👀 Check Back In. Lock In. Go.

📰 COLLEGIATE ELITES WEEKLY

Issue 026 — December 9, 2025

We all know the feeling. One rest day turns into two. Which turns into a week. Then suddenly the routine feels far away and getting started again feels heavier than it should.

If that’s you (or your athlete) right now, good news: this is normal, it is fixable, and the comeback is usually one decision away.

Below is how athletes of every level can reset, refocus, and get locked back in.

💡 WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE

Off days happen. Schedules get messy. Athletes fall out of the grind more often than people realize. But falling out of rhythm isn’t a weakness. It’s your cue to pause, refocus, and restart with clarity instead of guilt.

If that’s you or your athlete right now, here’s how to turn that pause into momentum.

A quick reality check:

• Every athlete loses momentum sometimes.

• Doubt and uncertainty visit everyone.

• What matters most is how quickly you check back in.

⏳ HOW ATHLETES FALL OFF TRACK

This usually happens gradually rather than suddenly:

• A planned rest day turns into two, then three.

• School, work, or life responsibilities pile up and training slides down the priority list.

• Motivation dips, confidence wavers, and workouts start to feel like a chore.

• Before you know it, you realize you haven’t trained in days, weeks, or possibly months.

This is a rhythm interruption. Every athlete experiences it at some point. The key is recognizing it early, taking stock, and intentionally choosing to restart rather than letting it stretch indefinitely.

🧭 CHECK BACK IN WITH YOURSELF

Before jumping back into a full training load, take a quick mental step back:

Ask yourself:

• What pulled me off track?

• Am I tired, stressed, overwhelmed, or distracted?

• Is this something I still truly want?

If the answer is yes, lock onto that.
If the answer is maybe, adjust the plan to fit your reality right now.

This short reflection clears the mental clutter that makes restarting feel bigger than it really is and sets you up for a more effective reset.

🔁 HITTING RESET IS A SKILL

The best athletes are not the ones who never miss. They are the ones who know how to restart.

Why restarting matters:

• It breaks hesitation and minimizes guilt.

• It reminds you of who you are, not what you missed.

• It rebuilds momentum faster than waiting to “feel ready.”

Your comeback doesn’t start with a perfect session. It starts with the first workout you finish.

Don’t be afraid to get back in the game!

⚡ SIMPLE WAYS TO REBUILD MOMENTUM

Restarting doesn’t require a dramatic comeback. It requires one clean step.

Start small:

• One short workout

• One focused practice

• One 10 minute movement block

Create a 7 day reset:
Pick one habit to focus on this week. Keep it simple and achievable.

Dress the part:

• Dress for practice

• Show up to the gym, the court, the field

• Do your warm up routine

Keep it light but run the process.

Don’t chase perfection.
Your goal right now is movement, not mastery.

🎯 FINAL THOUGHT

Falling out of rhythm happens to every athlete. Great ones don’t avoid the valleys. They navigate them with awareness and action.

Your reset can start today.

Be Elite.

✅ TAKE ACTION

📍 In Seattle?

Come train with us in person at the Collegiate Elites weight room.
Get hands-on coaching, structured training, and the same environment our college athletes trust to stay sharp. 👉

🌐 Not local?
Train with a former college athlete — online or in your area. 👉