The Black Belt Way
Niel Geyser,
Mental Performance Coach
Pretoria-based mental performance coach Niel Geyser built his methods on the mat long before he brought them into the boardroom. He holds a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a Judo black belt, has been crowned South African Judo Champion, South African Kurash Champion and African World Pro BJJ Champion, and won bronze at the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi.
“Action without the necessary understanding does not create results.”
— Niel Geyser
UFC fighter mental coach
The coach behind
Dricus du Plessis
Many people first hear of Niel as Dricus du Plessis’s coach. He was the grappling and mental performance coach in Dricus’s corner for his historic UFC Middleweight Championship, and he has guided numerous MMA champions in other promotions too.
The same mental performance coaching works far beyond the cage. Niel coaches professional golfers, professional cyclists, lawn bowls champions and C-suite executives, using one set of first-principles mental models in every arena: sport, business and leadership.
My story to black belt
As I started my journey in martial arts I was very focused on doing, on action, on the techniques that would get me to the rank of black belt. I thought the black belt was a destination to achieve.
As I progressed on my journey I started to realise that action without the necessary understanding does not create results. I started learning the value of mindset and the importance of a holistic approach to achieving a goal. I learned the value of a directional goal instead of a destination goal.
- I learned the value of basics — the basic techniques that are often glanced over and left behind for the next flashy move.
- I learned the value of proper goal setting, of strategy and tactics.
- I learned the value of mentality — emotional control, intention, self-belief and resilience.
- I learned the value of being unique.
The methodology
From the mat to a mental performance methodology
CoreCraft Performance is not a motivation programme. It is a structured approach to mental performance coaching in South Africa and beyond: more than twenty years of elite coaching in combat sport, business and leadership, codified into frameworks you can learn, practise and master. Emerging athletes use it to build their mental game. Young professionals use it to perform under pressure. Senior leaders use it to make clearer decisions when the stakes are high. Wherever you start, the system meets you there and moves you forward.
Niel sets out the method in his book, The Black Belt Way. In coaching, it runs through four layers:
Foundation
Layer 1
Inner Technology
Layer 2
Operating System
Layer 3
Strategy & Navigation
Layer 4
Members who graduate all four layers move on to Applied Expression, the Black Belt group.
Begin the work
Learn the CoreCraft Method
Start with Foundation in the CoreCraft Method, Niel’s 18-week online mental performance course, or take your team through it together. Built for athletes, fighters and executives alike.