Sports mental performance coaching
For athletes, coaches and teams who want to manage their thoughts and emotions and perform when it counts.
In training, a mental problem is a technical problem: it’s handled with a specialized coach, just like technique, tactics or physical conditioning.
Who it’s for
Professional athletes
Individual and team sports, at national and international level.
Young prospects
Young athletes stepping into competitive or professional sport who need to learn how to handle competition.
Coaches and teams
Work with the whole group and with the coaching staff on the mental side of the team.
Sports represented in the testimonials
- Hockey 8
- Tennis 8
- Soccer 8
- Cycling 4
- Volleyball 3
- Winter sports 2
- Gymnastics 1
- Combat sports 1
- Karate 1
- Triathlon 1
- Water polo 1
What we work on
The themes that come up most often, described by the athletes themselves.
Excerpts translated from the Italian testimonials.
Performing under pressure
Handling tension before and during competition, without letting it make decisions for you.
“…today I feel much more confident, more centered and relaxed before games…”
Ian Marchetti, Professional Hockey Player @ GDT Bellinzona Snakes Focus and concentration
Putting your attention where it’s needed, one play at a time, for the whole performance.
“…At every session I learned different techniques to develop my concentration and how I manage a game…”
Lorenz Kienzle, Professional Hockey Player @ HC Davos Confidence
Building confidence in your abilities that holds up even against the strongest opponents.
“…Before working with him, I’d start races already mentally beaten just by looking at the start list…”
Andrea Bagioli, Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team Emotions
Recognizing your emotional state and learning to change it when you need to.
“…to manage my emotions better before, during and after a race…”
Letizia Martinelli, Swiss triathlete, Italian Junior Duathlon Champion 2022
The method
Performance = preparation + state of mind. The work starts from the resources an athlete already has, brings them in line with physical and technical preparation, and aims to make performance hold steady under pressure.
Explore the methodWith teams
Beyond one-on-one work, coaching can involve the whole group and its dynamics, together with the head coach.
“…His work with the group brought immediate benefits…”
In person or remote
Based in Lugano, Switzerland. Sessions are held in Ticino or remotely, as some of the athletes mention.
What it isn’t
A mental coach isn’t a cheerleader, and mental coaching isn’t psychotherapy: it’s performance-focused training and does not replace psychological or medical care.
In the press
“Bagioli has turned the corner”
“Elvis Merzlikins: ‘I’ve never settled’”
“Meet the man inside the minds of the Bianconeri”
“Eric Walsky: ‘Fischer is like Picasso’”
The book
Oltre La Linea Bianca is Fausto Donadelli’s Italian-language book on the psychology of performance. It grew out of tennis, but it speaks to anyone who competes when the stakes are high.
About the bookFurther reading
Articles in Italian.
- Vital energy: the foundation of healthEnergia vitale: la base della salute
- The structure of beliefs: you are what you believeLa struttura delle credenze: sei ciò che credi
- Advanced NLP: techniques for changePNL avanzata: tecniche di cambiamento
- Hypnosis: a natural psychosomatic phenomenonIpnosi: fenomeno psicosomatico naturale
Let’s talk about your performance
Tell me about your sport, your level and what you’d like to work on.