Learn to improve your mental game.

I was introduced to the mental skills training side of sport from Andrew, during my early years while playing volleyball for Dalhousie University. During my time spent with Andrew, he helped the team and myself with concepts of trusting the process, staying in the moment, dealing with the good and bad sides of momentum, as well as dealing with the distractions that come with big game. Personally, Andrew helped me grow not only as an athlete and a teammate, but as a young leader to a young team. Learning how to manage myself, as well as my teammates on and off the court was an extremely beneficial growing experience as an athlete and a person. Through Andrew’s mentorship, he helped our team become a dominant force in the AUS Conference and a 4th place finish at the CIS Championships. Even after my time at Dalhousie came to an end, I still consult with Andrew one on one to talk as I pursue my professional volleyball career in Europe.

Andrew ’s mental skills and performance work with our women’s volleyball team has been an important part of our four AUS Championship titles. He takes the time to observe the teams and athletes and has a real talent for teaching the athletes to be reflective, empowering the athletes by giving them the strategies to be mentally tough and confident in pressure situations.

Andrew Ling was instrumental in my development as a player. I was able to slow down the game and focus on how I needed to prepare and execute for each game. He not only implemented key exercises for each player individually, but also connected the team as a whole. Our team won a national championship in 2010 and many of our players continued on to represent our nation.

Mental training is an essential part of any sport and can help or hinder athletic performance. Andrew gave me the tools to remain focused on the task at hand and identify cues that would initiate a loss of focus or confidence and provided strategies to manage those situations accordingly.

Andrew has worked with our programs for the past number of years.  The attention to detail in helping our program mentally through the tough stretches of a season was inspiring.  Helping young people learn about playing in the moment and trusting the structure and processes that bring positive results was important to us.  Andrew helped change the culture of our program and our thinking on how to build our programs in the future.

Andrew has helped take my mental game to the next level.  In playing high level hockey so much of what goes in to success is from the neck up, and working with Andrew has brought my game to the next level.  Talking to him on a day to day basis has allowed me to play much more in the moment and focus on what I can control as an athlete.  This process-based focus has helped me endure the mental demands of a long season and allows me to play in even the toughest of situations. He has helped me to reach an even keeled attitude and maintain perspective at all times.

Andrew played a key role in my volleyball career, both at a team level and individually. Over my five years, Andrew was instrumental in our five AUS Championships. With the different team dynamics and chemistry that change each year, he was able to tailor our mental training to meet the specific needs of our team. We learned how to deal with adversity, how to refocus, and then how to focus on the positive aspects. Additionally, Andrew was always available and open to meet with athletes individually. Personally, Andrew was an invaluable component of my U Sports career, developing strategies specific to my changing needs.

“Over the course of two seasons Andrew helped me evolve my mindset. We worked together in a diligent manner just like we would spending time in the gym lifting weights. Walking through scenarios, creating internal motivation and practicing the skills to handle adversity. Between goal setting and visualization, Andrew set us up with the tools for success. As an athlete who did not end up having an extensive pro-career, I have been able to parlay these skills into the boardroom. Properly dealing with adversity and setting goals are still a big part of my success."