I'm so grateful. In reflecting on my journey, with almost 10 years in business as an entrepreneur, that's it - gratitude - for people, experiences, opportunities, and the capacity to never stop learning. My approach to my work as a mental performance coach comes from my experiences as a former competitive swimmer, my education and training in sport psychology, and everything I've learned along the way, particularly related to positive youth development and facilitation. I love getting to support athletes, especially teens, in helping them to understand themselves and learn mental skills to improve their performance and well-being, especially when performance anxiety and perfectionism has taken the joy out of their sport experience. I believe everyone is capable of growth, with quality support, the desire to make changes, and access to resources.A significant part of who I am, professionally and personally, is due to my involvement with Georgia Teen Institute, a youth leadership and substance abuse prevention summer program for teens and pre-teens from across the state. I was invited to join their staff in 2009 and have been involved in many roles ever since. The people involved in this work have an incredible heart for young people, being positive role models, and creating better communities in our state. Every June when we come together is magic! I feel fortunate to now be a part of their Staff Development Team as the Adult Staff Liaison, where I get to support and coordinate our 25+ adult staff for the year's upcoming program.Entering the field of sport and performance psychology 12 years ago, it has been incredibly rewarding to volunteer in various capacities to serve the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), build relationships with other mental performance coaches and sport psychology professionals, and help move the field forward, together. When we do good work, we have the potential to impact so many people involved in sport and other domains for the better.As an extension, I'm passionate about professional development - and have channeled that into mentoring graduate students who are working toward their Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) credential as well as co-creating an entrepreneurial resource for mental performance coaches called Project E (www.projecte.biz). I define success as flexibility, fulfillment, and impact - and am in pursuit of these through my core values of healthy, integrity, orderly, skillful, and supportive. I'd love to connect - feel free to email me at abby@intrepidperformance.com.