Pro Mindset. Pro Results, with Dr. Justin Anderson - Founder of Premier Sport Psychology
Mental performance is crucial for athletes; strategies like "Cue-to-Compete" help focus, while overcoming distractions and building intrinsic motivation are key. Elite athletes train their mindset intentionally, and tools like the Premier Mindset App democratize access to mental training for all levels.
At PlayersOnly, we know that peak performance isn’t just physical – it’s mental. That’s why we partnered with Premier Sport Psychology to bring elite mindset training to athletes at every level. In this Q&A, Dr. Justin Anderson, founder, CEO, senior principal sport psychologist shares practical mental strategies, myths about sport psychology, and powerful stories from the athletes they work with across the NFL, PGA, Olympics, and beyond. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your focus, build resilience, or train your mental game like a pro, these insights can help you unlock your competitive edge.
Q: Can you share one simple mental strategy athletes can use before a big game?
Dr. Anderson:
Yes - Anchor Your Attention.
Before a game, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by what-ifs. One powerful strategy we teach through the Premier Mindset App is called Cue-to-Compete. Athletes choose a single word or phrase - like "calm", "attack", or "next play" - to reset focus and direct their energy. It becomes their anchor in pressure moments. This technique is simple but rooted in elite mental training, and it's something we use with pro athletes across the NFL, NHL, and Olympic team.
Q: What’s one athlete story that really stuck with you—and why?
Dr. Anderson:
One high school athlete came to us struggling with confidence after a season-ending injury. She thought her identity as a competitor was gone. Through our work—and daily reps using the resilience tools that we use in session and some of our digital content—she didn’t just bounce back. She rebuilt her self-belief stronger than before, and now competes at the D1 level. What stuck with me was that she stopped tying her value to her performance, and started attaching it to controllables and principles/values within herself. In this case, she stared seeing herself as the kind of athlete who can handle anything.
Q: What’s one myth about sports psychology that you often hear?
Dr. Anderson:
That it’s only for athletes who are struggling.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. The best athletes we work with - across the NFL, WNBA, PGA Tour, etc. - are proactive about mindset. They use mental performance tools the same way they use strength coaches or film breakdown. It’s not therapy. It’s training. And we’ve built Premier’s services and digital content to bring that elite-level training to developing athletes everywhere.
Q: What’s a challenge you often see young athletes go through, and how have you helped someone overcome it?
Dr. Anderson:
Distraction and comparison.
Between social media, recruiting pressure, and peer success, it’s easy to lose track of your own game. We help athletes build focused attention - the ability to lock in on what matters, when it matters. One young athlete used our Present Moment Reset technique (from the Premier Mindset app) to build a game-day routine that blocked out distractions. His performance became more consistent, but more importantly, his confidence wasn’t riding the rollercoaster anymore.
Q: What’s one quote or lesson from an athlete you’ll never forget?
Dr. Anderson:
"Your job is to be ready. That’s it."
A veteran NFL quarterback we work with lives by that. Not “be perfect,” not “win the moment”- just be ready. That mindset has shaped how we train young athletes. Readiness is a trainable skill, and it’s one we emphasize in many of our youth sport psych sessions with tools for routines, recovery, and mental resets.
Q: What’s the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in elite sports, and how do you balance them?
Dr. Anderson:
Intrinsic motivation is your inner fire - why you play. Extrinsic is the rewards - starting spot, scholarship, attention.
Both matter. The key is not letting the external override the internal. We help athletes reconnect with their purpose, and use extrinsic goals as fuel - not as the foundation. The Premier Mindset App includes a Values Inventory to help athletes clarify their “why” - and that clarity can change careers.
Q: Are there emerging trends or new research in sports psychology that are changing how you work?
Dr. Anderson:
Absolutely—especially around self-regulation and neuroplasticity.
We're seeing more evidence that mindset skills can be developed like physical ones - through reps, reflection, and feedback. Our team at Premier is leading in this space with research, application, research-backed assessment tools that live inside the Premier Mindset App. We're democratizing elite-level mindset training for youth, college, and pro athletes.
Q: What surprised you most when you started working with elite-level athletes?
Dr. Anderson:
That even the best in the world doubt themselves sometimes.
But they don’t stay there. What sets elite performers apart is how fast they recover mentally. They have systems. They train their mindset with intention. That’s the essence of what we bring to youth athletes through Premier Sport Psychology not just inspiration, but a training plan for the mental game.
Mental performance is a competitive advantage available to every athlete – and it’s trainable. Whether you’re just starting out or competing at the highest level, building your mindset can transform how you show up on and off the field. At PlayersOnly, we’re committed to connecting you with the tools, experts, and insights to elevate every part of your game. Your next breakthrough starts with your mind.
