The Red Circle by Brandon Webb

Thank you to Retired Navy SEAL Brandon Webb for mentioning Lanny Bassham and Mental Management in his book "The Red Circle". We didn't find out about the book until customers purchased "With Winning in Mind" from us because it was mentioned in one of the chapters.  Check out the link below to learn more about the book.

Thank You Email from Agility Handler Donna Waugh

Because I have struggled with mental toughness for the past 3 years in my sport, canine agility, originating from a difficult experience with a great dog, I've purchased a few of Mr. Bassham's books and look forward to receiving Mental Management's Monthly Newsletter.  They always give me pause for thought and a resource when I feel myself slipping back into those old negative feelings.

I recently attended a week long agility camp with my dogs.  The weekends before and after the camp held agility trials.  One of my biggest hurdles the past 3+ years has been start line stays on my dogs.  I have high drive dogs and impulse control at the start line is an obvious critical starting point.  My dogs and I did well and improved greatly in our skills during the week of camp.  There was no pressure in the learning situation.  However, during the trials it was a struggle to keep my insides calm.  Folks tell me I look so calm when I handle my dogs...if they only knew!  When approaching the start line the past 3+ years I feel like I have been suffering from severe anxiety.  I know that sounds funny coming from someone who is supposed to be doing this for fun but the anxiety can catch you at any time and throw you significantly off your game.  When one is such a naturally driven competitor like I am, it is very disheartening to be this humbled and feel like you are starting over after competing for 5+ years and participating in the sport for approximately 10 years.  FYI...I'm not a professional in this sport; I am a weekend warrior but not a novice sports competitor by any means.

What I want to share with you is that these past two weekends, when I found myself walking a course and thinking negatively, I thought of Mental Management and Lanny's words in the book "With Winning In Mind".  I pushed out the negative thoughts immediately and instead focused on the positive I knew I could do.  It was hard and I had to be very mindful to be diligent and stop the negativity right away.  I purposely stayed away from folks during the walk throughs I heard saying "Oh, we won't be able to do this...This is too hard...We haven't worked on this sequence before".  Instead I told myself that I and my dog could do this.  Sometimes we succeeded and sometimes we didn't.  But when we didn't it was because of handler error or the sequence was one we hadn't worked on before...what it wasn't was because I let that negativity inside my head and beat myself up.  This awareness is a huge turning point for me!  And one that I'm sure wouldn't have been recognized by me if I hadn't read Lanny's books and noticed the scenario that was taking place around me so that I could avoid it.  What a gift!  My Novice dog and I proceeded to have 8 awesome qualifying agility runs together...more than we have ever accumulated in two weekends!!!  And, while I appreciate the qualifying scores as validation of our dedication, efforts and success together what I really appreciate is the personal growth and support that Mental Management Systems has given me.  It is helping me become the teammate my dog deserves to have by her side.  To have finally run together "in the zone" and "done the dance" for that brief minute or so...well there is just no feeling like it! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!

With sincere gratitude,
Donna Waugh, Gia and Minute (Champion Agility Dogs...In Training!!!)
Portola, California

Lanny's Recommended Reading List with links to Amazon to purchase.

Recommended for Women in Business specifically:

Congrats to Kayla Wharton, Mrs. Texas America

"I heard of Mental Management working with pageant contestants, but never knew anything about the organization. I have competed in a few pageants previously placing 1st runner and 2nd runner up each time. I thought to myself, there is something missing. I picked up the phone and contacted Heather at Mental Management.

After that day of working with Heather, my life changed. Heather not only helped me in the pageant, but in life as well. Heather taught me to look at questions and life challenges differently. I was invited to do a mock interview with some amazing young ladies. Through that experience I learned so much about myself and what I needed to change in my interview.

After working with Heather three times, I competed for the title of Mrs. Dallas-Fort Worth and won. Next was the state competition for Mrs. Texas America.

I worked with Heather again to prepare for Mrs. Texas. After our last session, I knew I was ready for Mrs. Texas America. I kept calm throughout the entire competition and focused on what was important.

I not only am the winner of Mrs. Texas America 2012, but a winner in my life!

Thank you, Heather, for all your help!"

Kayla Wharton

Mrs. Texas America 2012

(Kayla trained with Mental Management Coach, Heather Sumlin in preparation for pageant competition. For information on training call 972-899-9640 or email heather@mentalmanagement.com)

Congrats to Kendall Morris, Miss Texas for her prelim Swimsuit WIN at Miss America!

Mental Management client, Miss Texas, Kendall Morris, was awarded the Lifestyle & Fitness Award at Miss America last night. Kendall received a $1,000 scholarship for this award. WAY TO GO KENDALL!!

This fitness award shows her dedicated to health and exercise. Her dream is to become your next Miss America promoting her platform of Leukemia: Living for a Cure. Her platform was formed after her father was diagnosed with Leukemia when Kendall was only 16. For more on Kendall go to www.misstexas.org.

Follow Miss Texas and the 52 wonderful state representatives as they via for the title of Miss America LIVE on ABC Saturday Jan. 14th. The entire Mental Management team will be tuning in to see if Kendall can bring the Miss America crown back to Texas. Go to MissAmerica.org to learn more about the Miss America Organization.

(it has been 36 years since Miss Texas has won Miss America - can this mentally tough, driven and passionate young lady bring home the crown? We will be watching to see)

Miss America is the largest source of scholarship assistance for young women in the country. The founders of Mental Management, Lanny & Helen Bassham are a fans of the Miss America System. Heather Sumlin (their daughter) and Helen Bassham were both contestants, directors and judges in this pageant system. Heather now serves as a mental coach and interview coach for women across the country competing in pageantry, teaching the Mental Management System Lanny used to win Olympic Gold to help young women control their minds under pressure during competition.

Best of luck to Kendall on Saturday night!!