The 4 pillars that shape how athletes perform under pressure When I was younger and involved in sport, the environment around it felt very different to what it is today. That’s not to say the fundamentals have changed—community, support, and the drive to achieve personal goals are still at the heart of sport. But the landscape has evolved. Advancements in research, professionalism, technology, and even physical development have changed what it takes to perform. As a result, the factors influencing athletes now extend well beyond what happens on the field. Skill and technical ability remain critical—they are the functional elements of sport. But performance today is increasingly shaped by what…