As an athlete, your mindset can be the difference in not only performing at your best but also feeling your best. Positive self-talk and affirmations can be powerful tools to help you develop a winning mentality and achieve your goals. By intentionally choosing to focus on positive thoughts and beliefs, you can boost your confidence, motivation, and overall performance.

I once coached an overseas pro athlete who was having a hard time maintaining his composure during games. He had a pregame routine that helped him feel confident, ready, and focused. However, if during the course of the game, he started not performing at his best (especially if his team was losing), he’d begin to get angry and distracted. It only made his performance that much worse, but it also left him having to deal with the emotional residue. One of the tools we spoke about him using was mindfulness (being fully present and paying attention in the moment), and affirmations. Wit this combination, he began to immediately see results in his performance, his mood, and also his credibility as a team leader.

Whether you’re looking to improve your mental toughness, build confidence, or stay focused, the following affirmations can help you overcome challenges, stay motivated, and achieve success both on and off the field. So take a deep breath, repeat these affirmations to yourself, and let them help you become the best athlete you can be.

Here are 50 positive self-talk affirmations for athletes:

1. I am strong and capable.
2. I am a champion.
3. I trust my abilities and training.
4. I am focused and determined.
5. I am disciplined and committed to my goals.
6. I am always improving and getting better.
7. I am confident in my skills and abilities.
8. I am resilient and can overcome any obstacle.
9. I am worthy of success and victory.
10. I am grateful for my body and what it can do.
11. I am in control of my thoughts and emotions.
12. I am prepared for any challenge that comes my way.
13. I am a team player and work well with others.
14. I am motivated and driven to succeed.
15. I am dedicated to my sport and my team.
16. I am always learning and growing as an athlete.
17. I am fearless and courageous in the face of adversity.
18. I am proud of my accomplishments and progress.
19. I am persistent and never give up.
20. I am a leader on and off the field.
21. I am capable of achieving my dreams and goals.
22. I am deserving of recognition and praise.
23. I am worthy of love and respect.
24. I am capable of pushing past my limits.
25. I am in tune with my body and listen to its needs.
26. I am focused on the present moment and not distracted by past or future events.
27. I am always giving my best effort.
28. I am open to feedback and constructive criticism.
29. I am mentally tough and can handle any challenge.
30. I am always striving for excellence and never settling for mediocrity.
31. I am enthusiastic and passionate about my sport.
32. I am confident in my ability to perform under pressure.
33. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of my coach, teammates, and loved ones.
34. I am proud of who I am as an athlete and as a person.
35. I am always pushing myself to be the best I can be.
36. I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.
37. I am always looking for ways to improve and grow.
38. I am a role model to others and take that responsibility seriously.
39. I am thankful for the opportunities my sport has given me.
40. I am a winner and have a winning mentality.
41. I am capable of staying calm and composed in high-pressure situations.
42. I am confident in my decision-making abilities.
43. I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned through both successes and failures.
44. I am constantly setting new goals and striving to reach them.
45. I am an asset to my team and contribute positively to its success.
46. I am mentally and physically tough.
47. I am patient and trust the process of my training.
48. I am always pushing myself to get better, even when it’s uncomfortable.
49. I am capable of achieving greatness.
50. I am proud of the progress I’ve made and excited for what’s to come.

Want more help with developing a positive self-talk routine or other mindset tips? Learn more about our athlete mental health and mindset programs for individuals and groups.