For athletes, physical fitness is only part of the battle.
That was the message of this week’s event in San Bernardino that focused on mental wellness in sports.
Brody Stevens, a 16-year-old Riverside resident, attends the Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Gregg Knight, president of the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness, leads an exercise on self confidence Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, during The Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Former NFL player Sammy Knight, a Rubidoux High School graduate and co-founder of the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness, leads a group Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, during the Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Brycen Colbert-Basham, a 14-year-old Riverside resident, attends the Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Miles Nader, a 16-year-old Riverside resident, attends the Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Jeremiah Pearcey, chief sport and performance psychologist for the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness, leads a group Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, during the The Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Former NFL player Sammy Knight, a Rubidoux High School graduate and co-founder of the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness, leads a group Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, during the Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
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Brody Stevens, a 16-year-old Riverside resident, attends the Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Inland Empire native, former Rubidoux High School football star and ex-NFL player Sammy Knight, the co-founder of the National Sports Association of Wellness & Mental Fitness, brought the session to San Manuel Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31.
The Jus Be Great Youth Mental Fitness Kickoff Event included more than 150 young athletes, parents, coaches and leaders for a day focused on mental fitness, wellness and development of the whole athlete, a news release states.
Youths took part in hands-on activities to help them understand pressure, emotional control, self confidence and nutrition, according to the release.
Knight worked with athletes to show them “how high-pressure moments can change perception and how focus is a skill that can be trained,” the release states.
Parents and coaches attended a workshop on athlete mental fitness, confidence and well-being. The event also included interactive experiences about identity, self-confidence, nutrition and wellness. The association also honored five Inland Empire coaches for their leadership and dedication: Leroy Sanchez, John Mosher, Carlton Austin, John Hill and Harrison Cole.
“The energy throughout the stadium was incredible,” association co-founder Gregg Knight said in the release. “Seeing more than 150 people fully engaged, kids learning, parents asking questions, and coaches leaning in, it confirmed that this work is needed and that our community is ready for it.”
For information on the association, click here.
