Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Buxbaum
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up as a high level gymnast, I did everything in my power to avoid competing because it made me so incredibly nervous. After realizing I had to compete in order to continue with sport I loved, I knew that I needed to learn ways to manage my nerves at competitions so that I could compete in the way I practiced – and not fear competition season. At that time, I started to see a Sport Psychologist who taught me the basic – yet powerful – ways to calm my nerves and enjoy competing, and ultimately, I grew to love competing! With her help, I started to experience that my physical performance and “mental game” were intimately related – I realized that I could befriend my mind to be my ally, not my enemy.
The growth I witnessed in myself solidified that I wanted to be in her position – helping people just like me learn ways manage their nerves and speak more kindly to themselves (both IN and OUT of their performance domains) to be a better, brighter, more authentic version of themselves. Fast forward, I received my Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver, and now specialize in working with competitive gymnasts and climbers both locally in the SLC area and around the country.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No! What road is smooth? 🙂
I moved to Hawaii right after graduating with my Masters and it was TOUGH to build a business during the initial aftermath of COVID. I had many months of doubting if I would be able to consistently see clients and give workshops enough to live sustainably. Through years of building relationships with Sport Psychologists and mentors across the country, I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to have a private psychology practice while not burning out along the way.
As any business owner can attest to, it’s a constant challenge to find ways to separate from work, when the business can feel like a child needing my TLC 24/7. That said, my recent move to SLC, Utah in November of 2024 has further solidified that I am in the right place to be building a business while spreading power of performance psychology to athletes and high performing professionals, alike!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Before sharing more about the details of my unique Sport Psychology business, it’s important to share some background on the field of Sport Psychology (Mental Performance Coaching) in general: Mental Performance coaching equips athletes and performers with the tools and routines to overcome mental and emotional obstacles to excel in sport, at work, and in relationships. If you have ever noticed that your mind holds you back from experiencing joy in your sport, at work, or in your relationships, Mental Performance Coaching a great route to explore to enhance your life and give you the tools to navigate performance anxiety in sport or at work, and how to communicate effectively with others so that your authentic self shines through.
A unique aspect of my business is how I tie together my Sport Psychology training with my experience as a Yoga Instructor. As a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), I translate evidence based approaches of improving mental health into applicable and effective tools to help you be more present and engaged in your sport and in everyday life.
As a certified yoga instructor, I curate my work with clients to teach them how to be: Grounded & calm (root chakra), Creative & flexible (sacral chakra), Confidence & powerful (solar plexus), Loving & heart forward (heart chakra), Vocal & expressive (throat chakra), Intuitive & clear minded (third eye chakra).
What sets me apart from others it that I teach you the pillars of applied mindfulness in each session. I begin each meeting guiding you through a grounding practice focused on the 1) body, 2) breath, and 3) visualization – three proven tactics to bring more presence and focus. And ultimately, being focused on the present (not the past, not the future) is the currency of success.
I work with my clients based on Five Pillars of Growth:
1. Conversations have power: Dialogue is the soil that action plans grow from, and action is the source of change.
2. We always need to “be where our feet are”: this is why we begin every session with 5 minutes of a guided grounding mindfulness practice
3. Plans are never set in stone: we co-create the blue print of what you will focus on, work on, and explore – you make it your own and put it into action.
4. Radical candor is fuel for growth: as your coach I will be honest, compassionate, and bold with you – and I expect the same in return.
5. Humor heals: We are serious about doing the ‘work’, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously
What matters most to you? Why?
Authenticity: Authenticity is the capacity to be genuine with others while being true to yourself. When we make decisions that are aligned with our values, we become UNSTOPPABLE!
Pricing:
- 120$/50-60 minutes
- 80$/half hour
- $575: Package of 5-5o minute sessions
- $375: Package of 5-30 minute sessions
- 60 minute workshops for teams and offices: Based $300+$15/head
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.riseperformancellc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthakbuxbaum/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthabuxbaum/
