I know that my best practices and races are the ones where I can smile behind the blocks and focus on going as fast as I can. After a series of swim meets where I was preoccupied with my results, meeting expectations, and fear of failure, I felt disappointed in both myself and my less-than-desirable performance. I was worried that seeking out support for my 'mental game' would confirm that I had failed as an athlete because I couldn't overcome this on my own. Working with a Mental Performance Consultant over the past couple years has helped me restructure both my mental and physical preparation so that I can race with a smile and a more open mindset.