What Timothée Chalamet’s speech reveals about athletes' mindset for success

When you think of Timothée Chalamet, the first things that probably come to mind are his critically acclaimed performances as an actor and his effortless charisma. But in a recent speech at the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards, Chalamet revealed something unexpected – a mindset that mirrors the discipline, focus, and resilience of a top athlete.

Is there anything to learn from the audience’s beloved ‘Timmy’? With his popularity, talent, and ambition for success, we now know it’s also his athlete-like mindset that helps him perform in films as brilliantly as Michael Jordan on the basketball court or Michael Phelps in the pool.

In pursuit of greatness

In his pursuit of greatness, Timothée Chalamet, the youngest-ever winner of the SAG’s Best Actor award, received his first major prize. Many believe the actor is long overdue for an Oscar, given his standout performances in Call Me by Your Name, Dune, and his most recent role in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. Widely regarded as one of his generation’s top talents, Chalamet has expressed a desire to be “one of the greats”. This is what he said:

I can’t downplay the significance of this award because it means the most to me, and I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there. So I’m deeply grateful. This doesn’t signify that, but it’s a little more fuel. It’s a little more ammo to keep going. Thank you so much.

The actor’s SAG Awards speech went viral, and it sparked a wave of divided opinions. Some praised his ambition, while others found his words bold, maybe even audacious. But one thing is for sure: his message was clear and unapologetic. Chalamet didn’t just deliver a thank-you speech but made a declaration of ambition, and gave everyone a rare glimpse into the mindset that drives his pursuit of excellence. By expressing his desire to stand among legends, in both acting and sports, he paid tribute to his inspirations while revealing the focus, discipline, and hunger of an elite athlete.

How an athlete’s mentality can boost professional performance

The path to success requires the right mindset. Athletes often serve as a source of inspiration because they face relentless challenges. From the intense pressure of competition to the constant need for self-improvement and the physical toll of injuries. They must overcome countless obstacles while maintaining peak performance, often with little room for error. In the world of sports, underperformance can quickly turn fans and supporters away, making the pressure to succeed unbelievably high.

Take Michael Jordan, for example, his success wasn’t just about his natural talent. It was his work ethic, his ability to push through adversity, and his continuous pursuit of greatness that made him a legend. Similarly, Serena Williams embodied the athlete mentality throughout her career, staying at the top of her game for decades through discipline, perseverance, and an unshakable belief in her own abilities.

Tips from a world champion with a winning mindset

From British representatives, there is Natasha Jonas, a two-weight world champion and current holder of the IBF & WBC Welterweight belts. As the first-ever female British boxer to qualify for the Olympics, she’s been a trailblazer in the sporting world and a proud Morson ambassador. 

Natasha shared powerful insights on the habits that shape her winning mindset, offering lessons that drive success in both sport and the professional world. Here are 7 tips from the world champion, giving us a glimpse into the mind of a successful athlete:

1. Set a goal

Setting a goal or a target is hugely important, whether that’s a short-term goal for the day or whether that’s a long term target.

2. Be present

Being present. Not worrying about what’s been and not really anticipating what’s coming. I just get up and think about that day and that training session at that moment when I’m heading to it.

3. Have a positive outlook

Try to be as positive as I can. You have a much better outlook on the day, if it’s a positive one instead of negative, which will in turn bring better results.

4. Take care of your diet

I think one of the biggest things that especially boxers or any weight-maintained sport will know is that obviously you eat well in the build-up to a fight or match, and once that’s over, the first rubbish thing you eat, you immediately feel rubbish. My diet is really good anyway outside of boxing, which makes me feel good.

5. Gain more knowledge

I always try in each camp to learn about myself in some way and I am a big fan and believer in the mental aspect of the sport. I work with psychologists to learn more about how I work and what makes me thick.

6. Manifest and visualise your goals

One of my biggest things, which I never, ever thought I did until I started giving talks in schools and realised my story, is that I’ve been manifesting things for a very long time. My mindset was always to match a person, to be as good as them, to be better.

7. Find inspiration and aim high

In terms of inspiration and the pursuit of greatness, Natasha mentioned a few who embrace the mindset of striving to be the best, to be elite… a drive that echoed in Timothée Chalamet’s speech:

From Mia Hamm to all the track and field athletes who’ve crossed over, including Marion Jones, I remember when she transitioned from basketball to track while I was living in America. At the time, I thought, ‘I want to do something like that and be elite at both.’ I’ve always looked at people and thought, ‘I want to be that – and better.’ That mindset has driven me to reach that level.
 

One of the most famous figures in boxing, Muhammad Ali, always said from the start, ‘I’m the greatest’ and arguably, he was. So, yeah, I think having big aspirations and talking them into existence is key in boxing, because ultimately, you’re trying to get people to believe in and see a vision that only you have.

The athlete-coded mentality - what it takes to succeed?

After learning from successful sportspeople, it is time to take this “athlete-coded” mindset beyond sports. In creative fields, business, and personal development, the same principles apply: the commitment to constant improvement, the ability to handle pressure, and the resilience to keep going when things get tough. This is what Timothée Chalamet’s speech reflected and what athletes like Natasha Jones have: a hunger for greatness and a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve it.

We’ve asked Natasha about the possibility of transferring those seven habits into the professional world and she said:

I think a lot of things in sport are interchangeable. If you asked me what kind of person I am, I’d say I’m loving, caring, and family-oriented. I’m driven, and I try to be as punctual as I can, though my trainer, Joe, might disagree!
 

I always give 100%. I’m dedicated, and I work well both in a team and as an individual. If you asked an employer what they’d want from an employee, I’m sure many of those qualities would make the list. I can communicate at all levels, whether it’s with my trainer, my daughter, family and friends, or when delivering talks in schools.

So, what can we learn from this mentality? It teaches us that success isn’t solely about talent; it’s about dedication, consistency, and the courage to embrace failure as part of growth. No matter your occupation – whether you’re a new starter, a manager, a CEO, or someone working toward personal goals – adopting an athlete’s mindset could be the key to unlocking your full potential.

Thinking like an athlete and applying the mindset to the business world

When you picture a sprinter poised at the starting blocks or a swimmer just moments before diving into the water, there is no room for doubt. Years of hard training lead up to that crucial moment and hesitation can cost them victory. Interestingly, that same sense of pressure and expectation exists in the professional world. We all face challenges to overcome and goals to achieve.

That’s why adopting an athlete’s mindset can significantly enhance business performance. By practicing discipline, resilience, and a growth-oriented approach, professionals can push past self-doubt and unlock their potential. Just like athletes, business leaders and teams benefit from the lessons that Natasha gave us: setting clear, ambitious goals, visualising success, and having a positive success-oriented outlook are all useful practices that business leaders can emulate to navigate challenges and drive their organisations toward excellence. 

Morson, known for its dedication to excellence and supporting top talent, extends this philosophy through its sponsorships. The organisation invests in initiatives that celebrate achievement and ambition, sponsoring athletes like the previously mentioned Natasha Jonas, who have similar drive and determination as Timothée Chalamet.

So, how will you apply this “athlete-coded” mentality into your own reality?