Cotie McMahon of the state Ohio gives 5 tips that help her stay safe during the March madness

Cotie McMahon of the state of Ohio has a long list of impressive awards-big ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten first team, four-time gold medal winner for USA basketball, Cheryl Miller Award finalist and recently successive AP-All-American honorary reports. Now the Buckeyes in March -Madness tournament 2025 leads you to another race to the championship.

But something that doesn’t appear on any of the statistics? The trust she exudes on and outside the court. “I have the feeling that I really have this dog in me,” says McMahon Well+good– What basically only means a mentally difficult, resilient and determined way of thinking for those who are not familiar with the expression.

We talked to McMahon to find out what keeps her competitive spirit and self -confidence high, regardless of whether she comes home with a win or not. Here are your five top tips.

She does not let her stress overwhelm her

It is no secret that athletes can sometimes feel pressure, especially when playing with high operations. Regardless of whether it comes from your internal standards for yourself or expectations of trainers and fans, it can be easy to succumb to this pressure.

Not for McMahon. When McMahon steps on the pitch, she enters her safe zone – the place where she can really be and thrive her; Every stress she wears on the day melts. “My first instinct is not too stress at all, and I never follow it,” she says. For McMahon, basketball was always about joy. Of course she wants to win like every athlete. But she remembers that it is just as important to let go of the moment and appreciate.

She never lives in the past

Do you ever remember a mistake you made that you could not shake off, or an embarrassing thing you did as a child to not stop? Yes, we were all there. But the apartment in the past lasts it in the past. When McMahon has one night or her team loses a game, she recognizes her feelings and lets her go quickly.

“I never sit and wave with a loss. I just have the feeling that this opens up an opportunity to error,” she says. Instead, she finds it helpful to learn from these experiences and to apply this knowledge to the next game in front of her. “If we have a game where everything did not go as planned or we had problems, I remember and my teammates that we gave everything. We take it to the chin and go to the next.”

She celebrates her successes and builds on them

McMahon’s love for the game started at a young age – and her skills continued to grow as quickly as her passion. Just ask Xavier University that offered McMahon her first scholarship from the NCAA Division I when it was in seventh grade. Every time she was rewarded for the tireless work she put into her game, she led a snowball effect, which made her stronger and safer in her skills.

This remains true during your college career. After a first season of Monster for the Buckeyes, McMahon was elected by the coaches and media as the big-ten newcomer to 2023. She remembers how this moment has conveyed more faith in itself. “When you come to your academic year, you don’t really expect as many awards as me, and I’m so grateful for you,” she says. “I was always confident in my game, but to see everything that works and pays off really increased my self -confidence.”

As a junior, McMahon has now taken on a leadership role in her team and inspires her teammates to carry the same trust in itself. Your passion for basketball, loud and joyful personality and commitment to improvements and accountability, your teammates motivated and energized to better get together.

She takes away seriously and is seriously recovering

To be a full -time student and full -time athlete and at the same time reconcile your personal and social life can feel very much. McMahon balances everything by ensuring that your mind and body get the rest you need to stop at the highest level. “A D1 athlete in general can be so stressful,” she says. “With as much free time as I am, I usually only relax, find time to be alone and let my body rejuvenate.”

Even on her free days of training and playing, she takes a few hours of her day to still go to the gym. But when she comes back? “I literally go home and come straight to bed for the rest of the night,” she says with a laugh. This is a advice from which we can all use more, I am sure.

She makes happiness a priority

Despite her full schedule, it is not intended to take fun for self-care and joy-and she is very intended to have fun. “Basketball is serious, but I’m not taking things too seriously,” she says. “I love to laugh, have fun and take care of myself.” Before the games, your routine is often to scroll Tikok (or make your own videos that you can see here), take a shower and hear gospel music.

But when she is at home, she has a completely separate wellness routine after which she lives. “My self -care always includes that my hair, nails, eyelashes and brows are done,” she explains. “I also love to get massages and watch away.” Some of your favorite shows are currently included Paradise, Caber, vampire diaries and Virgin River– If you need suggestions for what you should add to your own queue.

McMahon insists that you feel good when you look good, and if you feel good, do good. “I have the feeling that so many things can be stressful these days, but it doesn’t have to be wellness routine for itself,” she says. “So build up good habits with which you feel positive, present, currently stress -free and happy. This is what I do to stay mentally in a better place and feel comfortable with myself on and off.”