By: Neil Wattier, Mental Coach for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches
In a world driven by trends, social media, and highlight reels, it’s easy to get caught up in the gear trap. You know the one—where you feel like your performance is lacking not because of skill, effort, or preparation, but because you don’t have the newest shoes, the latest training tech, or the flashiest equipment.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting quality gear. The right equipment can enhance your performance, increase comfort, and support safety. But too often, athletes and parents fall into the trap of believing that the gear itself is the key to success. Even worse, they fall into the habit of buying things not to solve a performance issue—but to impress people they don’t even know.
Confidence doesn’t come from what you wear or what you carry in your gym bag. It comes from preparation, repetition, resilience, and self-belief.
“I can trade clubs with Tiger Woods and he would still kick my butt.”
– Mental Coach Neil
The Myth of the Magic Tool
I've coached countless athletes who believed a new bat, glove, watch, or training program would fix their game. They were convinced the reason they weren’t performing well had something to do with what they didn’t have—not what they hadn’t trained.
It’s tempting to think success can be bought. After all, the marketing says it can. But you can’t swipe your credit card for consistency. You can’t click “Add to Cart” on resilience. There is no shipping option for emotional regulation or game-day poise.
No amount of gear will fix an untrained mind or an undisciplined body.
Why We Chase the Gear
The gear trap is often a psychological safety blanket. When we’re feeling unsure or insecure about our performance, it’s easier to shift focus to external things—like gear—than it is to address internal challenges like confidence, mindset, or effort.
New gear gives a short burst of excitement. It makes us feel ready. But that feeling fades quickly if we haven’t done the real work. That’s why athletes who always need the latest shoes, gloves, or gadgets often struggle with consistency. They’re searching for the answer in the wrong place.
It’s also a form of comparison culture. Social media shows us pros and influencers using top-of-the-line gear. We see teammates or competitors show up with custom equipment and feel pressure to match it. But at what cost?
If your focus shifts from how you train to how you look, you’re giving away the mental edge that truly separates the great from the average.
Subscribe to the AMPT
Mental Performance Newsletter
The AMPT Mental Performance Newsletter delivers content directly to your email inbox. It's filled with valuable information and resources to help you reach your full potential through the power of mental performance.
Train to Be Great, Not to Be Seen
One of my favorite lessons from performance psychology is this: confidence is earned in the dark. It’s built during early morning sessions when no one is watching. It’s forged through reps, reflection, and resilience—not through unboxing videos or retail therapy.
I’ve worked with elite athletes who had old, worn-out gear they trusted—and they performed at the highest level because their mindset was sharp, not their cleats.
I’ve also worked with athletes who had every possible gadget, but lacked discipline, consistency, and self-awareness. They looked the part—but folded under pressure.
Great athletes train to be great. Not to be seen.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Before buying your next piece of gear or tech, ask yourself (or your athlete) a few simple questions:
Will this improve a specific skill I’m already working on consistently?
Am I buying this because it’s necessary—or because I feel pressure to keep up?
Am I looking for this to solve a problem that I haven’t addressed through training, effort, or mindset work?
Would I still be confident in my game if I had to play with borrowed or older gear?
If the answers are mostly external (to impress others, to keep up appearances, to feel like I’m doing something), it’s probably not the right investment. If it supports your process—not replaces it—then it might be worth considering.
Focus on What Actually Improves Performance
Instead of chasing gear, double down on what truly matters:
Consistent, focused practice
Deliberate mental performance work
Building emotional regulation and resilience
Quality coaching and feedback
Recovery, sleep, and nutrition
These are the foundations of elite performance. And they’re accessible to anyone willing to show up and do the work—no fancy gear required.
Impress Yourself First
You don’t need to impress strangers on Instagram or teammates in the dugout. Impress yourself by how hard you work, how well you prepare, and how focused you are under pressure.
Buy gear when it supports your performance—not when it substitutes for it.
The next time you think about dropping $hundreds on the latest thing, ask yourself if you’ve already invested that much effort into your mindset, recovery, or routine. That’s where the real gains come from.
Performance isn’t bought. It’s built.
Powerful individualized coaching addresses many complex performance challenges.
Every athlete has specific performance needs and goals.
Carefully tailored training plans guide each athlete to their desired results.
Stop playing games and train to become a champion!
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation call today!
Comentários