History

"The Past shapes The present, the present presents us with the opportunity to shape the future."

-Zac Vidic

VPC was formed in 2017 in Crested Butte, Colorado but a vision for enhancing optimal performance began long ago in Indiana as a young athlete who was introduced to a variety of sports. I started skiing at the age of two, and since then, sports have played a fundamental role in my existence, not only on the field or mountain, but also throughout my education and career.

Situations that derail you often define your future success. My story is one that started with failure at the age of sixteen. At that time I was an elite youth alpine racer. However, my career came to an emotionally-charged end after the completion of a poor season. In retrospect, my head was not on straight. I was not aware of the mental tools and resources that could have been used to help me overcome significant performance-related setbacks. Leaving a sport that I had dedicated the majority of my young life to was a decision that would shape my future. In the years that followed, I examined the thoughts and actions that lead me to that point of exacerbation. Through extensive research, I discovered a field that could have helped me think more efficiently in order to perform optimally: Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology.

"They always say time changes things, but actually you have to change them yourself."

-any warhol

While at The University of Dayton pursuing a BS in Psychology, I was presented with the opportunity to be the head coach of the women’s club soccer team. After helping lead the team to nationals for the first time in seven years, I discovered my passion for influencing others to use their optimal process of performance. However, while working to help them overcome a lack of focus, belief, and confidence, it became apparent to me that I had limitations as a coach. This drove me to discover the most effective modality of enhancing performance in sport and in life. My newfound passion for Sport Psychology led me to voraciously consume literature and resources related to the field. As my knowledge grew and I had time to reflect on my alpine racing career, I was able to realize the roadblocks that led me to quit could have been avoided. I also learned that the most successful individuals are the ones that experiment with and use different mental toughness tools and strategies to perform optimally. That initial failure became a driving force for me to pursue my Master’s Degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at Barry University.

My acceptance into Barry, one of the top twenty programs in the nation for Sport Psychology, provided me with a comprehensive education and exposed me to some of the most esteemed Sport Psychology professionals in the country. Upon entering Barry, I deliberately chose the dual track program of research and applied work. This exposed me to cutting-edge research and pedagogical practices within the field. In particular, my work as a Mental Performance Consultant with NCAA athletes, teams, coaches, and parents helped me to refine my skillset. During my tenure at Barry, my eyes were opened to new ways of working with individuals.

Upon completion of my degree, I was selected for a highly competitive internship under one of the foremost sport psychology coaches in the United States: Dr. Rob Bell. During my time at this internship, I was fueled with the final bits of knowledge to live out my passion of Mental Performance Consulting. My continual pursuit of knowledge did not cease upon completion of my Master’s degree. As an accepted member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and American Psychological Association (APA), I have continued to expand my knowledge base through research, regional and national conferences, and mentorship. Upon completion of the internship, I returned to Crested Butte, Colorado where the initial failure that fueled the passion for this Mental Performance Consulting practice began.