Champion MindSet: with Wes Sutton

5 mins read

by Dr. Chantale Lussier, PhD

This year, Bell Let’s Talk Day was on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. But worth noting is that mental health matters every day of the year. This of course applies to athletes and high performers of all walks of life. A significant part of my work as a Mental Performance Coach and Consultant involves mental health literacy; educating athletes, coaches, and teams to be proactive and preventative in their daily wellness strategies, while also training vital mental skills that support athletic and personal development, a growth mindset, and peak performances when it matters most.

I recently had the chance to catch up with Montreal Alouettes’ DB Wes Sutton, a 2X CFL East All Stars and 2023 Grey Cup Champion to ask him how he cares for his mental health and how he approaches the mental side of football and life. Read his inspiring perspectives below:

CL: What does mental health mean to you at this point in your life?

WS: Mental Health means everything to me. On and off the field I always try to attack every day with a gratitude mindset. I work on meditation and read my Bible, watch sermons, speak to mentors because I know how important it is. I’ve been on both ends of the mental health spectrum, being positive and negative. It’s extremely hard to get yourself out of those ruts once your mental health spirals out of control. Therefore, I take a lot of time to practice and maintain strong mental health skills.

CL: Describe to us your mindset as a professional athlete?

WS: My mindset is quite simple, like I said I try to approach every day with gratitude. Thankful to be able to do what I get to do. Never get too high, never get too low, I try to stay even keel but when I am on a high or succeeded I always celebrate and enjoy it. But I never let myself get too down. Confidence is key.

CL: In preparation for a regular season game, playoff football, and/or a championship game like the Grey Cup, what is one thing you do to mentally prepare yourself to excel?

WS: My dream has been answered! I am a CHAMPION! It still feels unreal. I have never been able to get over the hump. I’ve always came so close but never got over the hump never got over the hump until now. I am so grateful!! Literally a dream of mine has been answered and it’s still been better than I ever could imagine. In regards to preparation for a game, I try to treat it like a normal day. I am a creature of habit, I like to keep things normal so I don’t put too much pressure on myself or the situation. I just lean on my God, my teammates, family, and support of MTL fans, enjoy the environment, and have fun playing the game I love! My routine does not change for playoffs.

WS: One thing that jumps off the page to me about this season is our togetherness! Us as team, I’ve never been a part of a team closer than this. We all were extremely bought in and played for the the guys in our locker room! They ranked us last to begin the year… that never phased us! We believed in one another and enjoy making plays together! We knew we were a very special group. You know how sometimes you just know? A few times this year.. I just knew. I just knew we’d make History!! But taking it one game at a time and playing for the brother next to you. So I guess the lesson is.. Focus/stay locked in on the process, never on the outcome. The outcome will take care of itself.

CL: Any advice for young athletes? What’s one thing you would say to your younger self?

WS: Enjoy what you get to do. Playing a game that you love! If you’re fortunate enough to continue playing whether it be college or the pros, enjoy it all! The relationships you build and lessons you learn along your journey are priceless. Always keep your spirits high! And never focus on the outside noise/naysayers who say “you can’t” just continue to work and prove to yourself and those who believe in you, that You Will! Trust the Process! (What I’d tell my younger self) I know you’re frustrated cause you only got 1 scholarship offer out of highschool to play college football at D-1AA division school, I know you’re frustrated because you didn’t get drafted to the NFL and feel overlooked. I know you’re frustrated because you finally got a pro opportunity in 2020 and then the XFL gets cancelled due to COVID, now I know you feel like you’re back to square 1. But Trust God!! His plan is greater! You will soon be a Captain of a Grey Cup winning team, a Grey Cup Champion and a 2x All-Star in your first 3 years in the CFL. Keep working bro! And forever keep your eyes on Him.

WS: Thank you so much for this opportunity. It definitely puts so much into perspective. I’m super grateful to be in the position I am. Thinking back to my younger self, I would’ve never guessed it would pan out this way. Reflecting based on your questions also brings me to say thank you for supporting and always being in my corner! I know I may say it a lot but truly thank you! I’m grateful to know you and receive your knowledge and wisdom.

CL: Thank you so much Wes!

I’m so honoured and grateful you are willing to share. I can just imagine how many more people are going to be inspired by reading your words, your story, seeing your photos, and getting a glimpse into what’s possible in life... Your journey is such a powerful testimony on so many fronts, stay the course, believe, faithfully, trusting the process every single day.. I’m so blessed to know you, to get to witness your journey, and celebrate this significant moment with you, your loved ones, and team! Congratulations again Wes, you’re a Grey Cup Champion!

Guest bio: Wesley Malik Sutton is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Sutton played college football for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks from 2014 to 2018. He played in 42 games where he had 96 solo tackles, 56 assisted tackles, six interceptions, and one forced fumble. Sutton signed with the New York Guardians ahead of the 2020 season. After making the gameday roster, he made his professional debut on February 9, 2020, against the Tampa Bay Vipers. Sutton later signed with the Montreal Alouettes, made the team's active roster and played in his first CFL game on August 14, 2021. A powerful DB, Wes is a 2X CFL East All Stars (2022, 2023) and a Grey Cup Champion (2023). Follow Wes on Twitter and Instagram for all his latest!

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