Mental Performance Consultant | APEX SPC
M.A.

Thanks for visiting APEX SPC. I’m Rilwan Babatunde. Nice to meet you (unofficially).

My interest in sport and performance psychology comes from a genuine appreciation for positive development, education, and the process of improving. As an athlete who grew up participating in multiple sports, including soccer, track & field, and basketball, I understand both the joys of competition and its challenges and demands.

My approach to Sport and Performance Psychology involves athlete-centered-wellness and development through the principles and application of mental skills training. My work is centered on an individualized collaborative approach to consulting, as all athletes are unique in their own right given the nature of their being and the manner and fashion in which their environment influences their behavior and personality in who they become.

Mental skill abilities can be developed like that of the physical, technical and tactical components required for sport engagement. My work in sport and performance psychology is heavily grounded within the depths of performance psychology principles and values work. The qualities gained through sport engagement becomes crystallized with time in shaping personality and character, this is especially more so for young athletes.

Educational Training:

I am privileged to have received my academic and applied sport psychology training from the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. 

During my academic experience, I had the opportunity to receive high-quality applied training from exceptional faculty and instructors. As a student, during my coursework experience, I was introduced to in-depth-sport psychology principles and applications. I was soon presented with the opportunity to demonstrate and put into practice, through the consultation process, the concepts and applications that were introduced during coursework to athletes of various skill levels from different sporting backgrounds. 

As a mental performance consultant-in-training, I had the opportunity to introduce and teach mental skills concepts to various groups of athletes ranging from beginners to elite-level competitors. Athletes were encouraged to put these concepts into practice during training sessions and in competitive settings. 

In addition to teaching mental skills training concepts to the many athletes in their sporting domain, I was also fortunate to receive supervision from faculty and other Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPCs) regarding my area of strength as well as areas needing improvement. 

In reflecting on my academic experience, it is fair to say that this description barely captures the holistic nature of my professional training and development as a  mental performance consultant and as a student.  

My Consultation Approach:

In establishing a collaborative partnership with clients, my approach to consultation is grounded and guided by the concepts outlined in my Theoretical Orientation to Performance Excellence  (TOPE). Within this approach, I utilize principles from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)  as a foundation for how I view, understand, and respond to the challenges clients present during consultation. 

During the consulting process, particularly within the initial consultation sessions,  we establish the foundations for a safe and trusting collaborative partnership. I learn about you as an individual and a performer and gather relevant amount of information regarding your reasoning for seeking mental performance services.  As this process unfolds, we develop a better perspective and a more holistic understanding of who you are as an individual and a performer. We draw on your strengths and values and consider areas that you desire to improve. We utilize the information acquired to reinforce and build upon your strengths, promote your personal development, navigate presenting challenges, and enhance your performance abilities. 

In developing a better understanding of who you are as a person and performer. We explore the foundational qualities that contribute toward the characteristics and components leading to the holistic sense of yourself and the direction you wish to navigate in accordance with your values. We embark together on the consultation partnership through the guidance of your established core values, utilizing ACT philosophy and principles. Along this path, we allow your story to naturally emerge, especially within the initial stages of consultation. 

In developing a better perspective and holistic understanding of you as an individual and the challenges you face as a performer. We draw upon your strengths and core values to guide progress toward your intended path. In navigating pressing challenges of your desired direction, we work on the development of gaining acceptance and the capability to remain grounded within the present moment in building better awareness. We also develop and reinforce the qualities and abilities to observe thoughts that may interfere with performance, without allowing those thoughts to indicate how you respond and perform within your respected domain.

Achieving personal success may present as an arduous process with ample potential moments to become distracted and deterred from your desired path.  Through the guidance of your personal values, we work toward the attainment of your desired destination and the caliber of performer you wish to become. 

A little about me: 

I consider myself a life-long learner, I believe I still have so much more to learn as the learning process is an endless pursuit. Apart from performance psychology and education, I find value and joy in being active, getting outdoors for the occasional mountain hike, enjoying a simple bike ride  and coaching developmental athletes.

Some of my professional values that serves as a guiding factor involves integrity, positive contributions to the development of others, and continual growth.

Enough about me! What I am more curious about is learning about you, your sport, your presented challenge and where you hope to be next.

Thank you.

Rilwan  

Educational & Professional Background
M.A. Sport & Performance Psychology
University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology