For rising juniors and seniors, summer is often framed as the freedom months. No school, more time, and — theoretically — the best time to get better. But for many high-performing high school athletes, the summer actually leads to a performance plateau. They train hard. They hit the gym, they run the drills, and they show up at the field consistently. Yet, when the fall season hits, they find themselves in the same spot they were in last year: fighting for a starting role, de

As a sport psychology professional, I hear the same thing from almost every injured athlete: "I just want to be back to my sport." I get it. When you’re sidelined, it feels like your identity is on a shelf. But here’s the tough love truth: If you are only showing up for your physical therapy appointments, you are only doing half the work. Recovery isn't a waiting room; it’s a training ground. While your ligaments or bones heal, your brain is the most powerful performance to

In the pursuit of excellence, physical training is the baseline; mental performance is the breakthrough. Too often, the mind is treated as a passenger in the training process when it should be the pilot. Whether you are leading a department from the front office or leading a team from the field, mental toughness is the engine of execution. It’s time to stop leaving your mindset to chance and start training it with the same rigor you apply to your physical craft. Let me walk y

When I first encountered the world of sport psychology, I was fascinated by how much the mind influences athletic performance. It’s not just about physical training or technique; the mental game plays a huge role in success. That’s where a sport psychology consultant steps in. They help athletes and high performers develop the mental tools needed to excel under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain focus on their goals. Let me take you through what this role real

A driven senior leader approached me seeking to bridge a significant gap within her organization. She had articulated an ambitious,...

I’ve likely posed this question hundreds of times, often in rapid succession during a pivotal moment for aspiring service members: their...

One of the best methods for coaches to improve is to read from different perspectives. I like to encourage books that challenge thinking...

Practicing resilience is about learning how to change what you can.

Journaling can be helpful for personal development and can require as little as 15 minutes per day.

I often ask this question of those I speak with to gauge the audience’s understanding of the field I’ve dedicated my life to. It’s funny...

How exactly do you help athletes? One of the frequently asked questions I get is related to how I determine what to do and how to start...

All people struggle with self-doubt at some point. Read to discover quick, practical tips to work to re-train your brain.

For many of us, it takes years of struggle before we get to the point of being mentally agile enough to not be fearful of adversity. Our...

A moment this past week had me thinking back to the spring of 2012. I had just finished my doctoral dissertation and had decided it was...

For those that are not familiar with mental skills training, it may seem abstract, or even 'touchy-feely.' The touchy-feely opinion...

Parents, we need to practice good sportsmanship. Let's discuss what this means. The definition includes the fair behavior towards others....

Is it worth the trouble and sacrifice to do what you love? This is the most common question I get when people learn I have a doctorate...

When I think of food, like most people I’m usually looking forward to what I’m going to eat during my next meal. But let’s dive a little...

I was invited to speak with parents of gifted students from a local school district recently. I was reminded of that conversation after...

Coaches... No matter how long you have been coaching, you are likely to fall into a trap of being biased towards or against some of your...