Many elite athletes such as former world marathon record holder Alberto Salazar, Olympic skier Holly Flanders, wrestler Jeff Blatnik, Hurdler Willie Davenport, world class tennis player Gabriella Sabatini have used psychological skills to enhance performance in their sports.

"If you can expect the unexpected, you can emotionally lick anyone." (Benji Darden, 1980 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team).

"To play well you have to learn to channel emotions, both the highs and the very lows." (Pete Sampras. World champion tennis player).

Careful mental preparation is acknowledged by top class athletes to be a vitally important factor that frequently makes the difference between excellence and mediocrity. Although substances might provide a short term boost, the longevity of a top athlete will be determined by the degree to which he/she is prepared to accept the fact that top athletes need excellent mental preparation to survive to rigors of extreme physical effort, and cope with the many demands of sport.