Peak Performance Counseling, PLLC

10/01/2026

Such an honor to be asked to be the first guest on the Sportual Cafe podcast with the legendary Coach Jeanne Hess! I really enjoyed this conversation with Coach Hess and getting to talk about the mental side of sports in such a real and meaningful way.

We had such a great conversation about something that I think can sometimes get lost in competitive sports: enthusiasm and the joy of playing.

As athletes, it’s easy to get caught up in performance, expectations, pressure, mistakes, and the constant desire to be better. But sometimes we need to take a step back and ask ourselves:

“Why do I play?”
“What made me fall in love with this sport in the first place?”

We talked about finding your “why,” ways to handle pressure, getting out of your own head, and how to enjoy the game again — even when the pressure and expectations feel overwhelming.

Because sports are supposed to be fun!

Performance and enjoyment don't have to be opposites. In fact, reconnecting with the things that make you love your sport can be an important part of performing at your best.

Sometimes, getting back to your best means getting back to why you started playing in the first place.

Check out our episode of Sportual Cafe and give it a listen! Let us know your thoughts on the conversation we had!

This week's guest: Emily Lindsay ☕Emily played golf and basketball...

09/09/2026

September is Su***de Awareness Month.

As a sports psychologist, I’m reminded every day that athletes are so much more than their performance.

Behind the uniform, the statistics, the wins and losses, and the expectations is a person who may be dealing with stress, anxiety, disappointment, injury, pressure, loneliness, or struggles that aren't visible from the outside.

Sometimes the athlete who looks like they have it all together is struggling the most.

Checking in matters. Listening matters. Creating space to talk matters.

We don't need to have the perfect words or know exactly how to fix someone's problems. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply support and ask:

“How are you really doing?”

And then stay long enough to listen.

For athletes, coaches, parents, teammates, and everyone in between—asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of courage.

Moving forward, let's work toward creating sports environments where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health, where athletes know they don't have to struggle alone, and where reaching out for support is encouraged.

Your life is bigger than your sport.
Your worth is bigger than your performance.
You don't have to face it alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of su***de, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

***deAwarenessMonth ***dePrevention

08/18/2026

I had the privilege of joining the legendary former Kalamazoo College women’s volleyball coach, Jeanne Hess, on her podcast, The Sportual Cafe, for a conversation that I absolutely loved!

We talked about the meaning behind the word “sportual,” the importance of enthusiasm, and what can happen when athletes reconnect with the reasons they fell in love with their sport in the first place.

As a sports psychologist, one of the things I love most about working with athletes is helping them move beyond the pressure, expectations, fear of failure, and constant focus on performance and work towards finding their way back to joy, fun, and the experience of simply playing their sport.

Because sometimes the goal isn't just to perform better.
Sometimes it's to enjoy the process again and remember why you play.

Thank you, Coach Hess as well as Public Media Network, for having me on the Sportual Cafe and for creating space for these important conversations about the mental and emotional side of sport!

Stay tuned for more information about when the episode will drop and how to watch/listen!

08/12/2026

It’s hard to believe we’re already celebrating the end of Kate Klahorst’s summer internship at Peak Performance Counseling!

Kate has been such a wonderful addition to the practice this summer. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch her learn, grow, and gain hands-on experience in counseling and sports psychology. From observing sessions and learning about the day-to-day work of a private practice to creating resources and exploring the mental side of performance, Kate brought curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn to everything she did.

We are so grateful for the time and energy Kate invested in Peak Performance Counseling and for the positive impact she made during her time with us. We’re sad to see her internship come to an end, but we’re excited to see all that she accomplishes in the future!

Thank you for an amazing summer, Kate! We’re so proud of you and will be cheering you on every step of the way!

06/29/2026

Excited to welcome our summer intern to Peak Performance Counseling, Kate!

"Hi, I’m Kate Klahorst and I’m from Grand Haven, Michigan! I’m a rising senior at Kalamazoo College where I’m double majoring in psychology and business and playing on the women's soccer team. I’m passionate about the connection between athletic performance and mental health, leading me to pursue a future in sports psychology and counseling. Being involved in sports my whole life has created an interest in personal and team success and the factors that help athletes thrive. Interning at Peak Performance Counseling is giving me the opportunity to dive deeper into the field, get hands-on experience, and continue to explore helping others perform at their best. I’m excited to continue to learn and grow!"

Kate has been a great addition to the team and we're so grateful to have her positive energy and fresh perspective joining the practice this summer as we continue supporting athletes in developing the mental skills needed to perform at their best!

06/22/2026

Proud to support the student-athletes of Kalamazoo College!

Today, Peak Performance Counseling had the opportunity to sponsor a hole at the Kalamazoo College Athletics Golf Jamboree. It was a great day on the course connecting with alumni, supporters, coaches, and community members who continue to invest in the success of Hornet Athletics.

As a former Hornet student-athlete, it’s especially meaningful to give back to a program that played such an important role in my personal and professional development. The lessons learned through sport—resilience, confidence, leadership, and perseverance—continue to shape who we become long after competition ends. Go Hornets! 🐝⛳️

05/04/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and in sport, the mental side is just as important as the physical.

As athletes, you train your body every day. But are you training your mind?

Performance anxiety, fear of failure, pressure to succeed, coming back from injury—these are real, and they deserve attention. Mental health isn’t a weakness. It’s part of the foundation of consistent, confident performance.

This month is a reminder:
• It’s okay to not feel okay
• Talking about it is a strength
• Support is part of success

Whether you're in-season, off-season, or recovering—your mental game matters.

Take time this month to check in with yourself or your athletes. Start the conversation. Build awareness. Prioritize the whole athlete.

04/14/2026

Had a great time working with the athletes of the Kalamazoo College Men’s Lacrosse team exploring how they can create the conditions for flow state—where the game slows down, reactions feel automatic, and confidence takes over.

We focused on how to quiet distractions, trust preparation, and stay present in high-pressure moments. When athletes learn to let go of overthinking and fully engage in the moment, performance becomes more instinctive, fluid, consistent, and fun.

Flow state isn’t something you can force to happen — it’s something you build and can influence.

Excited to see how this team continues to grow, compete, and tap into their best when it matters most.