In the summer of 2022, amidst the intensity of my PhD studies, a spark of inspiration ignited within me, initiating an extraordinary journey of exploration and discovery.

As my work progressed, a simple idea evolved into a comprehensive research paper titled "The Role of the Six Factors Model of Athletic Mental Energy in Mediating Athletes’ Well-being in Competitive Sports." This study aimed to delve into the intricate connection between athletic performance and psychological well-being, focusing on the concept of Athletic Mental Energy (AME).

AME, a concept gaining traction in sports, holds promise in influencing athletes' performance and well-being. Rooted in the ability to focus and ignore distractions, AME represents a crucial aspect of an athlete's mental makeup.

In the competitive world of high-performance sports, where success often overshadows well-being, my research sought to address this pressing issue. Through thorough investigation and analysis, I explored whether AME could mediate the link between performance and well-being among athletes.

Conducting two studies across various sports disciplines, I administered self-report measures to athletes ranging from local to professional levels. Intriguingly, my findings revealed that both the emotional and cognitive facets of AME played significant roles in mediating athletes' performance and psychological well-being.

Furthermore, my study revealed no significant gender disparities in AME and psychological well-being scores, indicating the universal impact of AME. While family structures showed no notable variations in AME, some descriptive differences in psychological well-being were observed.

Devoting over 1,469 hours to this endeavor, I overcame numerous challenges, including multiple rejections and exhaustive revisions. The journey demanded creating multiple drafts, traveling to distant locales for data collection, residing in sports camps, and countless early mornings and late nights spent on fieldwork, data analysis, and revisions.

Yet, my persistence paid off as my research found a home in Scientific Reports, a prestigious journal by Springer Nature.

Despite the trials, my journey stands as a testament to resilience and self-belief. Coming from a modest background in Delhi, India, I overcame self-doubt to emerge as a pioneering researcher.

I extend heartfelt gratitude to my co-author, Mr. Bahniman Boruah, whose consistent support bolstered me throughout. To those intrigued by my research, I invite you to explore its depths. However, remember the importance of self-care amidst academic pursuits.

As I continue on my academic path, I do so with renewed purpose and anticipation. Excited to uncover discoveries, I eagerly look forward to sharing them with the world.

Warm Regards,
Amisha Singh (First and Corresponding Author)