Real Athletes. Real Breakthroughs.

At Mental Performance Sports, we work with athletes from all sports, ages, and backgrounds. Every breakthrough here represents a real athlete who committed to improving their mental game and performance through our programs. Read their stories and imagine what’s possible for you.

What Athletes are saying…

  • "Marc has guided me through the lowest moments of my life which contributed immensely towards my highest achievements. Not only did his genuine care allow me to succeed on both the collegiate and national level in athletics, but I am proud of the person I have become through my experiences with him. Marc cares deeply about his patients and their well-being beyond sports. I am extremely grateful to have Marc as a lifelong mentor and friend no matter what the circumstances are." 

    Curran Phillips, Gymnast, Stanford University

  • "The first time I met with Coach A, he not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. He has taught me many useful mental skills including mental cues, trusting the process, and the confident pyramid. All of this led me to drop 14 seconds off my mile time from freshman and sophomore year. Coach A is confident when teaching and I am excited to continue working with him and seeing my progress."

    Tommy Paltzer, Track Runner, University of Porland

  • “Coach Anderson really changed the game for me when I began seeing him. The mental aspect of the game didn’t seem quite as important to me until he taught me various skills that actually helped my overall performance on the court. Whether the game or practice is going well or not, I now know how to attack different situations mentally to improve my physical performance. These are skills I will use for the rest of my career and will be especially useful as I begin my journey playing in college this fall.”

    Greta Kampschoroeder, Basketball, Oregon State University

  • “Going into it, I wasn’t sure how the sessions would go if I’m being completely honest. I thought seeing a mental training coach would mean something was wrong with me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I loved every session, working through my weaknesses, overcoming past failures, learning about composure and how to overcome hardships in the sport, and skills to becoming a more mentally tougher swimmer, person, teammate, and competitor.”

    Alexa Puccini, Swimmer, University of Iowa

  • “Coach A’s mental strategies helped me reach my collegiate goals of swimming at a competitive Division 1 school. I was able to use the skills he taught to focus my thinking and block out any thoughts or comments that may hinder my performance in the water. Coach A is a true way to achieve your goals.”

    Grant Bochenski, Swimmer, University of Missouri

  • "I have been attending Marc Anderson for 9 months and weekly appointments have enhanced my mental game tremendously. We worked on everything from confidence to visualization, and how to prepare myself through weeks of competition. I was a returning state champion and he prepared me extremely well for the following season, constantly reminding me the outcome is not the focus of these sessions. The focus was feeling prepared and competing to the highest level I can at the current moment. After 7 months of work I was ready to defend my title and I did just that. Mr. Anderson cares for each of his athletes that he works with and even came to my state meet. He truly follows through with his promise and I can say that I saw results in my mental game."

    Zawadi Brown, Vanderbilt, Lacrosse

  • "Working with Coach A has been a game-changer for my mental performance. Before our sessions, I struggled with a significant mental block that held me back from reaching my full potential. Coach A’s guidance and techniques helped me overcome these challenges, allowing me to focus and perform at my best. This newfound mental strength played a crucial role in my success at the Pan American Championships, where I won Gold. I am incredibly grateful for Coach A’s support and expertise, which have been extremely helpful in my journey as a gymnast. "

    Alexandra Mytnik, USA Gymnastics

  • "Since beginning my mental performance journey with Coach Anderson I have gone to heights that I would have never envisioned my self-achieving in the past. The unlocked potential of my mind has been thoroughly released through our sessions together and has led me to opportunities to perform at the highest levels in track and cross country. I am forever grateful to have learned about the mental side of sports now knowing that just physical training couldn’t have gotten me anywhere close to the position I’m currently in as a Division I athlete. Thanks to Coach A I’m a more confident, consistent, and driven individual and am constantly eager to learn more. "

    Liv Phillip, UW Madison ,Track & Cross Country

  • "Working with Coach A has been a game-changing experience. When I came to him, I would get easily distracted and overwhelmed by the pressure of my races. Coach A has taught me invaluable techniques for maintaining focus, controlling my mentality, and visualizing success. These strategies have not only improved my performance but also increased my enjoyment of the sport and have helped me achieve my goals of performing at the next level. I’ve become more resilient in the face of challenges and more confident in my abilities. I have not only persevered, I have excelled to the extent that I will be competing at the Division I level. I am truly grateful for the positive impact Coach A has had on my mental approach to not only running but my everyday life."

    Abby Mogg, College of Charleston Track & Cross Country

  • "Prior to my senior swim season in high school, I lacked self confidence. I didn’t believe in myself and was feeling very apprehensive going into the season. I started working with Coach A at the same time I started my season. I was very dedicated to my mental game and applying the strategies I learned to competitions. I gained a sense of confidence that I never had before. Behind the blocks before races I looked calm and ready, rather than nervous. Not only did I notice changes during races, but also in my leadership. The mindset and confidence I gained was contagious and helped lift up my teammates. My junior year of high school I was the sixth place finisher in the 100 butterfly at the MHSAA state meet. My senior year I was the state champion in the 100 butterfly. The difference was the mental edge. From my training I was able to stay calm and remember that this race was just another opportunity to swim my best."

    Maggie Spybrook, University of Toledo Swimming

  • "I have only been working with Coach A for a couple months now, but the impact of his work has been monumental. I entered this process a few months before the state meet that my season led up to. I entered blindly and not knowing what to expect. I was honestly doubtful that with such little time, substantial results would be evident. I was wrong — Coach A not only developed a plan to get my mindset right for this meet, he also doubled back to help build a foundation that is the key to unlock all the benefits that will come from improving my mental performance. I run track and my event focus is the 400 meter dash. Last year I ran 58 seconds. This year, after remarkable work with Coach A, I now run 54 seconds. Mental performance and mental health is the foundation that supports all the physical work put into sports. I credit Coach A for all the astonishing work he has done with me to improve my mental performance and health on and off the track."

    Julia Brown, Bradley University Track

  • "Working with Coach Anderson has been one of the most impactful parts of my athletic journey. Through this guidance, I’ve grown tremendously—both mentally and physically. He’s taught me how to push through challenges, stay focused under pressure, and bring out the best in myself on and off the court. One of the most important lessons I learned from Coach Anderson was the power of staying present during a game. His focus on mental performance showed me how to use simple cues—like saying “next play”—to keep my head in the moment. Staying present means not letting the anxiety of past mistakes affect your performance, and not fearing what might come next. It’s about training your brain to move at the fast pace of the game without getting stuck in the past or future. I remember one game where I missed an easy bucket. In the past, that might’ve shaken me. But instead of beating myself up, I told myself, “next play,” and focused on what I needed to do in the moment. So when I had another opportunity to score, I wasn’t thinking about the last miss or worrying about the outcome—I just focused on the fundamentals. I made the shot—not because of luck, but because it was a skill I’ve been building since childhood. One mistake didn’t take that away from me. Because of Coach Anderson’s training, I’ve become more confident—not just in my sport, but in how I carry myself as a teammate and a leader. I’m truly grateful for everything he’s done for me. His belief in me and his consistent support helped me unlock a level of performance I didn’t even know I had."

    Brooklynn Moore, Basketball Player , 2025 Girls All-State Team Class 3A

  • I came into learning with Coach A as a runner looking to improve my times on the track, but now, almost 2 years later I can see that what I got out of my experience with Coach A was so much more than that. For the most part, my knowledge of the mental game in sports was just a few quotes that my coaches had yelled out during practice over the years like "don't give up" or "Try harder”. However, I had no idea just how important my mentality was in relation to both my performance and ability to improve as a person and an athlete. Coach A opened my eyes to so many important lessons of positive self talk and encouragement, as well as a shift in my perspective to realize how lucky I am to have the opportunities to compete to my fullest. The best thing about working with Coach A is that every lesson is something that has helped me on the track, but also in everyday life. I spent lots of time worrying about future possible outcomes in races or in various life events, and when Coach A showed me how to allow myself to focus on each current moment I'm in and challenge myself to enjoy the present and seize each day I live. That message of living each day I have to the fullest has completely changed my life and my attitude towards daily tasks and obstacles. Personally, I feel the reason Coach A has helped me grow so much is because it's easy to see the passion and happiness he has when instilling his clients with his mental tools and wise knowledge. When you're being taught and helped by someone who is enjoying what they do, it makes it so much easier to find that same passion and happiness within yourself as you grow, because a role model like Coach A is cheering you on and supporting you through life's challenges. I am extremely proud of the growth I've personally made since beginning with Coach A both on the track and in everyday life and I can honestly say being a client of Coach A was one of the best decisions of my life.

    Cooper Revord, Cross Country/Track

What Parents are saying…

  • “As her mental game coach, Marc Anderson changed the way our daughter approaches the sport of basketball. When we first visited Marc she had been going through a rough patch. Not only did he help her resolve that, but through multiple sessions he gave her the tools she needed to perform better and to trust herself. She learned to be in the moment and put adversity behind her. Marc's approach is positive and inspiring. If you have coaches and trainers for sport-specific skills, plus strength and conditioning but you don't have a mental game coach--you are missing out.”

    Brad Kampschroeder, Parents of Basketball Player

  • “Marc takes personal interest in each of his clients, tailoring his proven program to match their goals. He teaches his clients to believe in themselves, put in the work, and trust the process—providing them with the tools to take on any of life’s challenges.”

    Mike & Deb Phillips, Parents of Gymnast

  • “Grant always showed the potential to be an amazing athlete and with the help of Marc Anderson’s mental coaching and support, Grant has surpassed our expectations as a young man and athlete. We unequivocally recommend him to any other athlete that is looking to be the best they can be.” 

    Mike Bochenski & Erin Rains, Parents. of Swimmer

  • "We were referred to Marc from a friend whose son saw him for mental coaching for his sport and were very happy with the progress and overall outcome. We sought out Marc to help our son with game day anxiety and to utilize mental techniques to become the best athlete he could be. We were so pleased that Marc not only focused on his sport's mindset, but also focused him on becoming the best person he could be. All of the training, visualization and mental toughness he taught for race day were applicable to all areas in his life. Coach Marc has helped our son have so much success athletically and also helped him become the best version of himself overall!”

    John & Jean Paltzer, Parents of Track Runner

  • "First and foremost, a big thank you for being such a great coach to our son Kenneth.  We cannot express enough the positive impact you have on him and his ability to match his mental performance to his physical and natural abilities in gymnastics. Even though as a younger gymnast he had many successes on all events, especially on pommel horse, he had always struggled with personal confidence to match those achievements. Advancing in any sport is tough as you get older, we think even more as a gymnast given the amplified skills needed and expectations of growth in performance. Kenny came to you with simple goals initially, to just gain confidence – but with your coaching, he found more than that. He developed even higher goals, to compete at the NCAA level and potentially beyond, and now to develop as a leader.

His most recent and greatest accomplishment in gymnastics to date, winning the 2024 National Championships on Pommel Horse and coming in 8th nationally on Parallel Bars, was accomplished in no small part due to his work with you. Those performances have helped get him on the radar of college coaches, with them immediately starting to follow him on Instagram right after his scores went up. We all could not be more proud and excited about his results and his great future ahead, and all still as just a freshman in high school.  Thank you again for all that you do as a coach to our son!"

    Dan Watkiss, Parent of Gymnast

  • "We came to Coach A when my son was having anxiety around sports that he loved and excelled at but this anxiety was interfering with his belief in himself. My son immediately connected with Coach A and became excited about the skills Coach A was teaching him. In the past 8 months my son’s confidence in his ability to perform in high pressure situations has grown exponentially. When we leave a session with Coach A my son is excited and motivated to utilize the skills he just learned. Coach A has an amazing presence with young athletes and has truly helped my son grow mentally both on and off the court. "

    Rachel Anderson, Parent of Basketball Player

  • "I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know just how critical Liv's work with you has been to her development as both a runner and a person. Liv has always possessed the drive and work ethic — but with your tools, skills and guidance she has been able to achieve her goal in becoming a Division I athlete. More importantly, she has learned skills and processes that she can employ in all aspects of her life that will far outlast her collegiate athletic career. Your focus on the controllables — understanding there is a process towards a goal and being present in the moment — not only has allowed her to achieve her goals in cross country and track, but she has deepened her love of the sport. All the athletic training in the world can't replicate what happens when you employ physical skills with mental strength and development and Liv would not be where she is today if it wasn't for your coaching and guidance. "

    Esther Phillips, Parent of Track/Cross Country Runner

  • "Reflecting on my daughter's journey with her sports coach, Marc Anderson, over the past year fills me with gratitude and admiration. Under his guidance, she has blossomed into a more confident and resilient player. The strategies she's learned have not only improved her skills on the court but have also equipped her with the mental fortitude to navigate the highs and lows of the game. I am grateful to Marc for sharing practical strategies that helped her believe in her abilities and find the strength to persevere through challenges. Marc's influence has not only shaped her performance on the court but has also left an indelible mark on her character."

    Vickie Trotter, Parent of Basketball Player

  • "Marc Anderson has made a tremendous difference in our son’s life. Marc has helped him work through the mental blocks that kept him from performing to his potential. After achieving several personal bests his senior year, our son will be competing at the college level, knowing Marc has equipped him with the cognitive skills to be the best runner he can be. "

    Parent of Track/Cross Country Runner

  • "I reached out to Marc for guidance in a time when my athlete was struggling with a mountain of self-doubt and anxiety and I was not sure she could or should ever compete again. Over the past two years, not only has my daughter remembered why she loved to run, but she also found the tools to harness her negative thoughts. She is a talented athlete who had become trapped in her head. Marc respects her boundaries, keeps her confidence, and has helped her realize that her potential is only determined by herself. We as a family owe him a great debt for giving us our girl back. Sports should teach resilience, but the pressure of our young athletes is certainly more than in previous generations — and Marc Anderson has the ability to convince your child to trust themselves, their instincts, and their talent."

    Parent of Division I Track/Cross Country Runner

  • "Working with Marc has been a transformative experience for our daughter. Not only did she gain the mental tools to navigate the pressures of competitive sports, but she also developed into a confident and compassionate leader—both on and off the field. The guidance she received helped her build resilience, improve her focus, and learn how to communicate effectively with her teammates. Most importantly, these lessons have extended far beyond sports, shaping her into a more self-assured and capable young woman in everyday life. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Marc has had on her journey."

    The Moore Family

What Coaches are saying…

  • "Coach Anderson’s teaching style allows kids to learn and grow in a comfortable environment. My athletes would leave Coach Anderson’s lessons feeling at ease, refreshed, and ready for competition. He helped our student athletes navigate the mental side of sports, all while guiding them through the aspects of how to become a better teammate and leader. Our players look forward to working with Coach Anderson every chance they get."

    David Eaton, Wheaton North High School, Head Girl’s Basketball Coach

  • “Marc is a true professional and great role model. He has a special gift and passion for working with and helping young people develop into positive leaders of high character. Marc led and develops our leadership and character development program. He put together an extensive program that we use year-round with our team, which includes 3-4 sessions in the spring with 20-30 players. He then builds on that with our varsity players in the summer, with 4-6 more sessions. He also has weekly sessions with the varsity captains/leaders during the season. This has been a huge addition to our program. I think it separates our program from many others.”

    Mike Stine, Naperville Central High School, Head Football Coach

  • "Marc served as our mental and leadership coach for our football program. During the season he met with all our levels to deliver a weekly message about focus and leadership to our players. I have witnessed his teachings working with the players taking part in those sessions. They have taken what they learned back to their teammates and leading them into positive direction towards the upcoming season. I’m always impressed to hear what Marc shares with our players and then, seeing it repeat with their teammates, I know they are getting the message. "

    Andy Lutzenkirchen, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, Athletic Director

Ready for your own breakthrough?

Start with a free 30-minute consultation to talk about your goals and explore if mental performance coaching is right for you.

Testimonials found on this site are from our clients only. They are representative of what we have done for clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.