Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Gia

During high school, I transferred to a private college prep school that was once considered the worst team in the conference. In just two years, I helped lead the team to make history by winning the first-ever back to back championships in the school's history. This success earned me a full athletic scholarship to Howard University, where I was part of a historic team that won the MEAC conference championship. We made even more history by securing the first NCAA tournament victory through a play-in game, solidifying our place in the record books. My athletic journey has been defined by perseverance, teamwork, and a commitment to making history at every level.

To help someone improve their game, I start by conducting a thorough intake to understand their current performance, mental state, and specific challenges they’re facing. This includes discussing their strengths, weaknesses, goals, and any mental roadblocks hindering their growth. I assess their mindset, confidence, focus, and resilience, as well as their physical and tactical skills.

From there, I create a personalized intervention plan, tailoring strategies to their unique needs. For teams, I might focus on building cohesion, communication, and collective mental resilience. For individuals, interventions could include mental toughness techniques, stress management, visualization, or concentration exercises. I implement regular feedback loops to track progress and adjust strategies as needed, ensuring continuous improvement in both their mental game and physical performance. Ultimately, the goal is to empower them with the tools and mindset to elevate their game, whether on the court or in high-pressure situations.

Icebreaker (5-10 minutes): To create a comfortable and engaging environment, we start with an icebreaker. This could be a simple team-building exercise or a short mental game to get everyone involved and relaxed.

Overview (5-10 minutes): We begin by discussing the focus of the session—whether it's building confidence, managing pressure, improving focus, or any other key area. I make sure everyone understands the importance of the topic and how it connects to their performance.

Psycho-Education (15-20 minutes): I introduce the mental performance concept or strategy for the session. This could involve explaining techniques like visualization, mindfulness, or mental toughness. I provide context on how it can enhance performance and real-life examples of its effectiveness.

Activity (15-20 minutes): We then move into an activity that aligns with the psycho-education. This could be a visualization exercise, a breathing technique, or a team challenge that requires applying the mental strategy discussed. The goal is to make it interactive and directly applicable to their performance.

Debrief (10-15 minutes): After the activity, we gather for a debrief to discuss what was learned, how the exercise felt, and what insights were gained. I guide the group through how to implement these mental techniques in their everyday training and competition, ensuring they understand the practical application of what they’ve learned.

The best coach I ever had was my AAU coach. He had an incredible ability to stay calm and composed, even when we were down in a game. No matter the situation, he knew exactly how to guide us out of it without making us feel pressured or stressed. His steady leadership taught me the power of maintaining mental clarity under pressure, a lesson that has stuck with me both on and off the court.

I believe in building a strong mental foundation for athletes, one that empowers them to overcome challenges, stay focused, and perform at their highest level. My approach is rooted in personal experience—having played at every level, from youth to collegiate basketball—and my background in sports psychology, where I learned how to tailor interventions to the unique needs of each athlete. I work to create an environment where athletes can thrive, not just as players, but as individuals. My goal is to help them break through mental roadblocks, stay resilient under pressure, and reach their full potential, on and off the field.