Premier Sport Psychology – Data Informed Stories That Shape the Future

At Premier Sport Psychology, our mission has always been to help athletes and leaders perform at their best while supporting their overall well-being. For us, the most powerful evidence of our impact comes not just from numbers, but from the lived experiences of those we serve. Consider one example. A Division I athlete came to us struggling with the weight of expectation. On paper, everything looked perfect: elite skills, strong physical health, and a spot in the starting lineup. But behind the scenes, self-doubt and the fear of letting others down had begun to erode confidence. Practices became stressful, games felt overwhelming, and joy for the sport started to fade. […]

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Premier Sport Psychology – A Vision Rooted in Experience

In 2005, at an AASP Conference in Vancouver, the NCAA presented compelling data: mental health support for student-athletes was significantly underserved across collegiate athletics. That insight became the catalyst for the creation of Premier Sport Psychology, which opened its doors in 2009. By 2011, the University of Minnesota Athletic Department was searching for dual-credentialed sport psychologists – licensed in mental health and certified in performance consulting. Meeting that need sparked our rebrand and launched the Premier model that has continued to grow ever since. From the beginning, our guiding belief has been simple: when ethical, evidence-based work is delivered by properly trained professionals, athletes and leaders can work through mental […]

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Premier Sport Psychology – Leading the Next Era of High-Performance Innovation

For more than 15 years, Premier Sport Psychology has had the privilege of working alongside athletes and leaders at every level of sport – from Olympians and professional organizations to collegiate programs (Divisions I, II, and III), high school teams, and youth athletes. Across thousands of lives impacted, one belief has guided our work: performance and well-being are inseparable. To perform at one’s best, athletes need not only physical preparation, but also a deep understanding of the psychological factors that drive confidence, resilience, and consistency under pressure. What sets Premier apart is our ongoing commitment to advancing the field of high-performance psychology itself. While many organizations rely solely on anecdotal […]

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Preparing Athletes for High Pressure Events: Mental Strategies from the World Stage – Part 2

Welcome back to our two-part series on mental strategies for high-pressure events. In Part One, we explored four foundational tools for athletes: trusting the process, staying in the present moment, reframing nerves as readiness, and controlling what you can. In this second installment, we’ll build on that foundation. We’ll explore four additional mental skills – growth mindset, mindfulness, finding balance, and prioritizing process over outcome – and how athletes at the world stage use them to stay composed, resilient, and at their best when it counts most. Embracing a Growth Mindset Elite athletes make mistakes. They miss plays. They get scored on. The key difference between average and exceptional is […]

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Preparing Athletes for High Pressure Events: Mental Strategies from the World Stage – Part 1

This is the first installment of a two-part series exploring how athletes can prepare for high pressure events. In Part One, we’ll focus on the first four strategies for navigating challenges in sport and life – starting with the importance of trusting the process. Competing under intense pressure is part of what makes elite sport so demanding. The bright lights, loud crowds, and high expectations can quickly shift an athlete’s focus away from performing at their best. At Premier Sport Psychology, we believe that how athletes prepare mentally is equally important as how they prepare physically. Our team recently had the opportunity to support Team USA Women’s Hockey at the […]

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ARTICLE: Dr. Carly Anderson featured in story highlighting sports superstition and Taylor Swift

Dr. Carly Anderson was featured in USA Today’s specialty section, where she discussed the role of superstition in sports. She explained how rituals and superstitions provide athletes with a sense of control, helping to reduce anxiety and enhance confidence. While these habits may not directly influence performance, they can serve as a powerful psychological tool. Dr. Anderson also highlighted the connection between superstition and the placebo effect, emphasizing how belief itself can shape an athlete’s mindset and experience. We’re proud to see Dr. Anderson’s expertise recognized on a national stage! Read the full article in USA Today to learn more about her insights into the psychology behind sports superstitions. Read […]

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