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Mental Skills Training

Peak performance starts in the mind

At The Elite Mind Academy, we believe mental toughness isn’t reserved for the chosen few — it’s built through training, just like physical skills. Our mission is simple: to help athletes develop the mental edge that separates good from great.

Weightlifter

Topics mental skills training can include:

Competing Under Pressure​

  • Performance Under Pressure

  • Choking

  • Dealing with Fear

  • Stress Management

  • Burnout

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Recovery & Resilience

  • Pain Management

  • Injury Coping

  • Sleep / Recovery

  • Identity (navigating setbacks, transitions)​

Information Processing​

  • Mental Rehearsal / Visualization

  • Concentration / Focus

  • Attention

  • Overthinking

  • Memory & Recall

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Motivation & Consistency

  • Motivation

  • Confidence

  • Consistency

  • Habit Formation

  • Goal Attainment​​

Team Dynamics and Leadership

  • Team Cohesion

  • Communication

  • Culture Building

  • Team Processes

  • Rapport Building

  • Coaching / Training Effectiveness

  • Emotional Intelligence

Our Team

Emily Cisternino, MS, CMPC

Founder & Certified Mental Performance Consultant

Emily is a nationally certified Mental Performance Consultant and the founder of The Elite Mind Academy, LLC. With a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from Georgia Southern University, and nearly a decade of experience coaching elite performers, her own background as a competitive softball player and collegiate coach sparked her passion for the mental side of performance. Emily currently works directly with U.S. Special Operations Forces supporting some of the world’s most elite performers—one of the most prestigious assignments in her field. She has helped athletes at every level, from ambitious youth competitors to seasoned professionals, develop the mindset and strategies to perform at their absolute peak. Emily’s science-backed, athlete-centered approach blends deep expertise with a coach’s energy, empowering every client to unlock untapped potential and elevate their game.

Jake Blumberg, MS

Mental Performance Consultant

Jake is a Mental Performance Coach with extensive experience helping athletes and elite performers develop the skills to thrive under pressure. A former multi-sport athlete from Lexington, MA, his passion for sport led him from the playing field into coaching baseball at levels ranging from Little League to elite travel teams. While studying at Indiana University, Jake discovered Sport and Performance Psychology, a field that allowed him to merge his love of sport with his drive to help others succeed. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology at Georgia Southern University, where he also advised student-athletes, equipping them with tools to balance academics and athletics. Professionally, Jake began his career in the Boston Red Sox Mental Skills Department before working with the U.S. Army as a Resilience Coach. Today, he serves as the Mental Performance Coach for a U.S. Army Special Operations Group, providing tailored cognitive training to some of the military’s most elite performers.
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