LGR 220: Will Helm on Tips for Overcoming Self-Doubt

October 27 · 58 mins 45 secs

Transcript

Show notes

Episode 220: Duke Goalie Will Helm on Overcoming Self-Doubt, Transferring to Division I & Building an Elite Goalie Mindset

Making the jump to the next level is something every athlete dreams about—but it often comes with uncertainty, pressure, and self-doubt.

In Episode #220 of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon sits down with Duke University goalie Will Helm to discuss his remarkable journey from Division III St. Lawrence University to becoming the starting goalie at Duke and leading the Blue Devils to the NCAA Championship game.

Will shares how he didn't begin taking goalie seriously until high school, why he almost doubted he belonged at the Division I level, and the mindset shifts that helped him overcome impostor syndrome. He also breaks down the coaching lessons he learned from Duke goalie coach Alex Reddy, the importance of patience in the cage, and how staying mentally balanced allowed him to perform on the biggest stage in college lacrosse.

The episode wraps up with a detailed film breakdown of several key saves from Duke's NCAA Championship run, giving goalies an inside look at Will's positioning, footwork, and thought process during some of the biggest moments of the season.

Whether you're a youth goalie trying to make varsity, a high school player chasing college opportunities, or a goalie looking to strengthen your mental game, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

In This Episode You'll Learn

How Will Helm went from Division III to becoming Duke's starting goalie
Why it's never too late to start taking goalie seriously
How to overcome self-doubt and impostor syndrome
Why every new level of lacrosse feels intimidating at first
The biggest differences between Division III and Division I shooters
How Duke goalie coach Alex Reddy transformed Will's stance and technique
Why balance and patience are more important than guessing
How to stop overthinking and simply react to the ball
Mental strategies for recovering after allowing a goal
Lessons from Inside the Crease that helped Will stay mentally strong
How Duke prepared for its NCAA Tournament run
A breakdown of several key saves from the NCAA Championship game

Key Takeaways

One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is that every athlete experiences self-doubt when stepping into a higher level of competition. Whether it's moving from JV to varsity, high school to college, or Division III to Division I, those feelings are normal.

Will explains that confidence doesn't come from believing you're already good enough—it comes from taking the next shot, trusting your preparation, and realizing it's still the same game you've always played.

He also emphasizes that the best goalies stay balanced both physically and mentally. Instead of guessing, they stay patient, see the ball, and trust the work they've put in during practice.