Mental Training

Lisa specializes in coaching gymnasts and acro sports, but she works with athletes in all sports, and consults coaches and parents. She teaches essential psychological tools and with her unique approach, athletes shift out of doubt and anxiety, and into a confident, clear mindset. Self-esteem increases and quality of performance becomes more accurate and consistent.

Sessions with Lisa

Gymnasts work hard, feel immense pressure, and experience a lot of emotions. Working with me, your child will be guided to identify and manage emotions by focusing more on their thoughts, feelings, and desires. Gymnasts practice specific mental exercises chosen for them – and they start to feel more in control, calmer, more optimistic. The work in each session creates a map to improve and significant positive changes. It’s a wonderful journey in self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

I start with us getting to know each other, chatting about training, school, family, and we laugh. Mental training is always fun. Together, we identify goals, discover thought patterns and habits, and what is creating doubts or fears – then we go on a journey. We write short notes, implement simple exercises, and even repeat power phrases. I require my mental training book, Focused and On Firebecause it has all the mindsets, stories, and easy lessons. The book is motivating, and it’s a reminder and a resource for ongoing use. I also wrote a coach/parent book, Focused and Inspired. I highly recommend it to learn how to positively support your athlete’s mental & emotional development and progress in sports. For bulk purchases, contact Lisa for best prices: zentigermind@gmail.com

Reportedly, the most powerful mental skill is visualizing, so I teach simple positions and slow-motion visualizing. It’s really a game-changer. Overall, it’s normal to have dips in overcoming challenges, but every athlete will make great progress and positive feelings if they do the work. More than anything, we want to build self-esteem and self-efficacy so athletes feel good about themselves, and they can truly reach their goals.

How Many Sessions do We Need? 
~ About 4-8 sessions for small- or mid-level issues (i.e., some stress, doubts, low confidence, yet very motivated to improve). 
~ About 10-15 sessions for more complex issues (i.e., reoccurring fear, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, difficulties in communication with coaches/parents, low self-esteem, mental blocks, desire to improve yet motivation is up and down). Depending on the issues and other circumstances, some athletes may need more. 

Mini sessions & Packets

Fees – 30 min Mini Sessions, 1-1, best for maintenance or refresher, practicing tools and exercises, building confidence
  • $125 – 1 session
  • $220 – 2 sessions (save $30)
  • $330 – 3 sessions (save $45)
  • $430 – 4 sessions (save $70)

Full Sessions & Packets

Current Discount Fees: “1 hour” is 45-50 min, personal discussion, training strategies, various mental exercises and mindset practices, specifically to reduce nerves, fear, confusion, increase clarity, confidence, inner calm and monitor progress.
$170 – 1 session
$480  $450 – 3 sessions  (save $30)
$640  $590 – 4 sessions  (save $50)
$790  $720 – 5 sessions   (save $70)
$950  $850 – 6 sessions  (save $100)  
Contact Lisa Mitzel at heymitz@gmail.com to inquire about sessions for your athlete or for any questions. Thank you!

Note: Discount packages are paid in advance. Regular sessions do not require travel. On the road, travel expenses are covered by clients, and fees may increase depending on logistics and travel time.

Bring to Each Session:
~ Notebook, pen/pencil, and an open mind.
 
~ A copy of Focused and On Fire. I often suggest sections to read and then report to me what was helpful! 

Answer Questions to get started:
email: HeyMitz@gmail.com 
Provide the following info, below, and please be brief with answers. We may also follow up with a short introductory phone call. You can copy and paste into an email. Thanks! 

1. What’s your athlete’s first and last name & gender?

2. Athlete’s age? 

3. What grade? 

4. What sport and how long playing it? 

5. What level? 

6. Does he/she have any goals? Immediate goals, or long term?

7. Describe obstacles he/she mentions that effect mood and performance – a fear? lack of confidence in abilities? A certain person that applies pressure? Anything else in life? 

8. Is there a history of mental or physical issues that have prevented or restricted training? 

9. Has your athlete ever participated in Mental Training or had therapy? If so, pls describe briefly. 

10. Has your athlete ever wanted to quit? If so, what was the reason?

11. What do you, as the parent, want for your athlete from mental training sessions with me?

12. Parent Information

First and Last name:
Your cell phone:
Spouse name & phone/email:
Your home address & Time Zone:
Club / Team your athlete is on, city and state:

Where are Sessions held? 
Primarily on Zoom. Sessions can also be in person (we will decide on a location). Lisa travels. Or you can travel to her in the Bay Area in Northern California – training is at a local gym.

Lisa Travels: For driving or flying, clients cover all expenses. Please ask for details. 

“Focused and Inspired: Keeping Our Athletes Safe in a Win-at-All-Costs WorLd”

“Focused and Inspired” is a shining light in the urgent need to change our sports culture. Mental training coach, Lisa Mitzel, steps forward with crucial skills in emotional intelligence and forming a power-balance.

“Focused and On Fire: The Athlete’s Guide to Mental Training & Kicking Butt”

“Focused and On Fire” is a fresh, smart, and moving book for all ages. Coach Lisa Mitzel portrays an authentic view of the athlete’s inner journey. Kids and parents can read and practice the tools together.

Best Techniques and Approaches

6 Mental Skills
Breathing
Relaxing
Positive Self-talk
Recall
Visualize/Imagery
Focus/Concentration

Using these tools gives athletes the ability to feel confident, in control, and perform their best.

What Can You Control On Your Path To Achievement?
Learn to identify and focus on what you CAN control and change, and let go of what you can’t.

Self 1 vs. Self 2
Become aware of your critical voice, learn to shift thoughts, refocus, and trust your preparation. Connect with your body’s training and your body’s intelligence for accurate performance.

Identify Anxieties and Overcome Them
Slowww down, break down pressures and expectations, practice getting calm, and create what you want.

Contact Lisa to Schedule your Athlete, or for Consultation with Coaches or Parents

The Benefits of Mental Training

When athletes learn and practice mental skills, the benefits are:

  • Acute awareness of thoughts, breath, and body;
  • The capacity for deep focus, shutting out all distractions;
  • The aptitude to slow down the mind, reduce stress and overcome struggles;
  • Accuracy and consistency in performances;
  • The habit of creating a peaceful, confident feeling inside, even under pressure.

As athletes practice mental skills, they’ll be able to distinguish between feeling calm and nervous. They will execute well in the most important moments. And they will notice sooner when they start to feel afraid, then manage it, or speak up and get help.

How I learned mental skills: I was 15 yrs old when I first worked with Dr. Ken Ravizza, a pioneering sports psychologist at Cal-State Fullerton. I had a bad crash in the gym, and developed an awful fear. I regressed and lost 70% of my gymnastics skills. We worked intensely, two hours a day, twice a week, for several months. I’d been training with hopes of making the 1980 Olympic Trials, but I had a terrible crash. Crashed on my head on a double back (2 flips in the air), and developed terrible fear, anxiety, and even lost most of my skills. I completely forgot how to do them and decided to quit. I was devastated. But then I met Dr. Ravizza, and I learned mental skills, adjusted my goals, gradually re-learned what I’d lost and — s-l-o-w-l-y gained confidence — and 6 months later, I was a 2-time U.S. Jr. Olympic National Champion….a miracle.

A couple years later, on scholarship at the University of Utah, my freshman year, our team captains told us they wanted to win Nationals. Seriously, The pressure was immense. But we were driven. We did mental practice with Dr. Keith Henschen. And…every year, we went to NCAA Nationals and WON.

The University of Utah women’s gymnastics team won six consecutive Division I National Championship titles — I was on four of those teams. We learned from Dr. Henschen to manage our thoughts, focus on the performance, and create the win in our minds. Believe, and you can manifest success.

Using patience, humor, and mindfulness, I get to know my clients. I use a lot of proven strategies in sport psychology and I dig into your process. I assist you in implementing effective habits, and I help you discover triggers and tools to shift gears and move forward. What is your goal? What do you struggle with? Learn mental skills and clear facets of training that discipline the mind and body…

University of Utah – winning the 1983 NCAA National Championships (Lisa in sweats)
This sport psych academic book is one of my excellent resources in teaching mental skills. I was also honored to co-author Chap 5.

Get In Touch

SCHEDULE LISA FOR EVENT SPEAKING OR CLINICS

Author. Speaker. Coach.

Lisa Mitzel works with athletes and sparks higher-mind thinking from years of training and coaching.