Changing the conversation to Mental Fitness.
Changing the conversation to Mental Fitness.
Hans enjoys working with athletes and their families in all sports and at all levels in order to help them achieve their athletic and life goals. He and his wife created the Center for Sports and The Mind to integrate their passions for sports and working with people. He served as the 2013 Chair of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and awarded to Drew LeBlance of Saint Cloud State. He currently is on the Board of the Hobey Baker Foundation, and serves as the National Director of the Hobey Baker Boys High School Character Award. He has been a coach, and served on committees devoted to fair play.
He served as the Hockey Development Coordinator at Armstrong Cooper Hockey for 6+ years. He works with teams and individuals. He has helped teams win championships and worked with high school, college, professional and Olympic athletes and coaches. He received his Masters in Counseling Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of St Thomas.
My dedication to teaching Mental Fitness comes from experience as an athlete, coach, therapist and sports parent. I've seen the problems from every angle.
I have worked with athletes for over 20 years at all levels of play - youth to Olympic. Helped teams win championships. Overcome tragedy. I've been in the arena with all the rest of you.
My approach is based, measurable, and athlete tested. We help athletes build the 3 systems they all need to be amazing but not perfect. The focus is building better athletes and better people.
When I present to teams, or large groups of athletes 75% of them say they have not gotten more than 45 minutes of detailed coaching on how to manage the mental part of their sport.
This implies there are no systems for it. Why - at best it wasn't seen as an important part of sports. At worst it meant you were a head case, uncoachable, maybe even crazy or stupid.
Fortunately, those stigmas are fading. It's safer to talk about now. It's a silver lining of the pandemic. Kids know mental health is important.
But we need to give them more skills. We need to change the conversation to Mental Fitness.
We believe in a client-centered approach, tailoring our coaching to your unique goals and aspirations. Whether you're seeking personal growth, career advancement, improved relationships, or enhanced well-being, our team is here to support and empower you every step of the way. Together, we'll inspire positive change and help you become the best version of yourself.
On the stage, Hans brings the perspective of an athlete, a parent, a coach, and a therapist with over 20 years of experience as a therapist and coach. Hans has presented at:
Minnesota Boys and Girls Hockey Coaches Association - Numerous Years
Minnesota High School Basketball Coaches Association
Minnesota Hockey Camps
Bulldog Hockey Camp at Amsoil Arena - Numerous years
Minnesota Association of Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Acme Hockey Advisors Camp
Dave Peterson Goalie Camp
MN High School Soccer Coaches Association
Armstrong High School Boys Hockey and Basketball
St Cloud State Mens and Womens Hockey
MN Wild Development Camp
Luck High School Football
Monticello High School Resiliency Conference
Benilde St Margaret’s Hockey - Boys and Girls
U of Minnesota Model Camp
Apple Valley Girls Lacrosse
MN Hockey High Performance Camps
USA Hockey Level 4 Coaches Symposiums
Hurricanes Swim Team
Amery High School Football and Hockey
Chanhassen Girls Basketball
Wayzata High School Coaches
Wayzata High School Dance Team
Wayzata Boys Hockey
Roseville Girls Basketball
Eagan Boys Hockey
🎵 “Help! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody. Help!” 🎵
Let’s talk about one of the biggest myths in mental toughness: the idea that accepting help makes you weak.
Some people believe that true strength means going through life without needing anyone else. That our success is due to being special or superior—a superhero who doesn’t need support. But this belief isn’t just wrong; it’s harmful. It makes us afraid of vulnerability, and it keeps us from admitting that we, like every human being, need others to thrive.
We all depend on others. Disagree? Think about what you’ve eaten today. Doesn’t matter what it was—hundreds of people were involved in growing, transporting, and preparing that food.
If you still think needing help makes you weak, try living without a team, a coach, family, or friends. You’d melt faster than butter on a hot skillet.
The world’s top athletes know this. Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Cale Makar, Simone Biles—each of them has spoken about how mental health support helped them achieve greatness. Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength and growth.
When we ask for help, we acknowledge two things:
That we’re not perfect—and that’s okay.
That we’re willing to grow, learn, and improve.
You’re not a unicorn. You don’t have to do it all alone. Accepting vulnerability makes you human—and stronger than ever.
Let’s change the conversation about mental fitness.
Talk openly about the importance of asking for help.
Share stories of strength through support.
Subscribe and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to confront the myths and spread the truth.
Help isn’t weakness. It’s the key to becoming your best self.
© 2023 Hans Skulstad. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.