Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Melanie

I have always been active and love the value each player holds to create a successful team. Varsity basketball was my favorite sport, and I was being groomed to play in college. As I reflect on those years, I wish I had an adult in my life who saw the strength our minds have over succeeding in a physical capacity. My basketball dream ended when my ACL ruptured at a time when Sports Medicine was not a strong profession to help heal, overcome, and continue pursuing your dream. This injury led me to fall absolutely in love with mountain biking (nonweight bearing), and I began to compete in local races with podium finishes. As I aged, my body craved more functional fitness: CrossFit. Mastering foundational body movements gained my confidence to learn to snowboard in my 40s and wake surf, and now I will pretty much try anything once!

Trust and rapport between myself and the athlete will be our foundation. I love humor, active listening, and non-judging energy. Mentality coaching can help improve an athlete's game by building confidence in their self-regulation ability to create clarity and confidence under pressure. The brain is trainable, just like a muscle. Let's do it!

Our initial session will cover an intake form and explore a wellness wheel to discover low-hanging fruit and find a mental path to strengthen. We will explore the root of negative self-talk, boundaries, word choices, stress, and self-regulation. Values will be instrumental in deepening self-determination, autonomy, and relatedness. Inner Critic work has a significant impact on self-talk and neuroplasticity. After the initial call, the athlete will have homework to help stretch and feel sticky to discover where the growth can be found and when/how to apply it. Intrinsic motivation will show us which direction is helpful to continue deepening our work to achieve long-term sustainable change.

I have had multiple coaches: diving team, softball, basketball, mountain biking, and my favorite is my CrossFit coach, Gary Helmick. Gary can give every person in the gym a sense of being seen. He sees potential in me that I did not even recognize and knows how to deepen my confidence in my body's ability while getting my mind out of my way. When I coach clients, one of my key thoughts to follow in a session is, "What are you doing that may be getting in the way of your own goal?" Gary has helped me answer that very question for myself, and at times, I did not even know it was happening until I achieved my goal.

Melanie is a happy mom of two active and sports-minded teenage sons, a compassionate and dedicated National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, a Nutrition Coach, and a Menopause Coach residing in Ellicott City, Maryland. She has a Master of Arts in Health and Wellness Coaching from the prestigious Maryland University of Integrative Health and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a Minor in Athletic Training. Melanie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her clients.

Her mentality and wellness coaching approach are rooted in co-creation and partnership, emphasizing the importance of client autonomy and self-discovery. Melanie is a skilled motivator, using motivational interviewing, open-ended questions, and reflections to help her clients tap into their inner strength and potential.