Valerie Alston

Mental Performance and Resilience Coach

Since 2008, she has been immersed in the world of working with Soldiers, teaching resilience classes to empower them with the mental toughness needed to navigate and thrive amidst the genuine struggles they face. As part of this journey, she imparts the principles of sport psychology, enabling Soldiers to perform at their peak when it matters most—a perspective that unveils unique and often unseen facets of life for civilians.

A former Division 1 softball player hailing from Southern California, she emerged from the intense world of national-level softball teams from the age of 8 to 18. Having personally weathered the pressures, sacrifices, and emotional rollercoaster of being an elite youth athlete, she intimately understands the challenges that accompany dreams of playing in college. Having been a 4-year starter and full scholarship athlete at the University of Minnesota, she experienced firsthand the rigors and rewards of collegiate-level competition.

Her journey wasn't without its struggles; she faced intense anxiety and pressure during her junior year, affecting her performance on the field. Seeking the tools to overcome these challenges, she turned to a sport psychologist and learned the very strategies she now imparts in her programs. Armed with a Master's Degree in Mental Health/Sport Psychology from Boston University, she is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology, complemented by training as a Health and Wellness Coach from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA).

Her coaching business, mental toughness programs, books, and app serve as a testament to her commitment to sharing the wisdom, guidance, and tools acquired through her dual roles as a player and professional. Her overarching goal is to empower young athletes, drawing from the lessons of her own experiences so that they can sidestep similar pitfalls. With a focus on instilling mental toughness, she aims to provide the next generation with the essential tools not only for success in sports but also for thriving in the broader journey of adulthood.