Mindset is a term that has taken over the sports world, from athletes saying, “I need to work on my mindset” to sideline reporters asking, “What’s your team’s mindset going into this matchup?” The positive is that athletes are learning there is more to performance than just physical training; the downside is that mindset is often misunderstood, leading to subpar results in mindset training. This article will debunk key mindset myths athletes need to know.

Mindset Myths: #1

Contrary to popular belief, the mind is not the same as the brain (learn about the brain here).

The Mind: from a philosophical and Christian perspective, the human person is a composite of body and soul. The soul has rational and spiritual faculties. The mind (or intellect) is the part of the soul that enables humans to know, reason, and understand truth, particularly moral and divine truth. It is through the mind that humans can contemplate God, understand His law, and make morally free choices. Your mind is elevated by grace to understand divine mysteries, but even in its natural state, it has the capacity for reason and truth-seeking.

The Brain: processes sensory information and coordinates bodily action, the mind (intellect) is immaterial. It is not reducible to neurons or chemical reactions.

The mind enables contemplation, understanding, judgment, and knowledge of eternal truths, which surpass physical or sensory experience.

Mindset Myths: #2

We have defined the mind, but what about “set”?

To be set is to be fixed, established, firm, and prepared; in sports:

• In Football, they use a cadence full of colors, numbers, dummy calls, audibles, etc. But when they say “set,” the team becomes still, in position, fixed, ready for the proceeding call, “go” or “hut”. Once “set,” they cannot move, or it is a penalty.

• In Track and Field, think of how the race starts, “Runners ready, get SET, Go!” What happens on the set? No movement, the athlete is firm, prepared, ready to explode out of the blocks on “Go!”.

The root idea of “set” is stability, prepared, firm, collective stillness. From the root of “set”, how did we get to the point where “Mindset” is something that we can just change or switch whenever we want to?

Science popularized the terms growth-mindset versus fixed-mindset, portraying mindset as a dynamic, habitual pattern that shapes how people approach challenges. However, this framing often blurs the distinction between mindset and mentality. Also, it can conflate brain-driven behavior with mind-driven behavior, depending on the lens through which it is evaluated.

Mindset vs Mentality

Understanding the distinction between mindset and mentality is not just philosophical; it is also biblical.

In 1 Peter 3:8, we are called to “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart…”

“Unity of mind” here points to a deep, stable orientation of our spirit and mind (our soul) toward God and toward each other, not just situational attitudes or responses.

This aligns with the concept of mindset as the firm, cultivated orientation of the mind and soul.

Mentalities, by contrast, are the fluid, situational responses influenced by our environment, experiences, and the brain’s processing. Positive self-talk and affirmations can help adjust these mentalities in the moment, but cultivating a God-centered mindset, the “one mind” Peter speaks of, requires intentional reflection, prayer, and alignment with truth.

How To Truly Train a “Mindset”

Training a true mindset is not about quick fixes or hacks, such as affirmations or positive self-talk. While these tools can be helpful for shifting mentalities in specific situations, they do not cultivate the deeper alignment of the mind and soul with God’s will.

By distinguishing the mind from the brain, the mindset from mentalities, and understanding the distinct roles of the mind, brain, and spirit, athletes can move beyond superficial techniques and develop a stable, God-centered mindset that supports lasting performance, character, and purpose.

FAQ

1. What’s the difference between the mind and the brain?
The brain is a physical organ that processes sensory input, controls movement, and regulates bodily functions. The mind, by contrast, is immaterial; it’s the intellect, the rational and spiritual faculty that enables understanding, reasoning, and contemplation of truth. The brain operates through neurons; the mind operates through intellect and free will.

2. Is “mindset” the same thing as “mentality”?
Not exactly. Mentality refers to situational thoughts, habits, and reactions shaped by the brain and environment. Mindset is deeper: it’s the stable, cultivated orientation of your mind and soul. A mentality can change quickly; a mindset is formed intentionally through reflection, discipline, and alignment with truth.

3. Why does the distinction between mind and brain matter for performance?
When athletes believe performance is purely physical or brain-based, they limit growth to technique and reaction. Recognizing the role of the mind expands training to include self-awareness, moral reasoning, and purpose; factors that build resilience, integrity, and sustainable success.

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Author:
Dr. Dillon Caswell, PT, DPT, SCS

Doctor of Physical Therapy | Board Certified Sports Specialist

Hope Evangelist | Top-Selling Author & Speaker | Human Performance Expert