How does Mental Performance Coaching help athletes?
Our goal at Sharpen Skills Training is to help athletes of all ages understand how their mind influences performance and how to apply mental strategies to help perform their best in competition. In our Mental Performance Training Program, servicing all of the United States and Canada, athletes will be learning and discussing topics such as:
Our Mental Performance Coaching Team has worked with a wide variety of team and individual sports which include:
Meet our Mental Performance Coaches
Athletic Experience:
- Began playing youth volleyball, basketball, and softball in 4th grade. Began playing JO travel volleyball at age 11 and continued playing at the elite level until age 18.
- Played 4 years of Varsity volleyball at Padua Franciscan High School.
- Won a DII State Championship my senior year at Padua Franciscan High School.
- Played 4 years of DI volleyball at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania.
- Coached at Padua Franciscan High School for 3 seasons and at Maverick Volleyball Club for 3 seasons.
- Completed 4 years of MedTrack program at Padua Franciscan High School.
- Received Bachelor’s degree from Saint Francis University in 2018 with a major in Psychology and minor in Exercise Physiology.
- Received Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University in 2020. Obtained my counseling license and am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
- Certified Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) through training with Sports Psychologist Dr. Patrick Cohn.
Athletic Career:College
- Bright Raven Gymnastics Competitive Team (2014-2017)
- 2016 Vault State Champion
- 2017 Vault & Balance Beam State Champion
- SUNY Geneseo Dance Team (2013-2017)
- Ithaca Academy of Dance (2009-2013; Captain 2011-2013)
- 2x Dance Soloist National Champion
- Finger Lakes Gymnastics Academy (2009-2011)
- 2010 State All Around Champion
- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Anthropology from State University of New York at Geneseo
- Master’s degree in Sport Leadership and Management with a specialty in Sport Psychology from Miami University
- 5+ years as competitive gymnastics coach
- 3-year Mental Performance Training with Army ROTC programs
Athletic Experience:
University/College Athletics
- D’Youville University, Buffalo, New York
- NCAA Division III/II Baseball Athlete “D’Youville Saints” (2016-2018)
- Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC)
- Starting Pitcher (RHP)
- Fielder (RF)
- Student Intern / Staff Assistant for D’Youville University Baseball (2020)
- Ithaca College, Ithaca New York
- NCAA Division III Football Team “Ithaca Bombers” (2021)
- Liberty League, Eastern Conference
- Student Assistant / Coaching Staff Assistant
High School Athletics
- Mary’s High School, Lancaster, New York
- Western New York Monsignor Martin Athletic Conference
- “St. Mary’s Lancers”
- Varsity Baseball Athlete (2013-2016)
- Pitcher, 3rd Base, Outfield
- Western New York Monsignor Martin Athletic Championship Runner-Up (2015)
- Varsity Football Athlete, (2016)
- Defensive End, Right Tackle
- Assistant Coach for St. Mary’s Varsity Football (2020-2021)
- Varsity Hockey Athlete (2013-2015)
- Right Wing
Western New York Baseball Experience
- Lancaster/Depew WNY Travel League, “Lancaster Reds” Lancaster, NY (2008-2011)
- Pitcher / Outfield
- Lancaster/Depew Tournament Team “Lancaster Rebels”, Lancaster NY (2011-2016)
- Starting Pitcher / 3rd Base
- Lancaster/Depew Baseball Athletics Self-development Training (2010-2016)
- Western New York Baseball Athletics Self-development Training (2010-2016)
- Rick Lancellotti’s Buffalo School of Baseball
- New Era Training
Academic, Training & Coaching:
D’Youville University, Bachelor’s Degree (BA), Psychology (2020)
Ithaca College, Master’s Degree (MS), Exercise and Sports Sciences in Mental Performance & Sports Psychology (2022)
Athletic Mental and Physical Skills Baseball Trainer: Middle School / High School Athletes. (2019-2023)
Ithaca College, NCAA Division III College Athletics, Ithaca, NY
Mental Performance Coach for Track & Field, Cross-Country (2021)
Athletic Background:
College
- Adrian College NCAA DIII Softball Team 2016-2020
- First Base, Third Base, DH
- Adrian College ACHA DI Women’s Hockey Team 2016-2020
- National Tournament Appearances 2016-2020
- National Runner up 2018
- ACHA DI CCWHA League Champions 2016-2020
-
- All tournament first team 2019, 2020
-
- ACHA DI All-American 2018, 2019, 2020
High School
- Vincent Massey Secondary School Girls Hockey Team
- Windsor Wildcats Travel hockey
- Assistant Captain
- Michigan Lookouts Travel Softball
Training Background (Academic & Athletic):
- Adrian College, bachelor’s degree (BS), Exercise Science (2020)
- Ball State University, master’s degree (MA) Sport & Exercise Psychology (2024)
- Working towards CMPC Certification, through AASP
- Mental Performance Coach, NCAA DI Softball & Football
- Mental Performance Coach, Injured Athletes
- 2023 Sport & Exercise Psychology Practitioner of the Year
- Ball State University, master’s degree (MA) Athletic Coaching Education, Specialization in Sport Performance (2024)
- Volunteer Coach Indy Jr. Fuel Girls Hockey 2023
- Graduate Assistant, Student Athlete Support Services- Academic Mentor
- Graduate Assistant, Student Athlete Development
Athletic Background:
College:
- US Women’s Amateur and The Women’s Amateur Championship Qualifier (2002)
- The Ohio State University Women’s Golf Team (1999-2002)
- OSU Women’s Golf Big Ten Team Champion (2002)
- OSU Women’s Golf Big Ten Team Captain (2002)
- OSU NCAA Women’s Golf National Championship (2002)
- OSU Women’s Golf Academic All-American (2001, 2002)
- OSU Academic All-Big Ten Honors (2000, 2001, 2002)
- OSU Scholar Athlete (2000, 2001, 2002)
- The University of Florida Women’s Golf Team (1998-1999)
High School:
- Brunswick High School Varsity Men’s Golf Team (1994-1998)
- Brunswick High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (2005)
- State of Ohio Individual Women’s Golf Champion (1996)
- State of Ohio Individual Women’s Golf Qualifier (1994-1998)
- Plain Dealer Athlete of the Year (1996)
- Medina Gazette Featured Athlete of the Year (1998)
- US Junior Amateur Qualifier (multiple years)
- AJGA golf tournaments (multiple top 20 finishes)
- US Junior World Golf Championship Finalist
Professional Experience:
- 20+ years as a High Performing Sales Leader
- 6+ years experience as a youth golf instructor
- Certified Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) through training with Sports Psychologist Dr. Patrick Cohn
- Masters degree in Business and Finance from Ashland
- University Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations from The Ohio State University
Education/Academic:
- 2019: Twinsburg High School
- 2023: Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology with minors in Leadership Studies and Communication Studies from West Virginia University – Magna Cum Laude
- 2025: Master of Science Degree in Sport Leadership and Management with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Miami University – Elaine Heiber Scholarship recipient
- Working towards Certified Mental Performance Consultant certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Mental Performance Experience:
- February-May 2024 Air Force ROTC Cadet
- March-May 2024 Miami University Athletics Mental Toughness Tuesday’s
- August 2024 Kenston Middle School Girl’s Soccer
- September 2024-May 2025 Miami University Varsity Esports
- December 2024-January 2025 Kenston High School Girl’s Varsity Basketball
- January-May 2025 Archbishop Moeller High School Boy’s Rugby
Athletic Background:
Twinsburg High School Girl’s Soccer 2014-2018
- 2018 – Conference Champions
- 2018 – District Champions
- 2018 – Regional Champions
- 2018 – State Final Four
- Suburban League Scholar Athlete
Played 5 years of club soccer with Ambassadors FC, Pennine United and Everest Soccer Club
Education/Academic:
- 2019: Twinsburg High School
- 2023: Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology with minors in Leadership Studies and Communication Studies from West Virginia University – Magna Cum Laude
- 2025: Master of Science Degree in Sport Leadership and Management with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Miami University – Elaine Heiber Scholarship recipient
- Working towards Certified Mental Performance Consultant certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Mental Performance Experience:
- February-May 2024 Air Force ROTC Cadet
- March-May 2024 Miami University Athletics Mental Toughness Tuesday’s
- August 2024 Kenston Middle School Girl’s Soccer
- September 2024-May 2025 Miami University Varsity Esports
- December 2024-January 2025 Kenston High School Girl’s Varsity Basketball
- January-May 2025 Archbishop Moeller High School Boy’s Rugby
Athletic Background:
Twinsburg High School Girl’s Soccer 2014-2018
- 2018 – Conference Champions
- 2018 – District Champions
- 2018 – Regional Champions
- 2018 – State Final Four
- Suburban League Scholar Athlete
Played 5 years of club soccer with Ambassadors FC, Pennine United and Everest Soccer Club
Education/Academic Background & Accomplishments:
- Twinsburg High School (2015-2019)
- West Virginia University (2019-2023)
- Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Minors in Sport Communication & Leadership Studies
- Cum Laude Honors
- Miami University (2023-2025)
- Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Management
- Concentration in Sport Psychology
- Working towards CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Mental Performance Experience:
- January-May 2024: College Football Student-Athlete
- March-May 2024: Miami University Athletics, Mental Toughness Tuesday’s
- August 2024: Kenston Middle School Girls Soccer
- December 2024-January 2025: Kenston Girls Varsity Basketball
- September 2024-May 2025: Miami University Varsity Esports
- January-May 2025: Archbishop Moeller High School Boys Rugby
Athletic Background & Accomplishments:
- Club Softball: M.C. Madness and Ohio Hurricanes
- 2015-2019: Varsity Softball, Twinsburg High School
- 2017: Suburban League Scholar Athlete
- 2017: Suburban League Honorable Mention
- 2019: Suburban League Scholar Athlete
- 2019: Twinsburg High School Player of the Year
- 2019: Akron Beacon Journal Best of Akron Preps All-Star
- 2019: All-Northeast Ohio Honorable Mention
- 2019: Suburban League All Conference-National
Played 5 years of club soccer with Ambassadors FC, Pennine United and Everest Soccer Club
“After reflecting on my years as a competitive athlete, it became my goal and my passion to find a way to work with youth athletes and provide them the mental skills I felt I was lacking in my career. I had many positive memories throughout my athletic career, but also many struggles. So much time commitment, stress of balancing sports and school, high level competition, having teammates and coaches who pushed me to my limits, etc. I struggled mentally over my career, especially in college. There were times my confidence was shaky, my trust in my abilities wavered, my motivation was hit or miss, my self esteem was torn down, etc. I cannot imagine how different my experience would have been if I had worked with someone to build these skills in high school or even just had someone to talk to about certain things I was going through throughout my career.”
Our Goals:
It is our goal to create a comfortable and healthy environment where youth athletes feel open to share their possible struggles in their sport and be open to working on the mental side of the game to improve their performance. We love the field of counseling and the idea of focusing on mental health. We want to be an advocate for working on mental health just like you would any other part of your body. We want youth athletes to look at this opportunity as another avenue to improve their game just as you would in the weight room, on the field, or in the gym. We also want to be another source for youth athletes if they feel they are struggling in other areas outside of sports. They may not feel ready to talk about it, but we want them to know that they can bring anything to these sessions to discuss.
FAQs
Mental coaching can help if you:
- Perform inconsistently in competition.
- Lose self-confidence.
- Become distracted easily.
- Get upset easily after mistakes.
- Feel tight or anxious in competition.
- Can’t have fun or enjoy sports.
- Can’t take your skills to competition.
- Perform “safe” or tentatively.
- Have a fear of making mistakes.
- Worry too much about what others think.
Mental Performance Coaching can also help teams and coaches by enhancing confidence and self esteem, improving focus, helping athletes move on from mistakes, addressing social approval, and so much more!
Each athlete will receive a different experience when working with our Mental Performance Coach because not all athletes experience the same performance barriers. Results vary from athlete to athlete and depend on the athlete’s desire to improve their mental game skills, ability to apply the strategies to practice or games, and the willingness to overcome the mental barriers that get in the way of their performance success.
Every athlete will have a different timeline when it comes to seeing results. Just like it takes a few months to see results in the gym, it also takes a few months to see/feel the results from mental performance coaching. Again, it depends on the desire to improve, ability to apply skills, and willingness to overcome mental barriers. These skills are not going to change overnight and the process can be challenging. This may be a new area of focus for some athletes, but one area that can push them ahead of many other athletes.
Yes! Virtual options are available via Zoom, Google Meet, or Facetime. The information and documents can be sent over email so the sessions can be completed remotely. Our primary location is in Brunswick, Ohio.
Learning these skills will also help youth athletes feel confident in other areas of their life. Youth athletes will be encouraged to transfer skills learned in Mental Performance Coaching sessions to the classroom, relationships, and other areas of their life where the skills are applicable. Building a well rounded youth athlete outside of the practice and competition field is a large focus of the program.
Due to the nature of our program and sessions, we accept athletes aged 13 and older into our program.
What People Are Saying About Us…
“I always enjoyed seeing the girls after your sessions. They were always upbeat and ready to work hard! We even had a few girls really open up to us later in the season and I think you had a lot to do with making them feel comfortable sharing their feelings with us. It was a very cool program.”
“Sharpen Skills Mental Performance Coaching has changed the mindset of my young athletes. The curriculum is both specific to sport as well as age-appropriate life lessons that can be used as building blocks as they advance in age and in their sport. Both the instruction and the collateral has been developed to plant seeds of positive thinking, confidence building, and obstacle management. My athletes have been given tools to boost their self-talk, come prepared to play with positive routines to set up for success, and handle challenges with a more positive and resilient approach. I’d highly recommend Emily’s training for young athletes that are serious about their sport, as it certainly helps develop the well-rounded athlete into outperforming others by controlling emotions and expectations in order to exude peak performance.”
Fantastic Program! I wasn’t very sure what a Mental Health Coach would do to enhance our son’s athletic abilities. Now that he’s been in the program working with Emily, he’s really gotten a great perspective on his abilities, win or lose and not just win or lose, but how to deal with the stress of being a student athlete. Balancing academics, sports and social activities. He really enjoys meeting with Emily, not just as a Mental Health Coach but also as a friend who cares about how he is doing! This program brings a much-needed balance to the student athlete! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Free Introduction Call with Mental Performance Coaching team member
A 20–30-minute phone call where youth athletes and their parent will have the opportunity explain their situation and background, learn what Mental Performance Training is, how Mental Performance Training can be beneficial, and take part in some discussions and activities to enhance learning. After the free introduction call, athletes/parents will have the opportunity to sign up for a 12-week program or a monthly continuity program.
Let’s sharpen your mental game!
Fill out the form to schedule a FREE PERSONAL ASSESSMENT today!
English 
Français du Canada