Licensed Sports Performance Coach™ – MCA Zürich

Licensed Sports Performance Coach™

Ray Popoola - Sports Performance Coach

In this Licensed Sports Performance Coach Training you will learn, how to dissolve even the toughest mental blocks in athletes, allowing them to deliver peak performance on demand instead of constantly fighting themselves.

Athletes don't want a constant dialogue running in their heads. What they truly want is to focus on the task at hand. In this training, we show you how to release the "belief brakes" in athletes' minds, moving them from insignificance to significance by helping them access their full potential exactly when it matters most.

You will learn from Ray Popoola, Director of the Sports Academy, Society of NLP. He will share his knowledge with you, how he has guided dozens of elite athletes — up to Olympic levels — to develop a winner's mindset. With this knowledge, you will be equipped to lead athletes to the podium.

Dates: 21st – 27th July 2026
Investment: US$ 3'500.– ($3'000.– before May 21st)

From Competition Success to Everyday Coaching

The Licensed Sports Performance Coach training is led by our Head Trainer, Ray Popoola, Director of the Sports Academy, Society of NLP. For over 15 years, he has mentored elite athletes across numerous disciplines to Swiss, European, World Championship, and Olympic levels — including Marlen Reusser (Silver, Tokyo 2020) and Andreas Züger (3rd Place, Taekwon-Do World Championships). This is first-hand expertise directly from the world of elite training and competition.

Elite athletes are acutely aware when their physical performance in competition or training falls short of their potential. In those moments, milliseconds or a few millimeters decide who stands on the podium. Victory begins in the mind. You will learn exactly how to facilitate this through numerous real-world case studies.

Practical Learning

Many programs focus solely on theory and techniques. Our focus is on training your NLP skills for sports performance. This enables you to develop a winner's mindset in athletes and yourself with ease, ensuring they can deliver pinpoint performance during competitions.

Licensed Sports Performance Coach™
21st – 27th July 2026

  • Master the Flow State
  • Dissolve Performance Blocks
  • Build a Winner's Mindset
  • Overcome Pain Barriers
  • Strategic Phase Planning
  • Lead Sport Teams to Success
  • Designing mental competition preparation

Prerequisites

  • Certified NLP Practitioner
  • A passion for sports and athletic success.
  • The desire to work with athletes in training and competition.
  • Awareness of and interest in athletic performance.

On-site Days: 7 days
Hours: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Capacity: 20 seats
Investment: US$ 3'500.– ($3'000.– before May 21st)
Prerequisite: Certified NLP Practitioner
Target Group: Sports coaches; parents of young athletes; sports psychologists; former athletes.
Certification: Licensed Sports Performance Coach™, Society of NLP
Trainer: Ray Popoola

This NLP Sports Performance Coach Training is the Society of NLP's only program that integrates NLP with professional athlete coaching.

What exactly is Mental Training in sports?

It involves consultancy to help athletes reach their goals. This includes:

  • Success-oriented mental training
  • Visualization training
  • Current interventions in sports psychology
  • Addressing emotional topics and challenges
  • Motivation training
  • On-field support, competition, and training accompaniment
  • Selecting appropriate techniques to direct focus
  • Counteracting fear of failure through mental coaching
  • Managing energy correctly during training and competitions
  • Sharpening athletes' perception and awareness

Do I need a degree in Sports Psychology?

Most athletes find their focus and discipline through a Sports Performance Coach rather than a psychologist. However, this requires the coach to have a solid, practical foundation to create successful engagement.

When will I be able to offer motivation training?

Right after the first few days of training, you will have tools you can use directly with athletes. Because the course builds on your NLP training, your implementation speed will be fast.

Is this training suitable for sports coaches?

Absolutely. It is the perfect combination of your existing sports knowledge and mental success strategies. You can quickly link your coaching expertise with mental training strategies.

Am I limited to certain sports?

No. The models focus on human neurology and thought strategies, which apply to all disciplines.

Can I support other people as a Licensed Sports Performance Coach?

In essence, yes. The mental strategies and cognitive processes of a human being do not fundamentally differ. The difference lies in the context — whether it is applied within sports or elsewhere. However, this certification focuses exclusively on the athletic sector. Life Coaching or Business Coaching are not part of this specific curriculum.

Can I coach all performance levels with this certification?

You are free to choose which performance level you wish to accompany as a Sports Performance Coach. Simply put: wherever an athlete faces challenges or where mental performance needs to be enhanced, you are able to step in. Across all levels, this training path will serve as a pillar for athletes to actively develop a success-oriented mindset during their training.

What are the prerequisites for participating in this type of sports mental training?

Participation requires a completed NLP Practitioner certification. Additionally, a professional qualification or at least three years of professional experience is recommended. The tuition fees include all necessary materials to ensure you are fully prepared. Participants should bring a strong interest in athletic development and the ability to perceive mental processes to support athletes optimally.

Why isn't this program offered online?

While online could provide theoretical knowledge, direct interaction with other participants fosters a much deeper understanding and allows for the practical application of knowledge. Our program focuses on personal exchange to intensively prepare future Sports Performance Coaches. Our goal is to equip participants for real-world challenges and provide them with the tools for their success. Furthermore, the degree includes a comprehensive qualification as a Sports Performance Coach — an aspect that online could only support to a limited extent.

How does sports mental training help athletes overcome the fear of failure?

The training provides approaches such as visualization and breathing exercises to specifically address the fear of failure. Athletes learn to reduce stress and transform negative thoughts into self-confidence. These methods promote a positive attitude and help build mental strength and resilience in high-pressure situations.

Which methods improve the ability to concentrate in sports?

Athletes benefit from mental exercises that increase their focus. Using visualization and breathing techniques, they learn to hone in on their goals and block out distractions. These methods are particularly crucial in sports that require precise movements and strategic thinking.

Is sports mental training limited to specific sports?

No, the methods taught in the training are applicable across all sports. They strengthen thinking strategies and mental patterns that lead to success in any athletic discipline. Athletes learn to improve their mental endurance to increase focus and perseverance, regardless of their specific sport.

How does sports mental training promote a winner's mindset?

A winner's mindset is based on positive self-perception and targeted training. Athletes learn to overcome mental blocks and focus on their own strengths. During the training, they learn goal-setting and motivation strategies that help them secure long-term success and utilize their mental strength in decisive moments.

What is the significance of psychological support in sports?

Mental techniques are an essential component and offer valuable insights into the mental phases that influence performance. In elite sports, they help individuals handle pressure better and plan for success purposefully. These approaches support mastering athletic challenges with self-confidence and stability.

What does the support look like during the training?

During the training, participants receive individual support and practical exercises. By working with experienced trainers, you receive personal feedback to apply what you have learned directly in practice. This allows you to optimally prepare for your future role as a Sports Mental Trainer.

Can sports mental training be applied in other areas?

Yes, the methods learned are versatile and can also be used in the workplace, education, and personal development. The approaches promote concentration and motivation, helping participants achieve their goals outside of sports and master personal challenges.

How does targeted mental competition preparation contribute to success?

Through mental competition preparation, athletes learn to maintain their focus and manage their energy correctly. Visualization exercises and breathing techniques help calm the mind and concentrate on the essentials. During stressful competition phases, this ensures stable performance and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.