194. Why You Keep Doubting Yourself (Even After Doing the Work)

Can anxiety make you a better athlete?

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Grant Parr, Mental Performance Coach and Founder of Game Face Performance. Together, they explore the powerful connection between anxiety, performance, confidence, and mental resilience in sports—and why mastering your mindset may be just as important as mastering your physical skills.

Grant shares insights on:

• How anxiety affects athletes from youth sports to the Olympic level

• Why confidence is built through preparation—not perfection

• The hidden pressures athletes face, including fear of failure and judgment

• Mental performance techniques that help athletes perform under pressure

This conversation also dives into:

• How social media, comparison, and expectations fuel anxiety in sports

• Why language matters—and how simple mindset shifts can reduce performance pressure

• The connection between self-worth, acceptance, and athletic performance

• Practical tools for building resilience, embracing uncertainty, and recovering from setbacks

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating anxiety in everyday life, this episode offers practical strategies to help you perform with greater confidence, resilience, and freedom.

📲 About Grant Parr (guest):

• Grant Parr M.A., Mental Performance Coach, Author: The Next One Up Mindset

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfpmindset/

• Website: https://www.gamefaceperformance.com/

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] – What Does a Mental Performance Coach Actually Do?

[02:48] – The Modern Athlete's Journey: From Childhood to Elite Competition

[05:37] – Understanding Division I, II & III Athletics

[07:05] – The Reality of Becoming an Olympian

[08:40] – When Does Anxiety Help—and Hurt—Performance?

[11:27] – What Elite Athletes Understand About Pressure

[13:32] – Why Preparation Creates Confidence

[15:40] – The Hidden Mental Health Struggles in Sports

[16:50] – Grant's Personal Story: Fear, Pressure & High School Football

[20:30] – How Your Self-Talk Increases or Reduces Pressure

[21:49] – Why Even Successful Athletes Feel Like They're Failing

[24:03] – Trusting Your Preparation Instead of Your Fear

[25:55] – Accepting Failure Without Losing Confidence

[27:35] – The Mental Side of Performance Is Just as Important as the Physical

[29:28] – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Grant Parr

✅ Free Resources & Links

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✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

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