Stress and pressure is always present in competitive environments. Sadly in sports, we are seeing anxiety, perfectionism, social approval and fear of failure in younger and younger athletes. The youth sports industry is worth billions in the modern day. Helping athletes develop healthier and more productive strategies to deal with the increasing pressure is more important than ever.

At Be the Factor Athletics I work with athletes from youth to adult, amateur to professional. I identify the most prominent mental game challenges and create a Mental Game Plan to specifically target the areas where we can create more efficient and effective strategies that will build confidence. I will help you improve trust and increase the likelihood athletes play in the zone, rather than in a perpetual state of stress.

Mindset is an important part of player development. Without proper mindset training, most athletes will plateau, or worse, burnout. Research shows players who focus on mindset, especially growth mindset, report greater satisfaction in their sport or discipline, improve performance, and increase consistency.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. Research shows better heart health, balance and coordination, better mood and mental health, and decreased feelings of loneliness. Pickleball’s greatest asset is the social aspect. Although pickleball has risen in popularity in the professional realm, its primary and most attractive allure is its ability to build connection with others.

With that said, pickleball has also increased the amount of hospital visits for many. Without proper instruction, i.e. learning proper stoke technique, improving footwork and weight distribution, a player could increase chances of getting injured.

Be the Factor Athletics will help you learn proper form, improve your footwork, and increase your court awareness to not only improve your performance on the court, but mostly I will decrease the likelihood of you getting injured. I will help identify problematic areas and work with you to build healthy habits so you enjoy the game for years to come.

Soccer in the United States has tripled in popularity in the past 30 years. The amount of youth soccer programs from the recreational to the elite level is staggering. I love the fact that soccer has earned a foothold in American society, but with that comes the increased challenge of players getting recognized to play competitively for the their local high school, club team or play collegiately.

I have years of player and coaching experience at Be the Factor Athletics. I have nationally licensed coaches who are passionate about the game and want to see players improve. Whether you are working to earn that starting position or already an elite player competing to get to the next level. I will develop a plan with you to increase confidence, improve motor memory, and raise game awareness so you are “the factor” that decides the positive outcome of every game.

I am a member of the United Soccer Coaches association, fully insured, and hold multiple coaching licenses and workshops from the US Soccer Federation. I will teach you the skills and strategies that will increase the chances you will be on the field that allow you to “be the factor.”

In many competitive environments we can only be as competitive as our entire team allows. If teams lack chemistry, communication, and a stated and shared mission then those teams will ultimately fail. I would rather have a team of gritty players, with a shared mission, who trust one another, and have excellent communication over that of a team of superstars who individually believe they are the most important player on the team.

Be the Factor Athletics offers workshops and seminars on a variety of mental game and mindset strategies to improve overall performance for the individual athlete, but ultimately for the team. I help teams identify weaknesses, missed opportunities, and create a common language everyone can subscribe to that promotes communication, confidence, and trust.

I will collaborate with head coaches and their staff to learn what is needed and be curious about the coach’s vision. Through that collaboration, I will identify the team’s greatest assets and improve efficiency and autonomy to improve team success.

Intentionality – It’s not about what we say everyday, it’s about what we do.

Mindset & Mental Game Coach

Matt is a licensed mental health counselor and school adjustment counselor. He has worked with adolescents and families for over 25 years. As a licensed mental health counselor and school counselor, Matt brings years of experience and wisdom to his work as a mindset coach. His passion for overall wellness is embedded in everything he does.

Soccer coaching & instruction

Matt played club soccer as a kid, eventually playing at the junior college & Div 1 collegiate level. He has run youth soccer programs, is the current girls varsity head coach at Martha’s Vineyard Regional HS, and currently holds his National D License through US Soccer. Matt is also a certified State referee and is passionate about the game of soccer.

pickleball coach

Matt holds a National Coach license from the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) and is a member of USA Pickleball. Matt is an official athlete of Team Gearbox Pickleball and a sponsored Gearbox athlete. He is the lead pickleball instructor at Vineyard Family Tennis, is an avid player, advisor of the high school pickleball club, and enjoys introducing more people to the sport.