Whether you are looking for a competitive advantage, or are trying to find out how to unleash your best performance, Brian Cain Peak Performance has the tools to train your brain and make you more confident and consistent.  Take a look at our client testimonials.

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P.R.I.D.E. PACKAGE
OFFICIALLY RELEASED

Brian Cain is currently working on a cutting edge Peak Performance Training Package called P.R.I.D.E. Personal Responsibility In Daily Excellence.  This  DVD set is your at home or on the road, do it yourself, get after it mental toughness, this is the package for you.  Cain's newest and best program teaches you the same 15 principles of P.R.I.D.E. that athletic teams and corporations spend thousands of dollars on to increase their performance and productivity.  The diagram below shows you the 15 principles of P.R.I.D.E.

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM AN ARTICLE
RECENTLY PUBLISHED ABOUT P.R.I.D.E.

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Peak Performance Coach Brian Cain has recently produced a new 6 DVD Peak Performance training program called P.R.I.D.E. – Personal Responsibility In Daily Excellence.  The 6 DVD program features eighteen 10-25 minute videos and a 100+ page manual designed for the coach or player looking to gain a competitive advantage from Peak Performance and Mental Toughness Training.

“I get a lot of requests to work with high schools and colleges around the country and unfortunately I cannot meet all of those requests,” Cain said. “One of my goals has always been to create a video program that any coach or player can use to develop the mental skills necessary to give themselves the best chance to be consistently at their best.”

“Don’t get me wrong.  There are no cookie cutter approaches to sport psychology or peak performance, but I firmly believe that the best of the best are all utilizing some fundamental skills that I try to teach in the PRIDE program.”

WHY PRIDE?

The reason Cain called the program PRIDE is that he constantly finds himself talking about the importance of each and every day, each and every pitch, and wanted to organize a system with an acronym that players and coaches could remember.

“From my first day at Cal State Fullerton with Dr. Ken Ravizza, I learned the importance of TODAY and how today + today + today = your career,” Cain said. “I have come to realize that many baseball people waste a lot of great opportunities to get better because they are too busy counting the days instead of finding ways to make the days count.  With taking Personal Responsibility In Daily Excellence, you find ways to set daily goals that help you improve and stay focused in the grind of baseball.”

TEACHING LIFE SKILLS

As a high school or college coach, the majority of people you coach will never make a living playing the game of baseball, but they will make a life using the lessons you teach them to take from the diamond and apply to the real world.  Very few coaches have ever had a player come back 10 years later and say: “Thanks for teaching me how to throw that backdoor slider. It has really made a difference in my life.” However, we all know that coaches can have the greatest impact on a young person’s life.

“As an athletic director at the high school level I am constantly talking with coaches about how they teach life skills through sport,” Cain said. “What I have found is that EVERY high school and college coach feels that teaching life skills through sport is essential, but often lacks the knowledge or system as to how they can accomplish that goal.  In PRIDE I feel we have put together a foundation from which coaches can teach life skills and also reap the benefits of those life skills in their teams on field performance and ultimately the scoreboard.”

THE NEXT 200FT

If you attended Cain’s behind closed door Mental Game session or attended the Hot Stove Pitching discussion at the 2009 ABCA Convention or heard one of his presentations at the 2009 Mohegan Sun World Baseball Clinic, you have heard him make reference to The Next 200 FEET and the importance of how it relates to your baseball and life success.

“If you were to drive from Burlington, Vermont to Fullerton, California and you left at midnight, and the sun decided never to come up until you arrive in California, so it was dark for your entire trip, could you still drive across the country?,” Cain asked? “The answer is yes.  What is it you have in your truck that will help you most along your journey? Obviously having a GPS will provide you with direction, but having HEADLIGHTS are what will allow you to see your path.”

“Headlights do not let you see from Vermont to California, but they do let you see the next 200FT of the road.  What you are to do is drive the next 200 FT over and over and over again until you get to your final destination, whatever that may be.  From the high school coach looking to repeat as state champs or turn around a program to the college coach looking to break into OMAHA, the task is the same.  FOCUS on the next 200 FT – be relentless in your pursuit of excellence on a daily basis and let the results then take care of themselves.

COKE & PEPSI THEORY:

Most of us think about Coke and Pepsi when we think about the soft drink industry.  Yet if we were to take a blind taste test with Coke, Pepsi and 25 cent Sam’s Cola from Wal-Mart, we would not be able to tell the difference.  So why is it that we think about Coke and Pepsi when we think soft drinks?  The reason is advertisement.

“I wanted something that people could remember.  I wanted something that people could give an answer to when asked ‘What do you mean you are doing mental training?’,“ Cain said. “Much like Coke and Pepsi advertise so you remember, I think as coaches when we can use acronyms to help paint pictures, it helps our athletes to remember and take ownership more.  It is not what we know as coaches that makes us smart; it is what we can teach to our athletes and what they can use that makes us brilliant.”

PRESENT MOMENT

The first P of PRIDE is that of the present moment and the video gives you some activities you can use such as the concentration grid to help you and your athletes stay in the present.

“Living in the present moment or keeping your mind in the moment is one of the fundamental elements of successful people.” Cain said.  “In PRIDE there are videos and examples of people who have played in the present moment and what they look like when compared and contrasted with those who do not.  As a coach if you can learn to see when your players are in the moment and when they are not by establishing some “mental check points” you will be able to better help your players have quality at-bats and throw quality pitches.”

PROCESS OVER OUTCOME

The second P discusses developing a process over an outcome mindset.  Cain gives examples of why it is important to focus on only the things you can control while letting go of and releasing the things you cannot.”

“One of the major obstacles I see in athletics today is that people are far too caught up in things that they can not control and when they do that, they are beating themselves.” Cain said. “Law one of sport psychology is do not beat yourself, make the opponent beat you and when you focus on things you can not control, you are beating yourself.  The process section also discusses how you can structure practice so that you place a greater emphasis on the process and get your athletes to play with a process over outcome mentality.”

PERSPECTIVE/PHILOSOPHY

The third P discusses how we can develop a championship perspective and also the importance of knowing your WHY.  Cain is a firm believer that all great performers have a very clear why.

“When we have a big enough reason why, we can always find a way how.” Cain said.  “In this portion of the program you will learn how to get your athletes to refine and refocus their why.  You also find out why Federal Express is able to deliver the world on time and continue to move in the right direction.”

POSITIVE

The fourth P discusses how to maintain a positive mentality in a game of failure.

“Being able to focus on what you want, rather than what you are trying to avoid is huge.” Cain said. “Becoming more aware of the language you use when talking with yourself during practice or competition and using your self-talk to your advantage will allow you to unleash your potential and play to the best of your ability.”

PREPARATION

The fifth P is that of preparation.  Cain agrees with coach John Wooden that failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

“Some of the best performers in the world including UFC Champions, award-winning actors and top flight surgeons learn that having a hourglass system for preparation allows us be where we need to be when we need to be there doing what we need to be doing in the moment to allow us to get the most out of each moment.” Cain said.  “Preparation is an essential key to confidence and learning how to prepare properly will keep you at your best when it is needed the most, each and every pitch.”

ROUTINES

With much emphasis on routines by sport psychologists working in the field of baseball, Cain felt that it was important to dedicate a section to developing performance routines.

“Habits and routines lead to familiarity.  Familiarity leads to confidence.  Any coach or player knows how critical confidence is to success.” Cain said.  “Routines are the life jacket of Peak Performance.  In game routines allow you to “have something to go to” when the pressure is on, your back is against the wall and you feel like your heart will pound out of your chest.  Pre-game and pre-practice routines allow you to play closer to your potential on a consistent basis.  We are a product of our routines, unfortunately many coaches and athletes do not know how to structure productive routines.”

RESPONSE-ABILITY

Choosing ones own way or making the choice to take response ability is a common trait amoung peak performers.

“Victor Frankel, in his great book Man’s Search For Meaning tells the story of living hell on earth and how he survived the Nazi Concentration Camps during WWII.” Cain said.  “Frankel discusses how you can take everything from a man except the last of his freedoms, the ability to choose his own way or his ability to choose his response-ability.”

“We use the three words, “Compared To What” when talking about response-ability and also with perspective.  You can always respond in a way that will be most beneficial for you and your teammates, but often we get frustrated instead of fascinated with adversity and give away our response-ability too easily because we think we are up against insurmountable odds or too tough of a challenge.  Compared to what Victor Frankel or Jackie Robinson went through, most of us have it pretty easy.”

RELAX & RECOVER

The ability to relax is a skill just like being able to execute a drag bunt.  Cain’s program takes you through the step-by-step process of learning how to train people in the relaxation response.

“Similar to how you would start your concentration grid training in a quiet and controlled environment, building up to being able to tackle your grid in a game-like environment, we have to be able to relax and recover in a quiet and controlled environment before we will be able to relax in the face of game like pressure.” Cain said.  “Unfortunately, a lot of coaches scream at players to relax in pressure situations.  When this happens the players tense up more because now they know that you know they are out of control.  Encouraging them to breathe as a way to relax will be more productive than telling them to relax.”

RECOGNIZE - RELEASE – REGROUP – REFOCUS

Right from Cain’s mentor and top flight sport psychologist Dr. Ken Ravizza and his book Heads Up Baseball (if you have not read this book yet, go no further – GET IT TODAY), he discusses how athletes can develop an awareness to win and a heightened awareness of what goes on around them.

“Dr. Ravizza is my mentor and hammered home the importance of being able to flush it and release when I had the opportunity to work under him for two years.” Cain said.  “Once athletes are able to recognize what is going on around them, and they realize that they are carrying mental bricks, they can release those bricks, check in on their body language and regroup while they shift their focus to WIN – What’s Important Now.”

INTELLIGENCE

Cain believes that there is no power in knowledge, that all power rests in taking action.

“Intelligence is overrated.  There are a lot of people who know what to do but don’t do what they know so they never improve and are no better off than the person who does not know what to do.” Cain said. “Case in point.  When Rodger Banister broke the 4 minute mile, this guy Steve (who was a world class athlete, but LAZY) contacted Banister’s coach and got the program that Banister followed for 300 days leading up to his record time.”

“On Day 1 Steve ran a pre-test as had Banister and he beat Rodger’s time by almost 4 seconds.  Steve was so excited about having Banister’s program.  He showed everyone.  The only problem was that he did not USE Banister’s program.  Remember K-A=0.  Knowledge minus action gets you nothing.  ACTION is what counts.  Quit using the answer “I know” and start showing people what you know.”

IMAGERY

The use of mental imagery as a way to help improve performance is one of the most researched and proven principles of Peak Performance.  When you can vividly imagine something you increase your chances of actually being able to execute that which it is you imagined.

“The brain cannot tell the difference between what you vividly imagine and what you physically do.” Cain said. “The two experiences are processed with very similar neuro-muscular pathways and by imagining you are essentially creating the blue print for your future performances.  Many pitchers will imagine their outing the night before and then will actually see the last 4-5 feet of the pitch they are about to throw just before release point.  The image they get is much like that you would see on FOX when they show the pitch-tracker.  By being able see the last 4-5 feet in your mind’s eye before you release the ball you are increasing your chances of replicating that pitch you saw in your mind.”

“However, this is not Disneyland and just because you imagine something, does not guarantee that it will come to pass.  You must TAKE ACTION and do the physical work as well as mental imagery.  The more imagery you do the more confident you become and the more confident you become the better you will perform.”

INSPIRATION

TBT-Thoughts become things.  We become what we surround ourselves with.  The thoughts and images that run through our mind on a daily basis play a large role in determining what and who we become.

“People always ask me if I think Motivation is permanent.” Cain said. “Some will say that motivation and inspiration do not last.  That is true.  However, neither does bathing. That is exactly why it is recommended that you do something to motivate and inspire yourself and your players everyday.”

“Taking photos of places that inspire you to work hard and smart everyday.  Photos like the statue in front of Rosenblatt Stadium, the photo of Nolan Ryan’s bloody face after he was hit by a Bo Jackson line drive and would not come out of the game, split lip and all.  Derek Jeter’s diving catch of a foul ball into the stands at Yankee Stadium.  Surrounding yourself with these images will inspire you to achieve greatness because thoughts become things and you bring about what you think about.”

“Another key principal of motivation and inspiration is goal setting.  Writing your goals on a bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker so that you can see them everyday when you are brushing your teeth, shaving or going to the bathroom.  This will help you stay focused on what’s important now and what you are trying to accomplish.”

DEDICATION

Inspiration gets you going.  Dedication keeps you going.  Setting goals on a daily basis will also keep you dedicated.  Cain believes that keeping a journal is a great way to help you stay dedicated to your goals.

“Keeping a Peak Performance Journal in which you write down your goals for the day before practice, and then after practice you write down what you learned that day as well as what need to work on next practice so that when you show up the next time there is some consistency in your routine and quality of work is a great benefit for athletes.” Cain said. “Being dedicated to the team first and the team last as well as to putting we over me is something that will help foster a great team environment.  Learning how to create an environment of dedication to team goals through establishing higher standards of excellence and core values is essential for program and individual success.”

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is a habit.  Unfortunately so is a lack of discipline.  Discipline is also a skill that can be taught and be practiced.  Cain offered some tips of developing discipline in your players.

“One way in which you can develop discipline is to force yourself to act different than how you feel.” Cain said.  “Do three things on a daily basis that you know you should do, but may not feel like doing.  Three things that you may have to wake up 5 minutes earlier to be able to do, waking up 5 minutes earlier is purely a matter of discipline.”

“Randy Mazey, pitching coach at Texas Christian University, has his pitchers make their bed, shave their face, and wear their seat belt.  Three things that anyone can do on a daily basis to help develop the skill of discipline.”

“Learn how to fake it till you make it, how to force yourself to act different than how you feel and a system for developing disciplined eating and sleeping habits which will pay dividends in helping you be at your best when it means the most.”

EXCELLENCE

We define excellence as being at your best when it means the most which is every single pitch.  Cain feels this has as much to do with your mentality and ability to stay in the moment as it does with your physical skill.

“Obviously, the greater the skill, the greater the chance for success.”  Cain said. “However, there are plenty of players and teams that fall short of their potential because they learn too late in their career that practice is usually 90% physical and 10% mental, yet games are 90% mental and 10% physical.”

“Having a system and structure in place to train the brain and mental part of the game will help you to achieve excellence.  I believe I have started to bridge a gap in helping coaches and athletes come closer to their potential with peak performance training and by being able to do a little a lot rather than a lot a little.  By using the information contained in the PRIDE program on a routine and consistent basis, you will be giving yourself the best chance for success.  And remember that success is not how good you are compared to other people, success is how good you are compared to how good you could and should be.”

UFC CHAMPION SHARES SUCCESS STORY

PRIDE contains a special bonus video interview with Brian Cain and current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre in which the two discuss various elements of PRIDE and how they help the 2008 Canadian Athlete of The Year perform at his best each and every time the cage door slams shut.  If it works in the cage, it will work between the lines.

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For years sport psychologists and peak performance coaches have known the benefits of using the concentration grid. 

Toronto Blue Jays’ All-Star right hander Roy Halladay uses it.  So do many other professional baseball players, Olympic and professional athletes from various sports to improve their abilities to stay focused and locked in to the present moment for an extended period of time.

In an April 16, 2007 Sports Illustrated article titled Second To One by Michael Farber, Halladay discussed how he uses the concentration grid as a part of his mental preparation for pitching.  He completes the grid twice on the day before he starts and once more on the day that he pitches.

The purpose of the exercise is to narrow the focus of a lively mind to nothing but the next number, which helps Halladay sharpen his concentration on nothing but the next pitch when he reaches the mound.

When Halladay began working the 10-square-by-10-square grid five years ago, he needed 17 to 20 minutes to finish. Now he has become so proficient that he sometimes amps up the distractions, turning on the TV or listening to songs that he likes.  Halladay’s average time was reported to be around 3:30.

For years I tried to find a way to recreate this exercise so that the athletes and teams I worked with could work to develop and train their abilities to focus on a routine basis in the comfort of their dorm room or in the discomfort of a local restaurant, dining hall or sold out stadium.  Recently I was able to develop a computer program that creates a random sequence of 10x10 grids that you can print off your computer and train with on a routine basis.

Athletes I have worked with report that the grid allows them to become more aware of when they start to space out and lose their focus and also allows them to become more aware of when they are trying too hard and need to take a breath in order to relax and get back into an optimal level of focus.

When I personally started to do a “C-Grid” on a routine basis (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday morning before I was able to eat breakfast), my time was in the low to mid teens.  After almost two months I am able to do them around 4-5 minutes in a crazy and chaotic environment known as the high school lunch room.

When starting out you want to time your players in a quiet controlled environment.  No cell phone, no TV; no distractions.  When performing the grid in a quiet and controlled environment you are able to develop a heightened awareness for when you lost focus.

You would then build up to doing the “C-Grid” with a TV or your favorite music playing in the background.  You will at first get distracted by the TV or by the beat of the music.  Eventually you are able to lock in your focus and concentration so that the voices and music fade into the background and you can feel yourself in the moment.

Here is a sample “C-Grid” that you can copy and use with your team.  Also, you can laminate and use the grid with a dry erase marker over and over again.  Some people will use a pencil and go from the bottom left corner of each box to the top right so that they can use the same sheet in the future by making an x, going from top left to the bottom right of each box in your second attempt.

I have found that when you use a dry erase marker or a sharpie and cross out the number completely your time will improve because you will no longer be able to see the numbers you have crossed out.  When you use a pencil or go from corner to corner, you will still be able to see and read the numbers you have crossed out, thus increasing your time.

Have fun with the “C-Grid”.  Compete against your best time and feel how you will develop the ability to focus in the present moment, one pitch at a time.