Monkey Mind Podcast Episode #114 – Creating Confidence with Powell Cucchiella, LMHC

Hello! Welcome to the Monkey Mind Newsletter, where we provide you with the tools to be a more successful and resilient athlete and human. 

PODCAST EPISODE RELEASE
Monkey Mind Podcast Episode #114 – Creating Confidence with Powell Cucchiella, LMHC

Confidence is one of the most requested areas of improvement from coaches, parents, and athletes alike. Often, if an athlete is inconsistent, it’s because they are lacking confidence. In this episode, Powell Cucchiella, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Mental Performance Coach, breaks down why confidence is a belief in your ability to do the job at hand—and why that belief must be earned, not just felt.

Powell shares his own journey as a Division I soccer player who struggled with performance swings because he didn't know how to manage his mental game. Now, he uses a structured approach to help athletes take control of their confidence through six specific mental skills.

Why Earned Confidence Matters for High Performance

• Moves Beyond "Hype": Real confidence isn't about what an Instagram reel tells you; it’s about internal trust built through preparation.

• Reduces Inconsistency: When you understand how to create confidence, you stop being a victim of your performance "swings".

• Shifts Focus to Control: By focusing on specific thoughts and actions, you take the guesswork out of how you feel on game day.

TOOL: The Two Pillars of Confidence

Powell categorizes confidence into two controllable areas. To start building yours, focus on these skills:

• Pillar 1: Your Thoughts. Master your internal dialogue through self-talk, mental imagery (creating pictures in your head), and staying present in the moment.

• Pillar 2: Your Actions. Use rhythmic breathing to manage your energy, set clear process goals that you can control, and commit to consistent outside training to build your "evidence bank".

The Bottom Line Confidence is not a mystery—it is a skill you can train. By moving away from "feeling" confident and toward "creating" it through deliberate thoughts and actions, you ensure that you are ready to meet your next challenge with certainty.

LISTEN TO EPISODE #114 HERE

Spotify

Apple

Powell’s Web Page

Monkey Mind Website

— Danny
Founder, Monkey Mind
www.MonkeyMindAthletes.com

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