Understanding Anxiety and Performance

Anxiety is a natural physiological response when something feels important. Whether it’s an exam, a presentation, an interview, or a sporting event, your body reacts with adrenaline: racing thoughts, tense muscles, shallow breathing, sweaty palms, nausea etc.

For many, this response is manageable. But for others, anxiety can overwhelm focus and block performance — leaving you frustrated because you know you’re capable of more.

  • Do you stumble over words when you need to speak in public or give a presentation at work?

  • Does your child have such bad anxiety before an exam that they are physically sick or feel so unwell they are unable to show how hard they have worked?

  • Have you hit a mental block in your sport or experience such nerves before a competition that you are considering whether to continue with the sport you love?

  • Are you wanting to go back to work after taking time off with children and now your confidence is so low you don’t know how to get back into your career?

    If any of these sound familiar, that’s where Anxiety & Performance Coaching comes in.

What is Anxiety & Performance Coaching?

Anxiety Performance Coaching is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps you:

  • Manage anxiety effectively with proven techniques.

  • Develop a calmer mindset so pressure no longer derails you.

  • Build confidence and resilience in high-stakes situations.

  • Perform at your best when it matters most.

It’s not therapy. Instead, it’s a forward-focused coaching process — practical, goal-driven, and designed to give you tools you can apply immediately.

When we can control our own minds we can have more influence over our lives than most of us realise. Mental Skills Training is learning how to do this.

What we think, believe and imagine affects our performance. During our sessions together, you’ll discover why your mind behaves the way it does and how you have the ability to change that.

To achieve your peak performance - at work, in sport or at school - especially when you are under pressure, you need to know how to calm your body and your mind. You need to learn how to direct your focus and attention where is it most important. These skills must be learned and practised ahead of time, so they are there for you when you need them.


The Coaching Process

Anxiety can stop you from showing what you’re truly capable of — whether that’s in an exam hall, on stage, in the workplace, or in competition. My coaching programmes are designed to give you the tools, structure, and confidence to perform at your best when it matters most.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Free discovery call

We begin with a free, no-obligation chat by phone or on zoom. This is your chance to share your goals, challenges, and what you’d like to achieve. I’ll also explain how the coaching process works and answer any questions you may have. By the end of this conversation, you’ll know whether coaching feels like the right fit for you and whether you think that I am the right coach to help you as this is a very important part of your success.

2. Personalised Plan

No two clients are the same, which is why I create a tailored coaching plan based on your needs, goals, timeframe and personal preferences. Whether you’re aiming to beat your anxiety in general or you have an important event, exam or performance coming up, your plan will be focused and practical with specific SMART goals set— designed to help you build confidence step by step.

3. Coaching Sessions

In our sessions, we’ll work through practical strategies and mindset tools to reduce anxiety and strengthen focus. These may include performance psychology techniques, hypnotherapy or visualisation, and other evidence-based approaches. Every session is designed to give you something you can apply immediately in real-world situations.

4. Review & Progress

Your journey doesn’t end after a single session. We’ll regularly review your progress, celebrate wins, and make adjustments to ensure the strategies continue to work for you long-term. This ongoing support helps you build resilience, consistency, and confidence that lasts. I follow up each session with a detailed e-mail setting out what we covered, techniques that were learnt and will give you some homework for the next session. This will usually be to practice your new skills and will perhaps include some visualisation audio downloads to listen to between sessions.

The Results

When you learn to manage anxiety and perform with calm focus, the results go far beyond a single event. Coaching helps you build lasting mental skills that can transform how you approach challenges in every area of life.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Less Overwhelm → Feel more in control, even in high-pressure situations.

  • Greater Composure → Stay steady and collected, whatever the challenge.

  • Stronger Confidence → Trust yourself and your abilities, instead of second-guessing.

  • Consistent and Enhanced Performance → Deliver your best under pressure, time after time.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The techniques you’ll learn often create positive ripple effects in other parts of life:

  • Authentic Self-Confidence
    True confidence isn’t about pretending — it’s about trusting yourself so you can perform well, reach your potential, and genuinely enjoy the process.

  • Freedom From Anxiety
    Few things are more valuable than peace of mind. Coaching helps you reduce anxiety, stress, and overwhelm so you can feel calmer and more balanced day to day.

  • Better Sleep Quality
    A good night’s sleep underpins focus, energy, and mood. Together, we’ll explore strategies to improve your sleep so you wake up ready to perform.

  • Relief From Fears and Phobias
    Coaching and hypnotherapy can help you overcome fears and limitations that may be holding you back, giving you the freedom to live more fully.

  • Improved Mood and Emotional Balance
    Learning to manage your emotions more effectively means you become the driver of your experience, not the passenger. This can bring greater positivity, motivation, and enjoyment in both performance and everyday life.

Anxiety & Performance Coaching gives you the skills to calm your mind, sharpen your focus, and unlock your full potential. You don’t need to let anxiety hold you back — with the right support, you can approach life’s challenges with confidence, clarity, and calm.