Burnout. Pressure. Injuries.
For many highlight reel moments, there’s a story of struggle behind it. Yet it’s often those invisible battles that define the true champions.
Few understand this better than UCLA School of Education and Information Studies professor Dr. Julie Pelikhova, whose work with student-athletes in the Transformative Coaching and Leadership program centers on one essential truth: winning begins within.
“It’s all about the inner game,” Pelikhova explains, reflecting on her experiences teaching Mental Health in Sports and mentoring athletes navigating life beyond competition.
“Sure, you’re an athlete, but you might also be a big brother and play a really large role in your family. Or you might be a son or daughter and the first one in your family to go to college. Every student-athlete that I have worked with, has their own unique story and identity that is far beyond their role in sports.”
Inspired by her interactions with her UCLA students, Dr. Pelikhova released a book earlier this month: Mindset Champion: Winning The Inner Game For Student-Athletes. The interactive workbook blends practical strategies with relatable insights, empowering athletes to excel in competition while growing as leaders and individuals.
“And while athletes are strong physically, in their outer game,” she says, “they often struggle to stay on top of their metaphysical self.”
Seeking to provide students with a practical approach to a sound body, sound mind relationship, the Los Angeles native flipped the lens of the standard coach-athlete viewpoint, pressing athletes themselves on their perceived weaknesses and needs. “The book was written with the audience in mind, I got ongoing feedback on the topics that matter to them.”
Pelikhova explains that too often, those in sports leadership overlook the whole person behind the athlete.
“They lose the human aspect,” she adds. “And the foundation of this book was to help student-athletes and those who lead them believe and realize that they’re not just tools.”
Broken into chapters on emotional regulation, personal reflection and shifting comparison to confidence, among others, the book aims to help build self-awareness, identify stressors and discover sound coping mechanisms.
Playfully scripted like a game plan, each chapter features pre-game prep, a practical playbook, a clutch-moment (with anecdotes from famous athletes) and a post-game analysis. Interspersed are mini-activities, check-ins and challenges — along with discussion questions for teams reading the book collectively.
Woven together with research from co-author Misty Buck (a Florida-based mental performance coach), Mindset Champion features personal narratives and takeaways from dozens of the top student athletes in sport, with experiences spanning coast-to-coast — from the University of Miami to UCLA.
“It’s not just for athletes,” Pelikhova says. “It’s definitely for coaches. And it could be even useful for those working parallel to athletics.”
With Mindset Champion, Pelikhova continues the work she began in UCLA’s TCL program (of which she is a founding faculty member): helping student-athletes unlock their full potential on the field, in the classroom and in life.
What Others Are Saying
“Every new generation needs a voice they can relate to. Mindset Champion gives student-athletes that voice and a rare gift to lean in. It sparks curiosity, builds trust, and invites them to talk openly about what it really takes to succeed – through the wins, the losses, and everything in between.” – Valerie Kondos Field
Head coach of the seven-time NCAA Champion, 22-time Regional and 18-time Pac-12 Champion UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team“
As a Super Bowl champion and as someone who now works with some of the best players in the NFL, I know what separates talent from true greatness. Mindset Champion brings that missing piece. It’s part grit, part self-mastery, and all heart. Every competitor should have this on their bucket list to read.”
— Robert Bailey, 2x NCAA Champion, 2x Super Bowl Champion, NFL Record Holder, ESPY Winner, President of Rosenhaus Sports
“In today’s ever-changing world of college athletics, mental fortitude is more critical to student-athlete success now than ever before. Mindset Champion meets today’s athletes where they are by offering clear, relevant, and practical strategies to navigate the pressures of college sports and life beyond. It’s a valuable resource for anyone committed to growth, resilience, and winning the inner game.”
– Martin Jarmond, The Alice & Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, UCLA
“Mindset Champion: Winning the Inner Game for Student-Athletes is a timely and impactful resource for today’s student-athletes. As someone who has spent two decades in collegiate athletics, I’ve seen firsthand how mental resilience, focus, and emotional well-being often determine success both on and off the field. This book provides practical strategies and relatable insights that not only empower athletes to perform at their best but also support their growth as leaders and individuals. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to coaches, administrators, and anyone committed to helping student-athletes thrive in competition, in the classroom, and in life.”
— Shirelle E. Jackson, University of Miami Executive Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Strategic Initiatives
“Success comes from mastering the inner game. Mindset Champion is a powerful guide to build confidence, overcome setbacks, and find meaning beyond the scoreboard; offering a clear, actionable path to mental resilience, preserving identity, and thriving in every chapter of life.” – Lenny Krayzelburg
4x Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming
About The Authors
Julie Pelikhova, Ed.D. is a lecturer in the Transformative Coaching and Leadership (TCL) program at UCLA, where she teaches courses on mental health, leadership, and professional development for coaches and -athletes. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience as a college and career counselor, Dr. Pelikhova’s work bridges the fields of education, sport, and mental health, preparing emerging leaders to support the holistic development of athletes on and off the field.
A proud UCLA alumna, she earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA, where her research explored professional development for coaches. She also holds a Master’s in School Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential from Loyola Marymount University (LMU). In addition to her university teaching, Dr. Pelikhova has coached high school cheerleading and marathon runners, experiences that continue to inform her commitment to cultivating resilience, empathy, and purpose in sport and education.
Misty Buck is a mental wellness coach for athletes and high achievers. She is a Certified Professional Life Coach, a Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher, and is a sought-after speaker, regularly presenting for organizations including UCLA, the University of Miami, and the Florida High School Athletic Association on the intersection of mental wellness and performance. She founded PurposeSoul® Athletics in 2017 to help athletes identify and work through the emotions that make them human and manage their mindset for peace and performance.
Learn more about UCLA’s Transformative Coaching and Leadership Master of Education program.
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