Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester presented his 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic at the ECA Women’s High Performance Advisory Group meeting at Paris Saint-Germain, a breakthrough approach helping footballers overcome panic, anxiety, and perform with freedom.

By Steven Sylvester CPsychol AFBPsS

Psychologist, High-Performance Coach, and Ambassador for Beyond The Cage

In October 2023, I had the honour of presenting my work on the 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic at the ECA Women’s High Performance Advisory Group meeting, hosted by Paris Saint-Germain. The event brought together leading figures in European football to explore new ways of supporting player wellbeing and unlocking consistent high performance.

In professional football today, physical and technical analysis is more advanced than ever. Yet, one vital dimension often remains underdeveloped, mindset data. Over years of working across sport and business, I’ve witnessed how this missing piece can make the difference between composure and collapse under pressure.

The 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic was designed to fill that gap. It’s a structured, five-day guided audio process that helps players self-diagnose panic and anxiety, restore calm, and rebuild performance confidence. Initially developed through my work with executives and elite athletes, the approach has since been adapted for footballers struggling with the increasing psychological demands of the modern game.

In one recent case, a player came to me experiencing intense physiological symptoms before matches. Medical assessments found nothing physically wrong, but the fear remained. Within five days of completing the EA5 process, he returned to the pitch transformed: calmer, freer, and ultimately named Player of the Match after scoring his first goal of the season. His manager praised his renewed composure and leadership, describing him as performing like “one of the best in the world in his position.”

Behind these results lies a simple truth, performance isn’t just about ability; it’s about alignment. When an athlete learns to synchronise physical readiness, technical skill, and mental clarity, anxiety loses its grip. The EA5 method offers a rapid and lasting shift in thinking that allows players to perform with freedom, not fear.

As an ambassador for Beyond The Cage, I see this work as part of a broader mission, to help young men and athletes understand that vulnerability is not weakness, and that mindset training should be as normal as fitness training. By addressing panic and anxiety head-on, we open the door to a new generation of players who can compete with confidence, compassion, and courage, on and off the pitch.