Calm Before the Win: The Power of Mental Reps

The work is done. Now the mind takes over. The day before your big moment isn’t about doing more—it’s about thinking better.

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Show Notes:
In this pre-race reflection, Baylor Barbee unpacks the hidden power of the day before. Whether it’s a competition, a pitch, or a personal milestone, success isn’t built on last-minute hustle—it’s built on calm, clarity, and controlled energy.

Drawing from his preparation for a 50K ultra trail run, Baylor explains why mental rehearsal is just as important as physical reps. He reveals how visualization, recovery, and contingency planning give you an edge when the real moment arrives—and why being “unproductive” the day before is actually one of the most productive things you can do.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the day before is often harder than the event itself

• How to use calm and stillness as peak preparation tools

• The neuroscience behind visualization and mental reps

• Why your mind can’t tell the difference between imagined and real practice

• How to create a contingency mindset that keeps you ready for anything

Featured Quote:
"When you visualize it vividly enough, your mind counts it as a rep. So when the big moment comes, it’s not the first time you’ve done it—it’s just the first time others see it."