S7 Ep 5: Leaning In

Mindset

Mike Shade enters his first individual stroke play tournament with a confident mindset. Despite limited practice due to a wrist injury, he feels prepared and excited to compete. Eli Strait supports him, emphasizing the importance of embracing nerves as a sign of readiness. Mike shares his approach:

I feel confident that I'm going to execute my goal, which is play every shot, stay exactly where I am.

--- Mike Shade

His preparation includes meticulous planning, from selecting the right sharpie to scripting his outfit, all contributing to his positive outlook 1 2.

   

Challenges

During the tournament, Mike encounters mental hurdles, notably the fear of shanking a shot. Despite a successful warm-up, intrusive thoughts about a potential shank challenge his focus. He recalls a lesson from Josh Nichols on managing negative thoughts, which helps him regain composure. Mike reflects:

A thought is only as powerful as I give it the power to be.

--- Mike Shade

His short game struggles, particularly with putting, highlight areas needing improvement, yet he remains committed to each shot 3 4.

   

Reflection

After the tournament, Mike reflects on his performance, acknowledging both his resilience and areas for growth. Despite scoring higher than anticipated, he takes pride in his mental fortitude and commitment to each shot. Eli Strait praises his competitive spirit, noting the value of building a competitive history. Mike shares his takeaway:

I didn't check out. I didn't eject. I stayed in it. I leaned in.

--- Mike Shade

This experience motivates him to continue competing, with a newfound focus on visualizing each shot and improving his short game 5 6.