Meet your mental performance coach
Discover my journey into mental performance coaching, my unique approach, and how I empower athletes to excel both on and off the field.
Hayden Stork
My journey into mental performance
I am a graduate student in Sport Psychology at Illinois State University, currently working toward my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) credential through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). My work is supervised and grounded in evidence-based mental skills training.
As a former competitive athlete in collegiate baseball, I understand the mental demands athletes face and how to systematically train the mind for performance. I have experience working with collegiate student-athletes across multiple universities and sports, helping them strengthen confidence, focus, composure, and consistency in high-pressure environments.
My coaching philosophy: beyond performance outcomes
I care deeply about athlete development — not just performance outcomes. My coaching is structured, professional, and developmentally appropriate. I focus on building skills that support both athletic success and personal growth, including resilience, emotional regulation, and self-confidence.
I believe mental performance training should be proactive, not just reactive. We don’t just fix problems — we build systems that make athletes more consistent, composed, and confident over time. My aim is to create an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to take ownership of their performance.
What you'll gain from mental skills training
Talent and physical preparation matter — but performance often comes down to mental execution. Mental skills are trainable, just like strength or speed. My goal is to help athletes create repeatable mental habits that show up when the game is on the line.
I help athletes:
- Build lasting confidence
- Improve focus and eliminate distractions
- Manage performance anxiety and nerves
- Develop pre-performance and reset routines
- Bounce back quickly from mistakes
- Perform consistently under pressure
“I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything.”
— Michael Phelps