Our Mission
At Arena Mindset, our mission is to empower athletes, parents, and youth to transform their lives by cultivating Authenticity, Purpose, Resilience, & Grit.
We are uniquely positioned to come alongside both parents and their young athletes, or parents that are looking for better communication and healthy relationship dynamics.
Authenticity
We work with individuals to embrace their true selves, building self-confidence and trust that fosters stronger connections.
Purpose
We establish a foundation in each athlete to find the 'WHY' that drives sustainable success.
Resilience
Resilience is a crucial part of an athlete's character that enables them to recover and adapt in the face of setbacks.
Grit
Grit is the secret ingredient for passion and perseverance and successful achievement toward long-term goals.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...
We applaud those who are in sports arena and the arena of parenting. We come alongside those seeking their best, exploring their limits and those daring souls who want to show up in relationships to their fullest capacity—all ages, all sports, all walks of life.
We give you the mental edge to perform your best and support those around you!
ATHLETE
Focused Areas of Growth
Self Narrative
It’s essential for athletes to control their self-narrative and perspective, learning to compete with composure and professionalism. We help athletes re-frame "unfair" circumstances, maintaining focus and poise to finish the job.
Assessing internal dialogue is key—success begins in the mind. We'll work to fine-tune this inner narrative, shifting from negativity to positivity and from victim hood to gratitude. For better or worse, self-narrative shapes reality. By mastering their internal dialogue, athletes and parents can align their mindset with their desired outcomes to help create the reality they seek.
Intrinsic Motivation
Developing a personal “Why and Purpose” in their sport is essential for every athlete. This sense of purpose becomes the foundation for true commitment and focus.
We guide athletes to speak in definitive terms like “I can” and “I will,” fostering the mindset necessary for commitment, risk-taking, and learning from perceived failures. When an athlete understands why they want to finish, they are more likely to finish successfully.
The Process
Success comes from focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Just showing up on rough days is a win. Failing forward and learning from missteps are valuable nuggets of growth. Shifting focus from perfection to progress helps athletes build resilience and long-term success.
A defined process creates routines, maintains focus, and develops muscle memory—both physical and mental. When an athlete has an established process, they have something to lean on when things go wrong. This sense of structure helps settle nerves, providing a feeling of control even in uncertain moments.
Accurate Recognition
& Response
We help parents find a balance between compassion and direct communication, which is foundational for creating an environment that fosters a child’s sense of safety, character, and resilience.
We raise awareness of current communication styles and provide tools to adjust both verbal and non-verbal cues. This helps parents validate and support their child while communicating disappointment in ways that build authentic confidence rather than a false sense of ego strength.
Boundaries & Expectations
We help parents establish age-appropriate, healthy boundaries and goals for their child. By exploring personal drives, we clarify the line between healthy goal setting and enmeshment which will foster development towards a more confident and independent individual.
We take your family values into account to define and communicate clear boundaries and expectations. When children see healthy boundaries consistently maintained, they learn to respect those limits and develop the confidence to set boundaries in their own lives.
Communication & Environment
We help parents find a balance between compassion and direct communication, which is foundational for creating an environment that fosters a child’s sense of safety, character, and resilience.
We raise awareness of current communication styles and provide tools to adjust both verbal and non-verbal cues. This helps parents validate and support their child while communicating disappointment in ways that build authentic confidence rather than a false sense of ego strength.
PARENT
Focused Areas of Growth
ATHLETES • YOUTH • PARENTS
Coaching Packages
Package 1
Parent Coaching
Healthy communication and appropriate boundary setting can be tricky especially in today’s fast-paced world. At Arena Mindset, we partner with parents to foster deeper understanding, trust, and lasting connection with their children. Through guided coaching, we help you navigate challenges, strengthen bonds, and build a relationship that thrives—both now and in the years to come.
DESIGNED FOR
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Parents looking to strengthen their relationship with their child or teen
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Families navigating communication challenges or boundary-setting
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Creating a foundation of trust, emotional resilience, and mutual respect
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Equipping parents with tools to support their child’s growth and well-being
Package 2
The Mental Edge
Designed for athletes of all ages, all sports and at all levels, this performance-focused package gives you the tools to achieve your personal best.
We'll assess mental strengths and areas of potential growth and take a step-by-step approach to maximizing your confidence.
DESIGNED FOR
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Professional athletes and those looking to reach their personal best
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Develop mental focus and emotional regulation skills
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Reduce performance anxiety and maximize enjoyment
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Develop a repertoire of practices to focus the mind
Package 3
Parent & Athlete Connection
All athletes rise to the top on the shoulders of their support system, and the parent-athlete relationship is one of the most influential roles your child will have. This unique performance coaching package supports both the parent and the child athlete.
The curriculum gives parents perspective on how to effectively communicate with their child or teen as best as possible to maximize the crucial support for the confidence and development of the athlete.
DESIGNED FOR
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Combination coaching package for athletes and their parents
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Gives parents the tools to communicate effectively and provide maximum support
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Athletes find their own intrinsic purpose for competing
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Athletes grow in mental focus, emotional regulation, and reduction in performance anxiety
Common Questions Explained
What is mental performance coaching?
Mental performance coaching helps athletes develop mental skills like focus, confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation to enhance their performance in sports and life.
Who can benefit from mental performance coaching?
Any athlete—youth, collegiate, professional, or recreational—will benefit. It’s also valuable for an athlete's support system such as parents, coaches, and teams.
How is mental coaching different from traditional sports coaching?
While traditional sports coaching focuses on physical skills and strategy, mental performance coaching develops an athlete’s mindset, examining healthy and poor mental habits, providing tools to control the mindset which will help them handle pressure, setbacks, and mental roadblocks.
How can mental coaching improve my athletic performance?
Studies show that athletes who train their mental game improve focus, increase confidence, reduce performance anxiety, and bounce back faster from mistakes.
Will this help if I already perform well under pressure?
Yes! Even elite athletes work on their mental game. A strong mindset can turn good athletes into great ones by refining focus, sharpening decision-making, and sustaining high performance.
Can mental coaching help with game-day anxiety?
Absolutely. Managing game-day anxiety requires examining the big picture for an athlete and learning to embrace nerves and re-frame negative self-talk into definitive language.
What does an Arena Mindset coaching session look like?
Every athlete will begin with one to two assessment sessions, where we'll create a road map to determine what you are struggling with and what we should focus on.
Sessions will consist of reviewing written assignments, developing skills and creating goals. You need to be invested in your own success so will have “homework” to take to your practice/training sessions.
During our sessions we will be working to develop the following
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ability to make definitive commitments in your competing
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develop intrinsic motivation
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increase commitment and focus
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understand the importance of your process
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combat negative thoughts
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gain control over your perspective and self-narrative.
How long does it take to see results?
Some athletes notice improvements within a few sessions, while others build their mental skills over weeks or months. Like physical training, consistency is key.
Do mental coaches work with parents and coaches, too?
Yes. A mental coach can help parents and coaches better support their athletes, strengthen communication, and foster a positive sports environment. Working with parents and coaching will aid in an athlete’s success!
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Is mental performance coaching done in person or online?
Sessions can be performed in person, via phone or video. When possible, we can be available to attend training sessions or events with clients.
How much does mental coaching cost?
In our first free 30-min session we will review all price options and plans.
How do I know if mental performance coaching is right for me?
If you want to improve focus, build confidence, manage pressure, or enhance your overall mental game, mental coaching can be a game-changer.
Package 3
Parent & Athlete Connection
All athletes rise to the top on the shoulders of their support system, and the parent-athlete relationship is one of the most influential roles your child will have. This unique performance coaching package supports both the parent and the child athlete.
The curriculum gives parents perspective on how to effectively communicate with their child or teen as best as possible to maximize the crucial support for the confidence and development of the athlete.
DESIGNED FOR
-
Combination coaching package for athletes and their parents
-
Gives parents the tools to communicate effectively and provide maximum support
-
Athletes find their own intrinsic purpose for competing
-
Athletes grow in mental focus, emotional regulation, and reduction in performance anxiety
What the Research Shows
Athletic coaching is a proven tool, and mindset coaching takes it a step further. Studies show that mental training improves performance, reduces anxiety, and fosters resilience in athletes.
Similarly, research highlights that strong parent-child communication leads to better emotional regulation, confidence, and long-term success for kids. By investing in both athletic and parent-child coaching, families create a foundation for growth, trust, and peak performance—both on and off the field.
87%
87% of athletes consider mental preparation essential, utilizing techniques like visualization, sound integration, and physical sensation to enhance their mental state.
JAT
A study involving collegiate athletes who participated in a mental skills training course reported significant enhancements in mental toughness and coping skills. These improvements were maintained even four months after the course concluded.
Journal of Athletic Training
July 25, 2024
27 / 30
As of 2018, a record 27 out of 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams employed "mental skills coaches" to assist players in managing the psychological challenges of the game.
American Psychology Assoc.
Nov 2018
Through our sessions with Melissa we were better able to understand our daughters, how divorce and disjointed parenting affects children and how to instill our values in our children without being permissive or authoritarian in our parenting. Her ability to interpret and explain family systems was different than anyone we have ever worked with and made sense. She was easy to open up to and made understanding parenting clear.
Hillary & Aaron L.
It’s so valuable to have someone who can guide not only the athlete but also the parent, helping create the right environment for growth and confidence. Melissa played a crucial role in my 12-year-old daughter’s growth as she struggled with performance anxiety when showing and competing in equestrian sports. Melissa walked me through how to build a supportive and encouraging environment to help my daughter through her personal sports journey. This was a great investment in my daughter and helped me raise an exceptional and balanced kid.
Mary B.
I have absolutely loved working with Ms. Melissa. She took the time to listen to me and really helped me work through the anxiety I felt competing. I didn’t realize the amount of pressure I was putting on myself to be “perfect” at my sport. Through a series of sessions with exercises and assignments, I started to find my passion in working and enjoying horses again. She helped build my confidence both in and out of the saddle. I am better able to control my anxiety when at horse shows and I feel so much happier since I have worked with Ms. Melissa.
Olivia, 12 y.o.
Get in Touch
We offer a free, 30-minute consultation to address any questions and concerns you may have before starting the coaching program. This gives you a chance to meet Melissa, and she can help assess the most beneficial next steps.
Meet The Founder
"I'm passionate about helping my clients navigate challenges, build stronger connections with their children, and feel more confident in their parenting"
Melissa Proctor
After more than 15 years as a clinician in the mental health field, Melissa has shifted her focus to coaching specifically with athletes and parents. Her extensive experience with teens, young adults, and parents—combined with her background as a highly competitive athlete—sets her apart from other coaching programs.
With nearly two decades of experience as a master's-level clinician and certification as a Mental Game Performance Coach, Melissa has developed a program that blends her deep expertise in mental health, mental performance coaching, and a strong foundation in child development. Her goal is to help clients build confidence, sharpen their competitive edge, and strengthen their parenting skills.