Athletes don’t lose games because they lack talent.
They lose because of mental pressure.

Overthinking, fear of mistakes, performance anxiety, loss of confidence, and burnout are some of the most common challenges athletes face today—especially in competitive environments.

While physical training is everywhere, mental performance training remains one of the most underserved areas in sports. This gap is exactly what Deanna Schneyer’s work is designed to solve.

Why Mental Pressure Is Holding Athletes Back. Athletes at every level struggle with:

Performing well in practice but freezing in games
Losing confidence after one mistake
Overthinking decisions during competition
Difficulty staying present under pressure
Mental fatigue from constant expectations

Without proper mental training, even the most physically prepared athletes can underperform when it matters most.

A Real-Time Solution Built From Inside the Game

Deanna Schneyer works where pressure is unavoidable—inside live competition. As a professional volleyball referee officiating games 4–5 days a week, she witnesses firsthand how athletes respond to stress, momentum shifts, and high-stakes moments.

This real-time exposure allows her to teach athletes how to:

Regulate emotions during competition
Stay focused when the game speeds up
Trust their instincts instead of overthinking
Recover mentally after mistakes
Perform consistently under pressure

Her approach blends mental performance coaching, mindset training, meditation, and awareness practices to help athletes build confidence from the inside out.

The Mental Performance System: Book, App, and Workbook

To make mental training accessible and practical, Schneyer recently released a new work book on Amazon focused on athletic mindset and performance under pressure. Her new work book is called “ Volleyball Mental Performance.” The book addresses the core mental challenges athletes search for solutions to, including confidence, focus, and self-trust.

Supporting the book is a mental performance app for volleyball athletes, paired with a guided workbook.

Winning Element App

Together, they create a complete training system that includes:

Mental performance exercises
Visualization and focus training
Daily mindset practices
Worksheets that reinforce learning and self-awareness

This system allows athletes to apply mental training immediately, not just understand it intellectually. Her programs currently reach 1,500–2,000 athletes, coaches, and athletic departments.

Every Athlete Has a Different Mental Path

One of the core principles behind Schneyer’s work is that mental development is not one-size-fits-all.

“Every athlete goes through a discovery process,” she says. “Each person has a different path to confidence and performance.”

Her background as a referee reinforces this philosophy. Officiating requires presence, pacing, clarity, and fairness, ensuring the game unfolds naturally. These same principles guide how she teaches athletes to stay present and trust themselves during competition.

Expanding Access to Mental Performance Education

In addition to her book and app, Schneyer is launching a new podcast focused on:

1. Mental performance in sports

2. Handling pressure and expectations

3. Athlete confidence and intuition

4. Practical tools for competitive environments

Her mission is to normalize mental training in athletics and help athletes build the internal skills they need to succeed—not just in sport, but in life.

📘 Deanna Schneyer’s mental performance book is available now on Amazon.
📱 App and workbook support structured daily mental training.
🎙️ Podcast launching soon.