What athletes think consistently often shapes how they compete, how they respond to adversity, and how far they are able to grow.
In this episode of When the Cleats Come Off, Ashley sits down with Lane Farmer, founder and CEO of The Formula, for a conversation about mindset, optimism, slumps, and the thought patterns that can either hold athletes back or help move them forward.
Together, they unpack how athletes can stay mentally strong when things are not going their way, why growth mindset matters so much in long-term development, and how parents can help create a stronger emotional foundation for their athlete. This episode is especially valuable for athletes who feel stuck and for parents who want to support them in healthier, more effective ways.
Why Thoughts Matter So Much
Lane makes it clear that success is not just physical — it is deeply tied to the way athletes think.
When athletes allow negative thoughts to take over, it often affects confidence, performance, and the way they interpret failure. But when they learn how to notice those thoughts, challenge them, and build more productive mental habits, they create far more room for growth.
This episode reinforces that mindset is not fluff. It is part of the foundation.
Staying Optimistic When Things Go Wrong
One of the strongest themes in the conversation is how athletes can stay optimistic when things do not go according to plan.
Lane talks about why optimism is not about pretending hard things are easy. It is about learning how to respond with perspective, resilience, and the belief that setbacks do not have to define what happens next. That mindset helps athletes stay engaged instead of defeated.
For competitors moving through failure, frustration, or uncertainty, this message is especially important.
How to Work Through a Slump
Slumps are part of every athlete’s journey, but they can feel all-consuming when you are in them.
Lane shares insight into why slumps happen and what athletes can do to move through them more effectively. Instead of spiraling, overthinking, or becoming defined by poor results, athletes can learn how to simplify their focus, reset mentally, and reconnect with the process.
That ability to steady yourself in a hard stretch is often what leads to the next breakthrough.
Building a Growth Mindset
Another major part of the episode centers on growth mindset.
Lane explains why athletes who see mistakes as opportunities to learn are often better equipped for long-term success than those who see every setback as proof they are failing. A growth mindset creates more resilience, better perspective, and more willingness to stay in the work.
This part of the conversation is especially helpful for athletes still learning how to separate performance from identity.
Helping Parents Build a Stronger Foundation
Lane also speaks directly to parents and the role they play in shaping the athlete experience.
He shares how parents can help build a stronger relationship with their athlete by creating trust, perspective, and emotional safety instead of only focusing on performance. That stronger foundation can help athletes feel more supported and more prepared to handle the inevitable highs and lows of competition.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why thoughts shape performance so powerfully
Building awareness around mindset and self-talk. - How athletes can stay optimistic during hard moments
Responding to adversity with perspective and resilience. - How to work through a slump more effectively
Resetting focus and reconnecting with the process. - Why a growth mindset matters for long-term success
Learning from mistakes instead of being defined by them. - How parents can better support their athlete emotionally
Building a stronger relationship and healthier foundation.
About
Lane Farmer
Lane Farmer is the founder and CEO of The Formula, where he works to help athletes, families, and teams develop stronger mindset habits and healthier approaches to performance. Through his work, he focuses on optimism, growth mindset, emotional resilience, and helping athletes better understand how their thoughts influence both performance and overall well-being.
Known for his practical and encouraging approach, Lane helps athletes and parents build the kind of foundation that supports long-term growth on and off the field.Â
