Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Cochrane.
Maggie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a multi-sport athlete, I recognized the value of a positive mindset and the importance of mental skills early on in my athletic career. I played both soccer and volleyball competitively until high school, when I just focused on volleyball. As a team captain and leader, I focused on fostering motivation, confidence, and mental toughness within my teammates without the knowledge of what mental skills training or sport psychology was. I enjoyed bringing my teammates together, excelling in any way I could, and trying out different mental techniques to enhance my performance.
After an injury sidelined me in college, I began to understand the mental effects of an injury. While there was an athletic trainer to help me regain physical strength, I didn’t have support with the mental strength I was lacking and needed to fully return to my sport. Because of my inability to come back 100% mentally, my volleyball career ended early on at the collegiate level. It was this experience, as well as my interests and passion for helping people and for the mental aspects of performance, that solidified my decision to pursue my further education in the field of sport and performance psychology.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall the road has been smooth. There are always struggles, but the strength I gained from making it through the hardships is what gives me the confidence to keep going. School was challenging, but I learned a ton. I discovered my therapeutic approach, honed in on specific interests of mine, built relationships with colleagues, professors, and clients, and decided that one day I wanted to open up my own private practice. There were a lot of “bumps” throughout that journey, but to be pushed, questioned, and pressured is important. Opening up my own practice had its share of “bumps” in the road as well, but each one either taught me something about myself or about how to run a business. I find myself using a lot of the skills and tools I teach my clients about to help me progress in my career.
As you know, we’re big fans of Thrive Mental Performance Consulting. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
THRIVE, LLC is a mental performance consulting practice based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
THRIVE was started with a purpose in mind — to help athletes and performers with their psychological needs and concerns. Our clients will be seen as unique individuals and will be given the specific tools they need to learn, grow, & thrive.
Just as individuals have to train physically for their sport, musical endeavors, or other areas of performance, we also recognize the importance of mental training. We believe that performers are born to thrive; however, we also acknowledge that obstacles sometimes get in the way of contentment and success. Maybe you lack confidence or motivation, struggle with performance anxiety, are working through or coming back from an injury, have trouble concentrating, want to elevate your performance to the next level, or are encountering any combination of these common experiences.
So much of performance is mental. You are not alone and we are here to help.
THRIVE utilizes evidence-based practices and trained professionals to help deliver the best support to our clients. We use performers’ inherent strengths to support them in reaching their personal goals, facilitating new thoughts/beliefs, and building mental skills throughout the process. At THRIVE, we support athletes, musicians, business professionals, and performers of all ages, genders, sexes, races, ethnicities, religions, spiritualities, and abilities.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
COVID-19 has shed an even greater light on the importance of what I do and the services I provide. With so much uncertainty, anxiety, and confusion a lot of performers struggled in their own ways. Providing support off the court, field, or stage was imperative for some athletes/performers to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Email: mcochrane@thrivempc.com
- Website: thrivempc.com
- Instagram: @thrivempc
