Learn how embracing failure and flipping negative self-talk can help you build unbreakable mental strength and a true winner’s mindset.
If you’ve ever said “I’m terrible at this” after missing a shot in basketball, dying instantly in a game, or totally whiffing an easy soccer goal—you’re not alone. Most of us beat ourselves up in moments like that.
But here’s the truth: those fails are exactly what help us win in life.
In my latest video, I dive into how to develop a winner’s mindset—the kind that turns failure into fuel and helps you build mental strength that can’t be broken.
Let’s talk about one of the greatest of all time: Muhammad Ali. We all know his famous line: “I am the greatest.” But what most people miss is what he said next:
“I said that even before I knew I was.”
That’s what a winner’s mindset looks like. You build belief in your mind before you ever become great in the world. And this isn’t just an Ali thing—people like Michael Jordan, MrBeast, Caitlin Clark, LeBron James, and Oprah Winfrey all had strong self-talk that helped carry them through the ups and downs.
If you want to develop real mental strength, the first step is this:
Stop trash-talking yourself.
Flip the script from:
Your brain believes what you feed it. And negative self-talk is like poison to progress.
If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying hard enough.
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Oprah Winfrey was told she wasn’t good on camera. MrBeast didn’t go viral until he was years deep, with hundreds of videos under his belt.
Failure isn’t the enemy—it’s the path. But only if you take the time to learn from it. Otherwise, it’s just pain without purpose.
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
Here’s the truth: failing over and over again by yourself can get lonely. You can push through it solo, but it’s way easier (and more fun) when you build a support system.
That might be:
You don’t need to go it alone. Build your team and grow together.
Here’s a simple challenge to get you started:
For the next 24 hours, pay attention to your thoughts.
Every time you catch yourself saying something negative like “I can’t,” flip it. Try saying, “I’m learning,” or “I’m figuring it out.”
You’re training your brain to develop unbreakable mental strength.
And who knows—this small change might be the start of you becoming the next Michael Jordan, MrBeast, or just the best version of yourself you’ve never met yet.
If this message hit home, check out The DUDE Project—my mental health program made to speak directly to teens and young men, in a way that actually sticks.
And if you liked the video, I’d love it if you subscribed on YouTube. Let’s build strong minds together.