TAKE CONTROL

To feel in charge of ourselves and how we respond to the world around us is the greatest psychological need of any player. To be in an optimal state of mindfulness, alertness and confidence, we have to feel in control of our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

With Soccer Resilience® you will learn about the brain’s powerful influence – how you can train your brain, just like you do your muscles, to calm your mind and body in order to increase your consistency, resilience, and overall performance.

DEVELOP PURPOSE

Purpose is having a strong and enduring desire and commitment. It is a key ingredient to perform and achieve at a high level, both on and off the field.

With a clear vision and strong purpose, you will outperform and outlast those without one.

You will learn and be inspired to develop and grow your purpose through Soccer Resilience®, ultimately enhancing your self-awareness, motivation, confidence, and relationships.

BUILD PERSEVERANCE

Challenges are inevitable, so managing adversity is essential. While many have developed some level of perseverance, most of us have more difficult persevering when we experience specific, deeper, and new types of setbacks.

Soccer Resilience® will equip you with the tools to cultivate a growth mindset that will strengthen your perseverance both on and off the field. 

ENHANCE PERFORMANCE

Soccer Resilience® will teach you proven strategies that will equip you with the tools to perform at your peak, in whatever arena you find yourself. 

The more you believe you can translate your skills from training and practice into games and high pressure moments, the more likely you will reach your potential. 

Michelle Betos

CHIEF AMBASSADOR

John Blake

FOUNDER

John is a successful high school coach who has won over 150 games in only nine seasons. And he’s been named NC Regional Coach of the Year 3 Times. He founded a community soccer league and runs his own youth camps in the piedmont of North Carolina. John is also a high school educator with 11 years of experience. Last, but most importantly, John’s a loyal husband, father and friend!

“I have a strong belief that the game of soccer serves as a metaphor for life. By training the brain athletes can face adversity, gain control, persevere, and transform their game. I coach to give players access to the coach that I always wanted. A coach that cares for them as people first and players second. My coaching ‘WHY’: I want to teach young men and women to redefine success by pursuing a higher purpose than winning, cultivating transformational relationships, developing their character, and serving others on and off the field. Winning’s a goal, but the purpose is to love and serve.”

Cari of the North Carolina Courage joins Soccer Resilience® as the sports mindset agency’s second Ambassador after Walker Zimmerman.

Cari had a stellar career at Notre Dame before being Drafted 5th overall in the NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash. She played in Houston for two years before joining the NC Courage in 2018. She also played for and helped the United States under-20 women’s national team win the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

She’s a baller on the pitch, and off it she’s looking to harness her soccer and life experiences to give back and help others!

“Soccer Resilience® has been really helpful for me and has allowed me to improve the mental part of my game. Until I started implementing tangible strategies, I never truly understood how any tools or mental exercises could help me perform better… I didn’t realize it made that much of a difference until I consistently tried it. I’ve been able to learn so much from the Soccer Resilience® FC content about how my brain’s wired and how to overcome setbacks. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed completing the exercises that help reset my mind and keep me in a positive headspace. The strategies are simple and easy to understand, and the reminders on how to train your brain are beneficial for any soccer player at any level.”

Rene’s remarkable career crosses many impact levels as a player, coach, and educator. Initially drafted out of high school by the San Diego Sockers, Rene starred for 13 years across many soccer environments, including the Dallas Burn (MLS), USA Futsal National Team and the USA Beach Soccer Team. Rene has the USSF B National Coaching License and has been the head coach of the Mexican National Indoor Team since 2002, culminated by winning the 2019 World Cup. The married father of two teenage daughters also has a degree in kinesiology and is a teacher + coach in Chula Vista, CA. (Para Español)

Brandt developed his game at NC Fusion and then UNC-Charlotte before being drafted by and playing in 66 matches for the Chicago Fire. New MLS franchise Charlotte FC acquired the North Carolina native and after delaying their kick-off for one season loaned Brandt to the Charlotte Independence (USL Championship) for the 2021 season.

“My mindset is my #1 skill – ahead of my technical, tactical, and physical components. We had a mental performance coach at UNC- Charlotte which really enhanced my interest in prioritizing training of the mind. I’m a huge believer in the critical importance of one’s mental game and the many benefits a positive mind can have.”

Kaleigh Kurtz is currently a defender for the NC Courage in the NWSL. Although she did not start in the league for four years, she has established herself as a mainstay on the NC Courage’s backline. But it didn’t come easy for KK!

Mike has amassed remarkable success and impact as a player and seasoned coach. After starring at Wake Forest from 1991-94, the former All-ACC goalkeeper embarked on an eight-year professional career that included DC United. Mike coached at the University of Virginia as National Champions and head coach at Saint Louis University as a three time A-10 Conference Coach of the Year. Mike served as goalkeeping coach for the U.S. U-17 National Team and also worked for the U-20 and Paralympic National Teams. Mike is currently the Assistant Coach for NCFC’s USL League One pro team.

Mike and his wife Dr. Jasmin McGinty have two sons, Sean and Malcolm, and one daughter, Arin.

Former professional soccer player and current meditation coach, Sam Lofton, played collegiately for James Madison University while obtaining her Bachelor’s degree. Sam played professionally in the NWSL (drafted by Boston Breakers, then Portland Thorns), Sweden and Iceland. She’s now a certified Functional Medicine Health Coach and a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher.

“Thank you so much to the Soccer Resilience® team for including me!! After stepping away from playing year round, helping other athletes learn the benefits of meditation and mindfulness has become my next dream.”

Sam’s in his third season playing for Houston Dynamo FC after being drafted 8th overall in 2019. When he’s not playing soccer he loves to be outdoors, spend time with friends and family over good food, and be surrounded by animals. Sam is an avid learner and loves working on his personal health and self development.

“Mental resilience not only helps a player to experience more success but it allows one to enjoy the process more as well. The biggest difference that training my mind has had in my life is to help me to be more present in the ups and downs of soccer rather than being at the mercy of the rollercoaster nature of the sport. I look forward to helping other players get the most out of soccer by focusing on their mentality.”

George was drafted in the third round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft after starting three consecutive seasons for Clemson University, culminating his career by leading them to the 2021 NCAA National Championship in his senior year. George, a rookie goalkeeper for Charlotte FC, is not only passionate about mindset and firmly believes in it, he is also an avid practitioner.

“Mental health and performance are massive pillars of my game. Responding to adversity, big or small, and staying in the present moment are skills that allow me to play freely and unlock my potential. I am excited to partner with soccer resilience to continue honing my own mental game and to help others in their journey!”

Brianna is currently a midfielder for NC Courage and a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Spanish. During her time with UNC Women’s Soccer team, Pinto earned 1st-Team All-ACC honors all three years. During her sophomore and junior campaigns, she was also named to 1st-Team All-America. She also ended her collegiate career as a 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist. At the international level, she trained with the U14, U17, U19, U20, U23 and Senior WNTs, representing the United States in a U-17 and U20 World Cup all before entering college.

At the 2017 She Believes Cup, Pinto was the youngest player in the modern era to make a tournament roster for the Senior WNT. In 2018, she served as the USSF youth representative to help the United Bid Committee secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosting rights. In 2019, she was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. Pinto also helped form Next Gen United to help five young and diverse athletes get elected to the U.S. Soccer Athlete Council, where she also represents the Athlete Council on the USSF Governance Taskforce. In January 2021, Pinto opted to forgo her senior year of eligibility and entered the 2021 NWSL Draft. Pinto was selected #3 overall by Sky Blue FC (later rebranded to Gotham FC,) and completed her rookie year after the conclusion of her third consecutive NCAA College Cup run.

In December of 2021, Pinto was traded back to her hometown club, NC Courage. This opportunity enables her to play in the NWSL, finish her degree, and devote time to local soccer endeavors in North Carolina.

“I’m thrilled to join Soccer Resilience® because I believe in their mission to train the most underutilized and competitive edge in sports: the mind. For far too long, many elite athletes, including myself, have neglected the importance of mental strength training, which plays a critical role in our success in our sport. As I develop my own mental strength tools, I hope to be a source of inspiration for next-generation athletes, who are seeking to become elite on all fronts: psychologically, tactically, technically, and physically. When we prioritize psychological wellbeing, we are better equipped to approach the game with a growth mindset, which dramatically accelerates our development.”

“Throughout my 12 year career of playing and coaching, I realized there was a need for a holistic approach towards athletes – one that focuses not only on sport performance, but also mental wellbeing. Therefore, I dedicated most of my time outside of playing to educating myself on how to improve, and help others improve, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This is why I’m so excited to join Soccer Resilience®, as it’s an organization whose mission is to guide athletes on how to develop a clear purpose, build perseverance, and enhance performance!” 

Andy had the privilege of playing in MLS for 9 years. He was honored to win MLS Cup in 2008 with the Columbus Crew, as well as earning Comeback Player of the Year in 2010 (Hip Surgery), Defender of the Year in 2012, and Most Valuable Player in 2012. Now, Andy founded and runs AG30 with a mission to use the game to give back to others!

“Throughout my career, whether it was as a youth soccer player, collegiate or professional, I doubted myself and built narratives that I didn’t belong. As athletes, we train so hard on the pitch and in the gym, but tend to neglect the most important aspect that drives all of that hard work… the psychological piece. I’m excited to partner with Soccer Resilience® in order to help kids build a different muscle that’s often neglected, and arm them with positivity and confidence to perform at their best!”

A graduate of Wake Forest University, Tracy earned top academic honors and a BA in Sociology. She attended Wake on a full athletic scholarship, playing four years for the women’s basketball team. Tracy holds a dual master’s degree in community agency counseling with school licensure from Lenoir-Rhyne University., where she also served as an assistant women’s basketball coach. She’s board certified in biofeedback and neurofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA).

“I couldn’t be more pumped to be part of the growing Soccer Resilience® team!! Such amazing energy and talent joining together is exciting!!”

3rd Season with San Diego Loyal
ACC Champion
2x MAC Champion
3 Final Fours
1 College Cup Final

“In my sophomore year of college I wanted to walk away from soccer forever. After being in one of the darkest and most depressing times in my life, I thought to myself, “this cant be it.” I made a decision to not let that be the end of my career, to give it everything I had and see if I could find joy in soccer again. If it wasn’t for that decision, I wouldn’t be going into my fourth year as a professional soccer player and living the life I had always dreamed of as a kid. After understanding how valuable the mental side of the game is, on and off the field, I’m thrilled to be working with Soccer Resilience®—who are working to educate players, coaches, teams, and parents, on the importance of elevating the mental side of the game. Through perseverance and training of the mind, not only will players see improvements in their soccer, but also in their life.”

Cara’s a former professional skater and leading authority of mental fitness training. She works with professional athletes and premiere sports teams including the LA Galaxy, Villanova Men’s basketball, football and soccer, Penn State Men’s basketball, University of Pennsylvania women’s soccer and the Olympic Development Program. She’s the producer of the Mental Fitness Bootcamp, author of On The Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine (Wells highly recommends YOU read it!) and founder of Verge Yoga & Meditation Center. She hosts a daily mental fitness podcast called Daily Whispers. In 2020, Cara was named one of the “Top 12 Most Powerful Women in the Mindfulness Movement” by Mindful Magazine.

“‘Strong, calm, and clear’ is my definition of mental fitness. It’s definitely what I lacked as a young competitive skater and college runner. Now, in partnership with Soccer Resilience®, I’m excited to offer my body-based practices with a cutting-edge Mental Fitness Nutrition System to help players, coaches and parents build that much needed mental strength, clarity and calm!”

David Ricca has been involved in soccer his whole life, ranging from being a player, scout and coach, to being the liaison to Latin American International teams for MLS, as well as serving on 2010 FIFA World Cup media team in South Africa.

Prior to that, he was an International Wealth Manager at Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney and is a 9/11 survivor. He regularly gives talks about how, in the aftermath of 9/11 he used his soccer to deal with PTSD and established Just Live Soccer.

Currently he manages the ‘Innovate to Grow’ grant from US Soccer for New Jersey Youth Soccer, leading the way for the grassroots initiative and helping make soccer the preeminent youth sport in New Jersey.

“My personal motto was always ‘Play with your Heart, Soul and Mind’ and the mental part is often overlooked by players. I feel that now, more than ever, taking care of our mental health is vital and it’s a bonus to use that strength on the field. I’m so excited to be part of this team that values mental health and that encourage players to be resilient.”

Aaron is from Mesquite, Texas and currently lives in Dallas. After playing collegiate football at Rice University, Aaron had a brief stint at the professional level in Canada in the CFL. Aaron’s undergraduate degree was Sport and Fitness/Management and Psychology. Aaron then earned a master’s degree (MS) in sport & performance psychology. His current role with Awareness Athletics™ is Owner/Lead Trainer.

“My specialty is helping athletes and teams create sustained performance enhancement through mental skills training and evidence-based cognitive coaching. In joining Soccer Resilience®, I aim to continue helping athletes be at their best when it matters most, while also helping eliminate the stigma associated with mental health in competitive settings. Soccer Resilience® includes athletes helping athletes and I look forward to being on the forefront of change with the incredible team at Soccer Resilience®!”

Tim strived for over two decades as an NCAA Division I player, assistant coach, associate head coach and head coach. He coached in three out of the five “Power 5” conferences. On the youth club level, Tim was a Development Academy Director, a national champion coach, and led teams to semifinals in three out of the four US Youth Soccer regions. Tim is the Director of Coach & Player Education for Trace and a certified mental performance coach. We’re delighted to add Tim as an experienced, accomplished Ambassador to our Team of advisors and influencers.

“Soccer Resilience® is just what I needed when I was a kid. Performance anxiety during my youth and collegiate career left me feeling like I had no control over my thoughts. But after working on my mindset, I can now see how crucial it is to train it as if it were a muscle. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Soccer Resilience® team – one that is committed to getting people the tools they need to tackle mental obstacles. And I can’t wait to work with members through those mental obstacles and be the person younger me would’ve loved to have!”

Sean’s currently playing his graduate year at UNC-Asheville after playing four years for the St. Louis University Men’s Soccer team. He earned his B.S. in International Business while at St. Louis and is studying Linguistics at UNCA. Seans focus is on translating all of our content into Spanish so that we can reach more people. We’re so thankful he’s a part of our team!

“Throughout my career I have always appreciated how much of the game is mental. It has definitely helped shape me into the player I am today. Using the techniques offered by Soccer Resilience® have also helped immensely. I am proud and excited to be a member of this team.”

Bill Shankly once said, “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” Soccer’s the most wonderful game on Earth! To have grown up playing it passionately is a privilege. I used to play every game as though I would die if I lost. And now that I can’t play as much, I watch every game with the same energy! Soccer is life, and truly a huge part of who I am!

“I’m excited to join Soccer Resilience® because I’ve played soccer my whole life. From since I was a baby through college at Huntington University. Soccer Resilience® is something that every soccer player, regardless of age or level, could benefit from. Especially today, in the modern age, where players like Chelsea’s Kai Havertz are scared to miss shots because of internet backlash. The mental edge in soccer is now more important than it’s ever been and I’m happy to join a group of people who understand that!”