Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Dom

I began my journey at Ohio Dominican University as a walk-on during the program’s inaugural year at the Division II level. As part of the foundational recruiting class, I played a key role in building a program that culminated in a GLIAC Championship and the school’s first Division II playoff berth during my senior year. Starting as a freshman, I earned a spot on special teams and steadily progressed to become a starter at safety.

Following my sophomore year, my hard work and dedication were recognized with a scholarship. Around the same time, I began stepping into leadership roles, helping to elevate both myself and the team. As a senior, I transitioned from safety to nickel and weakside linebacker, earning All-Conference honors for my on-field performance and academic accolades for my success off the field.

Accolades:

- 2013 GLIAC Champion

- 2013 All-GLIAC Linebacker

- 2013 First Team Academic All-District

- 2013 Second Team Academic All-American

- 2013 GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team

- Three-time GLIAC Academic Excellence Award recipient

I take a personalized approach to coaching, tailoring my methods to meet the unique needs of each athlete. By identifying their individual strengths and weaknesses, I create a customized program designed to help them reach their full potential. While there are fundamental tools that enhance daily performance for everyone, we also build upon the innate abilities that make each athlete unique.

The areas of improvement vary for each athlete, but the most significant transformations I typically see include enhanced daily discipline, sharper focus, reduced anxiety, increased confidence, and a deeper understanding of what is truly within their control. I firmly believe that by focusing on daily disciplines, mastering the controllables, and maintaining intentional focus, athletes can unlock a new level of confidence and performance.

Training sessions are tailored to the athlete's unique needs, but one thing remains consistent: they are built on open communication. Feedback before, during, and after each session is essential to ensure we stay on the right path toward unlocking the athlete's full potential.

Each session typically begins with a review of the previous session, including any growth, challenges, or unresolved issues that may have surfaced. From there, we dive into the core of the coaching session, which could involve introducing new tools or concepts, addressing specific struggles, or focusing on new priorities that arise.

We conclude every session with clear action steps for the athlete to implement and reflect on before the next session. These steps are critical, as they allow the athlete to practice what they've learned, build daily disciplines, and prepare for high-pressure situations. Without actionable follow-through, coaching loses its effectiveness, and athletes miss the opportunity to fully realize their potential.

I encourage consistent communication between sessions. If challenges arise, don’t wait—reach out so we can address the hurdle in real-time and continue building momentum. Each session is a step forward, and consistent communication ensures we keep progressing together.

Throughout my journey as an athlete, I’ve had the privilege of learning from many coaches across a variety of sports. Each coach challenged and shaped me in unique ways, starting with my soccer club coach at age nine, my middle school football coach, and continuing through my collegiate athletic career.

I don’t believe there was a single “best” coach; each was exceptional in their own way, suited to the time, place, and sport I was in. Their diverse techniques, whether successful or not, provided me with invaluable insights and helped shape the person I am today.

If I were to highlight two coaches who left the greatest impact, it would be Ed Niper, my middle school football coach, and Kelly Cummings, my college defensive coordinator. Both stood out because they took the time to truly understand me—what motivated me, what made me “tick,” and how to bring out my best. By tailoring their approach to who I was as both an athlete and a person, they helped me excel in sports and in life during those pivotal moments.

I hold myself and others to the highest standards because the standard is non-negotiable. Accountability is the cornerstone of success, and I’m committed to fostering an environment where accountability drives exceptional performance. Actions speak louder than words—don’t just tell me how great you want to be; show me through your actions.

I’m passionate about exploring and addressing mental barriers, utilizing a range of proven tools and techniques to help individuals overcome obstacles and unlock their potential.

Each session is thoughtfully designed to support the athlete's growth and improvement. While we’ll create a tailored plan before starting, I remain adaptable to shift our focus as needed to address new challenges or priorities. Your progress is my priority, and flexibility ensures we make the most of every session.