Sports & Gaming

Mental Preparation

Lesson time 12:22 min

Lewis shares how keeping calm and focused in the car begins well before the race starts. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to mentally prepare for and keep your mind in the right place to withstand any challenge.

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Topics include: The Connection Between Mind and Body Protect Your Mind Do Your Homework Be Present You Got This You Are Not Alone

Lewis Hamilton

Teaches a Winning Mindset

World racing champion Lewis Hamilton teaches you how to prepare your mind, body, and spirit for victory in your own life.

Preview

[MUSIC PLAYING] LEWIS HAMILTON: In my job, mental preparation is absolutely everything. I'm super competitive. I always have been. I hate losing. It's okay to admit that, but when I do lose, rather than dwell on it, I realize I can't do anything about the past except for learn about it. I started to learn how to prepare myself better so that I arrived more relaxed, more confident in what it is I had to do. Mental preparation is key for all of us. [MUSIC PLAYING] I wasn't always aware of the connection between the mind and the body. I would feel things and-- physically, and then I would feel things mentally. And sometimes it's just difficult to understand where that-- where are those feelings coming from? What's causing that stress? Why do I have those aches in my body? So it's been a process of learning over time. There are so many different methods out there, so it's just trial and error. From what I've experienced is trying new things. Now I do yoga, which helps calm me down. Feeling good in your body helps you feel great in the mind. If you're feeling great physically, then naturally, it releases endorphins. If I go for a run in the morning before-- or if I roll out of bed and I do 50, 100 press-ups and sit-ups, it releases this-- there's scientific proof it releases positive endorsement endorphins in your body, and you feel-- you start to feel great. And so that's why I encourage people to do some form of exercising, whether it's taking a walk or whatever it may be, because that definitely helps you de-stress and helps you be more laser focused. And I've done-- tried lots of different diets. Some have, some haven't worked. And I've tried lots of different training methods. I think you have to find what works for you. Today I have the pretty much perfect method for-- or I'm still refining it, but it's almost perfect-- the prep that I have in order to get myself centered, be calm in mind. I put my music on. I go into my stretching. Then there's a few other things, like interviews that follow that, and then come back to my room. And I need like 20 minutes to focus, calm my heart rate down, be present. There's those few stages that I take, and then I walk into the garage. I'm like, wow, this is my dream. This is what I always wanted to do, so I'm going to go out there and give it everything. Protecting your mind and your thought process-- I think it's not easy. We're surrounded by so many things. there's. A lot of bad things that are happening in the world that can be upsetting. I know from one person just saying something negative to you can have different things firing in your brain, causing doubts. It could be someone as simple as saying, oh, you're wearing a green shirt. What does that mean? So learning ways in which to deflect negativity, I think, is important. So before a race, I'm-- I try not to be on my phone. I try not to be dealing with issues, whether it's work-related, whether it's through pe...

About the Instructor

As the winningest Formula 1 driver in the history of the sport, Lewis Hamilton knows what it takes to come out on top. Now, he’s teaching you how to achieve greatness in your own life. Whether you already know your goals or are still trying to figure them out, you’ll learn how to face your fears, turn negatives into positives, and continuously challenge yourself in order to find—and reach—your true potential.

Featured MasterClass Instructor

Lewis Hamilton

World racing champion Lewis Hamilton teaches you how to prepare your mind, body, and spirit for victory in your own life.

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