Swimming isn’t just a physical sport — it demands technical precision, breath control, timing, pacing strategy and the ability to stay composed under competitive stress. Whether in pool events, open-water, club competition or as part of triathlon, performance is dictated as much by state and mind as by physical conditioning.
Many capable swimmers struggle not with skill — but with maintaining focus, calm, pacing and confidence when it matters most.
I help swimmers improve competitive execution using a blend of:
- NLP & cognitive performance psychology
- Breath & nervous system regulation
- Flow-state & pacing strategies
- Adapted hypnotherapy (non-visual)
- Performance mindset coaching
This is modern swim performance coaching, focused on clearer minds, calmer execution, and more consistent race outcomes.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
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What This Helps With
Swimmers (and triathletes) come to me for support with:
- Race-day nerves & competition anxiety
- Overthinking technique mid-race
- Fear of failure or choking
- Inconsistent pacing & rhythm
- Poor turn efficiency due to tension
- Breath panic during open-water
- Loss of confidence after mistakes
- Difficulty holding form under fatigue
- Pressure from coaches, parents, or clubs
- Mental blocks after injury or setback
You already have technique — this helps optimise mental execution.
Why Performance Breaks Down in Swimming
Swimming performance changes under competitive stress for three main reasons:
1. Breath–Arousal Conflict
Stress increases respiratory rate and disrupts:
- breath timing
- CO₂ tolerance
- relaxed stroke rhythm
This can trigger panic, especially in open water or triathlon swim starts.
2. Internal Overthinking
During competition, awareness shifts from flow to self-monitoring, leading to:
- hesitation
- loss of feel for the water
- timing disruption
- overcorrecting technique
3. Nervous System Tension
Pressure increases muscular tension, reducing:
- shoulder mobility
- catch fluidity
- turn explosiveness
- kick rhythm
This is state, not ability — and it can be trained.
Summary: The Mental Game in Elite Swimming
At the highest level, swimming performance is not trained through physical conditioning alone.
Elite swimmers deliberately train focus, emotional regulation, pacing awareness, and nervous-system control to perform consistently under competitive stress.
Swimming places unique mental demands on athletes — precise breath timing, sustained discomfort, pacing accuracy, and the ability to stay composed in isolation. When margins are measured in hundredths of a second, mental execution becomes critical.
At elite level, the difference is often not strength or technique, but the ability to stay calm, committed, and neurologically aligned when it matters most.
Why Elite Swimmers Train the Mind
Many of the world’s most successful swimmers openly credit mental training as a core part of their performance:
- Michael Phelps, working with Bob Bowman, used detailed mental rehearsal to stay calm and consistent under Olympic pressure.
- Katie Ledecky uses process-based focus and internal feel cues to maintain rhythm and pacing throughout races.
- Adam Peaty has spoken about mental resilience and process focus as key to sustaining world-class performance.
- Caeleb Dressel uses reflection and mindset routines to maintain clarity and composure across events.
Across generations, swimmers such as Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, Jason Lezak, and James Magnussen have used mental rehearsal, self-talk, and mindset training to handle pressure, recover from setbacks, and perform consistently at major championships.
At this level, mental training is not motivational — it is precision training for focus, pacing, and composure.
A Modern, Mind-Body Performance Approach
🔹 Cognitive Performance (NLP & Psychology)
For:
- confidence under pressure
- post-mistake resets
- self-talk and pacing control
- coping with judgement & expectation
🔹 Nervous System Regulation
For:
- arousal control pre-race
- breath pacing & CO₂ tolerance
- tilt recovery after poor heat/turn
- composure in chaotic swim starts (triathlon)
🔹 Flow-State Training
Improves:
- feel for the water
- mid-race rhythm
- relaxed speed
- consistent pacing
🔹 Adapted Hypnotherapy (Non-Visual is possible)
Supports:
- subconscious confidence
- emotional reset after setbacks
- calm, automatic execution
Works even for aphantasia (no visual imagery needed).
Who This Is For
This applies to:
- Club swimmers
- Masters swimmers
- Competitive juniors
- Open water swimmers
- Triathletes (Swim leg)
Including:
- Sprinters (50/100)
- Mid-distance (200/400)
- Distance (800/1500)
- Stroke specialists
- Medley swimmers
- Relay squads
Why Athletes Work With The Excel Practice
- 18+ years performance coaching experience
- Specialist in confidence, anxiety & overthinking
- Combines mind-body + cognitive performance
- Adapted for non-visual thinkers (aphantasia)
- Over 50 five-star client reviews
- Effective online (UK & international)
Athletes often report improvements in:
- race composure
- relaxed speed & pacing
- turn confidence
- open-water calmness
- sleep & recovery
- mental consistency
How Sessions Work
Sessions are:
- private
- structured
- practical
- performance-focused
We work on:
- mapping pressure triggers
- breath–state control
- competitive mindset
- pacing confidence
- flow consistency
- post-error recovery
No visualisation required. No hype. No jargon.
Locations — Reading, Didcot & Online
Available:
- Reading (Mon–Fri)
- Didcot (Tuesdays)
- Online Worldwide via Zoom or Teams
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this for technique?
No — this focuses on mind-body performance, not stroke mechanics.
Does this help triathletes?
Yes — especially with swim-start anxiety, breath control and composure.
How many sessions will I need?
Most notice benefits within 3–5 sessions.
Do I need to visualise?
No — all methods work for non-visual thinkers.
Next Steps — Swim With Calm, Clarity & Confidence
If you want:
- calmer race execution
- better pacing control
- reduced anxiety
- stronger confidence
- improved flow
- better open-water starts (triathlon)
…performance coaching can help you get there.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
Book Your Session
Ask a Question
How This Applies to Everyday Swimmers
While elite swimmers operate at the highest level, the mental patterns under pressure are the same at club, masters, open-water, and triathlon level:
- Race-day nerves disrupting breath and rhythm
- Overthinking technique mid-race
- Losing pacing control under pressure
- Tension affecting turns and stroke efficiency
- Difficulty resetting after mistakes or poor heats
Mindset coaching, psychology, and adapted hypnotherapy work by addressing the state and nervous-system layer, not by forcing confidence or motivation.
The aim is simple:
help swimmers stay calm, rhythmical, and committed — so training performance shows up in races.
This approach is adapted for real swimming environments and works alongside existing coaches and training programmes, not instead of them.