Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Hayden
Sport Psychology–based coaching for peak performance (Remote or In-Person)
Sport Psychology–based coaching for peak performance (Remote or In-Person)
I’m a graduate student in sport psychology at Illinois State University working toward my CMPC® certification under the supervision of Dr. Scott Pierce (CMPC). I help athletes build confidence, sharpen focus, manage pressure, and develop consistent pre-performance routines using evidence-based mental skills training. My goal is to give athletes practical tools they can immediately apply in competition to perform at their best when it matters most.
Trains in Normal
Available: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
Works with all age groups
Mental-performance
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Get to know Coach Hayden
About Me:
I am a graduate student in Sport Psychology at Illinois State University working toward my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) credential through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). My work is supervised and grounded in evidence-based mental skills training.
I have experience working with collegiate student-athletes across multiple universities, helping them strengthen confidence, focus, composure, and consistency in high-pressure environments. As both a former competitive athlete and a trained sport psychology practitioner, I understand the mental demands athletes face and how to systematically train the mind for performance.
My approach is practical, structured, and built around skills that translate directly to competition.
How I can help you improve your game:
Talent and physical preparation matter — but performance often comes down to mental execution.
I help athletes:
• Build lasting confidence
• Improve focus and eliminate distractions
• Manage performance anxiety and nerves
• Develop pre-performance and reset routines
• Bounce back quickly from mistakes
• Perform consistently under pressure
Mental skills are trainable, just like strength or speed. My goal is to help athletes create repeatable mental habits that show up when the game is on the line.
What a typical training session looks like with me:
Sessions are structured, individualized, and interactive.
We begin by identifying clear performance goals and assessing current strengths and challenges. Each session focuses on one core mental skill — such as confidence training, attentional control, breathing regulation, visualization, or self-talk strategies.
Athletes practice these tools during the session and leave with a simple action plan to apply in practice and competition. We track progress over time and adjust based on performance needs.
Every session is designed to be practical and directly transferable to sport.
Career summary and accomplishments:
• Graduate student in Sport Psychology at Illinois State University
• Working toward CMPC® certification through AASP
• Supervised applied mental performance experience
• Provided mental skills coaching to collegiate student-athletes at:
– Illinois State University
– Illinois Wesleyan University
– Millikin University
– Heartland Community College
• Experience working with athletes across multiple sports
My training emphasizes ethical practice, evidence-based strategies, and long-term athlete development.
Collegiate baseball career from 2021-2025 at Kankakee Community College and Millikin University.
Best coach I ever had:
I have had a ton of great coaches and feel lucky to say I cannot choose just one. Each of them have played a part in shaping my perspectives on sport performance!
What athletes and parents should know about me:
I care deeply about athlete development — not just performance outcomes.
My coaching is structured, professional, and developmentally appropriate. I focus on building skills that support both athletic success and personal growth, including resilience, emotional regulation, and self-confidence.
I believe mental performance training should be proactive, not just reactive. We don’t just fix problems — we build systems that make athletes more consistent, composed, and confident over time.
I aim to create an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to take ownership of their performance.
Weekly Availability
Monday
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Tuesday
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Wednesday
12:00 pm - 1:00 am
Thursday
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Friday
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Saturday
1:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sunday
8:00 pm - 12:00 am
This is only general availability - more times may be available when booking!
How it works
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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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 collegiate and professional 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 and we proudly showcase a 10% acceptance rate, 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!