Through endurance sports, Dr. Kirby has discovered the transformative power of mental toughness. From running ultras of up to 200 miles to completing 21 consecutive days of triathlons—including two half-Irons and a full Ironman—Dr. Kirby has learned how resilience, determination, and a strong mindset can overcome physical limitations. He has used this knowledge to provide mental skill development to Division 1 student-athletes and teams, as well as various high school and middle school athletes and teams. Below are some of the trainings and workshops he has done in this space:

1. The Power of Positive Thinking: Cultivating a Winning Mindset 
   • This training explores how adopting a positive mindset can significantly enhance your athletic performance and overall well-being. You’ll learn techniques to develop positive thinking patterns and understand the impact of positivity on both your mental and physical game. Through practical exercises, you’ll discover strategies to maintain a winning attitude even in the face of challenges, fostering resilience and sustained motivation.
2. Overcoming Negative Self-Talk: Strategies for Success 
   • Negative self-talk can hinder your performance and undermine your confidence. In this session, you’ll learn to identify and combat these detrimental thought patterns. You’ll be introduced to techniques to reframe negative thoughts into positive affirmations and engage in exercises that promote constructive self-dialogue. 
3. Building Resilience: Bouncing Back from Setbacks 
   • Setbacks are an inevitable part of any athletic journey. This training focuses on developing mental resilience to help you recover from losses or injuries and come back stronger. You’ll explore strategies to build resilience, learn effective coping mechanisms, and foster a growth mindset that views challenges as opportunities for improvement.
4. Visualization Techniques: Seeing Your Success 
   • Discover how mental imagery can enhance your performance and boost confidence. This session delves into the science behind visualization and its impact on athletic success. You’ll practice visualization exercises and learn how to integrate this powerful tool into your daily training routines. By seeing your success mentally, you’ll be better prepared to achieve it physically.
5. Goal Setting for Athletes: Achieving Ambitious Targets 
   • Effective goal setting is crucial for driving motivation and tracking progress. In this training, you’ll learn to utilize the SMART goals framework to set clear and attainable objectives. You’ll be guided through breaking down long-term goals into actionable steps and provide methods for monitoring and adjusting your goals as needed. Master the art of goal setting to unlock your full athletic potential.
6. Mindfulness in Sports: Staying Present Under Pressure 
   • Enhance your focus and reduce anxiety during competition through mindfulness techniques. This session introduces you to mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques. You’ll learn methods to remain present and fully engaged, even in high-pressure situations, leading to improved performance and a more enjoyable athletic experience.
7. Managing Performance Anxiety: Staying Calm in Competition 
   • Performance anxiety can impede your ability to perform at your best when it matters most. This training helps you understand the sources of your anxiety and provides practical relaxation techniques. You’ll learn mental strategies to maintain composure during critical moments, ensuring you stay calm, focused, and ready to excel in competition.
8. Confidence Building: Trusting Your Skills 
   • Confidence is a key ingredient in athletic success. This session focuses on boosting your self-confidence to enhance performance. You’ll engage with self-assessment tools to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Through positive affirmations and strategies that reinforce trust in your abilities, you’ll develop a stronger belief in yourself and your skills.
9. Focus and Concentration: Eliminating Distractions 
   • Improve your ability to concentrate during training and competition by learning how to eliminate distractions. This training covers techniques to enhance focus, manage both internal and external distractions, and includes practical drills to strengthen your concentration skills. By honing your focus, you’ll be better equipped to perform at your peak.
10. Stress Management: Keeping Cool Under Fire 
    • Learn how to manage stress effectively to maintain peak performance levels. This session provides stress reduction techniques and time management skills tailored for athletes. We’ll discuss strategies to balance athletic demands with personal life to prevent burnout. By keeping cool under pressure, you’ll sustain high performance and enjoy your sport more fully.
11. Developing Grit: Perseverance in the Face of Challenges
    • Grit—passion and perseverance for long-term goals—is essential for athletic success. This training helps you understand the importance of grit and how to cultivate it. You’ll explore strategies for embracing challenges, staying motivated through adversity, and maintaining perseverance over time. Strengthen your resolve to achieve your ambitions, no matter the obstacles.
12. Embracing Failure: Learning from Losses 
    • Turn setbacks into opportunities for growth with this insightful training. You’ll learn to reflect on your performance critically, extract valuable lessons from failures, and build a resilient mindset that views losses as learning experiences. By embracing failure, you’ll enhance your ability to adapt and improve continuously.
13. Mental Preparation: Pre-Game Routines for Success
    • Develop effective mental routines to prepare yourself for competition. This session guides you in creating personalized pre-game rituals and practicing mental warm-up exercises. You’ll learn how to set intentions that enhance focus and readiness, ensuring you’re mentally primed to perform at your best when it counts.
14. Team Dynamics: The Psychology of Teamwork 
    • Enhance your team’s performance by understanding the psychology behind effective teamwork. This training focuses on improving communication skills, building trust among teammates, and fostering a positive, cohesive team environment. By strengthening team dynamics, you’ll contribute to a more successful and enjoyable team experience.
15. Self-Motivation Techniques: Igniting Your Inner Drive 
    • Unlock your inner drive to achieve your athletic goals. This session helps you identify personal motivators and set inspiring objectives. You’ll learn techniques to overcome procrastination and stay driven, even when challenges arise. By mastering self-motivation, you’ll maintain momentum towards your aspiration.
16. Emotional Regulation: Controlling Emotions During Competition 
    • Gain control over your emotions to stay focused and perform optimally during competition. This training teaches you to recognize emotional triggers and provides techniques for effective emotional regulation. By maintaining emotional balance under pressure, you’ll enhance your consistency and reliability as an athlete.
17. Overcoming Fear: Facing and Conquering Athletic Fears 
    • Address and conquer the fears that may be holding back your performance. In this session, you’ll identify specific fears and learn exposure techniques to confront them safely. By building confidence and developing strategies to overcome obstacles, you’ll empower yourself to reach new heights in your sport.
18. Maintaining Consistency: Performing at Your Best Every Time 
    • Consistency is key to long-term success in athletics. This training provides strategies to ensure you perform at your best across all competitions. You’ll learn to develop reliable routines, manage your energy levels effectively, and apply mental strategies to maintain high performance consistently. Achieve greater reliability in your athletic endeavors.
19. Energy Management: Balancing Rest and Effort 
    • Learn how to manage your physical and mental energy for optimal performance. This session emphasizes the importance of recovery and provides techniques to avoid burnout. You’ll explore ways to effectively recharge both mind and body, ensuring you have the energy needed to meet the demands of your sport.
20. The Champion’s Mindset: Thinking Like a Winner 
    • Adopt the mental habits of elite athletes to elevate your game. This training delves into the traits that define a champion’s mindset, such as discipline, focus, and unwavering self-belief. You’ll learn how to cultivate these qualities and apply them to your own performance, empowering you to think and compete like a winner.