Book Lessons with Coach Kalere

I have a strong athletic background and a passion for coaching. I was named First Team All-County in Howard County for basketball in 2015 and was a varsity starter for four years. My collegiate career, unfortunately, ended due to multiple concussions, but my love for the game and commitment to helping others led me to coaching.

To improve someone’s game, the first step is always to build a strong mental foundation. Resilience, confidence, and motivation are crucial to developing mental strength and maintaining peak performance. By addressing these core areas, I can help athletes face challenges with a strong mindset, stay focused under pressure, and consistently perform at their best.

I also follow the "Gold Medal Profile" (GMP), which outlines the key skills and attributes necessary for athletes to excel at the highest level, such as the Para/Olympic podium. This model, developed by Own The Podium, emphasizes three core competencies: Fundamental, Self-Regulation, and Interpersonal. These competencies form the framework for excellence, helping athletes develop the mental tools needed for sustained success.

I focus on identifying an athlete’s "why"—their purpose and motivation—and also explore where autonomy can be incorporated into their training to enhance their ownership of the process. By combining mental toughness with a structured approach to personal development, I ensure that athletes are not just physically prepared, but mentally equipped to succeed in any environment.

A typical training session with me starts with a check-in where we discuss how the athlete is feeling mentally and emotionally. This helps me assess their focus, motivation, and any challenges they may be facing. From there, we dive into mental skills training, which may include exercises focused on resilience, confidence, and self-regulation. This could involve techniques such as imagery, meditation, and visualization to help the athlete strengthen their mental game and stay calm under pressure.

I make sure the session is very interactive, allowing the athlete to actively engage with the techniques and make decisions about their development. I also incorporate aspects from the Gold Medal Profile (GMP), such as decision-making, self-awareness, and communication. Together, we work on real-life scenarios and adjust strategies that can be directly applied to their sport. The goal is to ensure the athlete not only understands the mental tools they’re learning but also how to apply them in practice and competition.

We conclude with a review of the session’s key takeaways, setting specific goals for continued improvement and creating an action plan for how to integrate the mental strategies into their sport. Ultimately, the sessions aim to leave the athlete mentally empowered, equipped with strategies they can use to maintain motivation, confidence, and focus in all areas of performance.

I began coaching high school girls' varsity basketball in 2017 and continued through 2024, where I had the honor of leading my team to an undefeated season as head coach. My journey as both an athlete and coach has shaped my approach to helping others achieve their full potential, both mentally and physically.

The best coach I ever had was my 8th-grade AAU coach. He truly understood the power of guided autonomy and positive reinforcement. Instead of focusing solely on wins or losses, he emphasized the importance of learning and growth. He allowed us to take ownership of our development while providing the support and guidance needed to succeed. This approach not only helped me improve as a player, but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the process of learning and self-improvement, both on and off the court. His influence has shaped my coaching philosophy today.

Athletes and parents should know that my background as both a former athlete and a coach gives me a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges athletes face. My personal experience, combined with my educational background in Exercise and Sport Psychology, allows me to relate to athletes on a deeper level. I was drawn to mental performance and sport psychology because I saw a gap in how mental factors are understood and addressed within athletics. My thesis and ongoing research on coaching behaviors highlight my commitment to understanding how to get everyone—coaches, parents, and teammates—on the same page to support athletes in performing at their best. My goal is to help athletes not only excel physically but also mentally, ensuring a holistic approach to their development and success.