Mental performance isn't about becoming emotionless under pressure. It's about building repeatable skills that help you reset, focus, recover, and compete with a clearer mind. I'm Emma from RYSE Wellbeing, and the apps below can support athletes’ mental skills-as long as you use them intentionally.
Quick note: Apps can support mental health and performance, but they don't replace professional support. If you're struggling, feeling unsafe, or not functioning day-to-day, reach out to a licensed mental health professional, team clinician, doctor, or emergency support.
1) Headspace
Female tennis player in a match
What it is: A guided mindfulness app with content for meditation, stress, and sleep-useful if you want a clear structure and short sessions.
Pros:
Beginner-friendly and simple to follow.
Good for attention control (a core performance skill under pressure).
Often includes sleep and wind-down options, which can support recovery.
Cons:
Can feel generic if you want something more sport-specific.
Some athletes find guided sessions distracting once they prefer independent practice.
Cost: Typically offers a free trial/limited free content, with a paid subscription for full access (pricing varies by region and plan).
2) Optimize Mind Performance
What it is: A performance-focused app aimed at applied sport psychology skills like routines, mindset, and mental preparation (often including areas like confidence, focus, and managing pressure).
Pros:
More directly aligned with performance than general wellbeing apps.
Useful if you want a consistent mental routine to repeat across training and competition.
Can help athletes who know what to do physically, but feel inconsistent under pressure.
An Australian-made company!
Cons:
May feel less helpful if you're primarily dealing with sleep issues or broader mental health concerns.
Depending on content style, some athletes prefer live coaching/support over self-guided modules.
Cost: Free trial available, then paid subscription. Can be linked to a performance professional for content tailored specifically to you.
3) Feelings Wheel app
What it is: A simple emotions tool that helps you identify and name what you're feeling (beyond “good/bad/fine”). For many athletes, emotional clarity is an underrated part of athlete mental skills, because you can't regulate what you can't identify.
Pros:
Fast and simple-great when you're tired, frustrated, or overstimulated.
Builds emotional literacy (helps reduce spirals and black-and-white thinking).
Useful alongside journaling, therapy, or debriefs with coaches.
Cons:
It won't fix the emotion-it's an awareness tool, not a complete strategy.
Cost: Free
4) Calm
What it is: A relaxation and sleep-focused app with meditations, sleep stories, soundscapes, and wind-down content. This is especially useful for athletes who struggle to downshift after late sessions or competition.
Pros:
Strong for sleep support and nervous-system downshifting.
Helpful when your brain is still on after training or games.
Soundscapes can be useful for travel (hotels, flights, unfamiliar environments).
Cons:
Less sport-specific than performance apps.
Some features are locked behind a subscription.
Cost: Usually offers some free content, with full access via a paid subscription (pricing varies by plan/region).
5) Reflectly
What it is: A guided journaling app that supports self-awareness, emotional processing, and reflection, useful if you tend to ruminate after mistakes or carry one session into the next.
Pros:
Prompts can make journaling feel doable (instead of a blank page).
Supports pattern spotting (what triggers you, what settles you, what helps you recover).
Pairs well with emotion-labelling tools (like a Feelings Wheel).
Cons:
If you don't like journaling, it can become another chore.
Some athletes prefer a private notes app if they don't want guided prompts.
Cost: Often freemium (limited free version with optional subscription for full features). Check current pricing in your app store.
6) Focus Genie (helpful for athletes with ADHD)
What it is: A focus and productivity app designed to support attention and follow-through, which can be especially useful for athletes with ADHD traits who struggle with task initiation, transitions, and staying locked in during prep (think: getting out the door, warming up on time, or completing recovery basics).
Pros:
Can support structure and consistency around training and recovery tasks.
Useful for breaking tasks into smaller steps (reduces overwhelm).
Helpful for time awareness on busy days (school/work + training).
Cons:
Not sport-specific-you have to set it up in a way that matches your training week
Cost: Free trial and then paid subscription.
Final note
The goal isn't to rely on an app forever. The goal is to build athlete mental skills you can carry onto the platform, the track, the field, the court, or wherever you compete-especially when it matters.
About the Author
Emma is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with a background in sport social work and mental health. As a former competitive figure skater and current amateur weightlifter, she draws on both lived and learned experience to support the athletes she works with. She is the founder of RYSE Wellbeing, a mental health service based in Melbourne, specialising in the mental health, neurodiversity, and wellbeing of athletes. Emma works with young athletes navigating the psychological demands of competitive sport.