Today, mental preparation plays a central role in sports performance. The recent mention of Laurent Sauriat, founder of Top-Consulting, in Tristan Alric’s article“L’Homme qui a “l’oreille” des Hockeyeurs” (The man with the field hockey players’ “ear”) on the strategic development of the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG), is a perfect illustration of this trend. This mention provides an opportunity to look back at Top-Consulting’s singular expertise, and how this mental accompaniment can influence the success of a national team.
Significant recognition
The portrait of Laurent Sauriat in this article highlights an extraordinary career path. A former soldier who served for twenty-five years in the French Air Force, he has established himself as one of France’s leading experts in the Potential Optimization Technique (TOP). His experience, gained in environments where stress and performance management are vital – overseas operations, elite units, air forces – gives him a rare legitimacy.
This public recognition testifies to Top-Consulting’s added value. It also confirms the growing interest shown by sports authorities in a more structured and in-depth approach to mental health, now perceived as a strategic lever rather than a mere add-on.
Expertise tailored to the demands of the top level
The article emphasizes the atypical and profoundly human dimension of Laurent Sauriat’s approach. He defines himself more as a mental companion than a coach. His practice is based on a detailed understanding of behavior, emotions, stress mechanisms and motivational levers.
Over the years, he has trained several thousand trainees, accompanied over 350 trainers and worked with a wide variety of sporting disciplines. His work with international athletes and professional clubs demonstrates the extent to which the techniques he imparts meet the expectations of today’s top athletes: lucidity in critical situations, pressure phase management, sleep optimization, positive projection and collective coherence.
A promising collaboration with the FFHG
Invited to take part in the CNOSF pre-Olympic camp, and then integrated into the staff at the Nations Cup in Épinal, Laurent Sauriat quickly won the trust of players and coaches alike. The article highlights the favorable reception he received and the immediate impact of his interventions, both on the group and on individual players.
His work has focused on several key areas:
- collective introspection sessions,
- individual interviews with players,
- implementation of behavioral strategies,
- support for mental recovery and sleep management,
- strengthening cohesion and psychological automatisms.
The sporting results achieved during the tournament cannot, of course, be attributed to him alone, but his complementary role was deemed relevant by staff and players alike. This collaboration could be renewed in the future, particularly with a view to the 2026 Olympic Games.
A meaningful award for Top-Consulting
Being quoted in a feature article on the inner workings of the French national team is a form of validation. This visibility reinforces Top-Consulting’s credibility and highlights the growing importance of the mental factor in sports performance, in the same way as physical or tactical preparation.
For the athletes and organizations who work with Laurent Sauriat, this spotlight confirms the relevance of a global approach, focused on people, player autonomy and long-term behavioral analysis.
The mind, an essential strategic lever
The article concludes with a clear observation: the mental dimension could well be the decisive factor in future major international events. At a time when technical gaps are narrowing, the ability to remain lucid, organized and confident in decisive moments is becoming a competitive advantage.
Top-Consulting is fully committed to this dynamic. Top-Consulting’s method, which draws on both military methods and the world of sport, offers structured, demanding and respectful support for individuals. If this collaboration is confirmed, it could contribute to strengthening the French team’s emotional stability and adaptability over the long term.