When René Sonneveld moved on from decades at the top of banking and corporate governance, he didn’t abandon logic or structure – he discovered what was missing.

After years advising family-owned companies and managing complex governance systems, he realised that the biggest factor undermining even the most profitable family enterprises wasn’t tax, structure, or succession planning.

It was emotion.

As René explains, “There were elephants in the family room that nobody dared to address.”

For founders and CEOs of privately held or family-led businesses, this is where the real challenge begins – not on the balance sheet, but in what René calls the invisible balance sheet of emotion, trust, and legacy.

The Emotional Economy of Family-Owned Businesses

In big corporates, dysfunction gets fired.

In families, it festers.

Family-run enterprises are often the most agile and resilient organisations on the planet, able to make bold decisions over a kitchen table that might take months in...

The One Mistake Almost Every Sports Parent Makes

At certain times of the year, the relationship between a sports parent, a coach, and an athlete becomes full of friction.

It might be end-of-season pressure.
It might be selection anxiety.
It might be fatigue, frustration, and the emotional build-up of a full year of training.

Whatever the trigger is, the result looks the same:

• parents feel powerless

• coaches feel undermined

• athletes feel caught in the middle

And that’s exactly where performance, confidence, and enjoyment start to drop.

I’m going to break down the one mistake almost every sports parent makes – and what to do instead so you can support your child without creating tension, pressure, or conflict.

Here it is:

Sports parents try to control the sporting environment instead of supporting it.

It’s rarely intentional. It usually comes from care, love, and protection.

But control shows up in subtle ways, like:

• trying to 'manage' the coach

• g

  ...

The Mental Skill Most Athletes Confuse With Confidence

Over a year ago, I recorded a podcast episode that turned out to be one of the most shared episodes we’ve ever released. Episode 96: Controlling the Critical Balance Between Confidence and Self Belief explored a topic that every athlete, coach, and parent talks about but often misunderstands:

What’s the real difference between confidence and self-belief?

Since then, I’ve been asked the same question again and again:

“Can we have a shorter, clearer version that’s easy to share with athletes?”

That’s exactly what this article is.

If you work with athletes, or you are one, understanding this distinction can change how you perform under pressure, how you respond to setbacks, and how you build long-term mental strength.

Why Confidence Gets All the Attention

We’re constantly told that confidence is everything.

“They just need more confidence.”

“She’s so confident right now.”

“His confidence is shot.”

And confidence can...

Why You Choke When It Counts (And How To Stay Calm Under Pressure)

Here’s the problem with being human:

We don’t get certainty.

We’re not Mystic Meg – and, let’s be honest – she couldn’t predict the future either. She just had the confidence to write it in a newspaper.

But your brain? Your brain hates uncertainty. So when it can’t get answers, it does the next best thing: it starts imagining what could go wrong… and then it prepares you for it like it’s guaranteed.

That’s not weakness. That’s survival.

The problem is, if you don’t understand the mechanism, it turns into a cycle that compounds and it can hijack your performance right when you need calm consistency the most.

So let’s break down the performance anxiety cycle, and how to take control of it.

First: What Performance Anxiety Is Not

Before we talk strategy, let's talk clarity. Performance anxiety is not:

• A disease (you’re not broken)

• A sign you’re not talented (nerves don’t equal lack of ability)

...

Performing under pressure is not about confidence, motivation, or 'stepping up on the day'. It is a trained skill built through deliberate preparation. Athletes who consistently execute when it matters most follow a repeatable mental performance framework that develops trust, focus, and reliable execution under pressure. The Five Rings of Performance explain how athletes and coaches can systematically train execution from low-pressure practice environments through to high-consequence competition, ensuring performance holds up when expectations, emotions, and stakes are at their highest.

The Five Rings of Performance: How Athletes Learn to Execute Under Pressure

When we watch athletes perform at their best under intense pressure, it’s easy to label it as talent, confidence, or mental toughness.

But elite execution isn’t accidental.

High-pressure performance is built through a structured progression of trust, preparation, and experience. Athletes who consistently deliver when it m...

Competition pressure can have a huge impact on your ability to perform in those big moments.

Learning how to perform and what to trust can make all the difference. In this video, we look at how to push through the uncomfortable to perform when it counts:

• Think of your performance as a railway track. The better you lay your tracks (skills and preparation), the better you can perform when the pressure's on.
• Emotions can cloud your process, much like snow covering train tracks. The tracks are still there, you just need to push through the discomfort and trust your training.
• Understand how internal and external pressures can affect your performance, and ensure they don't derail your progress.
• Survivalist vs. Strategist Mindset: Choose to operate as strategists, not survivalists. The former involves assessing, collecting data, and making adjustments along the journey. The latter hinges on fear, looking for proof before taking action, or reckless trust without testing. Are you t...

How To Perform Under Pressure (When Your Competitive Future Depends On It)

Let’s be real… you don’t get judged on your potential.

You get judged on what you can produce when it counts.

Not when you’re feeling confident.
Not when training is flowing.
Not when the conditions are perfect.

I’m talking about those moments where:

• you’re one performance away from getting picked

• your body feels tight and your mind feels loud

• the selectors are watching

• your rivals are waiting for you to slip

• and you know deep down… this might be your one shot

That’s pressure.

And pressure doesn’t just test your skill.

Pressure tests your blueprint, your focus, and your ability to ride the chaos without reacting to it.

So, we’re breaking down the 3 core ingredients every athlete needs to master to perform under pressure, consistently.

Pressure Is Personal… But The Pattern Is Predictable

Performing under pressure isn’t one-size-fits-all.

But the pattern is always the...

Understanding the Drive

At the core essence of competitive athletes lies the constant pursuit of excellence. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your athletic journey, there's a unique pressure that athletes impose on themselves to excel in various scenarios. This pressure can come from within or external sources, such as fans, coaches, or even the sheer desire to prove oneself.

The Nature of Pressure

Pressure situations can vary greatly in sports. They range from high-stakes competitions, nerve-wracking selections, and make-or-break tournaments to the challenge of mastering new skills.

One crucial aspect to acknowledge is that performing under pressure is highly individualistic. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to handling pressure, as each athlete brings their unique set of experiences, strengths, and weaknesses to the table.

Three Essential Ingredients for Pressure Mastery

1. Process – Our Blueprints:

One of the essential ingredients for mastering press...

Why Do Athletes Get So Anxious?

The brain of the anxious athlete – it's a feeling that's all too familiar to anyone chasing success. 

And that is precisely where the role of mental conditioning can be brought in to help athletes develop the tools they need to combat feelings of anxiousness. 

In this video we explore: 

• Why those pre-competition nerves are not just normal, but a sign that what you're about to do is important to you – nervousness isn't a sign of incapability; it's a testament to your dedication towards your objectives.
• What the dance party of dopamine, cortisol, and serotonin is doing in your brain and the part they play in shaping your anxiety and performance.
• How our brain's incredible power of imagination can conjure up fears, magnify doubts, but also pave the way for innovative solutions and success beyond imagination. 
• How do athletes deal with anxiety? What we can do right now to manage the balance between our body’s natural chemicals and the pragmati...

Understanding the Journey of High-Performing Athletes

High performance can be tough; it demands consistency and dedication. Let's consider an athlete's journey: from amateur to competitive, to elite, and finally, to high performance. It's a rigorous process that requires intense commitment.

A study in the late 80s examined the top 1% of high performing athletes worldwide, across various sports. While some were indeed gifted, a significant majority achieved success through something else.

Genetics played a small role, and financial resources also had a limited impact. 

But the real game-changer was one singular thing. 

What they found was all high performing athletes had one thing in common: mindset. 

They built personalised programs, catered specifically to their strengths, skills, and determination. They didn't try to emulate others; instead, they optimised their own potential. They stuck to their tailored programs tenaciously, fine-tuning aspects when necessary. 

High pe...