Mental performance isn't just about being confident or thinking positively. It's about developing the skills to perform consistently, make effective decisions, and respond to challenges when things don't go as planned.

I work with athletes to develop skills such as:

-Confidence: Building trust in your abilities and preparation rather than relying solely on results.

-Attentional Control: Learning to manage distractions, stay present, and focus on what matters.

-Performance Under Pressure: Developing strategies to manage nerves, expectations, and high-pressure situations.

-Self-Talk: Recognizing unproductive thought patterns and developing more effective internal dialogue.

-Emotional Regulation: Managing frustration, mistakes, and setbacks without allowing them to dictate your performance.

-Response Control: Learning to respond intentionally rather than reacting automatically when challenges arise.

Rather than simply talking about these concepts, we'll develop strategies specific to your sport and practice applying them in real training and competition situations.

The goal isn't perfection. It's building the awareness, adaptability, and mental skills to perform effectively regardless of the circumstances.

Every session is individualized based on your sport, goals, experiences, and current challenges.

We'll typically begin by discussing recent training or competition experiences, identifying what's going well, and exploring areas where you're experiencing difficulty. From there, we'll focus on developing a specific mental performance skill, such as attentional control, confidence, self-talk, or managing pressure.

Sessions are interactive and application-based. Depending on your needs, we may use reflection exercises, performance scenarios, mental skills drills, or strategies designed around situations you regularly encounter in your sport.

I also believe the most important part of mental performance training happens outside of our sessions. You'll leave with practical strategies and exercises to implement during practices, competitions, or everyday situations.

As we continue working together, we'll evaluate what's effective, make adjustments, and build upon previously developed skills.

My goal is for you to understand not only what you're practicing, but why it matters and how to use it independently when you need it most.

My background combines advanced education in sport and performance psychology, collegiate and competitive athletic experience, and professional coaching and leadership. Having experienced athletics from both the competitor and coach perspectives, I bring a well-rounded understanding of the physical, mental, and emotional demands of sport.

Education & Professional Development

- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Sport and Performance Psychology

- Master's Degree in Sport Science

- Bachelor's Degree in Health Science

- Bachelor's Degree in Sport Science

- Currently studying for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)

- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification

Athletic Background

- Collegiate competitive swimmer and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifier

- Grew up playing competitive soccer, developing a foundation in teamwork, communication, discipline, and competitive performance

- Competitive CrossFit athlete with experience competing in local, regional, and large-scale competitions

- Competed at Wodapalooza in 2023, one of the most recognized competitive fitness events

- Extensive experience in strength and conditioning, functional fitness, and high-intensity competitive environments

My athletic experiences have given me firsthand exposure to the mental demands of competition, including managing performance expectations, maintaining confidence, responding to setbacks, navigating competitive pressure, and balancing preparation with execution. Competing in both individual and team environments has shaped my understanding of how mental performance demands differ across sports and athletes.

Professional Experience

- Regional Operator Director at CrossFit Main Line, overseeing gym operations, coaching development, and athlete/member experience across multiple locations

- Founder of Mental Engine Athletics, a mental performance training business focused on developing practical, sport-specific mental skills

- Experience coaching individuals across a wide range of ages, athletic backgrounds, and competitive experience levels

- Development of structured mental performance programming focused on confidence, attentional control, emotional regulation, self-talk, decision-making, and performance under pressure

My professional focus is on bridging the gap between sport psychology research and practical application. I believe effective mental performance training goes beyond understanding psychological concepts. It requires athletes to consistently practice, apply, and refine those skills within the demands of their sport. My goal is to help athletes develop the awareness, adaptability, and mental skills necessary to perform effectively and take ownership of their continued development.

One of the best and most influential coaches I've ever had was Greg Parker, one of my summer swim coaches growing up. He was also one of the toughest coaches I've ever trained under. While it may have been "just summer swimming," the lessons I learned from him extended far beyond the pool and helped shape the discipline, work ethic, and mentality I carry with me today.

There's one practice in particular that I'll never forget. It was cold, pouring rain, and one by one, everyone started getting out of the pool to head inside for a hot shower. Eventually, I was the only swimmer left. I remember thinking that I was already wet, so what difference did a little more rain make?

What stuck with me wasn't necessarily that I stayed in the pool, but that Greg stayed out there with me. He stood on the pool deck, without an umbrella, in the pouring rain, continuing to watch, coach, and push me through the practice. He could have easily called it a day, but he didn't. As long as I was willing to put in the work, he was willing to stand there and coach me through it.

Looking back, that moment taught me more than I probably realized at the time. It taught me that discipline isn't about doing the work when conditions are perfect or when you're feeling motivated. It's about showing up and following through when things are uncomfortable, inconvenient, or difficult. It also taught me what it means to be a committed coach. Greg didn't just expect effort from his athletes; he demonstrated that same level of commitment himself.

I think about that experience often, especially now that I'm on the coaching side of things. Greg challenged me, held me accountable, and never confused being supportive with making things easy. He showed me that a great coach doesn't have to be the easiest coach, but someone who genuinely cares enough to challenge you and is willing to put in the work alongside you.

That philosophy has had a lasting influence on how I approach both athletics and coaching. I want the athletes I work with to know that I'll challenge them, hold them accountable, and expect them to put in the effort, but I'll also be right there supporting them through the process.

Years later, I couldn't tell you what times I swam at that particular practice, but I can still picture Greg standing on that pool deck in the rain. To me, that's the impact a great coach can have. Sometimes the most important lessons have very little to do with the sport itself.

I'm not just someone who studies sport psychology. I've experienced the demands of competitive athletics firsthand, from growing up playing soccer and qualifying for PSAC championships as a collegiate swimmer to competing in CrossFit at Wodapalooza in 2023.

I understand what it's like to put in the work physically and still struggle with the mental side of performance. That experience, combined with my doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology, shapes how I approach coaching.

I'm direct, supportive, and honest with the athletes I work with. I believe in challenging athletes while creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and learning from their experiences.

One thing I emphasize is that mental performance training isn't about eliminating nerves, never making mistakes, or always feeling confident. It's about developing the skills to navigate those experiences effectively.

I don't believe in quick fixes or motivational speeches that sound great but don't translate into performance. I believe in practical strategies, consistent effort, and helping athletes understand the WHY behind what they're doing.

Above all, I want athletes to become more independent, self-aware, and confident in their ability to handle challenges. My goal isn't to create athletes who need a mental performance coach forever. It's to give them the tools to eventually coach themselves through the challenges they face.