Mental training for fighters

Train your mind
like your body.

Your fight’s weeks away. It’s already in your head. You train your body for it. You can train your mind for it, too.

Gui in a softly sketched boxing gym

I’m Gui. I’ve spent 15 years helping fighters train their minds. If we’ve been chatting on Instagram, this is the page I promised you.

Try a free practice ↓

Free to use. No email. No sign-up.

A fighter sitting in the ring, with handwritten doubts woven into a graphite gym scene
1,000+fighters trained15 yearsof experienceBoxing · Muay Thai · MMAYour first fight, or your next.
No experience needed

Never tried this?
Start here.

Try the five-minute physical check-in. Notice where your attention goes, then practise bringing it back to your body. You don’t need an empty head or a particular feeling.

Try the physical check-in ↓

Which one sounds like you?

“I smash it on the pads. In the ring I’m half the fighter.”Try fight-day visualisation ↓“I’m not nervous. I just can’t get out of my head.”Try the physical check-in ↓“Camp’s grinding me down.”Find a cue to train with ↓“I get into bed and the fight won’t switch off.”Try the physical check-in ↓“Every time I think about the fight, my stomach goes.”Work with the “what if?” thoughts ↓“Fight week is here. I want a plan.”Build your fight-week game plan ↓

Four free practices. Choose what you need. There’s no order to follow.

01
Affirmations / Try it now

When doubt
shows up.

You don’t have to believe every prediction your mind makes. Find a phrase you can stand behind, then connect it to an action.

When to use itDuring camp when confidence dips, the night before a fight, or on fight morning when “what if?” thoughts start running. Choose a grounded phrase you can return to.

Prefer to read? Try the short practice +
  1. Notice the thought: “I’m having the thought that I might lose.” You don’t need to argue with it.
  2. Choose a believable cue: “I can return to my training.” Or: “One breath. One action.”
  3. Say it slowly on an easy out-breath. Then choose one thing you can do: listen to your coach, settle your stance, or return to your drill.

I can feel doubt and still take the next step.

Practise with me · Watch on YouTube ↗
02
Visualisation / Try it now

Rehearse your
next response.

Picture success, and practise how you’ll respond when the round doesn’t go to plan. Make the rehearsal specific to you.

When to use itIn the weeks leading up to a fight. Rehearse arriving at the venue, entering the changing room and walking towards the ring, so you have a familiar mental routine to return to.

Prefer to read? Try the short practice +
  1. Sit comfortably. Let your breathing settle. Close your eyes if that feels comfortable.
  2. Imagine entering your training space or the ring. Notice your feet, the sounds and your breathing.
  3. Picture one challenge: a missed shot or a distracting thought. See yourself reset, listen and return to your plan.
  4. Finish with the action you want to carry into your next session.

See the response you want to practise.

Practise with me · Watch on YouTube ↗
03
Physical check-in / Try it now

Let the day
leave your body.

When you’re tired but your mind keeps replaying the day, give your attention somewhere simple to rest.

When to use itThe night before a fight when you want to unwind, on fight morning, or sitting in the changing room with pre-fight jitters. Before your bout, use it to settle and reconnect with your body, then return to your warm-up.

Prefer to read? Try the short practice +
  1. Lie down or sit somewhere comfortable. Let your breathing find its own pace.
  2. Notice your feet, then your legs. Feel contact, warmth or pressure; there’s no need to create a particular sensation.
  3. Move slowly through your hips, back, shoulders, hands and face. Soften any area that feels ready to soften.
  4. When thoughts pull you away, gently return to the part of the body you were noticing. Rest here for a few breaths.

You don’t have to force sleep. Just allow a pause.

Practise with me · Watch on YouTube ↗
04
Fight week game plan / Watch now

Your fight week.
Your mental game plan.

Bring your mental preparation into the week leading up to your fight. Make time for the mind alongside your training, recovery and practical preparations.

When to use itAt the beginning of fight week. Return to it as your bout gets closer and use it to plan space for your mental training.

Your game plan with me · Watch on YouTube ↗
Back to our conversation

Tried one?
Tell me how it went.

What did you notice? What felt difficult? Send me a line on Instagram. You don’t need to have worked it all out.

Message me on Instagram ↗

If the message link doesn’t open, visit @mindfulnews.uk and tap Message.

Fighters, in their own words

Hear it from
the fighters.

What does mental training feel like in practice? Hear fighters talk about their own experiences.

Illustrated portraits of the fighters. Hear their experiences · Starts at 0:30 ·

More experiences from the coaching programme

“I can enjoy the time I am here rather than have my mind racing.”
Vicky · Professional fighter
“I was able to stay calm, focus and listen. I stayed there for three rounds and, on top of that, won.”
Roxana · Amateur fighter

Personal experiences from the wider coaching programme. Individual experiences vary. Read their stories ↗

When you want to go further

Ready to train
your mind?

Build a practice that stays with you, or work with me on what’s happening right now. Choose your route, then tell me a little about yourself in the form below.

The six-week programme

One programme. Two ways to train.

The Mindful Fighter Program. Six weeks of mental training for fighters, at your own pace or live with a group.

Fighter visualising success, blending photography and sketch
On your own

Your pace.
Your practice.

£149 for the six-week programme

Work through the exercises and reflections in your own time. Start with Week 1, then build your practice as you progress.

Choose self-paced →
A conversation blending realistic people and a sketched environment
Live with a group

Practise together.
Learn with me.

£149 for the six-week group

Train with me live each week, ask questions and share what you notice. Starts Sunday 6 December 2026. Capped at 12 people.

Choose the live group →
Gui in a softly sketched boxing gym
Work with me

Your training.
Your corner.

Bring the doubts, distractions and pressure you actually face. We’ll work on how you respond, in training, in the ring and beyond it.

Build your foundations

One-to-one Foundations

£479 for six one-to-one sessions

A foundations course to give you the tools for a lifetime of mental training. Learn the practices, understand how to use them, and build a routine you can return to in sport and everyday life.

Personal training with me, in London or online.

Build my foundations →
Have a fight booked?

One-to-one Fight Camp

£479 for six weeks of personal support

I’ll accompany you through camp, all the way to fight day. We’ll build your mental game plan and practise exercises for the pressure you face, so you can bring your best self into the ring or cage.

Start six weeks before your fight. Include your fight date in the form below and I’ll work out when we need to begin.

Plan my Fight Camp →
In your pocket

Take it with you.

The Mindful Fighter app brings fighter exercises together for the moments you need them.

An extra for fight day

When it gets hard.

Explore how to respond when a fight gets difficult.

Your next step

Let’s hear from you.

Share today’s reflection, ask me a question, or tell me how you’d like to train in the form below. Planning a Fight Camp? Include your fight date and I’ll work out our start date.