Being Grateful and Expressing Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most powerful mindset tools an athlete can develop. Athletes who intentionally practice gratitude build emotional stability, protect their confidence, and stay grounded during the highs and lows of competition. They recognize that their abilities, opportunities, and support networks are meaningful advantages, and that awareness strengthens their resilience.

Simone Biles offers a great example of this. Across her career, she has navigated immense pressure, injuries, and the challenge of balancing her mental health on the world stage. Throughout it all, Biles frequently expresses her appreciation for the people around her, including the coaches who guide her and the teammates who support her. Her default posture is gratitude, even when she is under stress. That habit does not eliminate adversity, but it helps her carry it with clarity and strength.

Athletes who cultivate gratitude do more than “stay positive.” They shift their attention toward what supports them, rather than what drags them down. That shift reduces stress and protects confidence, especially after tough moments like losses, mistakes, or setbacks. Gratitude functions like a mental reset button, helping athletes move forward instead of getting stuck in frustration.

It also transforms the environment. Teams built on gratitude tend to communicate better, support each other more often, and rebound quickly from challenges. When players show appreciation for effort, for leadership, for encouragement, it reinforces the behaviors that make a team strong. Gratitude strengthens connection, and connection strengthens resilience.

There is also a scientific benefit. When you express gratitude, your brain releases neurochemicals linked to happiness, calm, and improved well-being. Those chemicals help reduce emotional interference, making it easier to focus, adapt, and perform.

This is a trainable skill. Tell a coach thank you for the extra time they spend helping you. Acknowledge a teammate who lifted your spirits after a mistake. Write down a few things you appreciate about your abilities or your athletic journey. These small actions create real mental change.

If you want to build resilience, start with gratitude. It is a foundation for long-term growth.

This is Mental Strength.

For Players

Do:

• Thank teammates and coaches for specific actions that help you grow.

• Write down what you appreciate about your sport, your body, or your opportunities each week.

Do not:

• Fixate on what you lack, whether it’s playing time, speed, or recognition.

• Keep gratitude to yourself without expressing it to the people who support you.

For Parents

Do:

• Model gratitude by pointing out what you appreciate about your athlete’s effort and attitude.

• After games, ask, “What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?” to redirect their focus.

Do not:

• Make every conversation about performance instead of perspective.

• Use gratitude to dismiss your child’s feelings or challenges.

For Coaches

Do:

• Build gratitude into team routines by having athletes share what they appreciate about the day or each other.

• Express your own gratitude regularly for effort, leadership, and resilience.

Do not:

• Limit appreciation to seasonal events.

• Overlook the impact of small acknowledgements in daily practice.

If you’d like athletes to train these skills with intention, gratitude, resilience, confidence, and focus, come train with us. We help athletes build strong mental operating systems so they can perform their best when it matters most.