Book Lessons with Coach Marsela

My name is Coach Marsela, and I am a mental performance coach based in Miami, Florida. I hold a Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance from Barry University, with specialization in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. I'm currently completing my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification. I'm bilingual in English and Spanish, and I'm passionate about helping athletes build the mental foundation they need to perform with confidence, resilience, and purpose, both on and off the field.

I work with athletes to strengthen the mental side of performance, the part that's often overlooked but makes all the difference. Whether you're struggling with anxiety before competition, recovering from an injury, transitioning into or out of sports, or just feel like you're not performing at your true potential, I can help! Through evidence-based mental skills like goal-setting, stress management, confidence building, and focus training, I'll give you practical tools you can use right away. My approach is personalized, supportive, and rooted in sport science.

Sessions are collaborative and tailored to what you're working through at that moment. We will start by checking in on how things have been going, in practice, competition, or life, and then move into a specific mental skill we're developing together; like pre-performance routines, visualization, or self-talk strategies. Sessions can be one-on-one or in small groups, and they're designed to feel like a conversation, not a lecture. I want you to leave every session with something concrete you can apply immediately.

I've had the opportunity to work with both collegiate and high school athletes in individual and group settings, providing sport psychology support through performance challenges and injury recovery. As a Graduate Research Assistant at Barry University and through independent practice, I've designed and delivered structured mental performance programs covering goal-setting, resilience, and performance enhancement. I also bring real-world experience from my time as a Student Athletic Trainer with Miami-Dade Public Schools and administrative healthcare experience at Baptist Hospital of Miami. I hold degrees in both Applied Sport & Exercise Science (B.S.) and Kinesiology & Human Performance (M.S.).

One of the best coaches I ever had was Rocky, my childhood cheer and dance coach who guided me for six years. She embodied what it truly means to be a coach; not just in skill development, but in the way she showed up for her athletes with genuine compassion and unwavering dedication. Rocky taught me what confidence really looks like from the inside out, not just as something you perform, but as something you deeply feel and own. She has a gift for helping young athletes discover that inner voice and learn how to express it through their performance. To this day, she remains someone I deeply admire and look up to, and her influence is a big part of why I'm so committed to giving my own athletes that same experience of feeling truly seen, supported, and empowered.

My goal is to make mental performance training feel safe, approachable, and genuinely useful, not intimidating or clinical. I understand that asking for support takes courage, and I take that trust seriously. I meet athletes where they are, whether they're a beginner or a seasoned competitor. For parents, know that I work collaboratively and keep athlete well-being at the center of everything I do. I also offer one-on-one sessions specifically for parents, giving them the tools and strategies they need to better support their child's mental performance journey at home and on the sidelines. I am also a Spanish speaker, so I'm able to connect with athletes and families who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish. My background in both sport science and hands-on athlete care means I look at the whole person, not just the performance.