Kevin Launay is an engineer based in the Pays de la Loire region of France. Alongside his professional career, he supports athletes, judoka and high-potential individuals in developing sustainable performance, both physically and mentally. A judo instructor, as well as a certified physical and mental performance coach, he combines scientific knowledge, field experience and the philosophy of judo.
He is the author of ‘Le Manuel de la Performance Athlétique – Préparation Physique et Mentale du Judoka,’ a book he has translated into English and which he discusses here.
“The original version of the book was written in French, published in November 2025. I am a judo coach as well as a physical, mental and nutrition coach and this work is the result of several years of training, field experience and practical application with athletes.
The decision to translate the book into English came naturally. After publishing the French version, I realised that the content could benefit a much wider audience, especially within the international judo community. A key turning point for me was a serious accident at the end of 2024, which forced me to rethink performance, recovery and long-term athlete development. That experience reinforced my desire to share practical and useful knowledge with athletes and coaches.
The book is designed as a practical toolbox for performance. It is built around five main pillars: physical preparation, nutrition, mental preparation, strategy and analysis of high-level judoka. The aim is to provide concrete tools that can be applied in both training and competition. For example, the book includes breathing protocols for stress management, visualisation techniques for performance, strength and conditioning methods specific to judo, as well as structured approaches to recovery and weight management. It is not only theoretical but deeply practical.
Jimmy Pedro wrote the foreword. I contacted him directly and he agreed to be part of the project. We worked together to co-construct the foreword and he brought his own vision of performance, both as an elite athlete and as a high-level coach. His contribution adds an important international perspective and strengthens the link between practical experience and high-performance standards.
Jimmy Pedro and Kevin Launay.
The intention behind this project is to provide athletes and coaches with simple, effective and actionable tools to improve performance in a sustainable way.”
In a world where performance is often associated with short-term results, Kevin Launay’s approach offers a more balanced and sustainable vision of athletic development. By combining scientific rigour, practical experience and the core values of judo, his work provides a meaningful framework for athletes and coaches seeking long-term progress. Through this book, he not only shares tools, but also a philosophy, one that places resilience, consistency and human development at the heart of performance.