Preparation For Greatness- Lessons From Hank Aaron
- Tyler Lennon
- Nov 24
- 4 min read
44 Sports Connect November 2025 Newsletter
In Heads-Up Baseball, Ken Ravizza and Tom Hanson share a powerful interview with one of the greatest to ever wear #44—Hank Aaron. What stood out most wasn’t just his physical talent, but the consistency and intentionality of his mental preparation.
As he approached Babe Ruth’s career home run record, Aaron faced pressure unlike anything most athletes will ever experience—including constant death threats. And yet, he remained remarkably poised and steady. Over his 23-year career, an average year for him consisted of a .305 batting average, 100 RBI, and 32 home runs. That level of consistency didn’t come from talent alone—it came from mastering the mental side of the game. Before every matchup, he prepared with purpose. He didn’t just take swings; he studied pitchers, visualized scenarios, and mentally rehearsed how he would respond to any situation. He focused on what he could control, stayed present in the moment, and refused to let what happened off the field follow him onto it. That mindset allowed him to perform with calm, clarity, and confidence—even in the face of hostility and pressure.
These are the same principles we coach—building intentional mental preparation, reinforcing focus, and training the ability to stay present under pressure. Mental reps matter. Just as you build your muscles in the weight room, you must build your focus, awareness, and resilience. Preparation isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
I learned this personally during my career in the security world. I was asked many times to advance a venue for the head Detail Leader who would be coming in with the client. My job was to go ahead and study the exits, know the layout, anticipate what could go wrong, and think through how we would respond to every situation that could come up. That preparation created confidence. There is nothing more stressful than showing up and winging it. Whether in sports, life, or business, your preparation determines your performance. That’s why our coaching is built around helping athletes train the mental game intentionally—not reactively. “If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail.” — Anonymous |
44 PERFORMANCE PATHWAY — BUILDING THE COMPLETE ATHLETEAt 44 Sports Connect, our 44 Performance Pathway is a blend of Mental Performance, Personal Development, and Leadership Development. Too often, athletes and families invest almost exclusively in the physical side of the game—training, lessons, and technical skill. While that matters, it’s only one part of the equation.As athletes advance to higher levels, the funnel gets smaller. Nearly everyone at the top has the physical talent. What separates good from great—and great from elite—is their intentional development of the mental and character side of performance. Our approach is built on proven principles from some of the strongest foundations available—including Mental Performance Mastery certifications, John Maxwell’s leadership frameworks, and what has shaped my own life most deeply: biblical principles, prayer, and biblical meditation. These practices provide clarity, grounding, peace, and wisdom—qualities that translate directly into athletic and personal excellence. Because of that, our pathway focuses on the areas most athletes overlook:
These skills don’t just help athletes perform under pressure—they equip them to handle challenges in the classroom, at home, in relationships, and throughout life. Our mission is to help athletes become confident, resilient leaders who grow not only in knowledge, but in wisdom. We want to see these young men and women thrive, on and off the field. If you know an athlete, team, or school that could benefit from this kind of training, send them our way. We’d be honored to walk with them on their journey.
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44 SPORTS RECRUITING — GIVING ATHLETES A REAL ADVANTAGEWe’ve added a new tool to better support athletes on their recruiting journey: Recruiting Advantage Plus — a simple, powerful way for athletes to stay organized, get exposure, and receive personal guidance.Recruiting Advantage Plus — $115/MonthIncludes:
Plus Monthly Coaching Support:
This product was created to walk with the athlete, giving them the tools and support they need throughout the recruiting process. If you know an athlete who could benefit, send them our way.
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44 SPORTS TRAVEL — HERE TO HELP YOU GO FURTHERWhether it’s family travel, team trips, mission trips, or vacations, our travel partner Lizzy is ready to help you plan with ease and confidence. With 20 years of experience, she brings expert guidance, organization, and support to every trip.If you or your team have travel coming up, reach out—Lizzy will take great care of you. |
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