Book Lessons with Coach Don
I coach athletes to master the mental and physical game — preparing them to succeed under any coach, against any opponent.
I’m a private Mental Performance Coach who trains athletes not just to perform — but to understand the game, the people around them, and most importantly, themselves. I focus on speed, strength, and the psychology of performance, preparing athletes to thrive under any coaching style — even the ones they don’t like. Because let’s face it — not every coach is going to be your favorite. But every situation is an opportunity. I help athletes find perspective, stay locked in, and take ownership of their growth. From reading teammates and opponents to building discipline and confidence, I turn mental skills into game-day weapons. And to keep progress clear, I send every athlete personalized evaluations by email — so they’re always one step ahead, mentally and physically.
Trains in Torrance
Works with all age groups
Mental performance, Football
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This coach is unavailable for new bookings
Get to know Coach Don
About Me:
I’m Don Walker — a former D-1 Wrestler and overseas American Football Player, veteran coach, and Mental Performance Coach with a background in strength, speed, and mindset training. With years of experience coaching wrestling, football, and developing athletes both physically and mentally, I bring a unique approach that blends discipline, perspective, and peak performance psychology.
How I can help you improve your game:
I help athletes build more than just physical skill — I train your mindset. I teach you how to thrive under any coach, handle pressure, and develop leadership, focus, and mental toughness. Whether you’re trying to get faster, stronger, or smarter on the field, I create a plan that brings out your best — and I send follow-up evaluations to track your growth every step of the way.
What a typical training session looks like with me:
Each session starts with a focus check-in — mentally locking in your goals — followed by dynamic warmups and tailored drills for speed, strength, and footwork. We’ll break down game situations, and finish with competitive reps, mindset conditioning, and short mental reset routines. You’ll leave sharper, faster, and more locked in than you came.
Career summary and accomplishments:
Former Division I athlete with a B.A. in Mass Communications and over a decade of experience coaching and mentoring youth. I’ve served as Head Coach for national-level wrestling teams, coached internationally, and helped athletes develop both physically and mentally. I’m also a published author, professional screenwriter, and certified in leadership development through my work with the U.S. Army overseas.
Best coach I ever had:
My High School Wrestling coach - The best coach I ever had didn’t just teach technique — he taught mindset. He held me accountable, pushed me past my limits, and made sure I understood the why behind everything. That approach stuck with me and influences how I coach today — tough, thoughtful, and built on trust.
What athletes and parents should know about me:
I’m here to do more than coach — I’m here to develop. I care about the athlete as a whole: their confidence, their mindset, and how they handle adversity. I will challenge your athlete, build them up, and prepare them to succeed — not just in the game, but in life. I also provide regular feedback so parents and athletes stay in the loop and can track real progress.
Weekly Availability
Monday
Unavailable
Tuesday
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
1:00 am - 2:00 am
Wednesday
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
1:00 am - 2:00 am
Thursday
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
1:00 am - 2:00 am
Friday
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
1:00 am - 2:00 am
Saturday
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sunday
Unavailable
This is only general availability - more times may be available when booking!
How it works
Find a Coach
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Book Lessons
Book and schedule your lessons through our platform.
Start Training
Meet your coach in-person or virtually, and start chasing down your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact a coach?
If you’re looking to message a coach for the first time, go to their profile and click “Send a Message”. A type box will show, where you can enter and send your message. To follow up with a coach you've already contacted, log into your account and find the 'Inbox' tab. You'll see your message history and be able to send another note.
How do I book lessons?
Once you find a coach that fits your needs, go to their profile, select the package you'd like to purchase, and click 'Book Lessons'. Here, you can reserve your desired number of lessons along with the number of athletes who will be training. After sessions are booked, coordinate the dates/times for each session on your calendar - using the calendar is important since this is how your coach will get paid.
Can I pay my coach via Venmo or cash?
Paying AU coaches via cash, Venmo, or any 3rd party is strictly prohibited. AU coaches know this, but their partnership with us is to split all bookings 80/20 - so coaches keep 80%. We use our 20% to help them find clients & manage their business. Without the split, we wouldn't be able to help our coaches & community thrive!
What if I don't feel comfortable paying online?
We integrate with Stripe - the largest & most secure payment processor in the US - to facilitate bookings. Paying online is required, and it simplifies the process for our coaches since it helps track their schedule & earnings in one place. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our support team.
Where will the coach hold their lessons?
Each coach typically has at least one preferred training location. You can see the location(s) by going to your coach's profile and finding the 'Training Locations' section. If a coach doesn't have locations listed here, you can message the coach to see where they train. Some coaches are willing to travel to clients for lessons, or even meet halfway.
When is the coach available to train?
Each coach sets their own schedule for training. You can see a coach's general availability by going to their profile and finding the 'Availability' section - it will list the days and times. If a coach doesn't post their availability, or if your preferred coach doesn't have your desired times available but you want to double check, message them to see if they can work with your schedule.
How do rescheduling, cancellations, and lesson credits work?
Good Fit Guarantee — If your first lesson isn't the right fit, we'll move your lesson credit to a new coach. No hassle.
Easy rescheduling — Cancel or reschedule up to 4 hours before a lesson, no questions asked.
Coach no-shows — You'll be fully credited and we'll help you find a replacement.
Flexible credits — Unused lessons last 12 months and can be used with any coach on the platform.
Questions? Our team is here to help. View our policies.
Do coaches work with both kids & adults?
Our coaches are open to helping athletes of any age and skill level. Please message your desired coach to ensure their skillset fits your needs.
Why should I trust AU and their coaches over other platforms?
AU was created by former college and pro athletes. We understand the benefits of training with a private coach. It develops discipline, boosts confidence, and provides an undeniable advantage - whether you are just learning the game or looking to earn a college scholarship. All AU coaches are required to pass a thorough onboarding process + background check, so you can trust you're training with the best.
At the end of the day, our mission is to provide athletes with better opportunities to succeed through coaching. You won't find a platform, and group of dedicated specialists, more excited to help you achieve your athletic goals!