What a curious new adventure

Great people do things before they are ready.
They do things before they know they can do it.
Doing what you're afraid of, 
getting out of your comfort zone,
taking risks--
that's what life is.

-Amy Poehler

---

I’ve been a student for most of my life. That is, until this past May, when I graduated with my doctorate degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology from West Virginia University.

Yep. I’m now, Dr. Diane Benish! It’s still surreal.

Fancy titles aside, do you know how strange it is to have your life so incredibly structured by an academic calendar just to have it all dissolve like a distant memory?

The experience almost mirrors how I felt the day I decided to hang up my figure skates and retire as a competitive athlete... It’s like a part of me is suddenly missing.

As I piece together what life looks like now, I keep feeling a pull to start writing. I’ve never embarked on a project quite like this one. And, to be honest, the commitment scares me a little!

But, where would we be in life if we didn’t do the things that make us feel a little bit scared?

So, with my 30 seconds of courage…

Let’s talk about why we’re here!

This newsletter aims to bring my love of sport psychology & human performance, my curiosity for new and exciting research, and my expertise as a mental performance coach to a broader audience.

My hope?

That each time you open this newsletter, you feel like you are chatting with a beloved coach over a warm cup of coffee. And better yet, I hope that after reading each entry you feel empowered to shift the way you look at yourself, your mindset, and your sport pursuits.

I’ve loved my role as a mental performance coach in my private practice. I train high school, collegiate, and professional athletes how to optimize their mindset through the use of mental skills.

This newsletter is now an extension of that space, where I invite you in to see what the world of mental performance can do for you!

What you can expect of Athletes who Thrive:

• Monthly posts¹ that cater to high school and collegiate athletes

• A specific topic grounded in sport psychology (i.e., performance anxiety, concentration, recovery, and more!)

• Valuable research to help you push the boundaries of your athletic performance

• Actionable steps to spark reflection and meaningful change

• Considerations for coaches and parents

Are you ready to thrive?

This is going to be fun! I look forward to building this community with you.

Let’s go!

Grow. Compete. Thrive.

---

1. I may also surprise my readers with spontaneous posts that include my personal thoughts, stories, and sport psych “isms”