BUILDING UNSHAKEABLE MINDSETS

I’ve spent most of my life on the sidelines, as a player, a coach, a dad, and someone trying to figure out what it really means to show up for others. Over the past 30 years, I’ve coached athletes from complete beginners to players who went on to compete at the Division I level, led one of Oregon’s largest soccer clubs, and walked alongside thousands of families. Early on, I saw the kind of impact I could have, not just on skills and strategy, but on confidence, courage, and how a kid sees themselves. Coaching gave me a platform to help young people dream bigger and push past what they thought was possible. I grew up believing my worth came from outcomes. But I didn’t hit the mark. I know what it’s like to carry that pressure, to be stuck in self-doubt and anxiety. Coaching, and later parenting, helped me unlearn what held me back, and now I help others do the same. My work is about building something more durable. Steady habits. Clear thinking. A way to perform without losing who you are. That’s the heart of Optima Mindset Coaching. I work with teens and young adults to build confidence, presence, and resilience that shows up on game day, test day, and in life. I also write Reflections of a Father, a collection of short essays on raising boys, coaching with care and accountability, and building a family culture that values effort over image. I live in Southern Oregon by way of Pennsylvania. Still haven’t kicked my love for a proper cheesesteak. My wife, Sarah, and I are raising two sons, Rocco and Giovanni, both competitive soccer players. I play tennis, hack around on the golf course, and we’re most at home together in the mountains, skiing when we can. Two dogs and two cats keep the house in motion. Bottom line: I help young people separate who they are from what they do so they can meet big moments with clarity and courage.