Reaching Ahead LLC

05/28/2026

Pressure, uncertainty, fast decisions, changing conditions. Sailing demands far more than physical skill alone.

That’s why I’m excited to officially launch mental performance coaching services specifically built for sailors and teams.

This program is designed to help sailors:
• Perform consistently under pressure
• Build resilience and focus

• Improve communication and team dynamics
• Reset quickly after mistakes
• Develop routines for competition and high stakes moments

Support is available for individual sailors, crews, regatta campaigns, and teams ranging from junior development to elite competition.

Learn more about the new sailing performance coaching services here: reachingahead.com/services/sailing-training/

05/27/2026

Excited to be featured in a recent BBC Future article discussing heart rate variability, stress regulation, and the power of breathwork.

One of the most effective performance tools is also one of the simplest: breathing with intention.

A consistent breathing practice can help regulate your nervous system, improve recovery, sharpen focus, and enhance performance under pressure.

Try this:
Inhale for 4 seconds
Exhale for 6 seconds
Repeat for 20 minutes, twice daily.

Small habits create lasting changes.

Read more: www.bbc.com/future/article/20260506-heart-rate-variability-can-say-a-lot-about-your-health-and-heres-how-to-track-it

05/04/2026

Friction doesn’t disappear when you ignore it. It festers

What’s unspoken builds:
resentment, miscommunication, distance, and inconsistency.

What’s addressed builds:
clarity, trust, alignment, and stronger relationships.

The goal is to get better at having the hard comversations.

Say it early.
Stay curious.
Own your part.
Focus on moving forward, not proving a point.

Small conversations now prevent bigger problems later.

Read more: reachingahead.com/frictionfree/

04/23/2026

Many athletes mistakenly try to protect their image by avoiding pressure, but it backfires.

Skipping events, holding back, or overthinking big moments might feel safer, but it limits growth. The athletes who actually improve are the ones who keep showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable, and learn how to handle nerves in those moments.

Pressure is part of the process. Learning how to stay present and usable within it is what separates performance from hesitation.

Step into it.

Read more: reachingahead.com/face-your-fears-college-sailing-prep-on-and-off-the-water/

04/16/2026

Transitions happen constantly: role changes, season endings, teammates leaving.

Telling athletes to “just move on” doesn’t quiet the mind. It makes the thoughts louder. The pink elephant effect in action. What goes unprocessed sticks around, showing up as a distraction, emotional carryover, and inconsistent performance.

Athletes need space to make sense of change so they can get back to clear, focused play.

Read more: reachingahead.com/why-teams-need-space-to-process-transitions/

03/30/2026

Fast games reward clear minds.

In high-speed sports, you must trust what you’ve trained and respond quickly in the moment. The Mind–Body ABCs provide a simple daily structure to help athletes reset faster, build better beliefs, and stay composed under pressure.

Missed play → reset → next play.

This post breaks down how tracking one good ABC, one challenging ABC, and one redo each day can sharpen mental speed, strengthen confidence, and keep ex*****on clean when the game moves fast.

Read the full post here: https://reachingahead.com/the-mind-body-abcs-of-high-speed-performance

03/04/2026

03/04/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 CMPC Group Mentorship Cohort at Reaching Ahead Counseling and Mental Performance.

This 20-hour small-group mentorship experience (10 months of 2 hour meetings) is designed for practitioners pursuing the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) credential who want thoughtful guidance while developing their applied work with athletes, performers, and other high-performing populations. Licensed and non-licensed practitioners are welcome to apply; however, preference may be given to licensed professionals depending on group composition and training needs.

Emphasis:

• Mentorship and professional identity development in sport and performance psychology
• Case conceptualization and applied consulting strategies
• Professional development planning within the field of mental performance
• Working effectively with athletes, performers, and other high-performing individuals

Participants also receive full access to the Reaching Ahead Mental Performance Training comprehensive online curriculum.

Price: $1249 (APA approved CEU's will likely be available - TBD, for only $50 additional)

The application process is informal. If you are interested, please use the contact form on the website. In your message, briefly share a little about yourself, why you are interested in the program, and a few days/times you would be available for a short Zoom or phone conversation.

More information:

MENTAL PERFORMANCE GROUP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: Group mentorship - CMPC Certification and/or general professional development for licensed providers WHY JOIN? Professional isolation, particularly in smaller communities and within specialized practice domains, presents unique challenges for ethical prac...

02/27/2026

Performance is shaped every day by what gets reinforced.

In college lacrosse and other team sports, behaviors like effort, communication, composure, and accountability grow when they are intentionally acknowledged. Positive reinforcement strengthens trust, builds culture, and drives performance under pressure.

Reinforcement must move through the entire team:

Coach to player
Player to player
Player to coach

When that flow is strong, standards become self-sustaining.

If you want a stronger team culture, start by identifying the behaviors you consistently reinforce.

Read the full breakdown and build a smarter performance system: reachingahead.com/positive-reinforcement/

02/20/2026

Starting out in private practice or performance psychology?

Build real credentials.
Carve your niche.
Share your work.
Stay persistent.

This field rewards depth, humility, and consistency.

If you are launching your career or refining your path, this post offers practical advice from years of experience across private practice, the military, and elite performance settings.

Read more and start building your foundation the right way:reachingahead.com/advice-for-starting-out/