Mental performance that works under pressure

Most of the people I work with are doing “fine” on paper. Training is solid. Ability is there. The problem shows up under pressure.

That might look like:

  • confidence dropping after one mistake
  • overthinking before or during competition
  • struggling to reset after errors
  • performing well in practice but not in matches or events

My work focuses on how your mind behaves in those moments and how to train it to respond differently.

I work locally across East Yorkshire, including Beverley, Hull and Driffield.

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Client Case Study

Abigail Miller | Team UAE National Cyclist

The Challenge: Pre-race mental clarity under international pressure. Competing at elite level where mental edge separates winners from the rest.

The Solution: Had several 1-2-1 sessions and used the Performance Reset Room moments before her race in France.

The Result: Won the race.

"I listened to your app this morning before the race, super helpful so thank you so much!!!!"

Why it matters: Sports psychology isn't just for local clubs. It works at elite level too. This is what peak performance preparation looks like.

Explore The Reset Room

How Can Sports Psychology Help You?

✔ Enhance Focus & Concentration – Stay locked in under pressure and make better decisions.
✔ Boost Confidence – Eliminate self-doubt and perform at your best when it matters most.
✔ Master Mental Toughness – Overcome setbacks, failures, and performance slumps.
✔ Recover from Injuries Faster – Maintain mental resilience during rehab and come back stronger.
✔ Develop a Champion’s Mindset – Build discipline, consistency, and peak-level thinking.

Sports psychology isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about elevating your game and unlocking your full potential.

Who is Sports Psychology For?

This service is suited to:

  • youth and adult athletes
  • performers and competitive individuals
  • people who feel pressure more than others
  • those who want structure, tools and results

Discover our specialist Youth Sports Psychology & Mindset Coaching for ages 9–16 in Hull,

designed to help the next generation thrive both on and off the field.

How Sessions Work

Sessions are structured and tailored to the demands of your sport or performance environment. Depending on the individual, this may include:

  • identifying unhelpful thought patterns under pressure
  • reframing beliefs that knock confidence
  • improving self-talk during performance
  • confidence and best-performance imagery
  • pre-performance routines
  • mistake recovery and reset strategies
  • optional performance hypnosis to improve focus and calm

The aim is simple: perform closer to your true ability, more consistently.

Book a Session
Neil Sunley giving a presentation to an audience in a modern conference room.

Neil Sunley | Sports Psychology Consultant & Hypnotherapist

Struggling with performance anxiety, mental blocks, or inconsistency? As a Sports Psychology Consultant, I specialize in evidence-based mental coaching that helps athletes develop focus, confidence, and resilience—allowing them to perform at their peak when it matters most.

With over 25 years of experience in sports coaching, psychology, hypnotherapy and CBT, I have worked with elite junior rugby players, professional cricketers, and even competitive chess players—helping them sharpen their mental edge, overcome self-doubt, and thrive under pressure.

✔ Certified in Clinical Hypnotherapy
✔ MSc University studies in Sport Psychology, CBT & ACT
✔ Worked with athletes across individual & team sports
✔ Science-Based Approach for Fast, Measurable Results
✔ Rated Top in East Yorkshire | 5-Star Google Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"My approach is practical, results-driven, and designed to help you develop the mental strength needed to excel in high-performance environments." – Neil Sunley

Sports psychology support across East Yorkshire

I work with clients from

  • Beverley

  • Hull

  • Driffield

  • the wider East Riding of Yorkshire

Sessions are delivered locally, with limited online options available where appropriate. Many clients choose to work face to face due to the performance-focused nature of the work.

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Testimonials

"Since working with Neil my average heart rate over the hour of my morning run has dropped by 20 beats per minute. Same routes, same speeds/times and the same heart rate monitor. I was stunned when I spotted the difference - a measured sense of calm through clarity"

Matthew P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I have improved my confidence and fitness exponential whilst working with Neil. He has show me many ways to improve all dynamics of fitness and more recently how to use self defence strategies to aid being well within my environment. I thoroughly recommend My Soul Coach to achieve your goals inside and out! Thanks for your continued support"

Jon S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Been going for a couple of months and found it really helpful and seeing improvements in my rugby performance. Would definitely recommend"

James J ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unlock Your Peak Performance – Book a Free Consultation Today!
Smartphone displaying ‘The Winning Edge – Performance Confidence Hypnosis Audio’ by My Soul Coach, with a confident young athlete on screen surrounded by teammates and wireless earbuds on either side, promoting focus and mindset for athletes.

Download My Sports Performance Audio & Unlock Your Potential

Train your mind like an elite athlete. This powerful sports hypnosis audio is designed to enhance focus, build confidence, and help you perform under pressure. Download now and take your game to the next level.

Download Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sports psychology help with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons athletes and performers seek sports psychology support. Whether it shows up as pre-match nerves, performance freezing, overthinking under pressure, or loss of confidence after a setback, anxiety in a performance context responds well to structured psychological intervention.

Sports psychology addresses performance anxiety through evidence-based techniques including mental rehearsal, attentional control, arousal regulation, and cognitive reframing, the same methods used with elite athletes at international level. At My Soul Coach, these are combined with clinical hypnotherapy and the MSC Method® to work at both the conscious and subconscious level, which means results tend to come faster than talking-based approaches alone.

It's worth distinguishing performance anxiety from generalised anxiety disorder. Sports psychology is specifically designed for the performance context; competition nerves, audition pressure, high-stakes situations. If anxiety is affecting daily life beyond sport, a combined hypnotherapy and sports psychology approach may be more appropriate. Both are available at My Soul Coach, and the free consultation helps identify which is the right starting point.

Why would you see a sports psychologist?

Athletes and performers work with a sports psychologist when mental factors are limiting their performance — pre-competition anxiety, loss of confidence after injury, motivation drops, focus problems under pressure, or recurring performance blocks. The goal is not to fix what's broken but to give the athlete reliable mental tools they can apply in training and competition.

When should I see a sports psychologist?

The best time is before a problem becomes entrenched — when you notice nerves affecting performance, confidence dropping, or pressure feeling harder to manage than it should. Many athletes also work with a sports psychologist proactively during pre-season or before major competitions to build mental resilience.

What are the 5 C's of sports psychology?

The 5 C's are Concentration, Confidence, Control, Commitment, and Composure — five mental qualities consistently linked to consistent high performance across sports. The MSC Method® framework draws on these established principles alongside contemporary performance psychology research.

Is this therapy or coaching?

Do you work with young athletes?

Do you cover Beverley, Hull and Driffield?

How much does a sports psychologist charge in the UK?

Sports psychology sessions in the UK typically range from £70 to £150 per session depending on location. My Soul Coach sports psychology rates are priced at the lower end, reflecting an East Yorkshire base rather than London rates. Sessions are priced transparently on the Programs page, with single sessions, structured 6-session programmes, and online options available. Free 15-minute consultations are offered to all new clients.