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Topic: Mind - July 13 2026
How Perfectionism Hurts Performance

Perfectionism is often seen as a strength in sports. But for many athletes, especially women, it becomes a mindset that leads to burnout, anxiety, and low confidence. VIS Expert Cali Werner, a former Division I distance runner and mental health clinician, shares why perfectionism can harm performance and what to focus on instead.

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As athletes, we want to be perfect. We want the perfect goal, the perfect race, the perfect pass.  But this pursuit can sour quickly and do more harm than good.  VIS Expert Cali Werner, LCSW, describes perfectionism as a mentality where athletes feel “like they’re never enough,” constantly pushing themselves beyond expectations. This approach can easily backfire, leaving athletes feeling disappointed even when they perform well. We think striving for perfectionism lead...
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