Mindset Tips from Team USA Contenders

They are decorated competitors on the world’s stage, so take it from these five Team USA contenders, because they clearly know how to achieve the right mindset in order to succeed.

Here are their insider tips on how to get your mind right …

Gwen Jorgensen reflects . . .

“I have a goal journal that my coach told me to buy, and I carry it with me everywhere and write in it every single day. I write down my workout and other metrics, but I also write down three things that I did really well and three things that I can improve upon. I’m then able to look back and see the things I’ve done well and that really builds up my confidence going into a race. And it actually really helps me to achieve the end result.” — Gwen Jorgensen is a two-time world champion triathlete and the only U.S. woman to win back-to-back elite world titles in triathlon. In 2015, she became the first triathlete — man or woman — to complete an undefeated season.

Cortney Jordan stays positive . . .

“If you do something like it’s the last time, every time, it will make it more fun and make you appreciate it more. And I always approach things with a positive outcome, knowing that everything will work out.” – Jordan is a two-time U.S. Paralympic swimmer with medals from both the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games.

Conor Dwyer looks at his goals daily . . .

“My goals are on my bathroom mirror written in a permanent marker. So every day I wake up at 5 a.m., I look at that mirror and realize what the dream is at the end of the year, and how am I going to accomplish it. I have a set amount of hours in the day that I can use to do anything I can to accomplish that dream. Seeing it there is extra motivation to wake up, read my goal on the mirror and know what I have to do in that day to try and be better and try and make that happen.” – Dwyer is an elite swimmer who has won 14 medals in international competitions, including a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics as part of the U.S. freestyle relay team.

Lex Gillette sees with his mind . . .

“To me, mindset means to acquire focus to achieve my goals and have aspirations. And even though I am blind, my saying is this: “No need for sight, when you have a vision.” It’s the soundtrack of my life. Vision starts inside your mind.” – Gillette is fully blind and one of the top visually impaired long-jumpers in the world, winning the silver medal at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games.

Alysia Montaño competes with herself . . .

“One of the biggest motivators is, honestly, self-betterment. I compete against myself. I’m a huge fan of competition, and it’s not just on the track. It’s not just first or last. It’s really about who was I yesterday and how can I be a better version of myself? And when I think about that when I wake up in the morning, it really, really motivates me to get out the door and make sure that I’m putting my best foot forward daily.” – Montaño is a middle-distance runner and seven-time U.S. outdoor national champion. She has represented the U.S. at numerous international championships including the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Jorgensen, Jordan, Dwyer, Gillette and Montaño are all Team 24 Hour Fitness-sponsored athletes. Jorgensen and Dwyer are heading to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and Jordan and Gillette are heading to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.