One of the tools we often use with athletes is EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The last word is the most important: Reprocessing.

There are two phases:

1. Visualization & Mental Imagery – The athlete is guided through visualizations like the Optimal Performance Zone (OPZ), great coaches, happy places, and a container for hard stuff. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation through eye movements, vibrations, or sound.

2. Reprocessing – The athlete replays a scenario that their brain and body are holding onto—an injury, poor performance, or a bad experience with someone who hurt them.

EMDR helped me resolve several past traumas. You don’t need a huge event for it to help you.

Many of my college and professional athletes say they handle pressure moments more effectively and find it easier to accept the emotions of the moment. I’ve felt that. I’ve seen that in athletes.

You run your brain instead of it running you. You learn to differentiate fear from real danger, improving vagal tone, leading to better sleep, less anxiety, and a stronger immune response.

Change the conversation to mental fitness.

Want to learn more about mental fitness? Hire us for a keynote or training to share what we’ve learned.