SportMind launches accessible mental performance tools for athletes worldwide, blending science, breathwork, and ancient wisdom for peak performance.
-- SportMind, the UK-based mental performance platform founded by former South African number 1 and world-ranked squash player Jesse Engelbrecht, is changing how athletes train their mindset and perform under pressure. With its innovative app, science-backed curriculum, and global reach, SportMind is helping athletes of all ages and levels—from elite professionals to aspiring juniors—build the mindset needed to thrive both in competition and in life.
At its core, SportMind addresses a growing need in sport: trainable mental resilience. While physical training often dominates athlete development, mental skills such as focus, emotional regulation, and confidence remain undertrained. SportMind is closing that gap through its cutting-edge tools that fuse modern sport psychology with ancient philosophies like Stoicism and Buddhism, turning abstract concepts into practical daily actions. The mental training platform has now expanded globally, offering on-demand tools for athletes in over 35 countries through its mobile app and membership system. Designed for accessibility and integration into busy lives, SportMind’s platform provides short, effective routines—such as 3-minute pre-game breathwork routines and post-match recovery protocols—to support performance under pressure.
A Mission Born from Struggle: Why SportMind Was Created
SportMind’s founder, Jesse Engelbrecht, developed the system out of personal experience. As a former top-level squash player, Engelbrecht had the physical tools to succeed, but the lack of mental coaching left him vulnerable to pressure and internal doubt.
“I tied my self-worth to every win and loss,” Engelbrecht shares. “There were no tools or language around mental performance when I played. That gap cost me, and I wanted to build something so the next generation wouldn’t have to face that alone.”
This lived experience forms the foundation of SportMind’s approach: combining the empathy of someone who’s walked the path with the scientific rigor of modern psychology and habit formation. The result is a comprehensive system that meets athletes where they are—with strategies they can actually apply in real moments of challenge.
Global Recognition and Collaboration in Elite Sport
SportMind’s impact has already been recognized at the highest levels. As the official mental training partner of the World Squash Federation (WSF), SportMind provides psychological frameworks and tools to WSF-certified coaches, influencing mental development strategies worldwide.
The platform has also been adopted by top athletes competing in Grand Slams, PGA events, and international tournaments. Notable testimonials come from players like Amanda Sobhy, US squash icon and World No. 3, who describes SportMind as her “go-to toolkit for the mind,” and Tinne Gilis, World No. 5, who credits the system for transforming how she approaches high-pressure matches.
SportMind's global partnerships extend to national teams, elite academies, Ivy League College programs, and high-performance institutes, where founder Jesse Engelbrecht leads masterclasses and workshops on mental performance, resilience, and focus.
Bringing Ancient Wisdom into the Modern Arena
SportMind sets itself apart by blending ancient wisdom with practical mental training. Drawing from Stoic reflection, Buddhist mindfulness, and breathwork, its athlete-friendly approach avoids the clinical feel of traditional sport psychology. Instead, SportMind uses systems like the ABC Loop (Accept, Breathe, Courageous Action) and OTP (Outcome Through Process) to build presence and focus. The program supports mental preparation not just during competition, but throughout training—helping athletes build focus, manage setbacks, and prepare for high-pressure moments. “Our system isn’t about theory—it’s about what works when it matters most,” says Engelbrecht.
The SportMind App: High-Performance Training in Your Pocket
Central to SportMind’s offering is its mental training app, which combines guided breathwork, visualization protocols, and reflection exercises into a cohesive daily routine. Designed with input from sport psychologists, coaches, and athletes themselves, the app functions as an on-the-go, 24/7 mindset coach.
Features include:
- Guided audio and video sessions for pre-performance prep and post-performance recovery
- Customizable routines based on sport, age, and competitive level
- Daily check-ins and reflection tools to build mental awareness over time
- Bite-sized content designed to be used between training, matches, or even during travel
This approach ensures that SportMind fits seamlessly into athletes’ lives, whether they are students juggling academics or professionals preparing for a final.
Life Beyond Sport: Building Resilience for the Long Game
While SportMind is designed for competitive environments, its ultimate goal extends far beyond sport. By helping athletes develop confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience, SportMind is supporting mental health, identity, and personal growth through life's inevitable ups and downs.
This deeper impact has resonated with users across sports. Athletes learn to bounce back from setbacks, stay composed under pressure, and separate their self-worth from outcomes—skills that benefit every facet of their lives.
“SportMind is about performance, yes,” Engelbrecht emphasizes. “But it’s also about self-awareness, long-term wellbeing, and showing athletes that their value doesn’t hinge on a scoreboard.”
Community, Coaching, and the Future of Mental Performance
In addition to the app, SportMind offers personal 1:1 coaching, group workshops, and a growing community of athletes and coaches who engage in regular sharing, learning, and development.
Its structured Accelerator Program, used by elite players like Aly Abou Eleinen, provides an immersive experience for athletes seeking to systematize their mental training, focusing on habits, reflection, and peak performance mindsets.
With continued international partnerships and upcoming content expansions, SportMind is positioning itself at the forefront of athlete mental wellbeing. Whether coaching national team players or helping a junior athlete navigate self-doubt, the platform’s vision remains clear: to make mental strength as trainable and essential as physical skill.
To learn more or start your mental training journey, visit sportmind.io or download the SportMind app today.
SportMind Named Best Mental Performance App for Athletes of 2025
In recognition of its groundbreaking work in mental performance training, SportMind was recently honored with the prestigious title of Best Mental Performance App for Athletes of 2025 by the Evergreen Awards.
The award is a testament to the platform’s innovative approach to mental training, combining science-backed methodologies, ancient philosophies, and real-time tools for athletes of all levels. As the world’s leading resource for mental resilience, SportMind continues to impact the global sports community, empowering athletes to perform under pressure and thrive both in competition and in life.
Founder Jesse Engelbrecht reflected on the honor, saying, “SportMind is the gift I wish I had as a younger athlete. We’re here to give athletes the clarity, confidence, and control they deserve—not just to win, but to grow.”
About SportMind
Founded by former South African number 1 and world-ranked squash player Jesse Engelbrecht, SportMind is a global mental training platform designed to help athletes master the psychological side of sport. Using a combination of modern sport psychology, mindfulness, Stoicism, and breathwork, SportMind offers accessible tools and coaching to build resilience, focus, and confidence. The platform includes an app, courses, personal coaching, and a global community, serving athletes in over 20 countries.
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Jesse Engelbrecht
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