We help performers elevate the mental side of their game
ACE Mental Performance was built on a simple belief: physical talent gets you to the arena, but your mental game is what keeps you there. We combine evidence-based sport psychology practices with a personal approach — because we've been where you are.
Two athletes. One shared mission.
We met at the University of Denver while completing our Master's in Sport and Performance Psychology — and quickly realized we were driven by the same thing. Both of us had competed at a high level and both of us had struggled mentally in ways that held us back. That experience became our purpose: to give athletes and performers the tools we wish we'd had.
The people behind ACE
We're not just consultants — we're former athletes who understand the mental battles that come with competing at a high level. Our practice is built on collaboration, self-awareness, and a genuine belief that everyone deserves a mental performance plan as personalized as their game.
Sophie
Co-Founder, Certified Mental Performance Consultant®
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Hi, I’m Sophie—Co-Founder of ACE and a Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) who knows exactly what it’s like when your mind becomes your toughest opponent.
Before I was an MPC, I was a collegiate volleyball player. On the outside, I was a competitor; on the inside, I was battling performance anxiety and the constant weight of perfectionism. I learned firsthand that those "mental barriers” don’t just stay in your head—they directly impact your ability to play freely and perform consistently.
My own journey through the highs and lows of college sports sparked a deep curiosity: How can we compete at a high level (and win) without sacrificing our well-being?
This question led me to the University of Denver, where I earned my Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology.
Today at ACE, I help individuals and teams navigate the challenges experienced when competing at a high level using evidence-based mental skills training. My work is grounded in collaboration—we don't just talk about the skills; we build a custom, productive strategy that fits your specific needs and helps you be at your best in sport and life.
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I approach striving for performance excellence by first building self-awareness - fostering acceptance as well as the understanding of what the person needs to be at their best. This begins the collaboration on how to develop focus, optimal regulation, confidence, and a deep rooted sense of purpose. Understanding these core principles foster performance excellence, but allowing the space for collaboration on how these skills can be developed based on the unique experiences of the person.
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Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC)
M.A. Sport and Performance Psychology, The University of Denver, CO
B.S. Psychology, Missouri Southern State University, MO
Performance Background: NJCAA & NCAA Division II Volleyball Player, NJCAA All-American
Clarissa
Co-Founder, Mental Performance Consultant
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Hi! I'm Clarissa, Co-founder and Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) at ACE. Like many athletes I work with, my own journey through sports— track and field & cross country—was a mix of passion and struggle. As a competitive runner with the Mambas USATF club, I battled my own mentality, more specifically, perfectionistic tendencies and a lack of consistent discipline. This mental barrier eventually led me to step away from the sport I loved in a way that felt unfinished.
That experience became my driving why. It sparked my passion for mental performance: I wanted to give athletes the resources and tools I wish I had to pursue my sport with the passion I knew I had but needed someone to help me put all the pieces together.
This led me to the University of Denver and I now hold my Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology. Where I was fueled by discovering: How do we transform high-stakes perfectionism into consistent, disciplined performance?
Today at ACE, my work is grounded in self-awareness and collaboration. I partner with teams and individuals to build a powerful toolbox of mental skills. My mission is to help you perform at a high level and develop an individualized toolbox that is centered around the passion that makes you, you.
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I believe approaching performance excellence begins with creating a foundation centered around increased self-awareness which promotes acceptance. When we begin to understand how we are on a moment-to-moment basis we can then learn more about where different mental skills can be integrated. This could look like routines, confidence, self-talk, and learning to shift our attention. I approach performance excellence with the mindset of walking alongside those I work with, fostering collaboration to allow our work to focus on what is most relevant for them.
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M.A. Sport and Performance Psychology, University of Denver, CO
B.S. Psychology & Sport and Exercise Science, Marian University, WI
Performance Background: Junior Olympic Runner
The ACE framework
Everything we do is built around three interconnected principles — designed to meet you where you are and build lasting mental performance skills.
A
Adapt
Build the flexibility to handle pressure, setbacks, and the unexpected with composure.
Resilience
Emotional regulation
Confidence
C
Commit
Show up consistently — even when motivation fades. Commitment is a trainable skill.
Visualization
Goal setting
Integrated excellence
E
Excel
Excellence isn't a destination — it's performing at a high level, consistently, over time.
Consistent performance
High-pressure execution
Long-term growth