The mental side of training for elite athletics is not a new concept. If you follow sports at all you will most likely be exposed to players and coaches, talking about the importance of implementing a strong mental game. Most elite level athletes, whether collegiate, Olympic/Paralympic, or professional have an element of performance psychology in their training regiment.

In graduate school I focused my efforts on implementing mental skills training into adaptive sports. At that time, it wasn't a mainstream concept.   As I am sitting in Colorado Springs, at the end of the Warrior Games training week, I am reflecting on how far things have really come. Today, the Warrior Transition Command's adaptive reconditioning program uses mental skills training on a regular basis.

The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness-Performance and Resilience Enhancement Program (CSF-PREP) is an Army program, grounded in performance psychology, which helps enhance many types of Soldier performance. CSF-PREP has a very strong presence at the Warrior Games and is able to provide a one-of-a-kind system of mental skills training.  Seven CSF-PREP Performance Enhancement Specialists (PES) were chosen, based on an internal application process, to act as part of the "Triad of Competition" with each Army team. Along with the coaches and medical personnel, the PESs work directly with teams to prepare them for the unique challenges of Warrior Games competition. This includes following each team to their respective training camps and the pre-competition week on site.

Each PES has a master's or doctoral degree in a performance-based field, to include performance psychology, and offer team as well as individual training. Team cohesion is an important part of competition. CSF-PREP conducts team building workshops, with each Army team, to help them come together and maximize their collective efforts. This is especially important in this population, who come from geographically separated locations. The Warrior Games is a culminating event, which celebrates the hard work and determination that these individuals show every day. This is an exciting experience for all of us, and I recently sat down with the PES team and asked one question, "What does working with the Warrior Games mean to you?"

Sarah Meyer, CSF-PREP Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash.

"These athletes inspire me everyday to push myself to excel. I also have a more personal reason for wanting to be involved with the Warrior Games. That reason is my dad. My dad was injured in Vietnam and he came home to a different world. There was little support for him and his recovery. So much has changed since then. Today, the Army is doing so much to help support the Soldiers as they recover and the Warrior Games are a big part of that. I am so proud to be a part of a program that is helping these brave men and women through the recovery process. I know my dad would be very proud of the work I am doing."

Dr. Amy Guillen, CSF-PREP Fort Sam Houston, Texas

"Being part of the Warrior Games is an opportunity of a lifetime. I get to see people overcome huge life obstacles and dig deep within themselves to find that they are stronger than they often gave themselves credit for. I am grateful to share in those experiences and have a small part in helping the athletes utilize mental skills to achieve beyond what they thought was possible."

Christy Freeman, CSF-PREP Fort Gordon, Ga.

"The opportunity to be a part of the Warrior Games is a dream come true for me.  I have already grown tremendously as a person during the time I have spent with these amazing athletes and I am looking forward to helping them reach their personal potential during the Games.  This is my life's work and I feel extremely honored to be a part of this Army team."

Lindsay Holtz, CSF-PREP Fort Bliss, Texas

"It is an amazing opportunity and privilege to be working with the Army Shooting Team for the 2012 Warrior Games. The Soldiers competing in the Warrior Games have faced and continue to face many challenges and adversities. Being able to experience, be a part of, and facilitate appropriate uses of their energy, motivation, and determination is inspiring and keeps me working to improve in the work that I do so I can continue to impact Soldiers transitions."

Dr. Keith Wilson, CSF-PREP Fort Knox, Ky.

"I value working at the Warrior Games as an opportunity to see Soldiers who have committed themselves to move to higher levels in their recovery from injury/illness. I spend lots of time with Soldiers when they first arrive at the WTU, where we help to lay the foundation for healthy transition. At the Warrior Games, it is great to help fine tune healthy transition through adaptive sport success."

Richard Harris, CSF-PREP Fort Jackson, S.C.

"Working at the Warrior Games is an opportunity to endorse personal gratitude toward the women and men who protect my freedoms, as an American citizen. This event is a culmination of the human spirit's commitment to hard work, desire, love, and passion."

Dr. Melanie Mousseau, CSF-PREP Fort Gordon, Ga.

"Being able to return to the 2012 Warrior Games, to work with the Army swim team is truly an honor. While my role is specialized to enhance performance in the pool, it is most humbling to know that the skills I teach go far beyond and impact the lives of each competitor personally. I am honored to be trusted by the WTC, coaching staff, and athletes themselves to build productive and meaningful relationships and to help the competitors develop mental skills to maximize their physical and technical abilities."