Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a mental performance coach?

Maybe you’ve thought, “I love what Coach Bre is doing. How did she get started?” Or perhaps you’re a coach, a parent, or just someone who’s passionate about helping athletes build confidence and mental toughness. If any of that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

I recently sat down with Lindsey Wilson, founder of Positive Performance and creator of the Mindset Coach Academy, to talk about my journey into becoming a mental performance coach. Lindsey is the brains behind the certification program I went through over six years ago, and she’s the reason I’m where I am today. So, if you’re curious about how to get started, what the path looks like, or even if this could be a side hustle for you, keep reading.

How It All Started for Me

Let’s rewind to 2019. I was a high school teacher and a volleyball coach. I had been a college athlete, but let’s be real: being an athlete doesn’t automatically make you a great coach, let alone a mental performance coach. I had two back-to-back seasons where my team, full of talented athletes, crumbled under pressure in a “winner to state, loser out” game. It was devastating. I knew I had to figure out what was missing.

That’s when I stumbled across Lindsey’s program. I was looking for a way to help my team, but I had no idea how to teach mental skills. I had studied sports psychology in college and even used some of these tools as an athlete, but I didn’t know how to translate that into coaching. When I found Lindsey’s certification, it felt like the roadmap I’d been searching for.

At first, I thought small. I imagined myself as the go-to mental performance coach for a few local volleyball clubs. But as I got deeper into the program, my vision grew. I realized this could be more than just a side gig; it could be a full-blown business. And now, six years later, here I am, running my own company and loving every minute of it.

Why I Chose Certification Over a Sports Psychology Degree

When I first started exploring mental performance coaching, I looked into getting a sports psychology degree. But I wasn’t about to spend another $60,000 and five years in school. Plus, you don’t need a degree to teach these skills. Certification was the perfect middle ground.

I also looked at a couple of other certification programs, but I was drawn to Lindsey’s because she’s a woman in this space. As a mom and former athlete, she just got it. Her teaching style resonated with me, and I felt like I could trust her program. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

The First Big Leap: Getting Paid Clients

One of the biggest milestones in my journey was landing my first paid clients. I remember approaching a local volleyball club where I had previously coached. I asked if I could take 15 minutes at their parent meeting to talk about mental performance training. They said yes, and I was terrified.

I practiced my pitch, visualized myself on stage, and even worked through some imposter syndrome thoughts like, “Who am I to be teaching this?” But I showed up, shared my story, and offered an 8-week mental training program. That night, I made $4,000 in registrations. It was a game-changer. Not only did it validate that there was a need for this, but it also gave me the confidence to keep going.

The Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship

Let’s be honest: building a business isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were times when I doubted myself. I was working full-time as a teacher and coach while also trying to grow this business. My husband was incredibly supportive, but there were moments when he’d ask, “How many more weeks am I going to be solo parenting while you’re building this?”

But even in those tough moments, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I loved the flexibility it gave me, the purpose it brought to my life, and the impact I was making on athletes. And now, five years later, we’ve had over 4,000 athletes go through our program. It’s been incredible to see the ripple effect of this work.

Despite the challenges, I’m more convinced than ever that this is a field with enormous potential. Which brings me to an important point Lindsey made during our conversation.

Lindsey’s Perspective: Why There’s Never Been a Better Time to Become a Mental Performance Coach

Lindsey made such a great point about how overwhelming it can feel when you’re first starting out. As she put it: “So many people come into your world and our world and are like, how did, how, where do you even start? You know, they’re like Googling it. Um, maybe they find me, maybe they find you. And they’re like, what, where do I even start? They get overwhelmed. There’s a lot of information out there, a lot of different options as far as where to move forward.”

I totally get that feeling; I was there myself not too long ago! But here’s the thing that might surprise you (it sure surprised me when Lindsey pointed it out): despite all the noise out there, there’s actually a huge shortage of mental performance coaches in most communities.

Lindsey made an interesting point when I asked her about people wondering if the mental performance coaching field is getting crowded. She said: “I’m like, okay. So if you go down anywhere, like within 10 miles of your house to a club or a facility or a community center or whatever, is there a mental performance coach there? Likely not, right? And that exists everywhere in the world.”

Lindsey’s Insights on Ambition, Flexibility, and Purpose

Lindsey shed light on the motivations she often sees in women drawn to this field. She notes that many are, “…feeling like dissatisfied with like the job, either not working or the job that they have that maybe doesn’t have the flexibility or they have almost like this…They’ve put so much time and energy and money into their kids, but they’re like, what’s in it for me? Like I, like I’m ambitious. Maybe they’ve kind of swallowed it for a little while. As a lot of us do when you have young kids. And they’re like, coming up…” This resonates with my own experience and the desire to find a career that aligns with both my family responsibilities and personal ambitions.

Is Mental Performance Coaching Right for You?

So, is this path right for you? If you’re passionate about helping athletes, have a knack for teaching, and are looking for a career that’s both rewarding and flexible, then mental performance coaching could be a perfect fit.

Maybe you’re a coach who wants to take your team to the next level. Or perhaps you’re a parent who wants to empower your child with the mental skills they need to succeed in sports and life. Or maybe you’re just looking for a new challenge that aligns with your values.

Whatever your reason, if you’re even a little bit curious, I encourage you to explore this path further.

Advice for Aspiring Mental Performance Coaches

If you’re feeling that same tug I felt years ago, here’s my advice:

• Listen to your gut. If you feel called to this work, pull that thread and see where it leads.
• Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. You could make a case for it’s never the right time, but you could also make the case for now is the perfect time.
• Start small. You don’t have to quit your job right away. Begin by learning more about the field and testing the waters in your local community.
• Invest in yourself. Whether it’s a certification program or other training, be willing to bet on yourself and your potential.
• Embrace the learning curve. I had zero business background when I started. What mattered was my willingness to learn and adapt.
• Find your community. Surrounding yourself with supportive mentors and peers is crucial for navigating the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re ready to explore this path further, I have an exciting opportunity for you. Lindsey and I are hosting a free webinar on March 12th where we’ll delve into the specifics of becoming a certified mental performance coach. We’ll cover all the essential details – from costs and timelines to practical first steps. This webinar is perfect for those of you who felt a spark of interest while reading this post. It’s a great chance to get your questions answered and gain more clarity on whether this could be the right path for you.

Remember, every journey starts with a single step. Whether that step is joining our webinar, reading more about the field, or simply allowing yourself to imagine a new career possibility, trust that you’re moving in the right direction. The world needs more passionate, dedicated mental performance coaches, and you might just be exactly what an athlete or performer out there is looking for.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s this: You don’t have to have it all figured out to get started. I didn’t. I was a teacher and a coach with no business background, no marketing experience, and no idea how to teach mental skills. But I was willing to learn, to invest in myself, and to step out of my comfort zone. And now, I get to do work that I love every single day.

So, if you’re feeling that pull, don’t ignore it. Start small. Take the first step. And who knows? This could be the beginning of something amazing for you too.

About Lindsey Wilson

Mental Performance Coach, Founder of Positive Performance™ and The Mindset Coach Academy™ @‌lindseypositiveperform

Launch Your Career as a Mental Performance Coach in 2025 March 12th, 12pm PST Register for free here!

Episode Highlights: 

[00:00:00] Introduction to the Episode
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a mental performance coach, this episode is for you. I’m sharing my journey from being a high school teacher and coach to starting my own mental performance coaching business.

[00:01:00] Lindsey Wilson’s Background
Lindsey Wilson, founder of Positive Performance and the Mindset Coach Academy, created the certification program I completed to become a mental performance coach.

[00:02:00] Upcoming Webinar Announcement
On March 12th, Lindsey is hosting a free webinar where we’ll break down the certification process, costs, and what it takes to become a mental performance coach.

[00:03:00] The Need for Mental Performance Coaching
A listener recently told me how much my work has impacted them, which just reinforces how important this field is. If you see a need for mental performance coaching in your community, this might be your calling.

[00:04:00] Podcast Host Swap
Now, I’m switching things up – Lindsey is taking over as host to ask me about my journey to becoming a mental performance coach.

[00:05:00] Lindsey’s Mission
Lindsey shares why she’s so passionate about mental performance coaching, tracing it back to her own experience as a professional athlete who benefited from mental training at a young age.

[00:07:00] My Coaching Challenges
I talk about my early coaching days and how my team’s struggles under pressure pushed me to look for better ways to support them mentally. That search led me straight to mental performance coaching.

[00:09:00] Entrepreneurial Spark
At first, I was focused on helping my athletes, but the more I learned, the more I realized this could be a business. I wanted more flexibility and saw an opportunity to make a real impact.

[00:11:00] Why Women Choose This Path
Lindsey and I talk about why so many women step into this space; often because they feel stuck in their current jobs and are looking for something more meaningful.

[00:14:00] Choosing Certification Over a Degree
I share why I chose Lindsey’s certification program instead of going the sports psychology degree route. For me, it came down to practicality, affordability, and being able to start coaching right away.

[00:16:00] Building My Business
I walk through the different stages of building my business: from landing my first paid clients to eventually leaving my teaching job to go all in on coaching.

[00:19:00] Finding the Money to Invest
I had to get creative when it came to paying for my certification. I used professional development funds, opened a credit card, and figured out a way to make it happen.

[00:22:00] My First Big Break
One of my first big wins was speaking at a club parent meeting and making $4,000 in one night. That moment proved to me that I was on the right path.

[00:25:00] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Like a lot of new coaches, I struggled with imposter syndrome at first. But over time, I built confidence in my ability to help athletes through mental performance coaching.

[00:27:00] Doubts and Challenges
Lindsey and I talk about the real challenges of entrepreneurship: balancing family life, dealing with uncertainty, and pushing through doubts.

[00:30:00] Moving to Online Courses
I share how I transitioned from in-person coaching to launching an online course, which eventually became my Elite Mental Game program.

[00:32:00] Finding Purpose and Impact
This work isn’t just about making money, it’s about impact. Coaching has changed my life, my family’s life, and the lives of so many female athletes.

[00:34:00] Taking the First Step
If you’re thinking about becoming a mental performance coach, start exploring. Join the webinar, check out free resources, and take that first step.

[00:36:00] Final Thoughts
You don’t need prior business experience to do this. If you feel called to this work, trust yourself and go for it.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms – How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter’s Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

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