Hi, I'm Josie, I founded Mind Athlete with the goal of helping others develop a better relationship to challenge and perform at their potential. I'll be your coach/instructor as we dive into your performance training.

From 2013-2015, nearly every time I went climbing, my goal was something bigger, more challenging or faster (which often meant more dangerous) than before. During that time, I also worked on the Yosemite Search and Rescue (SAR) team, responding to traumatic incidents of other people (often climbers) recreating in the park.

One afternoon, 1000’ up on a Yosemite wall, I froze, unable to commit to going up or down. I wasn’t anywhere close to my physical limit, but I had reached my mental capacity. Between pressure to perform, dangerous climbs and stressful rescues, I was burnt out. I knew deep down I loved climbing, but I dreaded it. Something had to change.

I started researching sport psychology and working with a mindset coach to figure out how to get past this feeling of dread. I learned how to return to the fun of climbing that I'd cast aside in favor of performance. 

A year into mental training, my skills were put to the test. 1500’ up on El Capitan (Yosemite’s largest wall), I watched my climbing partner take 100’ fall, resulting in a life-changing spinal cord injury. The incident was more difficult than any of the weather or physical injuries I’ve endured, harder to stay focused through than any of the fear or performance pressure I’ve navigated, more emergent than any rescue of my career. But the work I had done in the prior year helped me. I was able to remain focused and, with the assistance of SAR, execute an efficient rescue. After the incident, I struggled, but I had a road map: instead of spiraling into negativity, I focused on my identity and values, on my why for being up there and taking risks. And I gave myself time to recover.

I never want other climbers to end up where I was, that’s why I’ve devoted my career to coaching and sharing what I’ve learned.

I've been working as a coach and guide in the climbing industry for the past 15 years. I worked on the Yosemite Search & Rescue team for three years and spent many years climbing big walls in Yosemite. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and have professional coach training through Performance Climbing Coach, The Flow Centre and the International Coaching Community.