Performance Coach for Professional Athletes: 10 Proven Strategies for Unlocking Peak Performance
Testimonial from Rich Fernando, Former Director of Coaching Administration, Philadelphia 76ers – Worked with Performance Coach, Scott Shapiro, MD
“I met with Scott during my first month with the 76ers. I had been tasked by our head coach to develop a more efficient meeting and learning for both players and coaches. Scott was able to give me simple yet effective insights as well as benchmarks to maintain and enhance standards. It was a very productive and eye-opening meeting. I recommended him to people within my network as well.”
Performance Coach
Case Example
When Jamal*, a professional football player, was referred to me to be his performance coach, he was struggling with performance anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and inconsistent focus during games. In addition, he was traveling often with his team and juggling a demanding training and media schedule. We worked together remotely, which allowed him to fit sessions into his routine with ease. Moreover, through our work, Jamal began to feel more centered and in control. His pre-game anxiety decreased, he reported better sleep and reaction time, and most importantly, he found himself playing with more presence and confidence. The strategies we used—some of which are detailed below—helped him unlock his potential and extend his impact on the field.
This is the type of transformation I strive for with every athlete I work with.
Leading Performance Coach – Scott Shapiro, MD
As a peak performance coach, psychiatrist, and former competitive athlete, I help professional athletes achieve their goals and perform at their highest level—consistently. My work is grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science, combined with two decades of clinical experience and my own athletic background. I rowed for the University of Pennsylvania, ran the Marine Corps Marathon, and continue to compete in tennis. I understand the complex relationship between mindset, emotions, motivation, and cognitive performance—not just from theory, but from lived experience.
Over the years, I’ve worked with athletes who struggle with injuries, burnout, performance anxiety, fear of failure, or difficulty maintaining motivation. Many are already at the top of their game, but they want to break through to the next level. They seek an edge—not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. That’s where I come in.
Approach
Using a comprehensive, individualized approach that integrates neuroscience, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), schema therapy, executive coaching, mindfulness, and sports psychology, I help athletes train their minds with the same discipline and intentionality they use to train their bodies.
Here are ten core strategies I often incorporate in my work with professional athletes.
Visualization and Mental Imagery Training from a Performance Coach
Visualization activates the brain similarly to actual performance. By mentally rehearsing specific plays or routines, athletes strengthen the neural pathways needed for peak execution. In addition, mental imagery is a proven strategy that also reduces anxiety and boosts confidence.
Because of this science, we use vivid, multisensory exercises where athletes imagine successful performance from a first-person perspective. This may include visualizing the environment, bodily sensations, and even the emotions involved in competition.
Why It Matters:
Why it matters: Visualization can improve muscle memory, enhance motivation, and increase motor control. It is used across sports by elite performers to solidify technique and build psychological resilience (Di Fronso & Budnik-Przybylska, 2022).
Managing Anxiety and Arousal with Breathwork and Mindfulness
Anxiety and arousal are natural responses to high-stakes situations. However, excess adrenaline or tension can lead to decreased focus, shaky hands, and impaired decision-making. Breathwork helps regulate the autonomic nervous system and reduce overactivation.
I teach athletes how to activate the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s rest-and-digest mode—through techniques like resonance breathing and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). These help bring heart rate and breathing into sync, which increases vagal tone.
What is vagal tone? It refers to the activity of the vagus nerve, which helps regulate heart rate, digestion, and emotional state. High vagal tone is associated with better emotional regulation, focus, and resilience.
Mindfulness practices such as mindful yoga, body scanning, and sitting meditation have been shown to improve performance and reduce perceived stress in athletes (Di Fronso et al., 2022; Tebourski et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2022).
Schema Therapy for Uncovering Hidden Roadblocks by Your Performance Coach
Many athletes carry unconscious beliefs about themselves, shaped by early life experiences. Schema therapy helps identify and transform these deep-rooted patterns. For example, a belief like “I must be perfect to be valued” can lead to crippling pressure and burnout.
We use guided imagery and cognitive restructuring to challenge and reframe these beliefs.
Ravi*, a pro tennis player, believed he was only worthy if he won. We uncovered this belief and worked through it using schema techniques. Over time, he was able to play with more freedom and less self-judgment.
Reframing Failure and Building a Growth Mindset
Athletes often interpret mistakes as proof of inadequacy. I teach clients to view failure as feedback. This involves replacing all-or-nothing thinking with more realistic assessments.
We use review protocols (like post-game analysis forms) to identify what worked and what needs improvement. This reframing builds a growth mindset—seeing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than signs of failure (Deci & Ryan, 2000).
Precision Goal-Setting and Weekly Accountability Systems
Performance coaching isn’t just about inspiration—it’s about implementation. We set weekly SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and use WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) to anticipate barriers.
Tracking progress through shared digital platforms gives athletes immediate feedback. This creates momentum and builds trust in their own ability to grow.
Enhancing Executive Function for Strategic Thinking with Your Performance Coach
Executive functions are the brain’s command center—responsible for focus, planning, flexibility, and self-control. These are crucial for athletes who need to make split-second decisions or pivot under pressure.
We work on strategies like dual-task training (performing a cognitive and physical task simultaneously), emotional regulation exercises, and mental simulations of competitive situations.
Darius*, a team captain in pro hockey, learned to stay calm when his team fell behind. Using breath control and self-talk strategies, he maintained focus and helped lead a comeback.
Mindfulness for Performance (MFP) and In-the-Moment Focus
MFP teaches athletes to focus on the present, rather than obsess over past mistakes or future outcomes. This includes mindfulness drills that anchor attention to the body or breath.
As a performance coach, I help my clients be in the moment. This improves reaction time, decision-making, and emotional regulation. It also builds self-awareness, so athletes can redirect their focus when distracted (Tebourski et al., 2022).
Wearable Technology and Biometric Feedback for Recovery and Readiness
Wearables like WHOOP, Oura Ring, and Garmin collect real-time data on:
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability): A key marker of stress and recovery
- Sleep efficiency: The percentage of time in bed actually spent asleep
- Recovery Score: A composite score based on physiological readiness
I help clients use this data to improve training timing, manage sleep hygiene, and optimize performance. For example, reducing screen time or caffeine after 6 p.m. can improve deep sleep and HRV.
Jordan, a pro football player*, used wearable data to fine-tune his sleep schedule. We saw a 20% improvement in his recovery scores and fewer energy crashes on game day.
Biofeedback and HRV Training for Stress Resilience
Biofeedback helps athletes learn to control internal physiological states. Devices like HeartMath’s emWave and Inner Balance monitor heart rate rhythms and teach users how to shift into a calm, focused state.
Why it matters: Higher HRV is linked to faster recovery, better focus, and improved emotional control. We also use the DAVID Delight Pro to help with sleep onset and mental clarity (MindAlive, n.d.).
Neurofeedback and Focus Training Using Wearable Tech
Neurofeedback uses EEG or light/sound stimulation to train the brain to produce desired states. For example, I recommend DAVID Delight Pro helps athletes enter deep focus or relaxation states by modulating brainwave activity.
This is particularly helpful for athletes who experience “overthinking” during competition or struggle to wind down after intense training.
Conclusion about a Performance Coach
Helping athletes reach peak performance as a performance coach is both an art and a science. By aligning the athlete’s mind, emotions, physiology, and behavior with their performance goals, we unlock their full potential—not just for a season, but for a career.
If you’re a professional athlete ready to elevate your performance—or a coach seeking support for your team—I invite you to reach out. Together, we can train your most important muscle: your mind.
Bibliography
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The ‘what’ and ‘why’ of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
Di Fronso, S., & Budnik-Przybylska, D. (2022). Sport psychology interventions for athletes’ performance and well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1024. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031024
Li, Y., Liu, C., Zhang, Y., & Huang, X. (2022). External versus internal attentional focus in sprint performance: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 2319. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19032319
Lochbaum, M., et al. (2022). Self-confidence and athletic performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1832. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031832
MindAlive. (n.d.). DAVID Delight Pro. https://mindalive.com
HeartMath. (n.d.). Inner Balance and emWave devices. https://www.heartmath.com
Oura Ring. (n.d.). Oura Ring Gen3. https://ouraring.com
Ruiz, M. C., Raglin, J. S., & Hanin, Y. L. (2022). Psychobiosocial states as mediators in the relationship between perceived stress and performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 812. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19030812
Tebourski, T., Martinent, G., & Latinjak, A. T. (2022). Effects of mindfulness for performance training on athletes’ mindfulness and free-throw performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1315. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031315
Wang, X., Zhang, C., & Liu, J. (2022). Mindfulness training and shooting performance in basketball: A quasi-experimental study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1210. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031210
WHOOP. (n.d.). WHOOP wearable performance tracker. https://www.whoop.com
Garmin. (n.d.). Garmin fitness watches. https://www.garmin.com
*Disclaimer: All names and identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. These case studies are illustrative in nature and are not intended to represent any specific individual.