Tip of the Week: Just one night of binge drinking will erase 2 weeks of practice.

Binge drinking can be defined as consuming five drinks for males and four drinks for females in about two hours. You may show up to practice but you will not see any gains for two weeks. It will also take 96 hours to rebalance hormones and you will see an 11% decrease in your performance.

Tip: Being challenged in life is inevitable. Being defeated is optional.

Every time you fail, you move one step closer to succeeding. Embrace failure as part of success and get going. Perseverance will help to overcome challenges; it is easy to become overwhelmed so take it one step at a time.

Tip: Never increase your exercise intensity or the amount of weight lifted by a factor of 10% every 2 weeks

Be smart to avoid injury when training for your sport. Gradual increases in exercise intensity and amount of weight lifted will provide the best results. Progression is the key to the success of your workout.

Tip of the Week: Alcohol suppresses training hormones for up to 4 days. You may show up to practice but there will be little improvement or gains.

Many athletes tend to underestimate the way in which alcohol use, even a few drinks, can nullify your hard work by erasing the effects of your workouts, reducing your endurance and compromising your mental game. Alcohol affects your ability to learn new plays and strategies; it decreases your aptitude for muscle development and recovery and negatively impacts your nutrition and endurance.

Tip: It is the healthy teams that have a better chance for success

Be a leader and make your own choices. Set an example to your peers and choose to surround yourself with those making healthy choices. Show your leadership by choosing not to use drugs or alcohol.

Tip: Train your mind like you train your body. Visualize the outcome you want.

Clear your mind and visualize your goal, breathe and refocus. Do this often and your brain will recall your goal faster and in more detail.

Tip: Choose not to use marijuana as it impacts your health, safety and potential for academic and athletic success.

THC (the chemical in marijuana) builds up in the brain and affects the skill recall area of the brain and delays reaction time. Marijuana compromises judgment and affects many other skills necessary to be a proficient athlete. These skills include alertness, concentration, coordination and reaction time.

Tip: Managing stress does not have to include the use of alcohol or drugs. The best way to handle stress is through healthy habits.

Exercise, healthy eating, sleeping well and maintaining close relationships are important in stress management. These key actions can help reduce stress levels and improve your quality of life. Quick fixes like drugs or alcohol may temporarily mask stress but the long-term effects are unhealthy.

Tip: Athletes who sleep at least 8 hours per night are 68% less likely to sustain an injury compared to those who get less sleep.

Lack of sleep impacts reaction times and performance and causes fatigue. Aim to sleep at least 8 hours per night to maximize muscle growth, repair and recovery. This will also help improve cognitive skills and concentration. All of these factors together can contribute to a lower rate of athletic injuries.

Tip: During playoff season it is the healthy teams that have a better chance for success

Be a leader and make your own choices. Set an example to your peers and choose to surround yourself with those making healthy choices. Show your leadership by choosing not to use drugs or alcohol