The Art of Mental Training: A Guide to Performance Excellence Review

“Whatever is going on inside your head has everything to do with how well you end up performing.”

For pure, artistic, metaphorical, and symbolic inspiration and motivation.

It’s well established by now in sports science that mental training (training by imagining) will help you outperform your competition.

Instead of diving deep into the “science” of it all, the author instead artistically (through stories, analogies, references, etc.) presents why a trained mental attitude will help you excel in practically EVERYTHING.

Think of this book as the Feng Shui or Yin/Yang of mental training.

I picked this one up during a phase where I was reading everything I could get my hands on about mental performance — meditation, visualization, sports psychology, the whole spectrum. And while a lot of those books were packed with studies and data, this one took a completely different approach. DC Gonzalez doesn’t try to convince you with science. He teaches through stories, metaphors, and short chapters that read more like a coach talking to you before a big game. And honestly? That style hit harder than I expected.

The book is short — you can knock it out in a single afternoon. But don’t let the length fool you. There are passages in here that will stay in your head for WEEKS. Gonzalez spent years working with elite athletes, military personnel, and martial artists, and that real-world experience bleeds through every page.

The Warrior-Champion Mindset

This is the core of the book. Gonzalez draws a clear line between people who train their bodies and people who train their MINDS. Most of us spend hours at the gym, at the office, grinding away at our craft — but almost nobody spends time training the one thing that controls all of it: their mental state.

“The warrior/champion understands that a bad attitude can cost him everything. It affects not only how you feel, but also how you perform.”

“The two essential keys to winning: enthusiasm and a mental edge.”

I love how simple he makes it. Enthusiasm and a mental edge. That’s it. Not some 47-step framework or a complicated system. Just show up with fire in your belly and a mind that’s been deliberately prepared for what’s ahead.

“Practice mixing relaxation, imagery, feelings, and enthusiasm, prior to competition in a pre-game routine, in order to gain a mental edge and a sure sense of confidence going into the event.”

“Stay task-focused. Interrupt negative self-talk and images the moment they arise, shut them down on the spot. Replace them with positive self-talk and positive images. Concentrate on showing the brain exactly what it is that you want to achieve; never dwell on what you do not want to happen.”

This right here is something I started applying immediately. Whether it’s launching a new project, getting on a call with a client, or stepping into any high-pressure situation — the mental rehearsal beforehand makes a REAL difference. Your brain doesn’t fully distinguish between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. So if you’ve already “won” in your mind, your body follows.

“You have to believe that you can win, then that self-belief puts you in a position to win.”

The Mental Warrior

Gonzalez paints this vivid picture of what he calls the “mental warrior,” and reading it feels like reading a blueprint for the person you WANT to become. Not the person who crumbles under pressure, not the person who talks themselves out of opportunities, but the one who walks into the arena already knowing they belong there.

“Mental warriors cannot be intimidated. Their self-confidence is too deeply rooted to be shakeable. They arrive on the scene to dominate. They love to compete; competing energizes them. They repel negative thoughts; they control their internal environment. They know how to remain focused under even the most challenging conditions.”

“Mental warriors make it a point to be ready. They’ve learned to manage pressure; they never fail to keep moving forward. They refuse to lose, they’ll never quit, and they will patiently work to find a solution and to find a way to win. Mental warriors cannot accept not trying.”

“Most of all, mental warriors are brave, they have heart. They have the courage and inner strength to achieve their full potential. They understand the power of imagination, concentration, and consistency.”

Read those passages again. Seriously. This is the kind of stuff you print out and tape to your wall. I’ve come back to this section multiple times over the years — especially during moments when self-doubt starts creeping in. Because doubt WILL creep in. The difference is whether you let it run the show or you shut it down and replace it with something better.

On Fear and Anger

One of the best sections of the book deals with fear and anger — two emotions that can either destroy your performance or, if channeled correctly, fuel it. Gonzalez doesn’t tell you to suppress these emotions. He tells you to REDIRECT them.

“If anger arises, make the decision to not let it control you. Use techniques to redirect the energy; use the energy to make your resolve stronger. Become like the smiling assassin that seeks his mark.”

“The smiling assassin” — come on, that’s an incredible image. It captures the whole philosophy in three words. You don’t fight the emotion. You smile, channel it, and use it as rocket fuel.

“Champions focus on what they can control. They know that while they can’t always control what takes place during an event, they can always control how they respond to an event. Within every setback lies the hidden opportunity for a great comeback.”

“Fear of failure is caused by not knowing how to fail constructively. The only way to accomplish anything great is to risk failing at it first.”

“Performance choking is caused by an ego that is afraid of looking bad. You must learn to leave your ego outside of your event.”

That last one is HUGE. How many times have you held back from trying something because you were afraid of looking stupid? I know I have. The ego is the enemy of progress — and Gonzalez nails it here. Leave your ego at the door, focus on the task, and let the results take care of themselves.

On Self-Talk and Goals

Gonzalez is a big believer in the power of what you say to yourself. And before you roll your eyes at “affirmations” — this isn’t about standing in front of a mirror chanting nonsense. This is about deliberately choosing the internal narrative that drives your actions.

“I’m good, I’m fast, I’m strong, this is my time, believe, I dominate.”

“Especially when things are at their worst, your self-talk must be positive, encouraging, and empowering. Shut down the internal critic.”

Think about it — your inner voice is running 24/7. It’s either building you up or tearing you down. Most people let their internal critic run wild and then wonder why they can’t perform when it matters. Gonzalez says take control of that voice. Make it work FOR you, not against you.

“What’s your dream? Figure it out. That’s your assignment.”

“Setting goals is critical because they help you achieve. They represent your dreams along a timeline and help you progress.”

“The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Final Thoughts

Using the above quotes for your everyday life, become the warrior and the champion. Internalize these quotes, and let them live through you.

Believe in them, and they will manifest themselves within you. You will become them.

This isn’t a book you read once and shelve. It’s a book you come back to when you need a mental reset. When self-doubt is loud, when fear is winning, when you’ve lost momentum — pick it up, read a chapter, and get your mind right. The simplicity is the strength here. No fluff, no over-complication. Just pure mental fuel from someone who has lived it.

5/5 — once again, for pure, artistic, metaphorical, and symbolic inspiration and motivation.