MY STORY

WHY IS SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY IMPORTANT TO ME?

As a coach at the youth and collegiate level for more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege to coach some extraordinary people both on and off the court. Regardless of age or level, what did these people have in common? It wasn’t their physical gifts. Or skill level.  What did they have?

• Relentless determination and work ethic

• Optimistic mindset during adversity

• Ability to genuinely connect and relate to teammates

Early in my coaching career, it seemed like these types of people were either in short supply or difficult to identify, and this is where my curiosity in the field of sports psychology. 

• Can people grow to be mentally tough and how would they do that?

• Are there ways to identify these traits early and can predict long term success?

Every coach informally is a sports psychologist and this is when I started reading books and taking classes on growth and human potential. Through the years in the college recruiting process, what I valued in athletes shifted from the physical to the mental. 

But deep down, I knew I could be a better mental coach for my athletes and I decided to pursue a formal education in Sports and Performance Psychology. Now, I have a deeper understanding of sports psychological theories and concepts and can teach athletes with more confidence.

My goals for the future is to continue learning through a pursuit of a doctorate and help bridge the gap between theory and practice for athletes and coaches.