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Whether it’s chasing a new personal best, returning from injury, or representing their country, sport is about more than talent or physical ability, but also the inner mindset that keeps athletes going through challenges, setbacks and pressure.
As a global sportswear provider, we’re committed to supporting this whole journey by providing innovative, high-performance kit that helps athletes feel confident, focused and empowered to perform at their best.
We spoke with four of our elite ambassadors – nine-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft CBE, world number ten ranked beach volleyball duo the Bello Brothers and England Lacrosse international Liv Thomas to explore how they stay motivated.
Hannah Cockroft CBE
“Mindset plays a massive role in my training and competition. It’s so hard to get a good session in when your mind is determined not to enjoy it,” she said.
“I truly believe that 50% of winning is believing you can.”
To sharpen that belief, Hannah uses visualisation to prepare mentally for each race, allowing her to focus and eliminate distractions.
When it comes to performance wear, practicality and psychology are equally important.
“I need clothing that works with my race chair and doesn’t distract me mid-session.
“It’s also about looking elite, because when you look the part, you feel the part.”
Javier & Joa Bello
For the Bello Brothers, mental preparation is at the core of their world-class performance, beginning long before the first serve.
“We always begin tournament days with a morning activation — light training, scouting opponents, and setting a game plan. That structure gives us confidence and helps manage pressure.”
As brothers and teammates, their unique connection fuels their performance.
“In beach volleyball it’s just the two of us — no coach, no substitutions. Trust is one of our biggest strengths. It’s taken years to build that bond.”
Liv Thomas
After two major injuries in just 18 months, Liv knows exactly how motivation and resilience intertwine.
“Staying in touch with my teammates and sharing my journey online helped me stay accountable and reminded me of how far I’d come,” Liv reflects.
Returning to the international stage has given her a new appreciation for the sport.
“I’ve become so much more grateful for every time I get to step on the pitch.
“Putting on that England shirt again was such a powerful moment. Wearing it just motivates me to keep working and to never take it for granted.”
What Motivation Means to Them
We asked each athlete to sum up what motivation in sport means to them:
– Hannah Cockroft CBE: “Motivation is waking up every day and wanting to be better than yesterday.”
– Javier & Joa Bello: “It’s the drive to prove to ourselves that we belong with the best.”
– Liv Thomas: “Motivation is knowing how far I’ve come and how far I still want to go.”
Motivation, powered by performance
Motivation looks different for every athlete — but mindset is what drives progress. Kukri is proud to support athletes through every step of their journey, with sportswear that empowers them to perform, focus, and keep moving forward.
Find out more about our ambassadors
Want to know how we can help you? Get in touch with us today
