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Finding your "Why" is a foundational piece of my coaching approach. Whether I’m working with an individual or a group, I want to understand the "Why" behind the changes you want to make or the goals you're working toward. There are several theories that explore the impact of "Why" (often confused with motivation) on achieving goals, but before we dive into the research, let me share my own "Why."
I grew up as an athlete. I played several sports, but my true passion—then and still today—is basketball. I was fortunate to have access to gyms throughout my life, but it wasn’t unusual for me to grab my boombox (yes, a giant black box with speakers that you could carry around to play music—this was pre-smartphone days, for you young folks) and head out to the driveway to play basketball until my parents called me in for the night.
Basketball gave me more than I could ever have imagined. It was my safe space, the place where I succeeded, and sometimes stood out among my peers. It made me happy and brought me so much joy that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
What I love about sports, in general, is that they’re a microcosm of life. I’ll challenge anyone who says there are other extracurricular activities that better mimic the experience of being part of a team. As an athlete with dreams of playing Division 1 basketball and eventually reaching the WNBA, it was devastating every time I tore my ACL (three times, to be exact). But each time, I was determined to get back on the court.
I played two years of high school basketball, missing my freshman and senior years, but I was fortunate to continue my career. I became an All-American at UW-Oshkosh and played professionally in Germany for KuSG Leimen.
When my playing career ended, I wasn’t sure what would come next, but I found myself drawn to coaching—and I loved it. I coached high school, AAU (club), and college women’s basketball, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the student-athletes (whom I still affectionately call my "kids") and watching their confidence and enjoyment grow as they saw the results of their hard work.
However, the more experience I gained, the more I realized that both coaches and student-athletes were missing key components that not only impacted performance but also hindered their ability to navigate life’s challenges. From my observations, this had a direct effect on confidence, mental health, stress, and overall enjoyment for both coaches and athletes.
As a coach, I was experiencing burnout. I saw colleagues struggling to cope with the pressure to win, recruit top talent, and maintain a full roster. Personally, I was constantly glued to my phone, ready to respond to anyone who needed me, and I wasn’t setting healthy boundaries. It was starting to take a toll on me. And as a college coach, my job was in the hands of 18–23-year-olds who were trying to balance sports, school, and life.
My athletes faced struggles too. Time management, communication, leadership, and the ability to consistently show up and perform were common challenges to name a few. They were losing their love for the game. Every year, at least one tournament I coached had a game stop because a parent stormed the court. Ahletes would show poor body language, negative attitudes, and shut down when things didn’t go their way. I had many recruits who told me they no longer wanted to play after high school because they were burned out.
I hated seeing this, and I knew I had to find a way to help. That’s when I made the decision to leave coaching and pursue a doctorate in Sport Performance and Psychology. I wanted to help athletes and coaches develop the mental skills needed to not only perform better but also enjoy their sport for as long as possible.
Mental skills and mindset can be developed and changed—but it takes work. Just like any physical skill, it requires practice and time. While there are formal titles associated with what I do, such as Sport Psychology Consultant and Certified Mental Performance Consultant™️, at the core, I’m a mindset coach. Yes, winning is fun, and I love being competitive. But at the heart of it, I want people to enjoy whatever it is they do—whether it’s coaching, playing basketball, learning an instrument, excelling in sales, or staying fit— for as long as possible.
When we are able to become the best version of ourselves and better manage the challenges life throws our way, we’re healthier, happier humans. And I truly believe the world could use more of that.
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