Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Ira

My athletic journey began on the basketball courts in England, where my passion for the game quickly grew. This dedication earned me a scholarship to play high school basketball in Florida, followed by a post-graduate year in Missouri to hone my skills further. I then played four successful years at John Brown University in Arkansas, where I developed as a player and cultivated a deep understanding of the mental aspects of sports. Driven by my experiences and a desire to help others achieve peak performance, I pursued a master's degree in sport psychology at the University of Denver, equipping myself with advanced knowledge and techniques to support athletes in their mental fitness journey.

I help athletes improve their game through a comprehensive approach that combines mental conditioning, skill development, and psychological training. I create tailored plans that address individual strengths and weaknesses by conducting personalized assessments. I use sport psychology techniques like visualization, goal setting, and mindfulness to enhance mental resilience and focus. Through performance analysis and continuous feedback, athletes receive detailed insights to refine their skills and strategies. Additionally, I emphasize psychological training to build mental toughness and manage performance anxiety. My holistic approach boosts athletic performance and builds confidence and resilience, enabling athletes to reach their full potential.

A typical session with me begins with a brief check-in to discuss the athlete's recent experiences and collaboratively set achievable goals for our time together. This fosters an autonomy-supportive environment where the athlete leads in what they want to work on. We then engage in mental conditioning exercises like visualization and mindfulness to enhance focus and resilience. The session includes skill development tailored to the athlete's sport, utilizing performance analysis to identify areas for improvement. We also incorporate psychological training to build mental toughness and manage stress. The session concludes with a review of progress, feedback, and highlights. This structured yet flexible approach ensures each athlete receives personalized and effective support to reach their full potential.

The best coach I ever had was a true game-changer in my athletic journey. He taught me that the player-coach relationship could be transformational rather than just transactional. Unlike others, he invested deeply in understanding each player, focusing not only on our performance but also on our personal growth and well-being. His approach went beyond drills and game strategies; he fostered a supportive environment where trust and mutual respect flourished. This coach's genuine care and commitment to our holistic development inspired me to pursue a career in mental performance consulting, aiming to create similarly impactful relationships with the athletes I work with.

Parents and athletes can expect a personalized and holistic approach when working with me, focusing on enhancing athletic performance and fostering personal growth and mental resilience. With a rich background in competitive basketball and advanced studies in sport psychology from the University of Denver, I bring practical and theoretical expertise to my practice. Inspired by the best coach I ever had, I strive to build transformational relationships that go beyond mere transactions, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Utilizing evidence-based techniques, I help athletes improve focus, manage stress, and achieve their full potential while providing mentorship that encourages continuous development on and off the field.