'Switching formats is as much mental as it is physical. You have to learn to reset quickly and not carry baggage forward.'
When people think of training, they picture weights, sprints, and sweat. But performance isn’t just about the body - it’s about the brain.
Our athletes know that resilience, confidence, and focus are built like muscles: through practice and repetition.
FOCUS: LIAM LIVINGSTONE
Liam has prospered in all formats of cricket and, as a talented all-rounder, has had to adjust to constantly shifting challenges on the international scene.
Whether it's T20, a 50-over international, or a Test match, jumping around from format to format presents a serious test of the mind as well as the body.
“Switching formats is as much mental as it is physical," agrees Liam.
"In a Test match you can be grinding for hours, then two days later in a T20 you’ve got to clear your head and be fearless from ball one.
"That’s not easy, so you have to learn to reset quickly and not carry baggage forward.
"I’ve worked on routines that help me flick that switch: little things like how I prepare in the changing room, breathing techniques, and just reminding myself to enjoy the challenge.
"When you do that, confidence follows. It’s about controlling the controllables - how you think, how you reset - and the rest takes care of itself."
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Dr. Steve Peters is a sports psychiatrist and the author of 'The Chimp Paradox'.
He explains why elite performers are the ones who can manage the big moments.
"Pressure situations trigger the brain’s emotional centre - the ‘inner chimp'," says Dr Peters.
"Athletes who succeed are those who develop strategies to calm that voice and think rationally. It’s not about eliminating nerves, it’s about managing them."
Dr. Kate Hays, the head of psychology at Team GB, says that patience and determination are required when it comes to controlling your mental state.
"Mindset training is just as structured as physical training," she says.
"Resilience, visualisation, and confidence routines need daily practice.
"You wouldn’t lift weights once and expect to be strong - you shouldn’t expect mental skills to be any different."
YOUR TOOLKIT: FIVE MENTAL FITNESS DRILLS
1. Visualisation:
Rehearse your performance in vivid detail before the event
2. Journalling:
Write down setbacks and reframe them as learning opportunities
3. Breathwork:
Use box breathing to calm your nerves
4. Self-talk scripts:
Replace 'don’t fail' with 'this is my chance'
5. Micro-goals:
Break big challenges into small, winnable steps
DAILY MENTAL REPS
Mental training doesn’t need hours. Just a few minutes each day is enough to create lasting habits:
Morning: try two minutes of breathwork
Midday: Write one positive reflection in a journal
Evening: Visualise tomorrow’s challenges
THE TAKEAWAY
Liam demonstrates that mindset is no side note - it’s the engine of performance. And the experts agree: resilience, confidence, and focus are skills you can train. Treat your brain like your body: with reps, routines, and recovery.
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