What separates good athletes from great ones often has less to do with physical talent — and more to do with mindset.
In this episode of When the Cleats Come Off, Ashley sits down with Lindsey Nadler, founder of Elite Mental Edge, to break down the mental skills that help athletes compete with confidence, resilience, and self-belief.
Whether you're an athlete working to strengthen your mindset or a parent trying to support your daughter through the ups and downs of competition, this conversation provides practical tools and perspective for building a stronger mental foundation.
Why the Mental Game Matters
Every elite athlete trains their mind — not just their body.
Coach Lindsey explains how mental skills training helps athletes manage pressure, respond to mistakes, and compete with clarity. Rather than letting fear of failure control their performance, athletes who develop a strong mental edge learn how to reset quickly and stay focused on the next opportunity.
Ashley and Lindsey discuss how confidence isn’t something athletes simply have — it’s something they build through awareness, intentional habits, and supportive environments.
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Helping Athletes Move On From Mistakes
One of the most valuable lessons Lindsey shares is how athletes — and their parents — can reframe mistakes.
Failure is inevitable in sports, but how athletes respond to it determines long-term growth. Lindsey offers guidance on how parents can support their daughters by encouraging accountability without attaching identity to performance.
Learning to acknowledge mistakes, reset mentally, and move forward is one of the most important skills athletes can develop.
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Identity Beyond the Game
Softball is meaningful — but it should never define the entirety of an athlete’s identity.
Lindsey emphasizes the importance of helping athletes build confidence in who they are as people, not just performers. When athletes understand their worth beyond the field, they compete with greater freedom, resilience, and joy.
This perspective helps athletes grow into confident women who trust themselves, own their experiences, and navigate challenges with strength.
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What You’ll Learn in This Episode
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What separates good athletes from great ones mentally
The habits and perspectives that create a true competitive edge. -
How parents can support confidence development
Encouraging accountability without increasing pressure. -
How to move on from mistakes quickly
Reset strategies that keep athletes present and focused. -
Why identity matters beyond performance
Building self-worth outside of wins and losses. -
Simple ways athletes can strengthen their mindset
Practical tools for confidence and resilience.
About
Lindsey Nadler
Lindsey Nadler is a mental performance coach who works with athletes to build confidence, resilience, and emotional control in competitive environments. Through Elite Mental Edge, she provides training resources, coaching programs, and educational content designed to help athletes develop the mindset needed to thrive both in sport and in life.
Her work focuses on empowering athletes to own their identity, respond constructively to failure, and compete with self-belief.
Connect with Lindsey:
