By Anne White
Julia Allain, Mental Skills Coach for all athletic programs at Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) and renowned advocate for mental health, makes a compelling case for the significance of mental health in athletic performance in her new book, “Everything I Got.” Ranked #1 in the New Release category of Sport Psychology and earning a spot on Amazon’s bestseller list in the Women in Sports and Children’s & Youth Sports categories, the book delivers a wealth of knowledge on the intersection of psychology and athletics.
Throughout “Everything I Got,” Allain underlines the necessity of mental preparation and growth, equal to physical capability, in sports. “In order to be physically at your best, you first need to mentally be your best and that requires just as much work and attention,” she affirms.
Tim Helstein, the Athletic Director for GCDS, praises Allain’s work: “Julia has been an incredible addition to our program, working with coaches, teams, and individuals on their mental preparation and performance in athletics.” He further notes that her book has resonated with him as an Athletic Director, coach, and father, and he highly recommends it to anyone working with young people in any capacity.
“Everything I Got” offers 30 powerful lessons covering topics such as athletic identity, effective self-talk, the role of emotions in performance, embracing failure, and the true value of sports, reflects Allain’s varied experiences as an athlete, coach, sports psychology consultant, and a coach’s daughter.
“As an avid reader, writing a book has always been a dream of mine,” Allain shares, reflecting on her journey as both an athlete and a book lover. She speaks fondly of her childhood when she’d read on the sidelines of her sister’s soccer games. Her dual passion for reading and sports grew over time, shaping her career in sport psychology and inspiring her to pen this book. “As my career in sport psychology evolved and grew, merging these two passions into this book was a natural progression,” Allain states.
Allain goes on to share how she noticed new elements in the psychology of sports through her coaching perspective that she had missed as an athlete. She found herself discussing common challenges with different athletes and realized these conversations could benefit a larger audience. “Therefore, I wanted to create a tangible resource for them that was both valuable and enjoyable to read,” she expresses.
Her aspiration is for readers to understand that challenges like doubt, nerves, and fear are universal in the journey of sports. Moreover, she wants them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves as individuals, reignite their passion for their chosen sport, and most importantly, comprehend the real value of sports, which isn’t tied to trophies, scores, or placements.
Allain’s book reflects her unique experiences growing up in a sports-oriented family and her consequent pursuit of sports psychology. The final lesson in her book, “Sports Aren’t Everything,” encapsulates her belief that the benefits of sports extend far beyond the games themselves, emphasizing the intrinsic value of sports as she recounts her own life experiences.
Dan Muse, head coach of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, calls the book “an excellent roadmap for how you can grow your mental game and get the most out of the sport you love”. Andrew Copeland, head coach of the 2022 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Champions, and the 2021 PLL Coach of the Year, adds that the book is “a deep dive into the real value of sports and about how to get both individuals and teams to reach their full potential.” With endorsements from athletes, coaches, and mental health professionals, “Everything I Got” promises to be an essential resource for those looking to improve their mental game in sports and beyond.
