Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Taylor

Hi I'm Taylor! I grew up in San Diego, California surrounded by sports trying a little bit of everything - soccer, dance, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, and softball - before naturally gravitating toward volleyball as my primary sport. As a competitive athlete, I spent over ten years playing elite-level club volleyball, gaining firsthand experience with the pressures, expectations, and the mental demands that come with high-level competition. Those experiences sparked my interest in understanding not only how athletes train physically, but how they prepare mentally to perform at their best when it matters most.

My professional philosophy is rooted in the belief that mental performance is a skill that can be trained just like strength, speed, or technique. I tailor each session to the athletes needs, which often includes helping athletes build confidence, improve their focus, emotional control, and resilience so they can respond effectively to adversity and pressure. During our sessions together, my goal is to create a supportive, challenging, and growth-oriented environment where athletes learn how to reset, refocus, and perform their best in every moment, in sport and in life.

I help athletes elevate their performance by strengthening the mental side of their game, the piece that often makes the difference when physical ability is no longer the limiting factor. Together, we build skills like focus, confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience so you can stay composed under pressure, respond effectively to adversity, and trust your training in high-stakes moments. I also help you develop awareness around your thoughts and patterns, so you’re not just reacting, you’re intentionally choosing how you show up. The goal is to help you compete freely, consistently, and at a level that reflects your true capabilities.

A typical session is collaborative, individualized, and tailored to your sport and current needs. We’ll start by identifying what’s showing up for you, whether it’s nerves, overthinking, confidence dips, or inconsistency, then work through targeted mental skills like visualization, self-talk, emotional regulation, and performance routines.

Sessions can be held virtually or in person, depending on location. When we’re in person, we may integrate your sport directly into the session, allowing you to apply mental skills in real time while you train or compete. This often enhances carryover, helping bridge the gap between learning a skill and actually using it in high-pressure moments. Each session is designed to be practical and actionable, so you leave with tools you can immediately apply in practice and competition, not just concepts, but skills you can rely on.

I began my academic journey at Boise State University and continued it at California State University, Chico, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Wanting to further specialize in sport and performance psychology, I went on to complete my master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport and Exercise Psychology at CSU, Chico. Through my education and hands-on experiences during graduate school, I developed a strong foundation in evidence-based mental skills training, sport psychology, and applied consulting practices.

While working toward my Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) certification, I had the opportunity to learn under an incredible mentor who helped shape my approach to consulting, communication, and athlete development. As I complete my supervision hours, I am actively working with elite youth, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes across a variety of sports, helping them elevate their mental game through intentional, practical, and individualized training.

The best coach I ever had was someone who saw me as more than just an athlete. They held me to a high standard while also creating an environment where I felt supported, trusted, and understood. They challenged me to grow, but also gave me the space to learn, make mistakes, and build confidence in myself.

What stood out most was their ability to connect, every interaction felt intentional, and it made me want to show up and give my best. That experience continues to shape how I coach today. I strive to create that same balance of accountability and support, helping athletes not only perform at a high level, but also develop confidence, self-awareness, and a strong sense of who they are both in and outside of their sport.

Athletes and parents should know that I genuinely care about developing the whole athlete, not just improving performance. My approach is rooted in building trust, creating a supportive environment, and helping athletes develop skills that extend beyond their sport. I’m here to challenge athletes when needed, but also to meet them where they are and guide them through the ups and downs that come with competing.

I value open communication, consistency, and intentional growth, and I believe mental performance training should feel practical, approachable, and directly applicable, not overwhelming or abstract. My goal is not just to help athletes perform better in their sport, but to help them build confidence, resilience, and tools they can carry with them in all areas of life.