Greatness Starts in Your Head
What is Mental Performance?
Mental Performance Consulting/Coaching is a field that focuses on helping athletes improve their mental and emotional well-being, enhance performance, and overcome challenges in their sport through psychological techniques and strategies. This area of sports psychology blends mental skills training with psychological principles to help athletes develop the mindset needed to excel in their sport and in life.
Mental Toughness:
Helping athletes develop resilience, focus, and determination in the face of adversity or pressure situations. Techniques like visualization, self-talk, and mindfulness are often used to strengthen mental toughness.
Confidence Building:
Helping athletes believe in their abilities and maintain a positive mindset, even when facing setbacks or difficulties (e.g., coming back from injury or managing competition nerves).
Focus and Concentration:
Training athletes to stay present and maintain focus during competition or practice, blocking out distractions and enhancing their ability to execute skills under pressure.
Goal Setting:
Teaching athletes how to set effective, realistic, and motivating short-term and long-term goals that keep them on track and provide a sense of direction and purpose.
Emotional Regulation:
Teaching athletes how to manage emotions, such as anxiety, frustration, or anger, which can negatively impact their performance. This often involves mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, or breathing strategies.
Visualization & Imagery:
Helping athletes use their imagination to rehearse successful performances can build confidence and reduce anxiety. Visualization can enhance motor skills and performance by creating vivid mental images of success.
Stress Management:
Guiding athletes on how to manage stress, especially in high-pressure situations, to avoid burnout and fatigue while maintaining peak performance.
Overcoming Mental Barriers:
Addressing mental blocks, self-doubt, fear of failure, or performance anxiety may prevent athletes from reaching their full potential.
Benefits of Mental Performance Coaching
Improved Performance: By strengthening mental skills, athletes can perform at a higher level, even under pressure.
Increased Confidence: Athletes develop belief in their abilities, helping them perform consistently well.
Better Focus: Athletes can block out distractions and stay in the "zone," enhancing concentration during key moments.
Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Helps athletes stay calm and composed during competition, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.
Resilience: Teaches athletes how to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward.
Enhanced Team Dynamics: In team sports, improved communication and leadership skills can enhance overall team performance.
“I don’t feel like I need MP Coaching”
Why Mental Performance Consulting is Beneficial for Athletes at Any Age or Level
Mental performance consulting isn’t just for athletes who are struggling with roadblocks; it’s for any athlete looking to elevate their performance and reach their full potential. Whether you’re trying to make it to the next level of competition or simply improve your current performance, mental performance coaching helps athletes stay focused, confident, and resilient, regardless of external circumstances.
By developing mental skills like focus, confidence, and resilience, athletes of all ages and levels are better equipped to succeed in both their athletic and personal lives. Mental performance consulting isn’t just a tool for overcoming challenges—it’s a pathway to sustained success and personal growth.
Mental Performance Consulting Benefits ALL Athletes
Improves Focus and Concentration
Athletes face countless distractions, whether from the crowd, the environment, or internal pressures. A mental performance consultant can teach techniques like mindfulness and concentration strategies that help athletes stay focused during competition. This skill enables athletes to make better decisions and execute their skills with precision.Boosts Confidence and Self-Belief
Negative self-talk can be a major barrier to success. Mental performance consulting helps athletes recognize and reframe negative thoughts, replacing them with positive affirmations and mental imagery. This boosts their confidence, empowering them to trust in their abilities and perform at their best, regardless of the circumstances.Manages Stress and Anxiety
Competitive environments can be mentally and physically demanding. Learning stress management techniques, such as relaxation exercises and breathing techniques, can help athletes control performance-related anxiety, stay calm under pressure, and perform when it matters most. These strategies are crucial for athletes at all levels, from youth sports to collegiate athletics.Enhances Motivation and Goal Setting
Setting clear, achievable goals is essential for progression in sports. Mental performance consultants help athletes identify both short-term and long-term goals, creating a roadmap to success. This not only boosts motivation but also fosters a sense of purpose and direction, keeping athletes committed to their training and performance.Develops Mental Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, whether it's a tough loss, injury, or any challenge that comes your way. Mental performance consultants teach athletes how to stay composed during difficult times, helping them maintain focus and motivation when the going gets tough.Adapts to Different Situations
Every game and competition is different. Mental performance training helps athletes adjust their mindset to the demands of various game situations, opponents, and environments. This adaptability is crucial in both team sports and individual competitions.
7. Promotes Better Decision-Making
In high-pressure situations, the ability to make quick, effective decisions can set athletes apart. Mental performance consulting helps athletes manage their emotions and stay focused, allowing them to make better decisions, whether it’s during a crucial play or managing their energy levels over the course of a season.
Why Work With KC?
As a former collegiate athlete, I understand firsthand the challenges and pressures that come with competing at a high level. I’ve been in your shoes—feeling the highs of victory and the lows of setbacks. But it’s not just my athletic background that makes me a valuable resource. My combination of education, experience, and passion for mental performance sets me apart and equips me with the tools to help you perform at your best, both on and off the field.
A Unique Blend of Experience & Education
Firsthand Experience: As a former collegiate athlete, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of sports at the highest level. I know what it's like to struggle with confidence, face pressure, and push through mental blocks. I’ve been where you are, and I can relate to your journey.
Educational Foundation: With a Master's degree in Exercise and Sport Psychology, a Bachelor's in Psychology, and ongoing studies toward a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I bring both depth and breadth of knowledge in the mental performance field. I understand the intricacies of the mind-body connection, and I apply evidence-based strategies to optimize your performance and well-being.
Certified Expertise in the Making: I am currently pursuing certification as a Mental Performance Consultant, ensuring that my practices are grounded in the most current and effective methodologies.
Proven Track Record in Coaching & Consulting
9 Years of Experience: I’ve spent nearly a decade coaching athletes and working with individuals, including my role as a Mental Performance Consultant at Temple University. Through this experience, I’ve helped athletes overcome performance anxiety, manage stress, and enhance mental resilience, enabling them to perform at their peak in high-stakes situations.
Comprehensive Approach: I specialize in individual and group consulting, as well as delivering dynamic presentations. Whether you're an individual athlete or part of a team, I provide tailored solutions that address your unique mental performance needs.
Research-Backed Insights
Coaching Behaviors & Burnout: My research experience includes exploring coaching behaviors that foster mental toughness and understanding the factors that contribute to burnout. These insights help me identify and mitigate the mental barriers that can prevent you from achieving your goals.
Transitioning Out of Sport: I also have extensive knowledge of the psychological challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sport. This experience is invaluable in helping athletes manage their identity, find purpose beyond their sport, and avoid the emotional pitfalls that can accompany major life changes.
Why This Matters for You:
Customized Strategies: With my background and expertise, I can create personalized mental performance plans that align with your goals and challenges. Whether it's building confidence, managing performance anxiety, or staying focused under pressure, I have the tools to help you succeed.
Holistic Approach: I take a holistic approach that considers both the mental and emotional aspects of your performance. You’ll not only enhance your game but also improve your overall mental well-being and resilience.
Real Results: You’ll work with someone who not only has the technical knowledge but also the practical experience to help you achieve tangible improvements in your performance. My track record in coaching, consulting, and research speaks to the effectiveness of the methods I use.
Support Through Transitions: If you’re dealing with the stress of injury, burnout, or transitioning out of your sport, I’m here to help you navigate these challenges, ensuring that you come out stronger on the other side.
stand out.
The Bottom Line: Mental Performance Consulting Takes Athletes to the Next Level
It is the Key to Unlocking Your Potential
According to Sports News Medicine, a relatively small percentage of athletes, typically around 17%, specialize in a single sport by the age of 12, often in sports like tennis, swimming, or gymnastics. While early specialization can offer certain advantages, it can also lead to burnout due to the intense training demands, repetitive motions, and constant pressure to perform at a high level. This kind of stress can cause mental strain and significantly decrease enjoyment, ultimately impacting an athlete's long-term success.
Now, consider this: the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reports that approximately 8 million students participate in high school sports each year in the United States, but only about 495,000—roughly 6%—will go on to compete at NCAA schools (NCAA Recruiting Facts, 2024). Even more staggering is the fact that less than 2% of NCAA student-athletes will go on to become professional athletes (NCAA Recruiting Facts).
With these numbers in mind, it's clear that the path to success is both competitive and mentally challenging. As a Mental Performance Consultant, I work with athletes at every level to not only enhance their physical skills but also strengthen their mental resilience. Whether you're dealing with burnout, performance anxiety, or just striving to take your game to the next level, I can help you navigate these challenges and optimize your mental approach. My tailored strategies provide the mental tools needed for athletes to stay focused, enjoy the game, and perform at their highest potential—no matter where they are in their journey.
Pricing
$60 per session via Zoom or in-person
In-person sessions are only available in Philadelphia, DE, and MD
Took book an in-person session, email clearmindsmp@yahoo.com to receive the location information
Payments will be made through Square
Once CMPC Certification is obtained, prices will increase
About KC
Growing up, I was always active, playing soccer and basketball until I was 14. At that point, I decided to specialize in basketball, a sport that would shape my life in more ways than one. However, my journey wasn’t without its challenges. Throughout my playing career, I faced adversity, and I did so without the guidance on resilience that I now know is essential to overcoming obstacles. My basketball career came to an abrupt end during my sophomore year of college when multiple concussions and a heart arrhythmia forced me to walk away from the game I loved.
In 2020, I graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and, since 2016, had been coaching AAU and high school varsity basketball. Coaching quickly became my passion, and I found great fulfillment in helping athletes develop not only their skills but also their mental toughness. My experiences in coaching and personal challenges led me to pursue my Master’s in Exercise and Sport Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which I completed in 2022.
However, life took an unexpected turn when my mother was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and autonomic functions. I put my career on hold to care for her, teaching health and PE at various schools during that time. Sadly, in June 2024, my mother passed away. She was not only my biggest supporter but also an All-American athlete herself. Her voice would always cut through the crowd, pushing me to get back up whenever I fell. Losing her was the hardest moment of my life, but the day she passed, I made a vow to both her and myself: I would get up, just as she always encouraged me to do.
Two weeks after her passing, I returned to my passion for mental performance and began my certification hours at Temple University, working with athletes from all walks of life and various teams. I knew that helping others overcome their mental barriers and find resilience would be my way of honoring my mother’s legacy and pushing forward in my own life.
Now, as I continue on my journey as a Mental Performance Consultant, I am committed to helping athletes of all levels develop the mental strength, confidence, and resilience needed to succeed—on and off the field. My personal experiences with adversity, coupled with my educational background and coaching expertise, allow me to offer unique and meaningful support to those striving to reach their full potential.
