Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Drew

Hi, I’m Drew Werner, a mental performance coach and doctoral student in sport and performance psychology. I help athletes build the mindset, confidence, and consistency needed to perform at their best—whether they’re competing, recovering from injury, or navigating the ups and downs of sport.

My approach blends evidence-based mental skills training with a supportive, athlete-centered style. I use tools like goal setting, imagery, focus strategies, emotional regulation, and acceptance-based practices to help you sharpen your mental game and perform with purpose. I communicate openly, meet you where you are, and work collaboratively to build skills that translate into both sport and life.

I’ve worked with athletes across levels and sports, including middle, high school, collegiate, professional, and recreational athletes. Some examples of sports that I have worked with include tennis, golf, wrestling, deaf sports, endurance, baseball/softball, and injured athletes. I’m currently completing the practicum hours required for professional certification. No matter your experience or challenges, I’m here to help you show up as your strongest, most resilient self.

If you’re ready to elevate your performance from the inside out, let’s get started.

As your mental performance coach, I help you strengthen the mental side of sport so you can show up consistently, confidently, and ready to perform. Together, we’ll work on skills that make your game smoother, your mindset stronger, and your performance more intentional. Here’s what that can look like:

• Build unshakeable confidence

Develop evidence-based confidence strategies so you can trust your training, respond to setbacks, and compete with purpose.

• Sharpen focus and decision-making

Learn how to manage distractions, stay locked in during key moments, and make better, faster decisions under pressure.

• Strengthen emotional regulation

Gain tools to handle frustration, nerves, and momentum shifts so you stay composed—even when things get chaotic.

• Increase consistency in training and performance

Use goal-setting, routine development, and accountability strategies to turn “good days” into “your normal.”

• Navigate injury, return-to-play, or transitions

Work through confidence dips, identity challenges, and fear of re-injury with support grounded in sport psychology research.

• Enhance motivation and enjoyment

Reconnect with what drives you, build habits that support your growth, and reignite the joy and meaning in your sport.

• Develop resilient, sustainable performance

Integrate acceptance-based skills (ACT principles) to help you perform well even when thoughts, emotions, or circumstances aren’t perfect.

No matter your age, level, or sport, my role is to help you compete with clarity, confidence, and a mindset built for long-term success—on and off the field.

Each mental performance coaching session lasts 45–60 minutes and takes place virtually, giving you flexibility to train your mind from anywhere. Sessions are designed to be collaborative, supportive, and tailored to your specific performance goals.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A check-in to see how you’re doing

We start each session with a brief conversation about your week, recent training or competition, and anything on your mind.

• Athlete-led discussion

You guide the direction. We talk through whatever you feel is most important—challenges, successes, confidence shifts, focus struggles, motivation, or anything affecting your training or performance.

• Skill development based on your needs

I introduce evidence-based mental skills (like goal setting, imagery, focus strategies, emotional regulation, confidence tools, or ACT-based techniques) that directly match what you’re experiencing. You’ll leave each session with one or two practical tools to apply right away.

• Guided practice

We often practice skills together—imagery reps, breathing strategies, grounding tools, routines, or performance simulations—so you know exactly how to use them when it counts.

• Action steps for the week

You’ll get simple, realistic takeaways to integrate the skill into your training, recovery, or daily life. This helps build consistency and long-term growth.

• Ongoing progress tracking

Across sessions, we revisit goals, refine skills, and adjust strategies as your performance evolves.

• Minimum 10-session commitment

Mental skills grow like physical skills—they build over time. A minimum of 10 sessions allows us to develop a strong foundation, reinforce habits, and help you apply these tools in real performance environments.

• A confidential, supportive space

You get a judgment-free place to talk through the mental side of your sport, explore challenges honestly, and develop strategies that fit you, not a one-size-fits-all model.

The best coach I've ever had is a coach that listens and works together as a team. This trust and believes in in who you are and works with you to create the best athlete you can be. This coach knows how and when to coach and lets you figure out how to perform task to your best ability.

I’m based in Chicago, where I live with my spouse and our three kids—so I understand the juggling act of sports, school, family, and everything in between. I grew up in Michigan, competed in sports my whole life, and have spent my career helping athletes stay healthy, confident, and connected to what they love about competing.

Right now, I’m completing my supervised hours as I work toward earning my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential. This means everything I do is grounded in best practices, professional standards, and ongoing guidance from certified, experienced mentors in the field.

A few things I want every athlete and parent to know:

Your goals drive the work. Sessions are collaborative, supportive, and tailored to what you want to accomplish.

You’ll have a safe, judgment-free space to talk about challenges, stressors, or confidence dips that might be tough to express elsewhere.

I take a whole-athlete approach. Your mental skills, physical demands, environment, and personal life all matter.

Communication is clear and athlete-centered. You’ll always know the purpose behind what we’re doing and how it supports performance.

Mental training is a process. Just like physical training, it takes time, consistency, and practice—but the results are long-lasting and meaningful.

Above all, I care deeply about helping athletes perform with confidence, resilience, and joy—whether they’re chasing PRs, competing at the elite level, or simply wanting to feel more in control of their sport experience.