What Is Mental Training?
Mental training is the often-missing link in most performance programs. Physical, technical, and tactical preparation are essential, but without the mental side, even the best training can unravel under pressure.
Our minds are trainable. While mental growth happens naturally through physical training and experience, true potential is only realized when we train our mindset with the same intention we apply to our bodies and skills.
Performance is shaped by countless factors - health, environment, nutrition, motivation, experience, and more. On any given day, we all have an absolute performance potential of what’s physically possible. The goal is to close the gap between that potential and what we actually deliver. Mental strength is what bridges that gap, allowing us to perform closer to our best, more often. Think of it as training for your mindset, just like you train your body.
There is overlap between mental health, wellness, and performance, but mental training is not therapy. While therapy often looks to the past to improve well-being, mental training is forward-focused: a practical, skills-based approach designed to enhance performance.
Sessions center on building confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional regulation using proven tools from sport and performance psychology. Each one blends reflection, guided exercises, and real-world application tailored to your goals.
Most sessions are conducted remotely via video or phone, with practices between sessions to strengthen what we work on. In-person mental performance coaching offers deeper context and connection; reach out if you are outside the Asheville area and want to explore options.
Mental strength isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build.
Why It Matters
Every athlete and performer trains their body, refines technique, and practices strategy, but even the most prepared can fall short when the mind isn’t ready.
Mental readiness is what allows you to stay composed under pressure, recover quickly from setbacks, or believe in your abilities when it matters most. (Self-efficacy)
The goal of mental training is to bring it all together: aligning mindset, preparation, and purpose - so you can perform at your highest level with great confidence, consistency, and joy in the process.
The Four Pillars of Performance
Physical | Technical | Tactical | Mental
Most training programs focus on the first three - your body and your craft.
But without the mental pillar, the foundation is incomplete.
Mental training is what supports them all. It’s what helps you stay composed when things go wrong, adapt to challenges, and bring your best self to competition, work, and life.
Who I Work With
I work with people who are:
Excited to learn, grow, and explore new ideas
Committed to their craft and personal progression
Serious about performance, not just participation
Willing to do the mental work that complements physical training
I meet clients where they are on their unique journey, whether that’s an athlete chasing their next milestone, a coach building stronger team dynamics, or a professional learning to thrive under pressure.
I’m especially drawn to working with:
Endurance athletes (cycling, running, trail, MTB)
Youth and junior athletes navigating the transitions of sport and life
Professionals balancing high performance with demanding careers
Teams and coaches creating environments for collective success
What Clients Come to Me For
Strategies for handling pressure and performing consistently
Tools to manage pre-race anxiety, injury, or slumps
Guidance through career or life transitions
Clarity in values, purpose, and motivation
Improved focus, concentration, and sleep
Building resilience and confidence from the inside out
Creating stronger team dynamics and leadership alignment
I offer a grounded, nonjudgmental space to work through the mental demands of high performance: combining lived experience, scientific insight, and empathy for the human behind the performance.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
No two sessions are the same — individuality and context always shape the direction. Some sessions are conversational and exploratory, focused on reflection and insight. Others are more structured and skill-based, incorporating exercises designed to build mental strength and consistency.
Every session includes open dialogue and guided questions to help you gain clarity, uncover patterns, and identify strategies you can apply immediately. Depending on your goals, we may work through:
Motivation and goal refinement
Values and strengths-based profiling
Visualization and mindfulness practices
Confidence and self-talk development
Pre-performance routines and recovery strategies
Injury recovery planning and resilience building
Between sessions, you’ll often receive reflections or activities to deepen the work and I’ll share notes or session summaries so you can track what resonates most.
Mental performance coaching is always collaborative. My role is to guide, challenge, and support you as you strengthen your own tools for success.