Build Confidence & Overcome Fear of Failure with Mental Performance Coaching
I teach competitive athletes nationwide the mindset skills and sports psychology strategies to unlock peak performance.
Mental Performance Coach with Over 15 Years Experience
Backed by sport psychology and real coaching results—trusted by athletes and parents alike.
I have helped over 100+ competitive athletes overcome barriers like self-doubt, lack of confidence, performance anxiety, and inconsistency with mental performance coaching.
I combine 15+ years of coaching experience across youth, high school, and collegiate sports, a competitive CrossFit background, nearly a decade as a high school counselor, and a master’s in sport and exercise psychology to deliver targeted mindset training that gets results.
As your mental performance coach, I can help you build the mental skills needed such as to consistently perform at your best.
Elite Mental Performance Coaching for Driven Athletes from Youth to Pro
Youth Athletes
For athletes ages 9-13, lay the foundation for lasting success by developing core mindset tools—confidence, focus, emotional regulation, and resilience—that athletes can carry with them for life.
High School Athletes
For athletes ages 14-18, build confidence, mental toughness, and consistent routines while staying connected to the joy of competing—so you’re prepared to perform at the next level with purpose and passion.
College Athletes
Sharpen your competitive edge with high-level mental strategies for managing stress, performing consistently, overcoming challenges, and thriving in high-stakes environments.
Amateur & Pro Athletes
Refine your mental game to compete with consistency, recover faster from setbacks, and thrive under pressure—so you can extend your career, lead with confidence, and perform at your peak when it matters most.
I work with competitive athletes across all levels—from youth (ages 9–13), high school, and college athletes to amateur and professional performers. Whether you’re just starting to build foundational mindset skills or looking to fine-tune your mental edge at the highest levels, my coaching helps athletes develop the confidence, focus, resilience, and consistency needed to thrive in sport and beyond.
Mental Performance Coaching Builds Mindset Skills
Turn mindset training into consistent habits that build confidence, focus, and resilience.
Each 45-minute session strengthens your mindset through consistent mental training. We combine reflection with intention with clear goals and strategies to apply right away in training and competition. Sessions are personalized, build over time, and include secure notes plus between-session support—helping you develop lasting resilience, consistency, and confidence.
Mindset Coaching for Quick Wins & Long Term Mindset Growth
Repetition, reflection, and support: the foundation of lasting mindset change.
Athletes make the greatest progress with consistent, weekly coaching. Mindset growth takes repetition, reflection, and real-time support. Consistent mindset coaching over time builds lasting habits, confidence under pressure, and routines that transfer directly into competition. While single sessions can help in the short term, the most powerful changes happen when athletes commit to regular coaching.
I can teach you effective mindset skills such as to help you feel & perform at your best during each mental performance coaching session!
Flexible Mental Performance Coaching Options for Consistent Results
My recommendation is to start with 4 weekly mental performance coaching sessions for 1 month to build a foundation of mindset skills and habits, develop consistency, and begin to see results quickly.
If you were referred by an athlete, coach, or athletic program, you’ll receive 10% off all coaching services—and 25% off packages through verified partnerships. We’re also proud to extend a 10% discount to educators, as well as active duty, reservist, veteran, and retired members of the U.S. military.
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Weekly Coaching Subscription $299/mon.
Up to 4 x 45 Minute Coaching Calls, No Discounts, No Rollovers, Must Complete Sessions within 30 Days
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Bi-Weekly Coaching Subscription $169/mon.
Up to 2 x 45 Minute Coaching Calls, No Discounts, No Rollovers, Must Complete Sessions within 30 Days
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Package: 4 Sessions $460
4 x 45 Minute Coaching Calls, Discount Codes Can Apply, No Expiration, Payment Plan Available
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Package: 8 Sessions $840
8 x 45 Minute Coaching Calls, Discount Codes Can Apply, No Expiration, Payment Plan Available
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Package: 12 Sessions $1140
12 x 45 Minute Coaching Calls, Discount Codes Can Apply, No Expiration, Payment Plan Available
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Single Session $135
1 x 45 Minute Coaching Call
Contact Me!
Why Athletes Fear Failure & And How to Overcome It with Mental Performance Coaching
Fear of failure is one of the most common—and paralyzing—challenges athletes face at every level of sport. Whether you’re a youth athlete trying to earn a starting spot, a high school player hoping to impress scouts, or a collegiate competitor under the spotlight, the pressure to succeed can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, failure is an essential part of the athletic journey. Learning how to manage the fear of it is what separates average athletes from mentally tough performers.
Fear of failure doesn’t come from weakness. It often stems from high standards, competitive environments, and internal pressure to be perfect. Athletes tie their performance to their self-worth. When they make mistakes, it feels like a reflection of who they are.
Common sources of fear include:
Fear of letting others down: Teammates, coaches, parents, and fans
Fear of judgment: From others or even from oneself
Fear of making mistakes: Especially in high-stakes moments
Fear of not meeting expectations: Internally set or externally imposed
This fear can create a cycle of anxiety, self-doubt, and hesitation—leading to underperformance, burnout, and even a desire to quit.
When fear dominates an athlete’s mindset, it changes how they compete:
They play safe: Avoiding risk to prevent mistakes
They hesitate: Overthinking leads to slower reactions
They self-sabotage: Expecting failure becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy
They spiral: One mistake leads to mental unraveling
The physical skills are still there—but fear blocks access to them. Athletes often say, "I play great in practice but can’t do it in games." That’s a mindset issue, not a physical one.
Mental performance coaching addresses these fears head-on. It helps athletes understand their thought patterns, reframe limiting beliefs, and develop mental tools to perform with confidence.
Through structured sessions, athletes learn:
Self-awareness: Identifying triggers and negative thought loops
Emotional regulation: Managing nerves and pressure in real-time
Confidence-building strategies: Anchoring on strengths and past success
Focus tools: Blocking out distractions and staying present
Resilience routines: Bouncing back from mistakes quickly
Coaching doesn’t just treat fear—it builds an entirely new mental game.
Mental coaching teaches athletes that failure is not the enemy—it’s feedback.
With the right mindset, failure becomes:
A teacher, not a threat
A step toward mastery
A chance to grow and adjust
Athletes learn to ask: "What can I learn from this?" instead of "What’s wrong with me?" That shift changes everything.
Normalize Mistakes Mistakes are part of growth. Coaches and athletes should talk openly about failure as a necessary ingredient in development.
Practice Pressure Situations Simulate stressful moments in training. The more athletes experience pressure in a controlled environment, the more confident they become.
Visualization Mental rehearsal of successful performance builds familiarity and belief. Athletes can train their brain to handle big moments before they happen.
Use Process Goals Instead of focusing on winning, focus on controllables: effort, attitude, communication. These build confidence and reduce fear.
Reframe Language Replace "don’t mess up" with "trust your training."
Work with a Mental Performance Coach Ongoing mindset training provides tools, structure, and accountability to stay mentally sharp and confident.
Athletes who commit to mental performance coaching experience major shifts:
More consistent performance under pressure
Greater enjoyment of their sport
Stronger sense of identity beyond wins and losses
Faster recovery after mistakes
Increased leadership and team presence
They stop playing to avoid failure and start competing to succeed.
Mental Performance & Mindset Coaching FAQ's
Mental performance coaching is a specialized approach that helps athletes develop the psychological skills necessary to excel in their sport. It focuses on enhancing aspects like confidence, focus, resilience, and stress management, enabling athletes to perform consistently at their best. Unlike traditional coaching that emphasizes physical skills, mental performance coaching addresses the mental and emotional components of athletic performance
Mental performance coaching is a specialized approach that helps athletes develop the psychological skills necessary to excel in their sport. It focuses on enhancing aspects like confidence, focus, resilience, and stress management, enabling athletes to perform consistently at their best. Unlike traditional coaching that emphasizes physical skills, mental performance coaching addresses the mental and emotional components of athletic performance
While traditional coaching concentrates on physical training and technique, mental coaching zeroes in on the psychological aspects of performance. It equips athletes with tools to manage pressure, overcome mental blocks, and maintain motivation. This holistic approach ensures that athletes are mentally prepared to face the challenges of competition and training.
Mindset coaching is beneficial for athletes at all levels—from beginners to professionals. It’s particularly helpful for those looking to:
Enhance focus and concentration
Build confidence and self-belief
Develop resilience to bounce back from setbacks
Manage performance anxiety and stress
Establish effective goal-setting strategies
Whether you’re a youth athlete facing new challenges or an elite competitor aiming for peak performance, mindset coaching can provide the support needed to achieve your goals.
Mental performance coaching incorporates a variety of evidence-based techniques, including:
Visualization: Imagining successful performance scenarios to build confidence and prepare for competition.
Goal Setting: Establishing clear, achievable objectives to maintain motivation and direction.
Self-Talk: Developing positive internal dialogue to reinforce self-belief and focus.
Mindfulness: Practicing present-moment awareness to reduce anxiety and enhance concentration.
Relaxation Techniques: Utilizing breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation to manage stress.
These strategies are tailored to each athlete’s unique needs and goals.
The timeline for experiencing benefits from mental coaching varies depending on individual circumstances. Some athletes notice improvements within a few sessions, while others may require a longer period to develop and integrate new mental skills. Consistency and commitment to the coaching process are key factors in achieving lasting results.
Absolutely. One of the primary objectives of mental performance coaching is to equip athletes with tools to manage and overcome performance anxiety. Through techniques like relaxation exercises, cognitive restructuring, and exposure to pressure situations in a controlled environment, athletes learn to perform confidently under stress.
Mindset coaching and therapy serve different purposes.
Mindset Coaching: Focuses on goal-setting, performance enhancement, and developing strategies for future success.
Therapy: Addresses mental health issues, emotional healing, and past experiences.
While both can be complementary, mindset coaching is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.
A typical mental coaching session involves
Assessment: Identifying current challenges and goals.
Strategy Development: Creating personalized mental skills training plans.
Skill Practice: Engaging in exercises to build and reinforce mental techniques.
Reflection: Reviewing progress and adjusting strategies as needed.
Sessions are collaborative and tailored to the athlete’s specific needs.
Getting started is simple:
Contact Us: Reach out via our website to schedule an initial consultation.
Initial Assessment: We’ll discuss your goals, challenges, and determine the best coaching plan.
Begin Coaching: Start your journey towards enhanced mental performance with personalized sessions.
We’re here to support you every step of the way in achieving your performance goals.
Athletes of all ages can benefit, but mental performance coaching is especially effective for youth and teen athletes who are still developing their mental game. Building strong mindset habits early gives them a lasting edge in sports and life. College and elite athletes also benefit from refining their focus, consistency, and confidence under pressure.
Consistency matters more than frequency. Most athletes benefit from weekly or bi-weekly sessions, especially when first starting out. Over time, sessions can shift to monthly check-ins or as-needed support based on goals and progress.
Yes. Mindset coaching can improve communication, trust, and focus within teams. Group sessions help teams align around shared values, improve resilience after losses, and perform more consistently together under pressure.
Not at all. Mental coaching is proactive, not just reactive. Athletes work with a mental performance coach to build strengths—not just fix issues. It’s about gaining a competitive edge, not just solving problems.
We assess progress through a mix of self-evaluations, reflection tools, goal tracking, and performance observations. While mental growth isn’t always as visible as physical gains, athletes often feel and see improvements in confidence, focus, and composure.
Yes, especially with younger athletes. While the sessions are athlete-focused, involving parents in the overall process (without breaching confidentiality) can help reinforce mindset tools at home and support the athlete’s development.
Yes! All mindset coaching at Able Athletics Mindset is available virtually, making it accessible to athletes anywhere. Virtual sessions are just as effective and allow for flexible scheduling around training, school, or competition.
Most athletes work with a coach for at least 8–12 weeks to see meaningful, lasting results. However, each athlete is unique and we approach coaching from a collaborative standpoint that allows flexibility and planning of each athlete’s performance path.
Coach Ashley brings over 15 years of combined experience in sports psychology, school counseling, and coaching youth, high school, and collegiate athletes. Each session is personalized and built around proven mental performance strategies—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
You’ll notice:
More consistent performance under pressure
Increased confidence in practice and competition
Faster recovery from mistakes or setbacks
Greater emotional control and focus
Athletes and parents often report feeling “mentally lighter,” more prepared, and more in control—even in high-stress situations.