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In many countries outside the US, athletes use calming words to ready themselves before a match or game. They tell themselves phrases like "let's go!" and remind themselves to be present. One of India's highest ranked tennis players silences his inner dialogue so that he is ready to go when the moment comes. Many American athletes, however, get 'pumped up' by calling each other 'sissy' and criticizing themselves so they have more drive to do better. Some sports teams put value in their lives outside the sport by encouraging their team mates that they should "do it for their family's sake." Overall, there is not one pep talk that works best for different sports, different positions, or different players.

New research on language acquisition in babies leads scientists to believe that babies map sounds and critical aspects of their language before they begin speaking.