I’m Dan Mickle, founder of Soul Performance Academy and a cognitive performance coach with over two decades of experience in coaching, speaking, and developing mental training systems. My focus is helping athletes, coaches, and neurodivergent thinkers gain a competitive edge through practical mental skills, tailored strategies, and science-backed tools.

While my career began in traditional sports coaching, I quickly saw a gap: talent and hard work aren’t enough when the mental side is ignored or misunderstood. That realization led me down the path of performance psychology. I now work with individuals and organizations who want to move past surface-level advice and tap into meaningful cognitive training that builds real, lasting change.

Currently, I’m completing a Doctorate in Health Sciences (DHSc), with my research focused on coaching strategies for neurodivergent athletes. My academic foundation includes a master’s in Sports Psychology, a second master’s in Learning Technology and Media Systems, and a bachelor’s in Sports Management and Coaching. This background allows me to blend performance psychology, educational science, and coaching experience in a way that meets athletes and teams exactly where they are.

I also speak nationally on topics like mental performance, leadership, motivation, and building psychologically safe team cultures. Whether I’m working with youth clubs, college programs, or corporate teams, my goal is the same: help people train their minds as deliberately as they train their bodies.

If you’re looking to go beyond clichés and start doing real mental work, you’re in the right place.