Sarah Swanger — New Client Intake 2026

Before we begin

About You

First name

Last name

Your email address

So we can follow up after reviewing your assessment.

Your sport or activity

What are you currently training or competing in?

How would you describe yourself as an athlete right now?

Whether you're brand new, returning after a break, or a seasoned competitor — give us a picture of where you are and how you got here. Sports you've played, how long you've been competing, your current training situation — whatever feels relevant.

Section 01

Goals

What are your long-term goals in your sport over the next 1–2 years?

Be as specific as you can. Think about performance outcomes, competitive milestones, or the kind of athlete you want to become.

What are two or three specific goals you want to reach this season or in the next 3 months?

Short-term goals help us build momentum and measure progress. Think small and concrete.

Section 02

Mental Game Challenges

What are the biggest mental challenges preventing you from performing at your best?

Be specific. "I get nervous" is a start — but "I freeze up before big matches and my legs go heavy" tells us a lot more. Give us examples if you can.

How do these challenges actually show up in your performance?

What do you do differently — or fail to do — when these challenges take over? Think about specific moments.

Section 03

Mental Skills

Which mental skills would you most like to develop? (Select all that apply)

Confidence

Focus

Resilience

Emotional control

Anxiety management

Self-talk

Visualization

Mindfulness

Pre-performance routines

Handling pressure

Why do those skills matter most to you — and how do you think developing them would change your performance?

If there are other mental tools or areas you'd like to work on that aren't listed, mention them here too.

Section 04

Focus & Distractions

What are the most common distractions that pull your focus during training or competition?

Include both internal distractions (negative thoughts, self-doubt, worry) and external ones (crowd noise, opponents, mistakes). Give specific examples if you can.

How often do distractions pull you off your game during training or competition?

Rarely

All the time

Do you perform better in practice than in competition? If so, what's different?

Describe how your mindset shifts when the stakes go up. What changes — and why do you think that happens?

Section 05

Adversity & Resilience

When you're not performing well, how do you typically respond?

Stay composed and push throughI manage my emotions and focus on finishing strong.

Get frustrated but keep goingI feel it, but I don't completely fall apart.

Lose interest or mentally check outIt gets hard to stay present or keep trying.

Spiral — it compounds quicklyOne bad moment tends to lead to more.

It depends on the dayNo consistent pattern.

How long does a bad performance typically stay with you?

Do you shake it off by the next day, or does it linger into training and affect your next performance?

How do you typically handle success or a strong performance?

Can you absorb a win and build on it — or do you deflect it, downplay it, or immediately move on? This tells us as much as how you handle setbacks.

Section 06

Confidence & Anxiety

How confident do you feel in your ability to improve and reach your goals?

Not at all

Very confident

How do feelings of fear, anxiety, or worry about outcomes affect your performance?

Think about specific moments — before a big game, during a tough stretch, or when you feel the pressure of expectations. What happens in your body and your head?

What are your biggest fears or sources of pressure in your sport?

Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of letting others down, fear of success — whatever is most real for you.

Section 07

Motivation & Obstacles

What motivates you most in your sport?

Love of the gameA genuine passion for the sport and the joy of competing.

Personal progressSeeing myself improve is what drives me.

CompetitionThe drive to win and be the best I can be.

External recognitionAcknowledgment, respect, or approval from others matters to me.

Obligation or expectationI feel pressure from others — a coach, family, team — to show up and perform.

Something elseI'll explain below.

What other obstacles do you believe are limiting your ability to reach your goals?

Consider things like self-perception, concerns about starting late, injuries, training quality, coaching dynamics, or anything else holding you back.

Section 08

Mental Performance History

Have you worked with a sport psychologist, mental performance coach, or therapist before?

Yes — and it was helpfulI've done this kind of work before and found real value in it.

Yes — but I'm not sure it helpedI've tried it but wasn't sure it made a difference.

No — this is my first timeI haven't done formal mental performance work before.

I've done some self-directed workBooks, podcasts, journaling — but no formal sessions.

What mental tools or strategies have you tried — and what's worked or hasn't worked for you?

This helps us avoid re-treading ground and focus on what's actually useful for you. If you haven't tried anything yet, just say so.

Section 09

Anything Else?

Is there anything about your mental game or athletic experience that would help us support you better?

Injuries, past experiences, team dynamics, personal circumstances — anything that gives us a fuller picture of who you are and where you're starting from.

Is there anything you're nervous or hesitant about coming into this work?

This is a completely safe space. Naming what feels uncertain is often the most useful thing you can share.

You're all set.