Excellence is not about eliminating pressure, it is about performing effectively alongside it

Logo of the British Psychological Society featuring a line drawing of a seated woman holding a flame, with text stating "the british psychological society" and "chartered psychologist."
Logo for CASES, Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training, featuring a stylized figure in motion and the text 'CASES' in large purple letters with the subtitle 'Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training' underneath.
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You are here because something matters deeply to you

Whether you are an athlete chasing excellence, a leader navigating complex challenges, or someone seeking to unlock your potential in high-pressure environments, you understand that peak performance is not just about talent or hard work. You know there is something more, a mental component that separates good from great, that recognises pressure as opportunity, and that helps you stay true to your values even when the stakes are highest.

The life of high-performance can feel isolating, overwhelming, and fraught with setbacks. I get it, because I have lived it.

Four rugby players in matching team uniforms standing on a field during a match.

My Story: From Player to Practitioner

My passion for sport and performance psychology began during my 12-year professional rugby career. Representing teams in South Africa, including the University of Cape Town, Western Province Rugby, Eastern Province, Griquas, and ultimately Zimbabwe at international level, I experienced firsthand the mental demands that elite performance places on us.

When a serious injury forced me to rebuild my career in France, I discovered something profound about resilience, adaptation, and finding meaning in adversity. When a repeat injury eventually ended my playing days, I faced a choice: let this setback define me or use it as a catalyst for something meaningful.

That moment of choice began my transition from athlete to sport psychologist, whereby I obtained my MSc and then PhD in Performance Psychology. This blend of personal experience, academic knowledge, and professional training is why I am uniquely positioned to understand not just the theory of performance psychology, but its lived reality.

A rugby player in a red and white uniform wears a red helmet and holds the ball while being lifted by teammates during a lineout rugby match at a stadium.

My Approach: Acceptance and Commitment in Action

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), an evidence-based approach that helps you develop psychological flexibility: the ability to stay present with your experience, accept the discomfort that comes with pursuing what matters, and take committed action toward your values even when facing uncertainty.

Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, self-doubt, or pressure, we work together to change your relationship with these experiences. This means learning to perform while having difficult thoughts and feelings, finding clarity about what truly drives you, and developing the mental skills to stay committed to your path regardless of outcomes.

Why This Matters for Your Performance

My approach differs from more traditional mental skills programmes in two crucial ways:

Lived Understanding: Having been a professional athlete, I know the importance of seeing the person first, and the performer second. Our personal lives do not get left behind when we step into our performance arenas. Rather, our values, relationships, and what truly matters to us fuel our best performances. I work with the whole person, not just the performer, because sustainable excellence comes from understanding and being true to all of who you are.

Dropping the Struggle: Athletes often believe they must "stay positive" or "block out negativity." With ACT, we take a different approach, we stop trying to control your thoughts and emotions and instead focus on accepting them while staying committed to your values. When you are no longer in a tug-of-war with your own mind and emotions, you are free to pursue what matters most to you.

The result: You develop the attention and poise to be your authentic self while pursuing what matters to you. There are no hacks or quick fixes, just proven methods for building sustainable excellence that is aligned with who you are as a person.

Rugby players in action during a match with one player being tackled by an opponent, crowd watching in the background.

Who I Work With

I support performers across all levels, from elite professional athletes in rugby, golf, and tennis, to corporate leaders and management teams who face similar pressures in their domains. My clients share common threads: they are committed to excellence, they understand that mental skills are performance skills, and they are ready to do the deeper work of aligning their actions with their values.

Whether you are seeking to break through performance plateaus, navigate career transitions, lead with greater impact, or simply find more meaning and satisfaction in your demanding pursuits, our work together will help you develop the psychological flexibility to thrive under pressure while staying true to who you are.

What We will Work On Together

Through our partnership, you will develop practical skills that transcend your specific domain:

  • Building psychological flexibility to perform no matter what you are thinking and feeling

  • Clarifying your core values and using them to guide decision-making under pressure

  • Developing mindful awareness to stay present and focused during crucial moments

  • Creating sustainable approaches to high performance that foster both excellence and well-being

  • Learning to accept the inherent challenges of leadership and responsibility while staying committed to growth

A smiling sport psychologist with a beard and short hair standing outdoors with trees and grass in the background.

Ready to Begin?

If you are tired of letting mental barriers limit your potential, if you are seeking an approach that builds both performance and personal values, and if you are ready to develop the psychological skills that will serve you for life, I would love to explore how we can work together.

The path to sustainable high performance is not about eliminating discomfort, it is about learning to perform alongside it, while staying committed to what matters most. Let us begin that journey together.

Contact me today to schedule a consultation and discover how ACT-based mental skills training can transform your relationship with pressure, performance, and purpose.

 FAQs

  • ACT is an approach that helps you accept what is out of your personal control and commit to action that enhances your performance and well-being. It uses mindfulness strategies and practical tools to help you live more in the present and be guided by your values.

  • Unlike other forms of mental skills training that focus on controlling or avoiding certain thoughts and feelings, ACT teaches you to embrace your thoughts and feelings as part of the human experience. It’s unique in its commitment to values-based behaviour and mindfulness.

  • Each session will vary depending on the client and the particular goals we are working towards on a given day. Sessions can include conversation, experiential exercises, and mindfulness practices.

    In a typical session, we'll work together to explore your values, how you handle difficult thoughts and feelings, and develop strategies for moving toward the performances you are fully capable of. A session will usually wrap up with us deciding what your homework will be for the week.

  • ACT is versatile and has been applied to a wide range of issues, from performance anxiety and nervousness to stress and fear of failure. If you’re looking for a way to be more focused and committed, ACT might be a good fit for you. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

  • The length of our work depends on your individual needs and goals. Some people see significant changes in a few months, while others might engage longer.

  • ACT is backed by clinical research showing its effectiveness in addressing various issues. It’s recognised as an evidence-based practice for performance enhancement, return to play following injury, team functioning, and improving well-being and satisfaction.

  • Some key concepts include cognitive defusion (learning to observe your thoughts rather than get entangled in them), acceptance (opening up to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings), mindfulness (being present in the moment), and values (discovering what truly matters to you).

  • While not always labeled as homework, you might be encouraged to engage in certain practices or exercises outside of sessions to deepen your understanding and application of ACT principles in your performance life.

  • Starting training is as simple as reaching out for an initial consultation. During this call, we can discuss your goals and how training might help. From there, we’ll schedule our first session and begin the journey together.

  • Mindfulness is a big deal in ACT. It's all about helping you stay present and engaged with your performance as it happens, without getting too caught up in the noise in your head. It's a skill we'll practice together, making it easier to handle whatever life throws your way.

  • The frequency of sessions varies based on your individual needs and goals. Many people start with a session every two weeks to build momentum and establish a strong client-practitioner relationship. 

    Over time, as you start to notice changes, you might decide to meet less frequently. We’ll continually assess what’s working best for you!