In Episode 3 of the When It’s Just You and the Mat mini series, Kate Elizabeth tackles the invisible opponent most athletes don’t see coming:

Drift.

This is the phase where comparison creeps in.
Where everyone looks sharp.
Where confidence starts leaking sideways instead of staying anchored in preparation.

This episode is about pulling attention back into your lane and understanding that, right now, focus beats intensity.

Athletes don’t underperform two weeks out because they’re unprepared.
They underperform because they abandon what’s been working and start reacting to noise.

This episode helps athletes:

• Recognise when comparison is sabotaging performance

• Understand why looking sideways kills execution

• Narrow focus instead of adding more

• Stay anchored in their role, standards, and preparation

• Trust what they’ve built instead of chasing reassurance

This is a critical listen two weeks before selections, when staying centred becomes a competitive advantage.

As selections approach and competition pressure rises, many athletes assume nerves and pressure are the problem. In this episode of The Champions Corner, we flip that belief on its head.

Pressure isn’t what breaks athletes.

Confusion does.

In Episode 2 of Just You and the Mat mini series, Kate Elizabeth breaks down why pressure actually sharpens performance when an athlete is clear on their role, standards, and identity — and why unclear expectations, comparison, and noise create the spiral athletes fear most.

This episode is designed for athletes who are:

• Feeling the weight of selections

• Managing expectations from coaches, parents, and themselves

• Training hard but feeling mentally scattered

• Wanting clarity instead of chaos as competition approaches

Rather than trying to eliminate pressure, this episode teaches athletes how to use pressure as feedback, strip things back to what matters, and compete with direction instead of doubt.

This is a must-listen episode three weeks out from selections, when mental clarity becomes a competitive edge.

• Pressure doesn’t break athletes — lack of clarity does

• Confidence comes from knowing your job, not feeling calm

• Clear standards reduce anxiety under pressure

• Noise increases when identity is unclear

• Pressure sharpens performance when focus is narrow

In this 4 part mini series on The Champions Corner, this episode kicks off the Just You and the Mat series with a hard truth most athletes, parents, and coaches avoid:

Motivation is overrated. Decisions are everything.

This conversation dives into what happens when the noise drops away, no crowd, no hype, no validation or all of the above at extra volume, just you, your standards, and the choices you make when it gets uncomfortable.

We unpack:

Why chasing motivation keeps athletes stuck in cycles;

The difference between feeling ready and deciding anyway;

How pressure exposes your standards, not your talent;

Why safety, regulation, and leadership matter before performance ever does;

What it really means to lead yourself when no one is watching.

This episode isn’t about pushing harder for the sake of it.

It’s about owning your decisions, protecting your nervous system, and understanding that real growth starts long before competition day.

If you’re an athlete waiting to “feel motivated,” a parent watching your child battle inconsistency, or a coach trying to build resilience without breaking trust — this one matters.

Because when it’s just you and the mat… there’s nowhere to hide, and no one is coming to save you.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Motivation fades; decisions hold.

Standards show up when emotions don’t cooperate.

Leadership starts with self-regulation.

Pressure doesn’t create character, it reveals it.

Progress requires clarity, not hype.

Share this episode with someone who’s been waiting for motivation instead of making a decision.
And if you’re part of the athlete, parent, coach ecosystem and want to be involved in The Champions Corner, reach out! This space is about building the village, not pretending you can do it alone.