The Importance of Your Headspace

Last week’s newsletter was titled “Let it All Work Out,” inspired by a small quad tweak I picked up at the start of preseason.

At the time, I didn’t know if I’d be cleared for the first game. I was rehabbing with that goal in mind, but nothing was guaranteed. There was a lot of uncertainty hanging over me. Yesterday, I finally had the important doctor’s appointment and…

We’ve got the GREEN LIGHT!

If all goes according to plan this week, I’ll be back on the court for Saturday’s opener. Chances are I’ll be on a minutes restriction or playing a smaller role, but honestly I’m just grateful to be playing again.

Looking back, I’m proud of how I handled this injury compared to past ones. My mindset and headspace stayed steady, and that made all the difference.

And that’s exactly what I want to dive into today:

The importance of your headspace in tough moments.

Let’s get into it.

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The Importance of Your Headspace

I often use the words “headspace” and “mindset” interchangeably, but there’s an important difference.

Your mindset is the mentality you choose to bring into a situation.

Your headspace is your overall mental and emotional state while you move through that situation.

In basketball, and in life, my default mindset is that of a go-getter. I attack my goals and push forward with intensity, believing that hard work will deliver the result I want. That approach has helped me a lot, but it’s also hurt me. Not every situation calls for relentless drive. Sometimes, the wiser choice is to pause, evaluate, and adjust our mindset to match the moment.

For me, injuries are the biggest example. When something outside of my control happens, that go-getter mindset can completely wreck my headspace. If I don’t shift gears, frustration, anxiety, and hopelessness start to pile up, exactly when I need clarity and patience the most.

That’s why it’s so important to recognize how our mindset influences our headspace. A clear headspace leads to better decisions, steadier emotions, and a smoother response to challenges. So when life gets tough, protecting your headspace should come first even before choosing the “right” mindset.

That doesn’t mean ignoring negative emotions. We all feel them. The key is to acknowledge them, process them, and then let them go before they weigh us down. Feel them, and then release them.

If your current mindset is fueling negativity, that’s your cue to reframe. For people wired like me, with a strong go-getter mentality, frustration builds when there’s no outlet for hard work or progress. That’s why injuries feel so crushing. We lose our natural way of channeling energy. But reframing where to direct that effort, and accepting the situation as it is, can protect your headspace. From there, awareness becomes the tool: noticing which emotions are serving you, and letting go of the ones that aren’t.

Simple in theory, hard in practice.

It takes constant attention.

This preseason, while dealing with my quad injury, I’ve been intentional about adjusting my mindset and protecting my headspace. It’s made the whole experience less overwhelming and much more manageable. A few habits that helped me: journaling, nighttime walks, a consistent sleep routine, and keeping promises I make to myself.

If you’re going through something tough, start by assessing your mindset. Reframe if necessary. Then, prioritize your headspace by building healthy, restorative habits.

Upcoming Atypical

Building things while abroad can be so frustrating. The rules and regulations make every step take way longer than it should. Right now, the Atypical Athletics samples are stuck in customs, just sitting there waiting for approval… it’s already been a week.

I’m sick about it, haha.

Fingers crossed they get cleared this week so I can finally share some sneak peeks of the pieces in the upcoming drop.

Trust me.

They’re going to be next level.

Final Thoughts

A huge part of the Atypical Mindset is constant reflection, checking in with yourself and making the adjustments that will serve you best.

To truly live Atypical is to treat every situation as an opportunity and to actively look for the growth within it.

It’s an ongoing process, but one that pays off for a lifetime.

So enjoy the search for growth.

Run toward it.

Because a better you is always waiting on the other side.

Love you guys,

Trey