Feel Better, Play Better: Why the Mental Game Is the Game
By Barb Egan – Former Elite Goaltender, Professional Coach, Mental Health Therapist, and Mental Performance Specialist for Athletes
“Started working on the mental side, working on things beside hockey actually. And that ended up really helping me with hockey.” — Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers goaltender, 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Shift in Sport: From Just Training Hard to Training Smart
Today’s athletes are recognizing something elite performers have always known:
When you feel your best, you perform your best.
Stuart Skinner’s recent comments during the Stanley Cup Playoffs aren’t surprising for those of us who work in sports psychology or mental performance coaching. He didn’t just train harder—he started working on the mental side of the game, and it made all the difference.
And here’s the good news: you don’t have to be a pro to benefit from the same mental tools.
The Real Pressures Athletes Face
I work with athletes of all ages and levels—from youth to collegiate and elite—through online mental performance coaching and sports psychology services, right from Kelowna, British Columbia, to athletes across the United States and even internationally.
No matter where you live or what sport you play, you likely face one or more of these challenges:
🔁 Inconsistent performance under pressure
😟 Anxiety before or during competition
😤 Difficulty bouncing back after mistakes
⚖️ Identity tied too tightly to performance
😞 Loss of joy or motivation in sport
😬 Fear of failure or fear of success
You can have top-tier skills and hours of practice behind you, but without mental clarity and emotional regulation, it’s hard to consistently perform your best.
What Is Online Mental Performance Coaching?
It’s not therapy or just a pep talk.
It’s structured coaching built around mental skills like:
Focus and mindfulness
Confidence and resilience
Routines for performance
Emotion regulation and stress management
Goal setting and motivation
Reset strategies after mistakes or losses
My work blends the science of sports psychology with the practicality of real coaching and the heart of mental health therapy—available to athletes online, whether you’re in Kelowna, BC, across Canada, the U.S., or internationally.
Why Work With Me?
I bring a unique combination to the table:
✔ Former elite goaltender ✔ University and professional coach ✔ Goalie-specific coach with lived high-performance experience ✔ Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia ✔ Certified mental performance specialist ✔ Clinic owner (Alive Counselling) ✔ Mom of four young athletes
I get the athlete mindset and the coaching world—and I know how to help you feel good, stay focused, and thrive in your sport and life.
Who I Work With
I support athletes of all levels and sports, including:
All sessions are offered online, making them accessible for athletes in Kelowna, across British Columbia, across the United States, and worldwide.
For Parents and Coaches
If you’re a parent or coach, know this: Mental performance coaching isn’t about fixing something broken— It’s about equipping your athlete for pressure, setbacks, and long-term success.
When athletes learn how to:
✅ Reset after mistakes ✅ Manage nerves ✅ Feel grounded before games ✅ Build confidence regardless of outcomes ✅ Connect their identity to more than just stats…
They not only play better—they enjoy the game more.
Final Thought: The Mind Drives the Performance
What we’re seeing in elite sport—like Stuart Skinner’s example—is the future of all sport:
The mental game is no longer optional. It’s foundational.
If you’re ready to invest in your mental game, I’m here to help you thrive—whether you’re based in Kelowna, competing in the U.S., or training internationally.
Let’s build your mindset, so you can feel better, play better, and love your sport again.
Work with Barb on your mental health and mental game:
📍 Barb Egan | Alive Counselling 🌎 Serving athletes across sport in Kelowna, BC, Canada, the U.S., and worldwide 📧 [email protected]
