Brent Alexander

serving up perspective //

smashing the doubt

Tag: Mental Resilience

Discover insights, strategies, and reflections on building mental strength, overcoming challenges, and fostering a growth mindset in every aspect of life.

14 Minutes of Proof That Consistency Changes Everything

Running the Thanksgiving Turkey Day Run in Downtown Greenville has quickly become one of my favorite holiday rituals. While most people ease into the morning with warm coffee and the Macy’s parade, more than 8,000 runners gather for the annual Trees Upstate Turkey Day Run, lining up shoulder to shoulder, shaking off the cold, and buzzing with that “let’s do this” race-day energy.

For years, this race was something I did purely for fun, with no real training or expectations. I’d show up and run/walk the 5K course (not the longer 8K route) and call it a morning.

But this year was different.

This year, I came with a goal.

It’s officially been one year since I decided to train as a competitive runner—one year since I stopped winging it and started building real consistency. And on Thanksgiving morning, those steady miles and discipline all showed up in one massive way:

A new PR—14 minutes faster than last year.
🏁 40:15 8K

Running in Gratitude

If Thanksgiving has a theme, it’s gratitude. And this year, that theme felt especially real for me.

As I crossed the finish line and caught my breath, I felt gratitude move through me in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I’m grateful for strong legs that have carried me through every mile of training.

I’m grateful for a calm, grounded mind that now works with me instead of against me.

I’m grateful for the clarity and peace that running continues to create in my life—mile by mile, week by week.

This sport has become more than exercise. It’s become a space where I build the version of me I want to bring into the rest of my life.

This PR Isn’t the Finish Line

A personal record feels amazing—but it’s not the end of anything. If anything, it’s just another check-in point along the journey.

I’m stronger than I was last year. More confident and more capable. And I have more belief than I ever had before.

But I’m also nowhere near my ceiling.

With my half-marathon coming up in December in Wilmington, NC, I’m already setting my sights on another PR. It’s another challenge to see what a year of commitment can turn into.

But before all that, I’m letting myself pause for a moment to acknowledge the progress and honor the work I’ve put in. And to remind myself that the path I’m on is the right one.

Same holiday.

Same course.

Completely different runner.

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December 5, 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
Rory McIlroy: A Masterpiece, At Last

This is what it means to Rory McIlroy.

For over a decade, the Masters was the one that got away—the final brushstroke missing from an otherwise legendary career. Four majors by the age of 25. Dominance, elegance, and charisma in equal measure. And yet, year after year, Augusta remained elusive. A heartbreak in 2011. A dozen tries since. Whispers of what could have been, what should have been.

The career Grand Slam.

One of the rarest feats in golf—claimed by only five men in history. Rory had three legs of it for over a decade. He just needed one more walk up the 18th at Augusta in triumph.

But this… this is what it feels like to chase a dream through storms and silence. To carry the weight of expectation, of near-misses, of a jacket that never quite fit—until today.

And here’s the thing—this isn’t just Rory’s story. It’s ours, too.

You can have all the pieces. All the promise. But some dreams take time. They demand more than talent. They ask for patience, heartbreak, growth, and relentless belief. You might wonder if your window has closed—but what if it’s just not yet?

Rory didn’t just win the Masters. He joined the legends.
He completed the career Grand Slam.
He finished the story.

And in doing so, he reminded us: unfinished doesn’t mean failure. It means there’s still more to come. He kept showing up. Kept believing. Kept working. And when the moment finally arrived, it meant more because of the wait.

So if you’re chasing your own version of a Grand Slam—don’t stop.

The timeline is different for everyone. But persistence is undefeated.

Keep showing up. Keep doing the work. Let the dream take the time it needs.

When he stood on the 18th green, jacket draped over his shoulders, the crowd rising in applause—not just for the win but for the journey—you could see it in his eyes: relief, redemption, glory.

Well done, Rory.
A decade in the making.
A masterpiece, at last.

April 14, 2025
My First Pickleball Medal 🥈

Pickleball has a way of testing you—not just your skills, but your mindset. It rewards patience, resilience, and the ability to adapt under pressure. In February, I put that to the test in a four-week 3.5 Men’s Doubles Ladder League, and let me tell you, it was a ride.

Rising & Sliding Down The Ladder

When I signed up for this league, I knew it was going to push me. I came out strong in the opening week winning almost 90% of possible points. But I slid down the ladder in week 2 only winning two out of four games. Week 3 was even worse, not capitalizing on the points I needed to set myself up for a push for the podium. Heading into the final week, I found myself sitting three places from last. Not exactly where you want to be when medals are on the line.

But that’s the thing about competition—it’s not over until it’s over.

Flipping the Switch

Going into the final week, I knew I had to play differently. Not just better, but smarter. More intentional. This wasn’t about coasting or hoping for a lucky break. If I wanted a shot at medaling, I had to lock in. 🔐

Trust the work. Trust the instincts.

I focused on my footwork, my shot selection, and most importantly, my mental game. Instead of playing not to lose, I played to win. No hesitation. No second-guessing.

And when it mattered most? I swept the field.

Every game. Every rally. Every point. I played with a level of confidence and intensity I hadn’t fully tapped into before. By the end of the day, I went from sitting near the bottom of the rankings to standing on the podium with a silver medal around my neck.

Doug, Gold medalist (on left) alongside Brent, Silver medalist (on right); Not pictured: Steve, Bronze medalist.

The Takeaway: Trust & Adjust

This wasn’t just about winning matches. It was about proving something to myself—that when the pressure is high and the odds are against me, I have another gear. I can adjust. I can fight.

Sure, I’ve had good games before. But this was different. This was a breakthrough.

Shoutouts & What’s Next

Silver medal and the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated pickleball paddle

A huge shoutout to Gearbox Pickleball—the Pro Ultimate Elongated paddle was an absolute beast. The power, control, and feel made a huge difference in my game. Also, big thanks to the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation for hosting a fantastic league.

And this? This is just the beginning.

The fire is lit, and I’m already thinking about the next challenge. More tournaments. More leagues. More chances to level up. I’ve already booked a Spring outdoor ladder league coming up at the end of April.

In pickleball—just like in life—you grind, you come back, and you medal. 🥈

See you on the courts. 🤙

March 31, 2025

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