Why can an elite athlete seem fully engaged one moment and disappear the next? Using Chet Holmgren’s Game 7 performance as a case study, this Boston sport psychology blog explores the cusp catastrophe model and how pressure, anxiety, and overarousal can suddenly disrupt attention, decision-making, and performance. In elite sport, performance breakdowns are not always gradual—sometimes a single moment changes everything.

Mental health challenges in sports are more common than many realize. As someone deeply invested in helping high-performing individuals like you, I want to share insights and practical advice to support your journey. Whether you’re facing pressure from competition, balancing personal life, or recovering from injury, understanding and addressing mental health is key to sustained peak performance. Let’s explore how you can recognize, manage, and overcome these challenges with w