Brent Alexander

serving up perspective //

smashing the doubt

Author: Brent

The Body Is Ready When the Mind Is Steady

Spinx Run Fest 10K – Greenville, SC

Finish Time: 52:42 (8:29/mi) — New PR ✅

They say training is everything, but I’m learning that the real foundation of endurance starts with a calm mind.

To be completely honest, I didn’t have the most consistent training block leading up to this race. I don’t think I had one week where I hit my mileage goal. And I definitely slacked in the interval training/speed-work sessions.

But during the final week leading up to race day, I shifted my focus inward. I meditated every evening, practicing mindfulness and breathwork. That mental reset changed everything about how I showed up on race morning.

The practice of mindfulness is not new to me. I’ve meditated consistently for the past year using the guided meditation programming offered by Apple Fitness+. But then I saw an Ad on my IG feed for the Waking Up app, which intrigued me. Like Apple Fitness, it has guided meditation sessions, but Waking Up goes deeper, teaching you how to actually understand your mind, not just quiet it. It’s less about relaxation and more about transformation–the kind that can only come from equanimity.

When the mind is calm, endurance becomes effortless.

Crossing the start line, I found rhythm early. My breathing felt smooth. Around mile four, a side stitch tried to throw me off, but instead of fighting it, I went back to focusing on my breath. By mile 5, it had passed. Most surprisingly, my splits were as consistent as they ever have been. In my past longer runs, I would limit my warm-up to a quick half mile and light stretching immediately before the race, and I had to “ease in” to the first few miles. But this time, I ran a full 1-mile warm-up about 30 minutes before the start, which I think helped tremendously and made all the difference in my consistency.

For once, I wasn’t chasing the PR. I knew it was coming.

At the last water station, I even took a few seconds to hydrate without that nagging voice in the back of my head shouting, “You’re losing time.” That’s when it hit me: calm confidence is faster than frantic effort.

The final stretch into the stadium felt surreal. The red dirt of the warning track under my shoes—it’s one of the best finish line experiences you can get. And seeing my biggest fan cheering as I entered the stadium? That sealed it.

52:42. A 10K PR. Not because I pushed harder, but because I stayed grounded through every mile.

This race reminded me that consistency follows clarity. When the mind is steady, the body knows what to do.

See you next year, Spinx. 🤙

The Real Race Starts Within 🧘

Start a 30-day free trial of Waking Up and discover the mental clarity that makes every run, and every day, feel lighter — begin your free month here.

November 6, 2025
Back From The Wild ⛺️

I recently took a 2-night / 3-day solo backpacking trip to a local State Park here in South Carolina. I usually try to escape to the woods once every year in the fall.

The woods were quiet—the kind that doesn’t come from stillness but from absence. No notifications. No schedules. No algorithm deciding what you should care about next. Just me, a tent, and a world that wasn’t man-made.

There’s something about being outside long enough that the pace of nature starts to sync with your own heartbeat. You stop rushing. You stop needing. You stop checking the time. Somewhere between the crackle of the fire and the chill of the morning air, the noise fades, and what’s left actually feels like you.

But being alone in the wild isn’t all peace and tranquility. It stirs something deeper—a kind of hypervigilance that lives in your bones. Every rustle in the brush, every shift in the wind, pulls your attention. The trees don’t rush you, but they also don’t coddle you. They just exist. And somehow, I remember how to do the same.

You stay alert because the wild demands it. It’s instinct, not anxiety. Out there, awareness isn’t overthinking—it’s survival. Maybe that’s what makes it strangely healing. The same sensitivity that exhausts you in society finally has a purpose.

In a world that constantly overstimulates, the wilderness recalibrates. I’ve taken the last 2 weeks to focus on the practice of mindfulness. It feels less like a meditation exercise and more like re-wiring your nervous system to operate in rhythm with nature.

In other news… my back doesn’t like sleeping on the cold, hard ground as much as it used to. Apparently, enlightenment comes with a side of lower lumbar pain.

But I’ll take the ache. Because every time I return to the wild, I come back a little more human. Maybe that’s the point. The wild doesn’t make you comfortable. It awakens you.

November 1, 2025
Donut Know How I Ran This Fast 🍩

This past Saturday’s BIG Nike Takeover was such a vibe.

The run was hosted by Run In Greenville and fueled by some of the best caffeine in town from Due South Coffee Roasters. But the real heart behind the event? Supporting the next generation of creatives by collecting art supplies for local schools.

I laced up the new Nike Vomero 18s for the first time, and they did not disappoint. Super cushioned and responsive—the perfect combo of comfort and speed. They felt so good, I couldn’t help but lean in and let it rip:

24:45 for a new 5K PR. 🔥

Not mad about walking away with a free hat from the Greenville Uptempo Sports raffle and a limited-edition tee featuring custom art by the one and only @tjeisenhart (seriously—such a cool collab). Every detail of the event felt thoughtful, from the gear to the coffee to the art. And the vibes? Immaculate.

It was one of those runs that reminds me why I do this—fast miles, good people, and purpose behind the pace. The end result is pure joy.

Let’s run it back soon, fam. 🤙

PHOTOS BY CITIZEN MEDIA CO

June 3, 2025
Finding Joy On The Court

I found joy.

Last year, I left my full-time agency job. Let’s be honest… it drained me more than it grew me. Without anything lined up, letting go was scary… but necessary. I didn’t know what would fill the space.

Today, that space is filled with things that light me up. I’ve been able to challenge myself in ways I never thought possible. This morning, the challenge was on the pickleball court. And the joy was found in the journey.

It wasn’t easy. It was a grind.

There were some tough losses. Horrendous points.

There was even a moment I lost my cool out of frustration and threw my paddle into the net (I later apologized to my opponent—it was completely uncalled for).

But that’s why you keep fighting.

You don’t let one bad point—or one bad call—dictate the whole game. Or in my case, the whole day.

Sometimes you have to take the L on the chin and come back swinging.

Sometimes… you pickle the next game. 🙂‍↕️

Today, I found a way to come back and win the bronze medal.

Couldn’t have done it without my Bread & Butter Invader paddle and the FREAKY TACK grip from UDrippin. Love the feel!!!

Big congrats to my competitors Judd (gold) and Doug (silver)—incredible players and even better sports. I want to be like them when I grow up.

And huge thanks to The City of Greenville Parks & Recreation for another competitive ladder league. We’ll see you in the fall!

This isn’t just about medals.

It’s about making space for what matters.

It’s about finding joy again.

May 27, 2025
How To Build Mental Resilience On The Pickleball Court
Mental resilience: the ability to stay focused, composed, and confident in facing challenges. And it isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s a skill any level of player can build with intention and practice. Whether you’re grinding through a tough tournament or facing a frustrating rec match, these strategies can help you strengthen your mental game.

1. Train Your Focus Like a Muscle

Mental performance expert Dr. Erik Korem refers to mental fitness as something you build, not something you’re born with. His platform AIM7 emphasizes the importance of adaptive capacity: your ability to handle stress, recover, and remain sharp under pressure.

Just like your third-shot drop, focus requires repetition. Use short, focused drills in your practice to sharpen concentration. For example, set a goal to hit 10 cross-court dinks in a row without error. The moment your mind wanders, you’ll see it in your paddle. Over time, you’ll become more present during critical points in a match.

Try This: Between points, develop a reset ritual—a deep breath, paddle tap, or mantra like “One point at a time”—to stay locked in.

2. Detach From the Outcome

One of the biggest mental traps in pickleball is tying your worth to the score. When you’re winning, you feel great. When you’re losing, self-doubt creeps in.

Instead, shift your focus to controllable factors: effort, attitude, and decision-making. According to Paddletek’s mental training blog, the best players focus on the process, not just the result. Winning becomes a byproduct of consistent execution.

Reframe Your Thoughts:
- Instead of “I have to win this match,” try “I’m going to play smart, aggressive pickleball.”
- Instead of “I can’t miss this shot,” try “I’m going to trust my swing.”
3. Get Comfortable With Discomfort

A tough opponent, an off-day, or a windy court—these variables are out of your control. What you can control is how you respond.

In his podcast, Erik Korem highlights how embracing small doses of stress in training can expand your capacity to handle it in competition. This aligns with DUPR’s advice: lean into pressure situations. Practice tie-breaker scenarios. Drill while fatigued. Play games where you’re forced to go down 0-4 before the first serve.

Every uncomfortable rep becomes a deposit in your resilience bank.

4. Recover Like an Athlete

A resilient mind is a rested mind. When your nervous system is overloaded, performance drops. That’s why rest, sleep, and active recovery are non-negotiable.

AIM7’s approach to wellness emphasizes personalization: some players need a walk and a podcast, others need a nap. The key is listening to your body and giving your mind the rest it needs to stay sharp.

Bonus Tip: After a tough match, don’t rush into analysis. Take a breath, get some hydration, and give yourself time to reflect without judgment.

5. Build Your Inner Coach

Your self-talk is your secret weapon—or your biggest saboteur. Learn to speak to yourself like a supportive coach, not a harsh critic.

Instead of berating yourself for mistakes, try affirming your intention. “I missed that serve, but I love that I went for it.” This fosters confidence and keeps your emotional energy intact throughout the match.

Over time, you’ll develop a stronger inner voice—one that keeps you grounded, focused, and ready for the next point.

Final Thoughts

You can’t control your opponent. You can’t control the weather. But you can control how you show up mentally.

Mental resilience is what keeps you calm in chaos, focused under pressure, and positive through adversity. It’s a skill that not only elevates your game but enhances your experience of the sport. So next time you step on the pickleball court, remember: strength isn’t just physical–it’s in your mind.

Further Reading:
Start building your mental game today—and watch every other part of your game rise with it.

Photo Credit: MARK KAMIBAYASHIYAMA MEDIA
May 15, 2025

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