Kristen Dalton is your New Miss USA! We are so excited for Kristen! Good Luck at Miss Universe!!
Kristen attended the Mental Toughness for Pageantry 5 Day Session in December. She had this to say about Mental Management:
"Mental Management gave me the tools to control my attitude and mentality under pressure, so I can perform to my fullest potential." Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina USA 2009
To learn more about how Mental Management can help with your pageant competition click here.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Interview with Olivia Myers Miss Iowa 2008, 2nd RU to Miss America 2009
Olivia Myers is a client of Mental Management and was recommended to Mental Management by her pageant coach Cathy Herd. Cathy posted the following interview in her recent newsletter. Some questions were additionally asked to Olivia for this post. Please Enjoy!
Congratulations on finishing 2nd runner up to Miss America! Did you anticipate such a good outcome?
Thank you. Actually, I believe that my success was partly a result of anticipating such an outcome. I learned to approach the competition with both humility and expectation, which enabled me to remain true to myself without mentally limiting my performance. When the pageant was over, on the other hand, I felt more disbelief that I had done so well! Being selected from among so many incredible women was an honor.
How long has it been since Miss Iowa placed 2nd RU or higher?
In 1992 Catherine Lemkau-Herd was 1st RU to Miss America. Iowa’s last 2nd RU was Susan Thompson in 1968.
What type of preparation do you think most contributed to your success at nationals?
I couldn't have succeeded without addressing each area of competition individually, but I believe the most important type of preparation was that all-encompassing development of the inner self. At Miss America, the judges told us they weren't looking for the best swimsuit or the best talent. They were looking for the girl who just had to win because of this indefinable quality that simply radiated from within her. Most contestants looked pretty awesome in their swimsuits-I really don't think it was the hours at the gym, as important as they were, that set me apart. In addition to running, I spent a lot of time discovering my true essence-the spirit, values, and passions that define me-as well as how I could let that essence speak for me in interview and onstage. That, I think, was key to my success.
How was your frame of mind during competition?
I kept my mind focused on my goal and what I needed to do to accomplish it. It was easy to start comparing myself to other contestants, but I kept reminding myself that the objective was not to outshine anyone else, but to allow the best of Olivia to shine through. In order for me to do that, it was important for me to focus on my strengths and to simply "live in the moment." That is what I told myself every time I walked onto stage-you've spent enough time thinking about this moment; now is the time to stop thinking and just perform.
What surprised you most about competing at nationals?
Honestly, I was surprised that I felt so at ease. I expected to feel more nervous for my Miss America interview than for any previous one, but I actually felt more relaxed and in control than ever before. The same was true onstage. The competition at nationals was far more intense than at the state level, but by trusting my preparation and deciding to savor every moment, I was able to thrive in the competition rather than fret and fear it.
What advice would you give to those contestants striving to get to nationals and placing as well as you did?
Find what motivates your desire to compete, and let that drive your preparation. View your pageant experience as a journey, the ultimate goal not only being to do well, but also to leave you a more well-rounded, self-aware, and confident young woman. Take time to consistently reflect upon who you are and how you have arrived at this moment in your life. This will not only make the journey worthwhile, but it will also help set you apart in competition since the judges are looking for someone who is well-rounded, self-aware, and confident and who conveys a sincere desire to be Miss America.
How was competing at state different from competing at nationals?
Many contestants, me included, were much more invested in the competition at nationals-physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially. The fact that we had whole-heartedly dedicated the previous months of our lives to those few nights in Las Vegas, along with the knowledge that we could only compete at Miss America once, created an entirely different atmosphere than at state. The stakes were higher as well: either I was flying back to Iowa on Sunday or my entire life was about to turn upside-down. So for me, the biggest difference had less to do with the competition itself than with what the competition represented on a personal level.
What was the interview like?
I had so much fun in my interview! It came and went so quickly, and I left the room wishing I could have more time to chat with the judges. My interview was much more conversational at Miss America than at state. I'd say they were looking for someone who makes an interesting conversation partner. The judges threw me questions quickly and oftentimes followed up, depending on my response. They challenged me in such a way that I could clarify my views rather than become defensive, and their questions called for a good balance of introspection, humor, and intellect. I was surprised that the new presidency never came up and impressed by the quality of questions (although they were few) regarding my platform.
I imagine your schedule was hectic while you prepared for Miss America. Can you walk us through what that was like during the last few weeks before competition?
There were exactly three weeks between Christmas and my arrival in Las Vegas, and as much as I wanted to be with friends and family, I had to really focus during that time. Much of my wardrobe was custom made in Sioux Falls, SD, and during my last two weeks of preparation, I made two trips to Sioux Falls, where I ended up spending several nights. Online shopping became a godsend, as I could find the perfect shoes and pieces of jewelry (I'm a new fan of HSN!) right from my hotel room. Due to copyright issues, I didn't have the final version of my talent accompaniment until Christmastime, so my dance routine gained a sense of urgency in those finals days as well. While attending to last minute details and alterations, I was also, of course, continuing my workout routine, studying the news, and discussing potential interview topics with anyone who would lend an ear. To be perfectly honest, I will miss the crazy excitement of those days!
How did you feel best supported during your competition?
Sometimes the best kind of support came when I found an empty corner in the rehearsal hall, turned on my iPod, and read the cards and messages from those who love and believe in me the most. That said, I cannot tell you how much the support of Cathy Herd meant to me during competition. The best thing about having Cathy's support was that I could trust her. I could trust her with any question or concern, because she really got to know me when I became Miss Iowa and helped me become a better version of Olivia, never asking me to become someone else. It was as if she gave me the counsel I would give myself, could I actually put my finger on the right words to say, and I attribute much of the ease I felt during competition to her consistent support. I guess she was like HSN-a godsend in every way!
Your talent was one of the best I have seen in the top ten in years. Tell us about preparing for talent.
Thank you! Preparing for talent was a wonderfully fun and challenging experience. I knew I only had 90 seconds to leave my mark on the Miss America stage, so I was picky about everything that went into my routine. The first challenge was coming up with an original version of "Fever" that would be fun yet simple so as to not overshadow my taps. Then, it was all about stepping a little outside the box, getting into character, and filling up the stage. I had a lot of fun deciding what attitudes I wanted to convey at different points in the routine-cool and confident here, sexy there, now just fun and fabulous. I literally got out a thesaurus one day and made a word map for my wall! I learned that talent is about more than honing a single skill-it's about creating an experience for both the audience and yourself.
How important do you think it is to have coaching before Miss America?
Let's just say that I don't think I would have finished second runner-up without coaching. My only word of caution is to find the right coach—someone you can trust and enjoy working with.
Tell us about mental management and how did it help you during competition?
Mental Management is a system for controlling the mind under pressure. It helped keep my mind clear and focused during competition, but I would say that it helped me even more prior to the pageant. Mental Management changed my self image in such a way that I could visualize myself as Miss America, and success became a mental reality before it actually happened. I was surprised how much this mental shift altered the way that I prepared and competed. When I walked into my interview, for example, I walked in "as Miss America" in my mind, which I think helped the judges see me in that role, too.
What was the most important thing you learned through training with Mental Management?
That I could want to win the Miss America Pageant, and believe in my heart that it was truly possible, without compromising my priorities in life or my sense of humility. This may seem like an unlikely lesson, but for me, it was critical. Mental Management changed the way that I think about competition, and then helped me discover practical strategies for approaching it most effectively.
Do you feel Mental Management is important for pageant preparation and why?
Preparing for a pageant is really a hefty undertaking. With multiple areas of competition that each requires unique skill sets and types of preparation, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. I feel that Mental Management is important, because it helps the contestant overcome that feeling of being overwhelmed and to focus her thoughts and energy on one task, one goal at a time.
How did changing your Self-Image make an impact on your competition experience?
The way we view ourselves impacts how we think, feel, and act. So by changing my self-image, I could change the way that I prepared for Miss America and, ultimately, how I performed in competition. For example, by viewing myself as an insightful, relatable, and witty speaker, I was more likely to take the steps that would actually make me more insightful, relatable, and witty. Then, by imagining my interview going really well-and continually playing that image in my mind-I could walk into my interview with the expectation of success. This kind of mindset produces a confidence and charisma that is invaluable in competition.
Would you recommend Mental Management training or products to other contestants and why?
I would. Being mentally prepared for a pageant doesn’t mean that a contestant can work less hard, but it does mean that all of her hard work is less likely to be compromised when the pressures of competition set in. It also empowers her to more freely enjoy the journey that is her pageant experience.
How have you changed since winning Miss Iowa?
I could write a book in response to this one, but in short, I have become a better person. I not only feel more confident in who I am, but I am also more aware of who that person is. When I look back on my year as Miss Iowa, I imagine that I'll view this sense of personal growth and discovery as the biggest and most discernible gift. I have also learned how to more effectively communicate and to advocate for a cause. On another note, my year as Miss Iowa has uncovered a hidden fondness for fashion, and now that Miss America is over, I'll have to develop some thrift to go along with it!
Olivia's platform is Teaching Tolerance: Fostering a Just and Caring Culture from the Classroom Out. She has recently started a new website for her platform called www.speakingoftolerance.com
For more information on Mental Management training for pageant performance please email Heather Sumlin at heather@mentalmanagement.com or call 972-899-9640.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Open House March 11!
Open House
March 11
Come and Meet Us!
March 11, Mental Management Open House, 700 Parker Square, Ste 140 - Flower Mound, TX.
The Mental Management System is the #1 mental training system used by elite performers today! 3 master level instructors will speak at this event to help give you an edge in sport, business or performance in today's climate.
Speakers include:
Olympic Champion Lanny Bassham, Founder and CEO
Troy Bassham, Director of Junior Development
Heather Sumlin, Director of Performance Programs
Speaking times:
10am
2pm
6:30pm
Reply by email to info@mentalmanagement.com or call 972-899-9640 to register to save a seat at one of these special sessions - limited seating available at each session. Cost to attend is FREE!
This is an opportunity for us to meet those who live or office near the Mental Management office. We will have special pricing on products and seminar discounts available as well so feel free to stop by and see us! Also, everyone who stops by our office on March 11th can enter a drawing for Free consultation!
March 11
Come and Meet Us!
March 11, Mental Management Open House, 700 Parker Square, Ste 140 - Flower Mound, TX.
The Mental Management System is the #1 mental training system used by elite performers today! 3 master level instructors will speak at this event to help give you an edge in sport, business or performance in today's climate.
Speakers include:
Olympic Champion Lanny Bassham, Founder and CEO
Troy Bassham, Director of Junior Development
Heather Sumlin, Director of Performance Programs
Speaking times:
10am
2pm
6:30pm
Reply by email to info@mentalmanagement.com or call 972-899-9640 to register to save a seat at one of these special sessions - limited seating available at each session. Cost to attend is FREE!
This is an opportunity for us to meet those who live or office near the Mental Management office. We will have special pricing on products and seminar discounts available as well so feel free to stop by and see us! Also, everyone who stops by our office on March 11th can enter a drawing for Free consultation!
The Mentor Factor
The Mentor Factor - (track #3 from the Performance Coaching Audio CDs)
I’m not sure why this is true, but it seems to me that some of the most important things in life are really hard to learn. Like being a parent for the first time – who is really prepared for that? I can’t think of two more unqualified people in the world than a mom and dad on the first day of this job. We just don’t take courses in parenting. It’s the same thing with coaching. The role of a coach is critical to the development of many people, but it’s hard to find good information about coaching and how to coach. When I first became a coach, I was really astounded at how little information was available. Now, there are a few books that I guess you could pick up, but if you ask most coaches where they learned how to coach and they’ll probably say “Well, I just kind of picked it up.” Stay at something long enough, and pretty soon you get good at it.
I spent about 6 years in Colorado Springs, and during that time I was reflecting a little bit on what I had done and what I had accomplished as a competitor. I had been a coach much longer than I was a competitor. When you tell people you are an Olympic gold medalist, they just kind of quit thinking you can do anything after that; you are always introduced as the Olympic gold medalist. But I have actually spent more time as a coach. I was the Olympic coach in ’84 and ’88 and had many competitors going to the Olympics and World Championships. We certainly developed our share of Olympians and World Champions, even a couple guys that actually went on to win gold medals in the Olympics. It gave me a lot of insight into what might help other people. I found as a coach I needed to be very efficient in what I did.
Running the International Shooting School, most of my students were there because they were pretty much on tight budgets; they didn’t have any big government support. My students were private students, and their parents were normally paying for it – so we had to get the money’s worth for everything that we did. So, I was always looking for ways that would work and principals that would help me become more effective and more efficient.
I’m going to share those with you. Some of these may be things that are common sense, and you may say “Yeah, I’m doing that already” – that’s great. Some of them may be new and different for you, they certainly were for me. I wish I could give credit for all the great people that shared these things with me. Sometimes I’ll remember where I learned something or who taught me something, but most of the time I just can’t – so I apologize to all those guys that I’m standing on the shoulders of, but I will tell you what I know about it and how we were able to develop a very effective and efficient system to help people perform well under pressure.
One of the things that I had to learn early on was that I can’t take credit for any of the successes of my students and I can’t really be blamed for any of their failures. I had a hard time with that. I kind of felt responsible when they didn’t perform well; and although I don’t think I ever felt like I wanted to take credit when they did do well – but I think one of the things you have to come to grips with early on is that you are only there for one reason, and that is to save the performer time. You’re not there to win through them or to win even with them – you’re there really just to assist them, or to aid them in their struggle and their journey in the sport.
And so, we can’t make an athlete perform, but we can help them to perform and we can save them time and that’s really our role, to help someone do a better job. Now there is a special relationship that sometimes occurs in the performance coaching situations. It doesn’t always occur, and it doesn’t have to occur for you to be a good performance coach. But when it does, it is really remarkable – and I’d like to like to talk about it first. It’s called the mentor factor.
Mentorship is an extremely interesting thing when it happens. When I surveyed Olympic champions to find out what they were doing mentally to win, this concept kept coming up of “Well, I had a mentor one time that told me this” or “I had someone who mentored me” and I thought, can we define this, can we define this mentor experience? When does it happen? When is it not a mentor experience? How can we come to understand what’s going on?
So, I discovered this way of doing it. I think you have a mentor when three things exist at the same time. You have a person that is capable, caring, and is a confidant. A mentor has to be, in my opinion, of course everything in this tape is about my opinion, I’m a world class expert in that (as we all are) but, I believe for it to be a true mentorship experience, all three have to happen.
A capable person is someone who is capable of helping in the area that they are mentoring. Now, parents are often capable in helping their children and mentoring to their children, but sometimes they’re not. If my child is learning to play the flute, for example – if I don’t know how to play the flute, I’m not capable of mentoring to them in flute playing.
The second area is that they must be caring. Now, I hope that all of us as parents are caring, and caring all the time. But a caring person is someone who is vitally interested in not only the success of this individual, but interested in them personally. And that they care about them, and want what’s best for them.
And finally, they must be a confidant. It is a situation where you have the trust of the individual so that they’re able to come to you and say “I’ve got a challenge” and know that if they share a personal thing with you that it will stay personal. This is a very special relationship, so if you’re fortunate enough in your life to have even one mentor – it’s an incredible situation.
In order for it to be a mentoring experience, you have to have a teaching moment occur. For a teaching moment to occur, you as the apprentice need to go to the mentor and say “I need help” and be willing to listen. I think many of us have mentors in our lives, but we don’t have the teaching moment. But when those two come together – the mentor is available, and the apprentice is ready to be taught… it is a miraculous turning point in a person’s life.
I can probably count on one hand all the mentors I’ve had in my life, and all the teaching moments I have had in my life – and that’s true of most people. We would hope that we would be in a position to mentor more often. Maybe we don’t look for the mentor situations or we don’t try to find them because it is certainly an important thing, but it is not something we are taught in school or something you expect to necessarily have happen.
But the mentorship experience is powerful, and most elite performers have had a mentor. Now I suppose my mentor, the one that I remember certainly first, was my father. Now, I’ll give you an example of how this happened. I was the kid that never made the team, I mean I was bad at everything in school, the kids wouldn’t even pick me for dodge ball I was so poor. And so finding a situation where I could learn a sport, or to succeed in anything was a big task for my father. He was always looking for something for me, and encouraging me.
So when we discovered rifle shooting, and he took me to a rifle club – it was a great experience the first day. I really liked it and my father could tell that this was maybe something that would build my self-image, so we went back the next week for the next rifle team meeting and we found out that they were going to close down the program because they just didn’t have enough interest. I was just devastated as I walked off the range. Here was something I finally found that I was interested in and could probably do well and now I had no opportunity. My father just looked at me and said “Don’t worry about that son, just because they’re not going to shoot, doesn’t mean you’re not going to”. And I didn’t know what he meant, but he had already made up his mind at the meeting that he was going to buy a rifle for me, a rifle for himself, and all the equipment that we needed, and got the keys to an indoor range.
He would pick me up after school about 3-4 days a week and would take me to the range and he would train me – and he became my first coach. But that was a mentor experience for me because not only did I learn about rifle shooting, but I got to learn about the special relationship of a father and son can have together.
This article is a short track from the Audio CD set Performance Coaching - to order the complete set.
Lanny Bassham is the author of "With Winning in Mind" and "Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power". His Mental Management System has been used by elite athletes and performers since 1977. To find out more about his program please call 800-879-5079 or 972-899-9640 - info@mentalmanagement.com www.mentalmanagement.com
I’m not sure why this is true, but it seems to me that some of the most important things in life are really hard to learn. Like being a parent for the first time – who is really prepared for that? I can’t think of two more unqualified people in the world than a mom and dad on the first day of this job. We just don’t take courses in parenting. It’s the same thing with coaching. The role of a coach is critical to the development of many people, but it’s hard to find good information about coaching and how to coach. When I first became a coach, I was really astounded at how little information was available. Now, there are a few books that I guess you could pick up, but if you ask most coaches where they learned how to coach and they’ll probably say “Well, I just kind of picked it up.” Stay at something long enough, and pretty soon you get good at it.
I spent about 6 years in Colorado Springs, and during that time I was reflecting a little bit on what I had done and what I had accomplished as a competitor. I had been a coach much longer than I was a competitor. When you tell people you are an Olympic gold medalist, they just kind of quit thinking you can do anything after that; you are always introduced as the Olympic gold medalist. But I have actually spent more time as a coach. I was the Olympic coach in ’84 and ’88 and had many competitors going to the Olympics and World Championships. We certainly developed our share of Olympians and World Champions, even a couple guys that actually went on to win gold medals in the Olympics. It gave me a lot of insight into what might help other people. I found as a coach I needed to be very efficient in what I did.
Running the International Shooting School, most of my students were there because they were pretty much on tight budgets; they didn’t have any big government support. My students were private students, and their parents were normally paying for it – so we had to get the money’s worth for everything that we did. So, I was always looking for ways that would work and principals that would help me become more effective and more efficient.
I’m going to share those with you. Some of these may be things that are common sense, and you may say “Yeah, I’m doing that already” – that’s great. Some of them may be new and different for you, they certainly were for me. I wish I could give credit for all the great people that shared these things with me. Sometimes I’ll remember where I learned something or who taught me something, but most of the time I just can’t – so I apologize to all those guys that I’m standing on the shoulders of, but I will tell you what I know about it and how we were able to develop a very effective and efficient system to help people perform well under pressure.
One of the things that I had to learn early on was that I can’t take credit for any of the successes of my students and I can’t really be blamed for any of their failures. I had a hard time with that. I kind of felt responsible when they didn’t perform well; and although I don’t think I ever felt like I wanted to take credit when they did do well – but I think one of the things you have to come to grips with early on is that you are only there for one reason, and that is to save the performer time. You’re not there to win through them or to win even with them – you’re there really just to assist them, or to aid them in their struggle and their journey in the sport.
And so, we can’t make an athlete perform, but we can help them to perform and we can save them time and that’s really our role, to help someone do a better job. Now there is a special relationship that sometimes occurs in the performance coaching situations. It doesn’t always occur, and it doesn’t have to occur for you to be a good performance coach. But when it does, it is really remarkable – and I’d like to like to talk about it first. It’s called the mentor factor.
Mentorship is an extremely interesting thing when it happens. When I surveyed Olympic champions to find out what they were doing mentally to win, this concept kept coming up of “Well, I had a mentor one time that told me this” or “I had someone who mentored me” and I thought, can we define this, can we define this mentor experience? When does it happen? When is it not a mentor experience? How can we come to understand what’s going on?
So, I discovered this way of doing it. I think you have a mentor when three things exist at the same time. You have a person that is capable, caring, and is a confidant. A mentor has to be, in my opinion, of course everything in this tape is about my opinion, I’m a world class expert in that (as we all are) but, I believe for it to be a true mentorship experience, all three have to happen.
A capable person is someone who is capable of helping in the area that they are mentoring. Now, parents are often capable in helping their children and mentoring to their children, but sometimes they’re not. If my child is learning to play the flute, for example – if I don’t know how to play the flute, I’m not capable of mentoring to them in flute playing.
The second area is that they must be caring. Now, I hope that all of us as parents are caring, and caring all the time. But a caring person is someone who is vitally interested in not only the success of this individual, but interested in them personally. And that they care about them, and want what’s best for them.
And finally, they must be a confidant. It is a situation where you have the trust of the individual so that they’re able to come to you and say “I’ve got a challenge” and know that if they share a personal thing with you that it will stay personal. This is a very special relationship, so if you’re fortunate enough in your life to have even one mentor – it’s an incredible situation.
In order for it to be a mentoring experience, you have to have a teaching moment occur. For a teaching moment to occur, you as the apprentice need to go to the mentor and say “I need help” and be willing to listen. I think many of us have mentors in our lives, but we don’t have the teaching moment. But when those two come together – the mentor is available, and the apprentice is ready to be taught… it is a miraculous turning point in a person’s life.
I can probably count on one hand all the mentors I’ve had in my life, and all the teaching moments I have had in my life – and that’s true of most people. We would hope that we would be in a position to mentor more often. Maybe we don’t look for the mentor situations or we don’t try to find them because it is certainly an important thing, but it is not something we are taught in school or something you expect to necessarily have happen.
But the mentorship experience is powerful, and most elite performers have had a mentor. Now I suppose my mentor, the one that I remember certainly first, was my father. Now, I’ll give you an example of how this happened. I was the kid that never made the team, I mean I was bad at everything in school, the kids wouldn’t even pick me for dodge ball I was so poor. And so finding a situation where I could learn a sport, or to succeed in anything was a big task for my father. He was always looking for something for me, and encouraging me.
So when we discovered rifle shooting, and he took me to a rifle club – it was a great experience the first day. I really liked it and my father could tell that this was maybe something that would build my self-image, so we went back the next week for the next rifle team meeting and we found out that they were going to close down the program because they just didn’t have enough interest. I was just devastated as I walked off the range. Here was something I finally found that I was interested in and could probably do well and now I had no opportunity. My father just looked at me and said “Don’t worry about that son, just because they’re not going to shoot, doesn’t mean you’re not going to”. And I didn’t know what he meant, but he had already made up his mind at the meeting that he was going to buy a rifle for me, a rifle for himself, and all the equipment that we needed, and got the keys to an indoor range.
He would pick me up after school about 3-4 days a week and would take me to the range and he would train me – and he became my first coach. But that was a mentor experience for me because not only did I learn about rifle shooting, but I got to learn about the special relationship of a father and son can have together.
This article is a short track from the Audio CD set Performance Coaching - to order the complete set.
Lanny Bassham is the author of "With Winning in Mind" and "Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power". His Mental Management System has been used by elite athletes and performers since 1977. To find out more about his program please call 800-879-5079 or 972-899-9640 - info@mentalmanagement.com www.mentalmanagement.com
Mental Management Students Head to Miss America!
January 24th on TLC the New Miss America will be crowned. Will she be a Mental Management Student?? Tune in to find out.
You can also watch our pageant clients this month on a new reality series called Countdown to the Crown where all 52 contestants are shown in a variety of competitions and the viewers (YOU) get a chance to vote for 4 places in the top 15. 4 girls will have a chance at the crown based on YOUR VOTES - show airs on Friday nights on TLC (9pm Central). Check out the show and vote for your favorite. Miss Texas & Miss Iowa are students of Mental Management and Miss Pennsylvania is a customer of ours as well.
For those of you who may not know Miss America is a full time job. The winner travels the country promoting her platform and speaking to a wide variety of audiences. She is a spokes person for our country and is much more than just a pretty face. Being involved with pageantry over the past several years we have learned that pageantry is a tough sport and we encourage you to tune in if you have a chance to see how our students handle the pressure of competition!
Miss Texas Rebecca Robinson has attended a full day training course with Lanny Bassham as well as several two hour session with Heather Sumlin leading up to Miss America. Living local she has been able to do on going training on a regular basis and is excited about heading to Vegas next week!
"Eight years ago when I won Miss Teen Texas, I learned the importance of being mentally prepared. In the pageant world, one's mental focus affects every category of competition, not to mention the impression that is left on others. I truly believe that had I not gone into the pageant fully mentally ready, I would not have won.
Mental well-being and preparedness can also be applied to life. How does one react in the workplace? At home? In tackling new tasks?
When I began working with Mental Management as Miss Texas I finally found an actual system to help develop this mental capacity. Not only does it help organize focus into a mental structure, but also frees one's mind from the extra weight and mis-management presented by everyday life. Mental Management is crucial to anyone competing in the game of life and can only increase one's chances for personal success."
Rebecca Robinson, Miss Texas 2008
Miss Iowa, Olivia Myers has taken several hours of phone training with Heather Sumlin and has several products including the Performance Analysis Journal which she keeps to help her stay on track.
"Mental Management helped me achieve a level of concentration and confidence that is necessary for anyone seeking the job of Miss America. I received mental strategies and training techniques that I could easily transfer into daily life. Now when the competition begins, nothing will distract me from the task at hand. Thanks, Heather!" Olivia Myers, Miss Iowa 2008
You can also watch our pageant clients this month on a new reality series called Countdown to the Crown where all 52 contestants are shown in a variety of competitions and the viewers (YOU) get a chance to vote for 4 places in the top 15. 4 girls will have a chance at the crown based on YOUR VOTES - show airs on Friday nights on TLC (9pm Central). Check out the show and vote for your favorite. Miss Texas & Miss Iowa are students of Mental Management and Miss Pennsylvania is a customer of ours as well.
For those of you who may not know Miss America is a full time job. The winner travels the country promoting her platform and speaking to a wide variety of audiences. She is a spokes person for our country and is much more than just a pretty face. Being involved with pageantry over the past several years we have learned that pageantry is a tough sport and we encourage you to tune in if you have a chance to see how our students handle the pressure of competition!
Miss Texas Rebecca Robinson has attended a full day training course with Lanny Bassham as well as several two hour session with Heather Sumlin leading up to Miss America. Living local she has been able to do on going training on a regular basis and is excited about heading to Vegas next week!
"Eight years ago when I won Miss Teen Texas, I learned the importance of being mentally prepared. In the pageant world, one's mental focus affects every category of competition, not to mention the impression that is left on others. I truly believe that had I not gone into the pageant fully mentally ready, I would not have won.
Mental well-being and preparedness can also be applied to life. How does one react in the workplace? At home? In tackling new tasks?
When I began working with Mental Management as Miss Texas I finally found an actual system to help develop this mental capacity. Not only does it help organize focus into a mental structure, but also frees one's mind from the extra weight and mis-management presented by everyday life. Mental Management is crucial to anyone competing in the game of life and can only increase one's chances for personal success."
Rebecca Robinson, Miss Texas 2008
Miss Iowa, Olivia Myers has taken several hours of phone training with Heather Sumlin and has several products including the Performance Analysis Journal which she keeps to help her stay on track.
"Mental Management helped me achieve a level of concentration and confidence that is necessary for anyone seeking the job of Miss America. I received mental strategies and training techniques that I could easily transfer into daily life. Now when the competition begins, nothing will distract me from the task at hand. Thanks, Heather!" Olivia Myers, Miss Iowa 2008
Mental Toughness for Pageantry - A Great Success!
December 27 - 31, 2008 we had a wonderful time with 20 pageant competitors who attended Mental Toughness for Pageantry to help improve their mental skills for competition! It was a remarkable week and we enjoyed every moment! Below are some testimonials from some of the ladies who attended. Good Luck to all in your up coming competitions in 2009!
"As a current titleholder, I can honestly say that the key components of life and competition are self-image, positive self talk, marketing, communication skills and setting goals. Lanny and Heather have done such a great job developing and teaching techniques that will assist you in focusing on what is best for you. After working with them, not only do I feel so confident in who I am and excited about who I am becoming. Thank you for an incredible life changing experience!" Stephanie Murray Smith, Miss South Carolina USA 2009
"Mental Management for Pageantry has provided me with practical information on staying mentally focused and confident during competition. I feel more confident than ever about entering Miss USA!" Kaity Bettina Rodriguez, Miss New Jersey USA 2009
"Mental Management gave me the tools to control my attitude and mentality under pressure, so I can perform to my fullest potential." Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina USA 2009
"Lanny and Heather, thank you so much for giving me the tools to turn my greatest weakness into my greatest asset!" Jessica Nolin, Miss Alaska USA 2009
"My experience at Eagle U with Lanny Bassham and his Mental Management program completely changed the way I prepare for, and think, during competition. I recommend the Mental Management program to anyone who wants to succeed! Anastagia Pierre, Miss Florida USA 2009
"I am a goal oriented person. The goal getting skills I've learned in the Mental Management program are priceless! I know with persistance in following their simple steps I can attain any and all of my goals. Lacey Minchew, Miss Louisiana USA 2009
"Not only was this an amazing experience with amazing people, but I also learned great tips in the progress! I truly feel prepared and more confident." Allison Kusenberger Miss Arkansas Teen USA 2009
"Mental Management taught me how to wear the crown even if I didn't win." "Mental Management was the best thing my parents have ever done for me by sending me." Taylor Schettler "Miss Colorado Teen USA 2009
"This seminar is extremely helpful and opens your eyes to many useful skills. After completing the program I feel more confident in myself and my abilities." Kelli Harral Miss Texas Teen USA 2009
"The Mental Toughness for Pageantry Program enlightened me with such insightful ideas and stratgies that will not only help me with pageantry but through my daily life as well. It is certainly effective and powerful - I would recommend it to anyone!" Scarlett Howell, Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2009
"Mental Management has given me the most amazing experience and information throughout the week. Lanny and Heather, I can't thank you enough for being a big part in my journey to Miss Teen USA 2009." Kasey Staniszewski, Miss Maryland Teen USA 2009
"This being my second time with Lanny and Heather I can honestly say it helps when in competition! I really think this program us a big reason for my success. It helps to stay focused in competition and truly believe you're the best." Brittany Guidry Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2009
"Mental Management has inspired me to "think outside the box" and to see different layers in everyone. The positive skills that I have learned here will be very beneficial to me in every aspect of my life! You Guys ROCK! Mary Helen Caver, Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2009
"Mental Management has been such an asset to my competition preparation. By using my personalized mental program, I will be able to go into my competition with a clear mind, do my best, and have the edge that I need to succeed." Kathryn Dunn Miss Frisco 2009
"The Mental Management System has been a real eye opener for me. I feel more prepared and confident for my future endeavours. This has been a great experience for me and I have learned a great deal of information to aid in my future. Thanks Mental Management! Kristen Girault, LA
"I feel so accomplised in the fact that I have overcome problems as far as my goals go and also in things that are new to me that make me feel accomplished although I haven't even competed for my state title with this new information yet. I really and strongly recommend this program to all girls that are involved in pageants. Barbie
"To often we know what we want but not how to get it. Through the Mental Toughness for Pageantry program, I learned life altering behavior changes that I will follow for the rest of my life. I believe through this process not only have I matured but I have become a better person." Zakia Mack, NJ
"Mental Management has definitely been a life changing experience for me. It has taught me so much! I now know how to balance my conscious mind, subconscious mind and self-image in any situation!" Amberly Messier, RI
What Does it Mean to WIN?
This article was posted in a newsletter for pageant contestants in the Miss Plano Frisco Pageant in Texas. (A local preliminary to Miss America) We got some good feedback on the material and wanted to share it on our blog for those who might enjoy the message.
I know that you have worked hard preparing for next weekend. This may be your first pageant or your 30th but my message is the same no matter your level of experience. Winning is not always about who leaves with the crown at the end of the evening. Winning IS always about walking away feeling like a winner inside. In pageants we spend a lot of time telling girls about prize packages and what you "get" if you win a title. I want to spend a moment to tell you what you receive no matter where you place.
At the Spring Meeting for Miss Texas last year My Father, Lanny Bassham said "Everything we do in life is preparation for something greater". This pageant is preparation for something for you. For one girl it will mean you will win a title and train to compete for the state title. For everyone else it will be preparation for something else...another competition, your dream job, a future performance, you may meet someone who changes your life, you never know.
We learn more on our struggle up the mountain than we do standing on the summit. Those who walk away without the crown could gain more from the experience than those who win. We learn about determination, perseverance, taking on challenges and striving to be the best we can no matter the odds even if we don't win the title. When we step outside our comfort zone and challenge ourselves we live up to our expectation!
You do not win or lose in competition - you Win or Learn! There is no lose if you chose to take every experience as preparation for something greater. The reality is that most of the contestants will go home without a title because that is how competition works - not everyone takes home the prize. However, I learned so much through competing when I didn't win that I would never advise someone to wait and only compete if they knew they could win. I bet I competed in 40 pageants over 7 years and I won 6 titles. Many times I left a competition without a crown but I never left without growing as a person. I never saw my experience in pageants as a loss. Every competition taught me something and I am who I am today based on those experiences. I didn't wait until I knew I could win before I started competing. My Father always says "Perfection is the purest form of procrastination".
I'm so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a chance to go for your dreams realizing that to wait until you are perfect would be waiting a lifetime! Typical people have fear that holds them to a level less than their potential. Typical people do not compete in pageants - typical people do not demand more from themselves and put themselves in positions to be disappointed. Thank you for stepping outside of what is typical and walking down the road to unique and extraordinary!
By Heather Sumlin
I know that you have worked hard preparing for next weekend. This may be your first pageant or your 30th but my message is the same no matter your level of experience. Winning is not always about who leaves with the crown at the end of the evening. Winning IS always about walking away feeling like a winner inside. In pageants we spend a lot of time telling girls about prize packages and what you "get" if you win a title. I want to spend a moment to tell you what you receive no matter where you place.
At the Spring Meeting for Miss Texas last year My Father, Lanny Bassham said "Everything we do in life is preparation for something greater". This pageant is preparation for something for you. For one girl it will mean you will win a title and train to compete for the state title. For everyone else it will be preparation for something else...another competition, your dream job, a future performance, you may meet someone who changes your life, you never know.
We learn more on our struggle up the mountain than we do standing on the summit. Those who walk away without the crown could gain more from the experience than those who win. We learn about determination, perseverance, taking on challenges and striving to be the best we can no matter the odds even if we don't win the title. When we step outside our comfort zone and challenge ourselves we live up to our expectation!
You do not win or lose in competition - you Win or Learn! There is no lose if you chose to take every experience as preparation for something greater. The reality is that most of the contestants will go home without a title because that is how competition works - not everyone takes home the prize. However, I learned so much through competing when I didn't win that I would never advise someone to wait and only compete if they knew they could win. I bet I competed in 40 pageants over 7 years and I won 6 titles. Many times I left a competition without a crown but I never left without growing as a person. I never saw my experience in pageants as a loss. Every competition taught me something and I am who I am today based on those experiences. I didn't wait until I knew I could win before I started competing. My Father always says "Perfection is the purest form of procrastination".
I'm so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a chance to go for your dreams realizing that to wait until you are perfect would be waiting a lifetime! Typical people have fear that holds them to a level less than their potential. Typical people do not compete in pageants - typical people do not demand more from themselves and put themselves in positions to be disappointed. Thank you for stepping outside of what is typical and walking down the road to unique and extraordinary!
By Heather Sumlin
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