For sport

Win the inner game before you play the outer one.

Pressure, focus and confidence are skills. John helps athletes, squads and clubs train them.

The day the training was there and the performance wasn’t

Every athlete knows it. Nerves before the start. One mistake that follows you round the rest of the game. A crowd, a scoreline or a voice in your head you can’t shut out. The body was ready. The mind wasn’t.

That’s the inner game, and it can be coached like any other part of performance.

Training your mind isn’t a substitute for fitness. But as John tells every squad: if your mind isn’t working for you, it will work against you. It’s more than a pep talk on the day.

What changes when you work with John

Pressure works for you, not against you

Some pressure sharpens performance and too much tips it over. Players learn where their best zone sits on the pressure curve, and how to get back into it.

Goals that drive every session

Big outcomes broken into clear steps, with a sharp focus on what’s in your control and what isn’t.

Instant focus on demand

A simple anchoring routine links a trigger to the state you want, so you can switch into it on the start line, the tee, or the face-off. A 3-3-6 breathing pattern brings you back to the present when nerves take over.

Mistakes become part of the game

A reset routine to see the mistake, put it behind you and bring your attention back out to the game. Fast.

See it before you do it

Ten minutes of mental rehearsal, two or three times a week. Run the perfect performance in your head, so your body already knows the way. And focus on the process, not the outcome.

Every performance teaches you something

Three questions after every game: what went well, what needs to be different next time, and what do I need to believe now? There’s no failure, only feedback.

Two ways to work with John

One-to-one coaching for athletes

Private sessions built around your sport, your season and the moments that matter to you.

Workshops for squads, coaches and clubs

Practical, on-your-feet sessions that give the whole group a shared language for mindset and tools players can use at the very next training session. John also works with coaching teams, because what coaches say, and how they say it, stays with players long after the final whistle.

Workshops for squads and clubs

Each workshop is tailored to your sport and your squad.

Building an elite sporting mindset

For: Squads, academies and young athletes

Mindset, resilience, pressure and visualisation for players ready to step up.

Dealing with distraction to stay focused

For: Athletes and squads who lose focus under pressure

The instant-focus routine and the mistake reset, practised until they’re automatic.

The champion’s mindset

For: Teams and athletes chasing consistency

The habits of thought that separate consistent performers from talented ones.

The runner’s mindset

For: Runners and running clubs, 5K to ultra

Goal setting, state control, mental rehearsal and the story you tell yourself before the start.

Leading in sport

For: Captains, coaches and senior players

Setting the tone, living the club’s values, and the impact you have on players on and off the pitch.

Mental health and sport

For: Clubs, teams and coaches

The link between sport and mental health, the five steps to wellbeing, and how to notice when a teammate is struggling.

Master your mindset

For: Teams, clubs and groups

Self-talk, state control and the feedback cycle: John’s core tools in one session.

Something different for your squad?

For: Clubs, coaches and academies

A session built around your club, your values and the challenge in front of your players.

Meet John

John Lewis is a mindset coach, accredited NLP master practitioner and First Aid for Mental Health instructor, based in Highworth near Swindon.

A few years ago he felt stuck and knew something had to change, so he followed his passion for helping people realise their potential. He’s a married father of two, so he lives in the real world of life and stress too.

He has worked with Swindon Wildcats, Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club and Team GB (Performing Arts), as well as running clubs, volleyball players and individual athletes. His articles on mental preparation, pre-competition breathing and visualisation are some of the most-read pages on this site: read the sport articles.

More about John

What people say about John on Google

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 17 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Ash Stead 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a strength coach, I look for a coach that follows their own advice,  I found that in John, he’s uplifting.

He taught me tools and exercises I could use for my mental performance and energy and guided me through them expertly.

Anyone into sports or training hard physically should defiantly see john!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Joe & Claire Tompkinson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’m fortunate enough to be coached by John and despite him being an expert in mindset and techniques such as NLP, our sessions are always warm and flow so easily. It’s like having a chat with a good friend.

Much of our time is spent discussing mindset techniques in a business / professional context but John has also really helped me understand the link between that and my family life and the wider aspects of wellbeing.

I look forward to our session every fortnight and I’ve actually now asked John to come and coach myself and the wider leadership team in my business.

It’s said of coaching, that it’s an investment in ourselves but I don’t think we always understand fully just how important  that investment actually is.

I can’t thank you enough, John, for the incredible support.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   D S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. John has support the whole team with their Mental Health First Aid at Work qualifications - such a nice guy, couldn’t recommend him more!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dave Nelson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve got to know John both professionally and personally over the last 3 years. He’s one of the most genuine, humble and kindest men around. During the course of the last year I asked him to help my teenage son with his mindset and confidence. My lad loves the sessions and we’ll keep doing them for as long as we can and need them. Thank you, John.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   ianbarrettmusic 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. John at JL Mindset is extremely passionate about the topics that he delivers. As a trainer he is engaging, knowledgeable and approachable, putting the needs of the delegates first. I’d have no issue at all recommending/referring John and often do. 👍🏻
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Karen Salmon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have trusted John with our clients, staff and family for different needs. He is down to earth, professional and empathetic to all situations and emotions. He has made an amazing difference to all their lives and their outlook and given them the confidence to be themselves. He teaches them coping mechanisms which are invaluable and stay with them. He also checks up on all his clients even after sessions are finished. He is our 1st go to when we have a loved ones that need support. And would recommend him to anyone.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jeff Tucker 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cant recommend John highly enough, we met through our Charity Best Mates and have passed multiple beneficiaries his way to help them get their lives back on track. John is extremely friendly and approachable but more importantly he is the complete professional.  He also took us through our level 1 Mental Health First Aid Training so if you are looking to do this in business or personal, again, dont hesitate to contact him.

All the best John, thanks for doing what you do.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   RWB RFC (Alan Low) 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. John has been invaluable in supporting both individuals needing mental health guidance and our squads with goal setting and performance. His expertise and approach make a real impact, whether in group sessions or one-to-one. During the pandemic, he led a fantastic programme that reached all our senior and junior squads, providing vital support at a crucial time. Players always respond brilliantly to John, and he is an absolute pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nick Holder 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with John has been an incredible experience. Before I started with him, I struggled with staying motivated to exercise and was constantly overthinking. From our very first session, John helped me shift my mindset, break free from limiting beliefs surrounding my new job, and build habits that actually work for me. Even going for a walk on one session.
John’s approach is both practical and insightful. He took the time to understand my personal challenges and provided strategies that were tailored to my needs. Thanks to his guidance, I’ve not only become more consistent with exercise but also learned how to manage my thoughts in a way that helps me move forward rather than holding me back.
One of the biggest transformations I’ve experienced is learning to silence my inner critic and take action without overanalyzing everything. John’s support and encouragement have given me the confidence to trust myself more. His coaching has made a big impact on my life, and I’m so grateful for his support!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Laura Dent 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We used John to do our level 3 mental health first aid training, absolutely brilliant delivery, John's teaching methods really helped us understand the content in great detail and we feel so much more competent in our roles!

Thank you John