If your reading this because you’ re a skeptic or new to Refuse2LoseCoaching, or need help with your mental game, I am here to tell you that working with Coach Tami Matheny will change your life. Whether it is working with an individual or an entire team, Coach Tami will help you meet and exceed your goals in life and on the playing field.
My name is Stephanie Smith and I met Coach Tami at her Refuse2Lose basketball clinic in 2010. Since the summer of 2010, my life has been forever changed. Coach Tami and I share a unique bond. We are super-competitive and the word impossible is nowhere to be found in our vocabulary. After spending three short days at Coach Tami’s basketball camp I knew that there was something different about her. She was encouraging, effective, efficient, and innovating. She listened to each of her clients and shared their same passions, dreams, and goals.
I started working individually with Coach Tami during the summer of my sophomore year. My high school basketball team had suffered through a 2 win season and my confidence was at an all-time low. Coach Tami saved me right in the nick of time. Throughout the summer Coach Tami and I met twice a month. During this time we discussed my goals for the upcoming season, assessed my progress regarding the workouts, and developed new techniques to help better prepare my mind for overcoming future obstacles. In my past when I told people that I wanted to play Division I basketball they would say
“Your crazy, your too small, your not quick enough, or that my hands were too small.”
Coach Tami on the other hand, embraced my situation. She took everything that I had to offer and made me fundamentally sound. She strengthened my core so that I would be better balanced than my competitors, she created workouts to help develop strong lean muscle so that I could rip the ball out of my defenders hands, she even increased my foot speed so that I could play better defense to help my team. Coach Tami made it her personal goal to help me reach my dreams. This is the definition of a true success Coach. Someone who is with you on top of the mountain and in the darkness of a valley. Coach Tami suffered
with me through my tough games and life obstacles. She rejoiced with me when I scored 52 points in a single game and she was there to
celebrate with me reaching my ultimate goal of having the opportunity to play DI basketball.
All of my physical attributes that Coach Tami helped me developed did not matter if I had no mental toughness. Going into my basketball season Coach Tami and I decided that even if I wasn’t the best player on the floor I could still be the toughest mentally. The key to my mental toughness comes from affirmations and visualization, techniques Coach Tami shared with me.
My Affirmation Story
Every morning I would envision myself making 3’s, breaking my defenders ankles, hitting the game winning shot, and ultimately winning the game. My confidence immediately soared through the roof. This is my story. Thursday night we had late basketball practice. These were not my favorite of times because I never got home before 9 o’ clock at night. Throughout practice I could not hit the broad side of the barn, literally. I missed lay-ups, jump shots, and free throws. I even air balled my 3’s. This was not the normal me. Usually I hit all my shots, not to brag or anything. After practice I was frustrated. I grabbed a ball and continued shooting. Ten minutes later with no progress I decided to go home. As soon as I got in my car I started
de, Gênes.
going through my affirmations. My entire 30 minute drive home envision myself making all of my shots. The next day we played our biggest rival. I was amped and could not wait for the game to start. During warm-ups I began missing all my shots again. I was thinking “you’ve got to be kidding me.” I immediately began saying my affirmations like Coach Tami had taught me. As the game tipped off I was given my first opportunity to score, and yes I made my shot. Not only did I make my first shot I set a school record of 10 three pointers in a single game, I was 8-10 from the free throw line, and I ended the game with a school record 52 points in a single game. I attribute the success I experienced from this game and another 50 point performance to Coach Tami. If it was not for her constant encouragement, dedication, and innovative mental toughness techniques I never would have been able to achieve such a high level of success. That is why I refer to her as my Mental Toughness and Success Coach. Everything about Coach Tami is to benefit her players, she wants you to achieve your goals. However, the most important aspect for her is to develop you into a person who can face any giant and overcome any obstacle. Everything that I have learned from working with Coach Tami goes much further than the court. She has truly changed my outlook on life. In my opinion, its not what you do on the court but rather how you carry yourself as an individual.