★★★★★ (5.0) Rating from athletes, parents, and coaches
Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes, Teams, and High Performers
Build confidence, focus, and consistency under pressure
We work 1-on-1 with athletes virtually from anywhere, or bring training to your team locally or online
Real Results.
“Working with Ian really helped my team to find a new sense of confidence and motivation to perform throughout the season. We were able to refer back to things discussed at the workshops throughout practices which really helped the mindset of my team!”
— Varsity Cheer/Stunt Coach
“Ian was fantastic with the Bantam hockey team!
Kept the kids engaged and taught them how important the mental part of the game is!
10 out of 10 recommend the Mental Barbell.”
— Youth Hockey Coach & Parent
“We had an outstanding experience with The Mental Barbell! Ian led sessions for our boys varsity basketball team focused on team and culture building, emphasizing accountability, trust, and leadership. He did an incredible job pushing our guys outside of their comfort zone!”
— Varsity Basketball Coach
For Individual Athletes
Mental performance is personal and that’s why we take a scientific and individualized approach.
1-on-1 sessions are designed to build confidence, improve focus, and help athletes perform consistently in competition.
- Confidence under pressure
- Focus and composure
- Pre-game routines
- Resetting after mistakes
Available virtually from anywhere!
What people are saying
“I attribute a large part of my success in law school and securing a prestigious job as an attorney for the US Coast Guard to the invaluable strategies that I learned from Ian Reardon at the Mental Barbell. Throughout my academic journey, I diligently applied the tools and techniques he shared, which propelled me to perform at the top of my class. Ian’s expertise in sports psychology transcends athletic pursuits and proved indispensable in conquering the challenges of legal studies.”
M. K.
Attorney
How It Works
- Free Discovery Session
- Start with a 30-minute session to understand your goals, current challenges, and where your performance breaks down under pressure.
- 6-Week Training Cycle
- Work through a structured Mental Performance Training Cycle focused on building confidence, improving focus, and developing tools you can use in real competition.
- Apply It in Competition
- Each session connects directly to training and competition, developing pre-game routines, in-game focus, and emotional resets after mistakes.
- Continue Training or Level Up
- Move into additional training cycles or unlock The Mental Barbell Club for ongoing development and long-term consistency.
Mental Performance Training Cycle
For Teams
Interactive mental performance workshops designed to improve confidence, communication, and performance under pressure.
Each session is customized based on your team’s goals, sport, and competitive environment.
Building Confidence, Focus, and Consistency Under Pressure
“I have used The Mental Barbel with multiple age groups, and Ian does an outstanding job tailoring his presentation to meet each team’s specific needs. He provides a ton of valuable insight from both a team and individual perspective. Covering how to properly prepare, manage in game stress, and build strong mental habits. His approach helps players maximize performance and develop tools they can use both on and off the ice. Highly recommend.”
— Varsity Hockey Coach
“Ian not only has the counseling credentials to be an effective mental performance coach but also the competitive swimming experience to bolster his credibility and effectiveness. I am the head coach of a college team, and we have greatly benefitted from our sessions with Ian. Our team has experienced tangible results in just 2 sessions with confidence building and coping strategies with high-pressure performance.”
— NAIA Swim and Dive Coach
“We had Ian Reardon from The Mental Barbell come out to run a varsity hockey team-building workshop, and it was an incredibly valuable experience for both our players and coaches. The team loved the hands-on activities that focused on building trust, accountability, and team bonding. Ian led a great session filled with real-life examples and engaging discussions that really resonated with our athletes.”
— High School Hockey Parent
Workshop Topics
Individual Mental Performance
Focus, confidence, resilience, composure, motivation, toughness, flow, self-talk, visualization, mental preparation, recovery, goal-setting, discipline, identity, growth mindset, and energy management.
Team & Culture Development
Teamwork, leadership, accountability, communication, trust, consistency, and adaptability.
Competition Mindset
Performing under pressure, mental warm-ups, confidence in competition, building a competitive edge, stress management, and resetting after mistakes.
(These are sample topics—each workshop is tailored specifically to your team!)
How It’s Delivered
Each one hour workshop is experiential, active, and engaging designed to put your athletes in novel situations to test their mental skills, teamwork, and communication.
Trusted by Champions
“Game-Changing Team Building for the Muskegon Risers! The Mental Barbell came out to work with the Muskegon Risers team, and the chemistry clicked from the start. Their team-building exercises were engaging, fun, and surprisingly effective. Our players absolutely loved it! What stood out most was how they helped us focus as a unit, get to know each other on a deeper level, and clarify our shared goals. It wasn’t just fluff—it translated into better communication and cohesion on the field. If you’re looking for a program that truly strengthens team dynamics, The Mental Barbell is a home run. Highly recommend!
Mike B.
FC Head Coach
