The Calm Before the Storm

Dojo Mindset Series

Most players don’t start thinking about their mental game until the struggle begins. They’ll spend endless hours in the cage, on the mound, and in the weight room—believing that if they just get bigger, faster, and stronger, success will follow.

To a point, they’re right: reps in the cage shorten their swing, bullpen sessions sharpen their slider, and strength work builds their power and speed. But when the game gets tight and panic creeps in, physical skill alone isn’t enough. Their body locks up, their mind races, and their confidence disappears. Only then do they start searching for help with their mental game.

Building Your Storm Shelter

That’s like waiting for a downpour before building a storm shelter. You can patch something together in the middle of the rain, but it won’t hold up for long. And once the skies clear, most players abandon what they built—hoping the storm won’t return.

The pattern repeats: they reach for mental training only when things fall apart, treat it like a rescue mission, then walk away as soon as the sun comes back out.

Hope is not a strategy. Adversity is guaranteed.

What Exceptional Players Do Differently

Exceptional players take a different approach. They train their minds with the same purpose and consistency they bring to their physical work. They build their calm before the storm—brick by brick—with daily habits of breath-work, visualization, reflection, and intentional focus.

They align their routines with clear goals and stay aware of how their thoughts shape their actions. When adversity hits, they don’t panic—they respond. Their mind stays still, their breath steady, their presence strong.

The Choice Is Yours

The question is: are you preparing now, or reacting later? Will you build your shelter in the calm, or scramble to assemble it when the lightning flashes and the thunder rolls?

About Josh Paul

Josh Paul is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played nine seasons in the big leagues, including winning a World Series Championship with the Los Angeles Angels in 2002. Known for his exceptional mental approach behind the plate, Josh now specializes in mental performance coaching as the founder of The Lobo Dojo and as a contributor to Florida Baseball Ranch. With 30+ years of professional baseball experience, Josh helps athletes develop the mental skills and daily habits that create unshakeable confidence and composure under pressure. He teaches players how to build their calm before the storm hits.

Learn more about Josh → | Follow him @thelobodojo

— Josh Paul