Eddie's Mental Dink - Series 3

The difference between players who spiral and players who steady themselves isn’t the absence of pressure — it’s the presence of tools.

This series helps players:

• Recognise stress early
• Normalise anxiety as part of performance
• Build simple, repeatable coping strategies inside the point, not just after the match

Every player feels it: the tight grip, the racing thoughts, the urge to rush — or to freeze.

Stress and anxiety don’t show up because you’re underprepared. They show up because you care.

The question isn’t “How do I eliminate pressure?” It’s “How do I play well while it’s present?”

The Case Study

Simone Biles — Awareness Before Performance

At the height of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles made a decision that reframed what strength looks like in sport. By stepping away, she challenged the belief that success requires “winning at any cost,” revealing a simple truth: stress and anxiety build when pressure goes unchecked, and sustainable performance begins with early awareness and an honest response — not endurance at all costs.

Key Insight for Players

• Stress and anxiety are signals, not failures — awareness comes before performance.
• Ignoring mental load doesn’t make it disappear; it makes the cost higher later.
• Sustainable excellence begins with permission to prioritise wellbeing, not sacrifice it.

Take It With You

Ask yourself: What signals show up for me under pressure — and how early do I notice them?

About the Author

Eddie Baghdikian is a graduate of Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Sport Management and the Australian College of Applied Psychology’s Graduate Diploma of Counselling. With a long-standing passion for performance psychology and player development, Eddie brings a practical and accessible approach to strengthening the mental side of sport.

Instagram: @eddiebaghdikian