this mindset back to my home team in Egypt, adding a sense of calmness and unity we were missing, especially with the coaches. We built strong bonds through honesty, vulnerability, and as much mental preparation as we had learned, leading to solid performances at the 2012 London Olympics.

Here's some of the techniques we used to manage Pre-Competition Stress:

1. Preparation: Training in different conditions and pushing yourself on very tough days prepares you on a much deeper level- both physically and mentally.
2. Relaxation Techniques: Using breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation helps calm the mind and body.
3. Visualisation: Mentally rehearsing success boosts confidence greatly and reduces that feeling of doubt. Visualising the best case scenario and allowing your brain to take you there is very powerful.
4. Positive Self-Talk: Positive affirmations like "I'm ready" and "we can do this" reinforce a positive mindset that works wonders for your brain.
5. Physical Activity: Shaking off these nerves by doing light physical activity before competition can help reduce excess adrenaline and calm nerves.


From Reem, the coach: 'The Power of Mindset'
When I began coaching with little experience, I focused on my athletes' mindsets individually rather than the whole team. Over time, I realized that listening to them, supporting their feelings, and strengthening their mental game had a lasting impact on their journeys. This experience ignited my passion for mindset work, and has only driven me to continually improve as a coach, a listener, and to adapt to each athlete’s needs and each team’s unique approach.

Here’s how I guide my athletes to effectively prepare their mindsets for peak performance, no matter what level, goals, or dreams they may have:

  1. Prepare Mentally: Mental rehearsals, strategic planning and competition simulations with your coaches, are all necessary training skills to make you feel prepared when the important moment comes.
  2. Develop a Routine: Creating a pre-competition routine can create a sense of control and stability that keeps things familiar.
  3. Stay Adaptable and coachable: Being so physically prepared no matter what changes in your circumstances like coaching staff, environment, or anything out of your control, keeps your focus clear.
  4. Clear Goals: Set your goals and keep them clear- not just the goals you set for your individual or team performance, but also the little focus points you have during your routine. This point is so important. When your brain has these little focus points to think about, your performance (swim through) changes dramatically, leaving less room for fear or doubt and keeping your mind sharply focused.
  5. Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment rather than worrying about the outcome keeps you in a controlled state of mind that helps you stay focused and calm.
  6. Support System: Talking to coaches, teammates, or a mental coach can provide you with the reassurance you need and reduce feelings of weakness or isolation.
  7. Believe! This will always be my number one motto with athletes. If you are putting in the work, doing the right thing, trusting the process, and setting goals, then the missing piece to the puzzle is to believe whatever it is that you want. The power of what you tell yourself is transformative.

While there are many ways to build a team’s mental strength, I’ve shared some of the most effective strategies from my own experience. I’ve seen these methods work firsthand with several teams, and I can tell you that a strong mindset is the most powerful force in the world.

This picture below is an example of a team that was just starting to believe. We accomplished magical things together, and a few years later... I can say that the rest is history.


CLOSING THOUGHTS

There is nothing more important to get you closer to your goals than mastering your mental preparation. You unlock the ability to stay focused, confident, and resilient, giving you a competitive edge that physical training alone cannot provide.

Invest in your mental game, and watch how it transforms your performance. Book a session with me below to push your barriers and unlock your brain's potential the way you've always dreamed of.

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