Get to know me
Hi there, I'm Ana, and I'm thrilled you're here.
Sports have been a central part of my life since childhood. After struggling to find meaningful sport engagement post-high school, I discovered joy and purpose through martial arts. As a coach for women's fitness-based martial arts, and later coaching and managing a co-ed fitness kickboxing studio, I encountered numerous individuals facing mental health challenges hindering their progress. This is, in part, what led me to pursue sport and performance psychology after graduate school.
Another reason is that I have been a competitive athlete for a decade, and I've experienced the highs and lows of sports firsthand. My diverse athletic background - track, cross-country running, obstacle course racing, CrossFit, and currently Olympic weightlifting - fuels my passion for helping others overcome obstacles and thrive in all aspects of sport and life. One of my favourite psychological skills to personally use before a max-out attempt are visualizing a successful lift, mentally rehearsing what it looks and feels like, and imagining myself doing it. I'm a firm believer that by applying the lessons learned in sports to real-life situations, athletes can enhance their resilience to stressful situations, leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, and overall quality of life.
Above all, I'm dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing across every realm: psychological, social, physical, and spiritual. Through my Master's research on mental health stigma in sports, I've learned that seeking help is a sign of courage and tenacity. It's about time we re-frame "mental toughness" in sport as "mental fitness", where we roll with life's inevitable challenges with compassion, confidence, and resilience. Whether working with athletes, performers, individuals, or groups, I aim to empower others to unlock their potential and live authentically and meaningfully in sport and in life.
Let's embark on this journey together and achieve greatness, both on and off the field, court, or gym.
