What does it take to become a mental performance coach?
You’ve come to the right place.
Becoming a coach can help you find a way out of your job, control your working hours, and help others with your unique skills and gifts.
And today, I will share the best mental performance coach certification programs and tell you how to start your coaching business.
Ready? Let’s go!
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The best mental performance coach certification programs are:
- The AASP’s Certified Mental Performance Consultant (Leader in mental performance coach certification)
- Brian Cain’s Mental Performance Mastery Certification (Has worked with thousands of elite athletes and executives)
- The ISSA’s Performance Enhancement Specialist (Online and self-paced)
- The Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) Certification Program (One-on-one and group training available)
What is a mental performance coach?
Before we dive into the mental performance coach certification programs, let’s talk about what a mental performance coach does.
Mental performance coaches use a unique combination of psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness techniques to help clients improve their mental skills and overall performance.
They typically work with elite athletes like Michael Phelps and Tom Brady, performers, and people in high-pressure positions such as first responders.
And studies back up how necessary this kind of coaching is. For example, one study found that swimmers who received coaching showed more improvements than those who didn’t.
As a mental performance coach, you help your clients with things like:
- Goal setting
- Mental strength
- Focus and concentration
- Mindfulness and relaxation
- Performance visualization
- Motivation
- Emotional regulation
- Stress management
- Routine development
- Recovery
- Mental health
But what’s the difference between a mental performance coach versus a sports psychologist?
A sports psychologist is licensed to diagnose and treat mental health. A mental performance coach works more with the overall performance.
Ultimately, if you decide to become a mental performance coach, you can work with a sports team or individual athletes. You’ll either sign on as an employee or build your own business.
For example, take Michael Huber.
He runs his own business and works with young athletes to help them become confident problem solvers and get the most out of their abilities.
The benefits of running your own business mean that you can decide who you work with and you’re in charge of your own time and income.
👋 High five to that 👋
But how do you get there?
Next, let’s look at what it takes to get your mental performance coach certification.
What are the best mental performance coach certification programs?
Here are the best mental performance coach certification programs available.
| Program | Organization | Accreditation | Delivery | Duration | Price |
| Certified Mental Performance Consultant | Association for Applied Sport Psychology | NCCA | Online or in-person | 90 minutes | $375 |
| Brian Cain’s Mental Performance Mastery Certification | Brian Cain | No | Online | Self-paced | $97 per month for 12 months (or $997 if paid in full) |
| Performance Enhancement Specialist | International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) | NCCA | Online | Self-paced | $53.27 per month for 12 months |
| The Mental Game Coaching Professional Certification Program | Mental Game Coaching Professional | No | Online | 12 weeks | $3,600 |
(Note: I haven’t taken any of these programs myself. Instead, I’m recommending them based on reviews and reputation.)
1. Certified Mental Performance Consultant
Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC) teach clients mental skills that enhance their performance and enjoyment of sports, business, and everyday life.
CMPCs work with athletes of all ages and skills, non-sport performers, business professionals, and more.
Instead of training, this is just the certification exam, which means there are some requirements, such as:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in sport science, psychology, or related field
- Extensive experience with approved mentors (400+ hours)
See the complete list of requirements in the link below.
The exam, which you can take in person or at home, is made up of 115 multiple-choice questions that cover six domains:
- Rapports, Roles, and Expectations
- Assessment
- Goals, Outcomes, and Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Professional Responsibilities
Requirements: All CMPC requirements
Duration: 90 minutes
Delivery: Online or in-person
Accreditation: National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
Cost: $375
2. Brian Cain’s Mental Performance Mastery Certification
Brian Cain
Brian Cain has worked with athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and more, as well as with leadership at well-known organizations like Burton Snowboards.
In this online course, he’ll teach you the 10 Pillars of Mental Performance Mastery, which will help you guide your clients to reach their fullest potential.
They include:
- Elite Mindset
- Motivation and Commitment
- Process Over Outcome
- Routines & Habits of Excellence
- The Right Culture
Requirements: None
Duration: Self-paced
Delivery: Online
Accreditation: None
Cost: $97 per month for 12 months (or $997 if paid in full)
3. Performance Enhancement Specialist
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
This mental performance coach certification program is for anyone who wants to specialize in helping athletes of all levels.
By the end of the course, you’ll know how to develop tailored fitness programs, identify causes of injury, and improve client strength, speed, and agility.
Things you’ll learn about in this self-paced course include:
- Physical training
- Muscular strength and endurance
- Biomechanics and motor control
- Nutrition, supplements, and drugs
- Sports psychology
When you sign up for the course, you’ll also get a free textbook, study guide, and workbook, as well as access to an online exercise lab and unlimited support.
Once you’ve passed the open-book exam, ISSA will also build you a free professional website.
Requirements: N/A
Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced
Accreditation: NCCA
Cost: $66.58 per month for 12 months
4. The Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) Certification Program
Mental Game Coaching Professional
Dr. Patrick Cohn, a former athlete and professor, teaches this mental performance coach certification program.
Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn to conduct mental game assessments, help clients identify and overcome barriers, and equip athletes with the skills to maximize their performance.
The course also includes:
- Case study scenarios
- 160+ mental game coaching handouts and worksheets
- Weekly homework assignments
- Access to a membership program with ebooks, articles, audio and interviews, and online assessments
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Requirements: 5+ years of combined experience (or a Ph.D. or Masters degree) and access to athletes (see the full list of requirements here and learn about the application process here)
Delivery: Online (one-on-one and group programs available)
Duration: 12 weeks
Accreditation: N/A
Cost: $3,600
So, those are the best mental performance coach certification programs around – but how do you choose one?
I’ll tell you in the next section, so keep reading!
How do you choose the right mental performance coach certification program?
Choosing the best mental performance coach certification for you is key. It’s all about what works best for your needs and goals.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when choosing a certification:
- Accreditation: The coaching industry is largely unregulated, which means that accreditation is, too, which is why I always highlight the accreditation of each course! Your best bet is looking for a program accredited by well-respected bodies in the coaching industry like the NCCA, International Coaching Federation (ICF), or Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) Council.
- Cost: No two mental performance coach certification programs are priced the same, and it always depends on your niche and what kind of learning experience you’re looking for. So, keep your goals in mind as you think about your budget. 💡Pro tip: Avoid free courses – they’re typically not worth your time.
- Duration: Here’s the thing – the length of the course doesn’t really matter. If it covers what you want to learn, a shorter course is absolutely fine! Just keep in mind it likely won’t offer hands-on experience.
- The instructor: Make sure the instructor is reliable with a strong background, reliable qualifications, and, most importantly, hands-on experience in what you want to learn.
- Curriculum: Don’t just sign up for the first mental performance coach certification program you find.
Take time to look at the curriculum and make sure it aligns with your goals and covers what you want to learn. Otherwise, it’s a waste of your time.
Now that you know how to choose your mental performance coach certification, let’s move on to how to build your business.
How do you become a mental performance coach?
Ready to find out how to start your mental performance coaching business?
Here are the exact steps.
1. Get certified
First, you can get your mental performance coach certification if you choose to do so – but know that you don’t need one. When I started my first online business, I did so without a certification. It was nerve-wracking at first, but I learned as I went and eventually built my business into what it is today.
That’s because there are no mandatory mental performance coach certification or degree requirements. (However, if you decide to work with certain organizations, you might need one depending on their requirements.)
📚Read more: Why You DON’T Need a Coaching Certification
What matters more is that you have experience with mental performance and a proven methodology.
That said, most mental performance coaches do have at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sports science, kinesiology, or other related field.
An advanced degree like a Ph.D. or doctorate will also give you a leg up.
2. Find a niche
Yes, mental performance coaching is technically a niche.
But it’s a broad one.
A specific high-profit niche will attract what I call your “soulmate clients.”
Typically, your ideal client is someone you can help because you relate to them. You’ve worked in their field or a similar one and can provide them with the advice and assistance they need to excel. Plus, picking a niche like that lets you start earlier and have more confidence in your expertise.
For example, if you’re a former professional baseball player, you might work with players in the MLB.
Or, if you held a C-suite position in a large company, you could work with other executives.
I teach you to find a niche in this video:
📚Read more: 100 High-Ticket Niches
3. Create and price a mental performance coaching package
Once you’ve found your niche, it’s time to create a mental performance coaching offer.
Instead of charging your clients hourly or with a retainer, I always recommend charging per package.
That way, the value doesn’t come from the number of sessions or hours you put in –it comes from the results.
My recommendation for new coaches is to price their package at $1,500 for a 3-month program.
If it seems low, don’t worry – once you have a few clients, you can always increase the price or even add options like group coaching or courses.
I speak more about coaching packages in this video:
4. Find your first client
Finally, you need to find a paying client!
When I first started out, I didn’t know where to look for clients.
But it turned out they were right in front of me. That’s right – I tapped into my own network of colleagues, friends, and family.
Here are some other places to get clients as a mental performance coach:
- Local sports teams
- Local health and wellness centers
- Nearby performing arts centers
- Social media
- Podcasts and guest posts
Want more ways to find clients? I made this video to help you out:
Get the Ultimate Guide
for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!
Next steps
There you have it!
Now you know how to become a mental performance coach, the best mental performance coach certification certification programs available, and what to look for when choosing one.
It can be incredibly fulfilling to start a mental performance coaching business. You get to help others reach their full potential and create more freedom and flexibility for yourself.
However, getting your mental performance coach certification is only the start of building a multiple-six-figure business.
But it is possible! I built my own coaching business, and I’ve helped thousands of people like you do it, too. And today, I will show you the exact steps I used.
Get my business blueprint for FREE here.
Read more:
How to Set Unbreakable Coaching Boundaries
Coaching vs. Therapy: What is the Difference?
Coaching Skills of the Most Successful Coaches
