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How can athletes improve performance under pressure?

Former professional hockey player and performance mindset coach Jacob Newton joins Mariel to break down how mindset training, breathwork, visualization, and positive self-talk can help athletes build confidence and recover after mistakes. After a 10-year professional hockey career, including an NHL contract and seven seasons playing in Europe, Jacob began focusing on the mental game that had been holding him back. He reflects on how working on his mindset helped him feel calmer, more present, and more consistent on the ice. These lessons extend beyond hockey and apply to athletes in every sport. In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Jacob’s simple 2-by-2-by-2 routine for breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk
• How breathwork can help calm the nervous system before competition
• Why a calm, focused mindset may be more helpful than getting overly hyped
• How to respond to mistakes without spiraling into negative self-talk
• Ways to use realistic visualization to prepare for success and setbacks
• How past experiences with coaches, teammates, and parents can influence athletic confidence
• Why coaches and parents have a powerful role in supporting youth athletes

For youth athletes, hockey players, parents, and coaches, this conversation offers practical mental performance tools for building focus, resilience, and confidence in sports.

About Jacob

Jacob Newton is a former 10-year hockey pro, father of two, owner of NewtonsMind LLC and mental health advocate. Through his healing from childhood trauma and learned experiences in the game of hockey, he has become well versed in the mind-body connection and provide athletes with applicable and easy to apply tools, to help them in cultivating a healthier relationship with themselves.

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