Mind of a Champion Building Resilience for Sports, School and Life

Resilient Youth Pathways

What You’ll Learn

Participants will gain practical tools to:

Use visualization and mental imagery to prepare for competition and everyday challenges.
Strengthen concentration and stay focused under pressure.
Practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress and remain present in the moment.
Build confidence through goal-setting and confidence-building routines.
Develop resilience that supports success in sports, school, and life.

The skills taught in Mind of a Champion are designed to be practiced both individually and together. Athletes develop techniques they can use every day, while parents, coaches, and educators learn how to reinforce those same skills, creating a consistent foundation for confidence, resilience, and focus in sports, school, and life.

Why It Works

Mind of a Champion was developed from the Resilient Youth Initiative, a research-based program that has helped thousands of young people build confidence, strengthen resilience, and better manage life’s challenges. Building on that proven foundation, Mind of a Champion adapts those same practical skills to help athletes develop the mental tools needed to succeed in sports, school, and life.

Participants learn techniques such as visualization, mental imagery, mindfulness, concentration, goal-setting, and confidence-building routines that are practiced by Olympic athletes and professional athletes. More importantly, these skills don’t stop when the competition ends. They help athletes prepare for presentations, tests, leadership opportunities, relationships, and the everyday challenges they will face throughout life.

The Resilient Youth Initiative was developed through decades of research by leading experts in resilience, stress management, and mind-body medicine, including Harvard Medical School, the Child Resiliency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine.

Who It’s For?

Athletes: Build the confidence, focus, and resilience needed to perform under pressure, overcome setbacks, and apply those same skills in sports, school, and life.

Parents & Families: Learn the same practical techniques your athlete is developing so you can encourage healthy habits, reinforce positive routines, and support their growth in sports, school, and life.

Coaches: Help athletes strengthen their mental game by reinforcing research-based strategies that build confidence, improve focus, and develop resilience throughout the season.

Educators: Support student success by understanding the same practical skills athletes are learning and helping reinforce confidence, resilience, and focus both inside and outside the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can register for Mind of a Champion?

Mind of a Champion is available to Will County youth in grades 5–12, their parents and families, coaches, and educators. Educators working in Will County schools may also participate.

How long does the course take to complete?

The course includes approximately three hours of self-paced online learning. Participants can complete the lessons whenever it fits their schedule.

Do I have to complete the course all at once?

No. Because the course is self-paced, participants can complete it over multiple sessions and return to the material whenever it’s convenient.

Does my athlete have to participate in school sports?

No. Mind of a Champion is designed for athletes participating in any sport, including school, travel, club, recreational, and individual sports.

Does the course only apply to certain sports?

No. Mind of a Champion is designed for athletes participating in any sport, whether competing individually or as part of a team. The techniques taught in the course can be applied across a wide variety of athletic experiences.

Can educators receive Illinois Professional Development hours?

Yes. Eligible Illinois educators may receive Professional Development hours for successfully completing the course.

When will I receive access to the course?

Course access information is emailed after registration, allowing participants to begin the course as soon as they’re ready.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. Thanks to the generous support of our funding partners, Mind of a Champion is offered at no cost to eligible Will County youth, their families, coaches, and educators.

How the Course Works

After registering, participants receive access to the Mind of a Champion online course and can begin learning at their own pace. The course is designed to fit into busy schedules, allowing participants to complete lessons whenever it’s most convenient.

Participants can expect:

Approximately 3 hours of self-paced online learning.
Short, easy-to-follow lessons designed to fit busy schedules.
Practical techniques that can be applied immediately in sports, school, and everyday life.
Designed for athletes participating in any sport, whether competing individually or as part of a team.
Resources tailored to participants, including a Champion’s Journal for athletes and ready-to-use activities for coaches and educators.
Illinois Professional Development hours for eligible educators who complete the course.

Next Steps

Want to learn more before getting started?

Download Athlete & Parent Flyer
A printable overview of the Mind of a Champion course for athletes and their families, including what participants will learn, course details, and registration information.

Download Coach & Educator Flyer
A printable overview of the Mind of a Champion course for coaches and educators, including course information, implementation benefits, and Professional Development opportunities.

Ready to Get Started?
Register for Mind of a Champion and begin developing the confidence, focus, and resilience that support success in sports, school, and life.

REGISTER HERE

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