From the Road to the Track: My Journey as a Young Athlete and Why I’m Now a Mental Performance Coach
Growing up on a tiny island off the coast of Vancouver wasn’t exactly a traditional sports paradise. No fancy leagues, no organized teams—just me, my road, and a lot of time to kill. But hey, I had one thing going for me: an incredibly active family. One thing I had in spades was an active family that mandated outdoor time. I always outside—hiking, working in the garden, and competing against my brother.
I was the competitive little monster always looking for the next challenge. I didn’t need a team or a coach. I just needed the road in front of me, my sneakers, and a fierce drive to run.
I wasn’t out there because I thought it was “good for me” or because I was trying to impress anyone. No, I ran because it felt right. I loved the rush. I loved the competition—even if I was competing with myself. So while the other kids had their team sports, I had my solo runs, up and down that same stretch of pavement. (I know, she was an odd duck)
By high school, I was winning races, making a name for myself, and feeling pretty good about it. But here’s where things went sideways: the nerves and pressure kicked in. I wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be to face my own mind. I could nail a race, but afterward, instead of celebrating, I’d be curled up in fear, dreading the next competition. I’d finish provincials in cross-country, have a solid performance, and instead of soaking in the win, all I could feel was relief that I had another year to go before doing it all over again. Talk about self-sabotage.
But guess what? Despite all my mental baggage, I ended up running on scholarship for the University of Washington in cross-country and track and field, I made the Canadian National Team seven times, and I set two national records. So yeah, I was good. But mentally? I was a mess. No one ever asked me what was going on in my head before a race. I had one coach tell me to smile at the starting line like it was some magic solution. Spoiler alert: it just made me annoyed.
Over the years, I tried to figure it out on my own. I journaled, I read books on mental toughness, and I tried to reframe my fear into gratitude for my competitors. But still, the mental battle wore me down. It was exhausting, draining, and honestly, I was just tired of it all. I loved running, but the mental exhaustion? That was a different story. So, I quietly stepped away. No fanfare, no dramatic exit—just a tired athlete ready to explore something new.
But here’s the beauty of it all: I don’t regret a thing. My running career taught me so much about perseverance, resilience, and how far I could push myself. But what I do wish is that someone had been there for me to say, “Hey, it’s normal to struggle with nerves. You don’t have to do this alone.” That’s why I became a Mental Performance Coach. I want to be that person for the young athlete who’s out there grinding, feeling like they’re the only one battling their own mind. Trust me, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there. I know exactly what it’s like to doubt yourself, to fear failure, and to feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world in your head before every race. But here’s the truth: mental strength isn’t about pretending those nerves don’t exist. It’s about acknowledging them and learning how to use them to your advantage.
So if you’re a young athlete, listen up: it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to have those self-doubt gremlins whispering in your ear. The difference between success and failure isn’t whether you have doubts—it’s whether you let those doubts define you. And trust me, you don’t have to do this alone.
Here are a few tips to help you overcome a negative mindset:
Reframe Your Thoughts – Instead of thinking, “I’m going to fail,” shift your mindset to, “This is an opportunity to learn and grow.” Your brain believes what you tell it, so choose empowering thoughts.
Breathe and Reset – When nerves hit, take a few deep breaths. Inhale for four seconds, hold for four, and exhale for four. It sounds simple, but it helps regulate your nervous system and keeps you in control.
Control the Controllables – You can’t control the competition, the refs, or even the weather. But you can control your effort, attitude, and preparation. Focus on what you can influence.
Talk to Yourself Like a Coach – Would you tell a teammate they’re terrible after one mistake? No way. So don’t do it to yourself. Be your own biggest supporter.
Embrace the Challenge – Instead of fearing failure, see competition as a chance to improve. Every great athlete has faced setbacks. The best ones use them as fuel.
Practice Gratitude – Shift your focus from pressure to appreciation. You get to compete. You get to push yourself. That mindset shift can make all the difference.
I’m here now, not just as a coach, but as someone who gets it. I’m the person who’s going to help you work through those nerves, silence that inner critic, and push you past the mental roadblocks that keep you from showing up as your best self.
Because I’ve been there. And I’m here to help.
Coach Margaret
P.S. Check out my other resources for more tips for your athlete
