Husband and father • Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) • Ed.D. Sport and Performance Psychology • Owner of Montana Peak Performance Inc.
Billings, MT
Joined February 2018
- Tweets404
- Following210
- Followers224
- Likes560
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
I've spent the majority of my career working in the mental performance space, but I can promise you that 99% of athletes don't care about mental skills.
I've met very few who are particularly interested in breathing techniques, visualization, meditation, and self-talk techniques.
But every single one of them cares about becoming more confident, performing better under pressure, and being more consistent.
This came up in a conversation this summer when a D1 football head coach reached out for guidance on integrating a mental performance coach into his program.
As we talked, he started listing out all the skills and techniques they should be teaching, but at one point I interrupted and respectfully said, "I don't think your players care about any of that."
Not because those skills aren't valuable, but because what matters to athletes is what those skills can help them accomplish.
If your athletes aren't buying into mental performance training, one of the first places I'd look is how it's being presented.
Is the issue the training itself or how its value is being communicated?
Are you teaching them a collection of mental skills or helping them solve problems that matter to them?
The goal isn't to get athletes excited about mental skills. It's to help them recognize what those skills make possible.
The most powerful mental skill is one that few people talk about. That is Conviction.
Other mental skills depend on conviction. Without an unwavering belief in “the process” that you’ve developed, you’re living in a house of cards.
Self-doubt based on ability, sometimes due to failure, can cast doubt on the mental groundwork that’s been laid.
Athletes act on their doubts all the time. Pre-game routine changes, technical shifts during the season, and even transfers when things “don’t work out.”
We need to rethink the current system. Doing extra things for all the wrong reasons.
A PARENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH YOUTH SPORTS:
Age 5: “He’s got a cannon.”
Age 6: “He’s the fastest kid out there. Coach said so.”
Age 7: “Rec ball isn’t challenging him anymore.”
Age 8: “We tried out for select. Obviously made it.”
Age 9: “$2,800 for the season. Plus uniforms. Plus tournaments. Plus hotels.”
Age 10: “Cooperstown is basically a family vacation, right?”
Age 11: “He needs a hitting guy. And a pitching guy. And probably a mental performance coach.”
Age 12: “I’m not a crazy sports parent. The OTHER parents are crazy.”
Age 13: “We changed schools. For academics. (And also baseball.)”
Age 14: “Showcases are a requirement at this age.”
Age 15: “Ya his ranking just ticked up. We’re cooking.”
Age 16: “He just needs to get seen by the right school.”
Age 17: “The D1 schools want him to walk on. He’ll earn a spot by sophomore year.”
Age 18: “Okay, D2 is actually really competitive.”
Age 19: “He’s redshirting. Strategic.”
Age 20: “He’s focusing on school now.”
Age 21: “You know what? He’s so much happier.”
Roughly 7% of high schoolers play in college.
About 1.5% of those get drafted.
Less than half of draftees ever play one day in the big leagues.
The odds of our kids going pro are somewhere between “struck by lightning” and “find a $100 in old shorts.”
I love youth sports (all my kids play a bunch of them) just keep a good perspective my friends. ✌️
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
🏆2025-26 MSUB Hall of Fame🏆
Congratulations to the 2013-14 women’s basketball team, Dave Coppock, and Jody & Cyndy Desin on making the MSUB Hall of Fame class of 2025-26!
This class will be honored and inducted on February 20th at the Double Tree Hotel.
#msubsports
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
Mindset Flaw
I read quite a bit of mindset related posts, from a lot of “providers”
The flaw is Confirmation Bias
Let me explain
An athlete or team succeeds and share their beliefs, experiences, and values. Often times adversity and how they persevered
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
Caitlin Clark on the value of working with a sport psychologist and investing in your mental health.
"I was lucky enough to go to a university that really prioritized that and had that as an outlet for us, and obviously at the Fever as well...It's important to talk to somebody."
#MVPMind
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
I’ve followed Brody’s exploits for years and always wanted to do some kind of story on him. Never did I think I would have this kind of opportunity.
Brody is the genuine article, and entire family represents and embodies literally everything great about our state. I couldn’t be more grateful for them inviting me into their way of life.
A lot of sleepless nights went into this…I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it all together.
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
I don't know who captured this powerful moment but these are the little nuances that I think are most powerful in the @Olympics. A legendary athlete - who has nothing left to prove to anyone on earth, still prepares her mind to achieve superhuman height, form, performance.
I only wish we knew what she was rehearsing, talking about, battling, fending off, or simply finding peace before an explosive performance. @Simone_Biles - you make us all smile and shake our heads in disbelief and admiration. This photo is one of my favorites for some reason!
The calm, the poise, the same socks that I've got on right now ha! The bandage to secure a slight support for the less than 100% calf/achilles. The details!!!! Perfect. @TeamUSA - thank you for this photo.
1st Champions of the Process Newsletter comes out tomorrow! The topic is Youth Sport Design: How Play beats Competition in the long run
Helpful for Parents, Coaches, or aspiring Leaders in Youth Sport!
Subscribe here: eepurl.com/iPg_WM to make sure you don’t miss out.🏅
🚀 Elevate Your Game 🧠🏆 Subscribe to the Champions of the Process Newsletter Today! Get expert insights and practical tips to boost your mental game and achieve peak performance. Don't miss out! Subscribe here: eepurl.com/iPg_WM
#SportPsychology #PeakPerformance
As Summer schedules start to come together, I’d like to offer this up to anyone who may be interested. The shooting clinic will obviously be for basketball teams, but the mental skills clinics are open to any sport.
Saw this live so I didn’t get to hear Gus Johnson, but I really doubt I’ll see a basketball game this good ever again. You wonder why people fall in love with a game?
March 25, 2010: @KStateMBB beats @XavierMBB in 2OT in Sweet 16. One of best tourney games ever.
Vintage Gus.
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
- THE MATCH -
This was a monster to put together and as always I'm so grateful for all who allowed me to invade their lives during such an important time of year.
If you have 12 minutes to spare, you won't be disappointed.
Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC retweeted
.@Zharon_richmond has overcome mental and physical hurdles to star for @MSUBMBB #mtscores montanasports.com/college-sp…
