Therapist, Performance Coach, Speaker.
HANS SKULSTAD
Changing the conversation to Mental Fitness.
Therapist, Performance Coach, Speaker.
HANS SKULSTAD
Changing the conversation to Mental Fitness.
FEATURED IN:
FEATURED IN:
Hans C Skulstad, MA LMFT
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.
KEY TOPICS
MENTAL HEALTH
Breaking the barriers and stigmas to make mental health and mental fitness approachable.
MOTIVATION
Empowering minds of all ages to be who they want to be, and to do their best, for themselves and for others.
PERFORMANCE
Helping athletes find their zone to play through distractions and maintain consistent confidence.
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.
MORE ABOUT US
Create Fulfilling Relationships and Enhance Communication
Strong and meaningful relationships are the foundation of a happy life. Our coaching can help you build better connections, improve communication skills, and resolve conflicts, leading to more fulfilling personal and professional relationships.
OUR SERVICES
High Quality Services
Group Coaching
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Career Coaching
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Life Transition Coaching,
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Mindfulness and Stress Management
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Professionals Team
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.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Client's Feedbacks
The personalized approach they took made all the difference. Each session felt like a tailored roadmap to success. Their unwavering support and encouragement empowered me to overcome obstacles I never thought possible. I've not only achieved my career aspirations but have also grown as an individual, cultivating healthier relationships and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
THERAPIST. PERFORMANCE COACH. SPEAKER.
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
PRESENTING THE HOBEY BAKER AWARD
WANT TO PASS ME THE MIC AT YOUR NEXT EVENT?
Media Features
Prioritizing Mental Fitness in Young Athletes
We have a serious problem: the mental health of young people is worsening. Even athletes—some of the most resilient individuals—have taken their own lives.
The New York Times recently reported alarming statistics:
In 2019, 13% of adolescents experienced a major depressive episode—a 60% increase since 2007.
ER visits for anxiety, mood disorders, and self-harm have risen sharply.
Suicide rates for ages 10 to 24 have jumped nearly 60% since 2007.
While stigmas around mental health are diminishing, it’s not enough. As a sports psychologist, I’ve worked with teams who’ve lost young athletes to suicide. It’s one of the hardest parts of my job.
Here’s the truth: mental health and mental performance are deeply connected. Supporting athletes means building and modeling five core mental fitness skills:
Be You – Define your values and who you want to be. This foundation helps athletes stay grounded.
Compete with Yourself – Set both outcome and process goals to foster personal growth.
Self-Forgiveness – Acknowledge mistakes and release the difficult emotions they bring.
Learn from Failure – Develop a process to turn failures into opportunities for growth.
Get Comfortable with the Uncomfortable – Learn to navigate and perform through inevitable discomfort.
Let’s change the conversation around mental fitness. Together, we can make a difference.
Take action—reach out to see how I can support your organization.
Let's Get in Touch
Get In Touch
© 2023 Hans Skulstad. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.