Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Wendell

Dr. Wendell Otto is an adjunct instructor in the Sport Performance and Psychology program and a nationally recognized leader in sport and performance psychology. He is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), an AASP Registry Approved Mentor, and is listed on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Sport Psychology Registry.

Dr. Otto earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education from George Fox University, where he competed as a national-class distance runner and jumper. Following graduation, he devoted 32 years to education, serving as a teacher, coach, and mentor across secondary and collegiate settings. He holds a Master’s degree in Teaching Education from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama.

As a coach, Dr. Otto built an exceptional career spanning high school, collegiate, and national levels. He served as Head Cross Country Coach at Sherwood High School for 15 years, earning Coach of the Year honors 11 times, and was invited to participate in the USOPC Emerging Elite Coaching Program in both distance and jumping disciplines. He has coached multiple championship teams and elite athletes, including Ilsa Paulson, the 2009 USA National Marathon Champion.

Dr. Otto’s athletic career at George Fox University was marked by excellence, versatility, and leadership. A four-year letter winner in cross country, he was a member of the 1977 NAIA District II Championship team and consistently ranked among the top performers on his team. In track and field, he competed in a wide range of events—including middle distance, steeplechase, relays, and multiple jumping disciplines—and earned District II titles in the 800 and 1500 meters. He was a two-time NAIA National Championships qualifier in the 1500 meters, finishing 8th nationally in 1979. Several of his performances remain in the George Fox University Top 10 All-Time lists, and he formerly held multiple school records.

In recognition of his athletic achievements, leadership, and lasting impact, Dr. Otto was inducted into the George Fox University Sports Hall of Fame as both an individual and team member.

Today, Dr. Otto blends decades of coaching experience with evidence-based mental performance consulting. His work emphasizes integrity, athlete development, and the integration of psychological skills into real-world performance environments. He continues to mentor future practitioners, educate graduate students, and support athletes and coaches in achieving sustainable excellence.

I help athletes grow by combining personalized skill development with mental performance coaching so they can train with purpose and compete with confidence. With decades of experience coaching athletes from youth to national levels, I meet each athlete where they are and build an approach that supports both performance and long-term development.

I work with athletes to:

Improve sport-specific skills through focused, one-on-one coaching

Build confidence under pressure, especially in competition

Develop mental skills such as focus, emotional control, and resilience

Create consistency between practice and performance

Support healthy development, motivation, and enjoyment of sport

My approach goes beyond drills. I help athletes understand how to train, why it matters, and how to show up when it counts. Everything I do is athlete-centered, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with the mission of Athletes Untapped—to help athletes truly untap their potential.

A typical training session with me is structured, supportive, and fun, designed to help young athletes learn skills, build confidence, and enjoy the process of getting better.

We start by checking in—how the athlete is feeling, what went well recently, and what they want to work on that day. This helps the athlete feel heard and sets a positive tone for the session.

Next, we move into skill development using age-appropriate drills that emphasize fundamentals, movement quality, and understanding why each skill matters. I keep instructions clear and manageable, focusing on one or two key teaching points rather than overwhelming the athlete.

Throughout the session, I intentionally build confidence and focus. We practice simple mental skills—like staying present, resetting after mistakes, and using positive self-talk—so athletes learn how to handle challenges in a healthy way.

As the session wraps up, we reflect briefly on what the athlete learned and identify one small takeaway they can carry into practice or competition. I always end by reinforcing effort, growth, and enjoyment of sport.

My goal in every session is to help young athletes leave feeling more confident, more capable, and excited to keep improving—not pressured, stressed, or burned out.

The best coach I ever had wasn’t defined by volume, ego, or a list of wins. He was defined by belief, patience, and presence.

He believed that every athlete mattered—whether they were a star or just figuring things out. He showed up early, stayed late, and made sure no one left practice feeling invisible. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t rush development. He listened, explained, encouraged, and quietly assumed that athletes would rise to the moment when it mattered most.

When athletes doubted themselves, he helped them see the long view. He explained growth in ways they could understand. He reminded them that development isn’t linear, that effort compounds over time, and that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish. Athletes trained harder because they felt believed in—not pressured.

When moments of pressure arrived, he stayed calm. He trusted preparation. He trusted the athlete. That calm confidence gave athletes permission to trust themselves, too.

That model shaped how I coach.

I believe a team—and a training environment—is built by valuing every athlete. I believe development comes before outcomes, patience before pressure, and confidence before comparison. I believe young athletes thrive when they are taught, encouraged, and trusted—not rushed or labeled.

My goal is for athletes to leave sessions feeling seen, capable, and motivated. For parents to know their child is being coached with care, integrity, and perspective. And for sport to remain a place where growth—athletic and personal—can happen.

That’s what the best coach I ever had gave me.

That’s what I strive to give every athlete I work with.

Athletes and parents should know that I believe development comes before outcomes. My priority is helping athletes build strong skills, confidence, and habits that support long-term success—not just short-term results.

I create a safe, encouraging training environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and respected. Mistakes are treated as part of learning, effort is always valued, and athletes are taught how to respond positively when things don’t go perfectly.

Parents can expect clear communication, professionalism, and care. I value transparency, age-appropriate coaching, and collaboration with families and teams when appropriate. My background in education and mental performance ensures that sessions are structured, ethical, and focused on the athlete’s well-being.

Athletes can expect to be coached with high standards and genuine encouragement. I help them understand their sport, manage pressure, and build confidence so they can enjoy competing and continue growing as people—not just performers.

My goal is simple: help athletes develop skills, confidence, and character in a way that makes sport a positive and meaningful part of their lives.