Can we talk about what nobody says out loud?

That you're scared the mental block won't go away. That you're exhausted from trying to be perfect. That some days, the thought of walking into practice makes your chest tight. That you love your sport—but also, sometimes, you hate it.

If you're nodding along right now, you're in the right place.

Here's what I know about young athletes in aesthetic sports.

You're being judged on everything. Your lines. Your form. Your expression. Your body. Whether you "look the part." You're expected to make it look effortless—even when it's the hardest thing you've ever done. And when things go wrong? When you balk, freeze, or fall? It feels like the whole world saw it.

I get it. Because I've been there.

I'm a former gymnast and tennis player. I've stood on the beam knowing everyone's eyes were on me. I've had mental blocks that made me question whether I should quit. I've dealt with the pressure, the comparisons, the inner voice that said I wasn't good enough.

And now, as a USA Gymnastics coach for the past four years, I see it from the other side. I know what young athletes are up against. The perfectionism. The anxiety. The constant feeling that you have to prove yourself.

That's why I do this work.

What working with me actually looks like.

First things first: this is a judgment-free zone.

You don't have to show up perfect. You don't have to have it all together. You can talk about the hard stuff—the fear, the self-doubt, the days you want to quit—and I'm not going to tell you to "just think positive."

We're going to get real. And then we're going to build skills that actually work.

Here's what we'll focus on:

• Managing anxiety (the kind that shows up before competition and the kind that follows you everywhere else): We'll use evidence-based techniques—like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—to help you work with anxiety instead of trying to fight it. Because spoiler alert: trying to eliminate anxiety usually makes it worse.

• Reframing perfectionism and self-criticism: Perfectionism isn't a personality trait you're stuck with. It's a pattern we can tweak. We'll figure out where it's coming from and build healthier ways to think about performance, mistakes, and your worth as an athlete.

• Working through mental blocks: Mental blocks are scary. But they're also solvable. We'll break down what's happening, why it's happening, and how to move through it—step by step, without rushing.

• Building confidence that lasts: Real confidence doesn't come from winning or hitting every skill perfectly. It comes from trusting yourself even when things don't go as planned. We'll build that kind of confidence together.

• Finding balance between pushing hard and protecting your wellbeing: You don't have to choose between performance and mental health. We'll figure out how to honor both.

My style? Warm, real, and occasionally funny.

I believe laughter is just as healing as deep reflection. I'll challenge you when you need it, but I'll also meet you where you are. Every session is tailored to you—what you need that day, what feels right for you. Some days we'll dig deep. Other days we'll pull out Uno or Connect Four while we chat. Both are okay. The goal isn't to turn you into someone you're not. It's to help you become the athlete (and person) you want to be.

What makes me different.

• I've been in your shoes. I know what it's like to freeze on the beam. To second-guess every move. To wonder if you're good enough. I'm not just a clinician reading about these challenges in a textbook. I've lived them.

• I'm still in the sport. As a USA Gymnastics coach, I see what athletes are navigating right now—the culture, the pressure, the expectations. I'm not removed from it. I'm in it with you.

• I'm supervised by Dr. Erin Ayala. Every single client I work with benefits from Dr. Ayala's oversight and expertise. You're getting high-quality, evidence-based support (at a more accessible rate!)

• I use approaches that actually work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, Feminist Therapy, and Performance Coaching—all grounded in research, all tailored to you.