Rise Above Adversity

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Rise Above Adversity - BUILDING ATHLETES HEAD FIRST -

1:1 Athlete Mental Performance Coaching & Workshops.

Last Thursday, I had the honour of joining .whitwell and at the Empowered Man Live Event, built around three important ...
24/10/2026

Last Thursday, I had the honour of joining .whitwell and at the Empowered Man Live Event, built around three important areas: capacity, composure and connection🔥

My section was composure, but sitting in on the capacity session challenged me just as much as anything I shared with the room 💯

When you own a business you genuinely love, it’s easy to stay on the hamster wheel. There is always another client to help, another idea to develop and another task that could move the business forward 🙏

I’ve spent nearly eight years building Rise Above Adversity from the ground up. It has given me the opportunity to work with young athletes, professional athletes and some incredible people 🧱

But when you’re constantly future-thinking, you can lose the space required to be present, recover and think creatively. That was a powerful reminder for me 👌

The presentation itself gave me another opportunity to practice what I teach. I gave myself permission to be nervous 😬

Whenever I speak, my nervous system activates. My heart rate rises, everything speeds up and my mind starts thinking about how I’ll be perceived and everything else outside my control 💯💯

Instead of hiding that, I acknowledged it with the room. I deliberately reset, slowed myself down and returned to the present moment.

Eventually, I found flow 💪🧠

I spoke for around an hour and 45 minutes, the longest I’ve ever spoken on one topic, translating the mental-performance systems I teach athletes into everyday life, business and relationships. I absolutely loved it 😍

Thank you, Sam and Stu, for inviting me into your inner circle, and thank you to the incredible group of men who were willing to reflect, contribute and make the experience what it was 🤝

My biggest takeaway?

Capacity isn’t created by squeezing more into the week. Sometimes it’s created by deliberately stopping long enough to recover, reconnect and give your best thinking room to return💥

When was the last time you created genuine space to reset? 🤔

One of the biggest wins in sport is getting to a point where you can make mistakes and still enjoy playing.I've seen ath...
23/10/2026

One of the biggest wins in sport is getting to a point where you can make mistakes and still enjoy playing.

I've seen athletes put so much pressure on themselves to get everything right that they forget why they started playing in the first place.

One mistake turns into frustration. Frustration turns into overthinking. And before they know it, they're playing not to mess up instead of playing to their potential.

But here's something I want athletes to understand.

You don't have to play a perfect game to play a great game.

You're going to make mistakes. You're going to have moments where things don't go your way. That's part of competing.

The difference is learning how to respond without letting those moments take away your confidence or enjoyment.

When you stop judging yourself after every mistake, you give yourself the freedom to play, learn, and trust what you've worked so hard to develop.

And that's where some of your best performances can happen.

The goal isn't to become an athlete who never makes mistakes. It's to become an athlete who isn't afraid of making them.

If mistakes are taking the enjoyment out of your sport, send us a DM with "ENJOY". Let's have a conversation about getting that confidence and freedom back.

Prefer to talk things through? We've made space for a free, no-pressure conversation. You can find a time that works for you here: https://calendly.com/riseaboveadversity/mental-performance-support--free-fit-call

Confidence isn't just about taking the shot when you're playing well. It's about being willing to take the next one afte...
22/10/2026

Confidence isn't just about taking the shot when you're playing well. It's about being willing to take the next one after you've missed.

I've worked with athletes who can shoot confidently all week in training, but the moment they miss a couple of shots in a game, something changes.

They start hesitating. Passing up opportunities they'd normally take. Questioning decisions that used to come naturally.

And it's not because they've suddenly lost their ability.

It's because they've started allowing the last shot to influence the next one.

Missing a shot is part of the game. Even the best players miss.

What matters is whether you can recognise what happened, make any necessary adjustments, and stay committed to your next opportunity.

Confidence doesn't mean believing every shot will go in.

It means trusting your preparation enough to keep making good decisions, even when things aren't going your way.

If a few missed shots are enough to change how you play, that's something worth working on.

Finding it difficult to trust yourself after a mistake? Drop us a DM with "CONFIDENCE" and let's talk about how you can start changing that.

If you'd rather have a one-on-one conversation, you can arrange a free, no-pressure call here:
https://calendly.com/riseaboveadversity/mental-performance-support--free-fit-call

Your game doesn't start when the whistle blows. It starts with how you prepare yourself mentally.I've seen athletes put ...
21/10/2026

Your game doesn't start when the whistle blows. It starts with how you prepare yourself mentally.

I've seen athletes put in hours of physical training, only to step onto the court feeling distracted, rushed, or unsure of themselves.

And often, it's not because they aren't ready. They just haven't taken the time to get their mind where it needs to be.

That's where having a simple pre-performance routine can make a difference.

It doesn't need to be complicated.

A few minutes of movement. Some steady breathing. A clear intention for what you want to focus on.

Something that tells your mind and body, "I'm ready to compete."

The goal isn't to guarantee a perfect start. It's to give yourself a consistent way to settle in, find your focus, and approach those opening moments with purpose.

Because when you've got a routine you trust, you're not relying on everything feeling right before you begin.

Here's something I'd like you to try at your next game.

Before you step onto the court or field, choose ONE action that signals it's time to compete. It could be a deep breath, a word you say to yourself, or a simple movement.

Use it consistently and pay attention to how it affects your focus.

Already have a pre-game ritual? Tell me what it is in the comments. I'm always interested to hear how different athletes prepare themselves to perform.

20/10/2026

The transition into a new season can be harder than many athletes expect.

When things don't click straight away, frustration can quickly turn into self-doubt.

As a parent, it's natural to want to help your athlete fix things or remind them of what they could have done better.

But sometimes, they need space to process the experience before they're ready to work through it.

Help them see that a difficult start doesn't mean they're falling behind.

Give them the support to adjust, learn, and find their feet at their own pace. 🏀

19/10/2026

Your response to a difficult season can shape the athlete you become.

When things aren't going your way, it's easy to become frustrated and lose sight of what you're working towards.

But these moments are also an opportunity to develop patience, discipline, and the ability to stay committed when things get uncomfortable.

Don't let disappointment change the standards you set for yourself.

Keep learning, keep contributing, and keep doing the work. 🏀

It's not always the mistake that hurts your performance. Sometimes, it's what happens in your head afterwards.You miss a...
18/10/2026

It's not always the mistake that hurts your performance. Sometimes, it's what happens in your head afterwards.

You miss a shot. Make a poor decision. Lose possession.

And suddenly, you're thinking about what just happened instead of focusing on what's happening now.

I've seen athletes turn one small mistake into several simply because they couldn't let go of the first one.

Here's something worth remembering.

Making a mistake doesn't mean you're having a bad game. It's how you respond that matters.

Take a breath. Acknowledge what happened. Refocus on the next action.

You don't need to make up for the mistake immediately. You just need to get yourself back into the game.

Learning to reset is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice.

If you find yourself replaying mistakes long after they've happened, let's work on changing that.

Send me a DM with the word "RESET" and we can have a chat about what's getting in your way.

Prefer to talk it through? You can find a time that suits you for a free, no-obligation conversation here:

https://calendly.com/riseaboveadversity/mental-performance-support--free-fit-call

"

Ever had one of those games where everything just clicked?You weren't overthinking. You weren't forcing anything. You we...
17/10/2026

Ever had one of those games where everything just clicked?

You weren't overthinking. You weren't forcing anything. You were just playing.

Your decisions felt natural, your reactions were sharp, and you were completely locked into what you were doing.

That's what athletes often describe as being "in the zone," or experiencing a flow state.

It's a great feeling, but it's not something that just happens by chance every time.

There are certain conditions that can help create the opportunity for flow, including having clear goals, being fully focused on the task, receiving immediate feedback, and having the right balance between your skills and the challenge in front of you.

One thing I encourage athletes to understand is that the harder you try to force yourself into the zone, the more you can end up getting in your own way.

Instead of chasing that perfect performance, focus on what you can control in the moment.

Be clear on your task. Trust your preparation. Stay connected to what's happening right in front of you.

And let the performance unfold.

Swipe through to understand the 8 elements associated with flow state and how they relate to your performance.

I'm interested to hear from athletes on this one. Think back to a time when you felt completely in the zone. What was different about that performance?

Share your experience in the comments. I'd love to hear what it felt like for you.

What if those pre-competition nerves aren't necessarily a bad thing? 🧠Before a big game, race, or trial, it's common to ...
16/10/2026

What if those pre-competition nerves aren't necessarily a bad thing? 🧠

Before a big game, race, or trial, it's common to experience butterflies in your stomach, sweaty palms, a racing heart, or that sudden rush of adrenaline.

Most athletes interpret these feelings as nerves or anxiety.

But here's something worth understanding.

Anxiety and excitement can feel very similar in the body.

The difference often comes down to how we interpret those physical sensations.

When you tell yourself, "I'm nervous," you might start focusing on everything that could go wrong.

But when you reframe that thought to "I'm excited," you give yourself an opportunity to view those same sensations as a sign that your body is preparing for something important.

It doesn't mean the nerves will disappear. And it doesn't mean simply changing your words will guarantee a better performance.

It's about learning to work with your emotions rather than allowing them to dictate how you perform.

This is a mental skill that takes awareness, practice, and repetition.

Next time you feel those butterflies before competing, try asking yourself:

"What if this feeling is my body getting ready to perform?"

Give it a go at your next training session or competition, and come back to tell us whether it changed how you approached the moment.

15/10/2026

Anxiety can make the game feel like it's all about you.

Did I make the right decision?

Did the coach notice that mistake?

Am I doing enough?

The more attention you give those questions, the less attention you have for the game itself.

Sometimes the best way forward isn't to argue with every thought.

It's to give your attention something useful to do.

Talk to your teammate.

Help someone.

Look for the next pass.

Make the defensive rotation.

Find one thing your team needs from you and do it.

You don't need to feel completely calm before you can contribute.

Move your attention back to the game. 🏀

Address

Ingle Farm
Adelaide, SA
5098

Telephone

+61402121959

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rise Above Adversity posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Rise Above Adversity:

Shortcuts

Share