Sport Psychology with
Zeynep atha
Sport psychology is a key part of figure skating because the sport demands not only technical skill, but also focus, confidence, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Even when training is going well, competition environments, expectations, and setbacks can all impact performance, which is where mental skills become essential. Working on areas such as confidence, goal setting, concentration, routines, and managing nerves can help skaters feel more in control and consistent in both training and competition.
Sport psychology can also support athletes in overcoming challenges like performance anxiety, fear of injury, or inconsistency, while helping them build a stronger, more positive mindset. Ultimately, it helps skaters perform at their best when it matters most, while also supporting their enjoyment and long-term development in the sport.
What can Sport psychology do for you?
About zeynep
Zeynep is a BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered Sport Psychologist, former Turkish national swimmer, and experienced coach who has spent her life in high-performance sport — first as an athlete, then as a coach, and now as the psychologist supporting athletes behind the scenes.
After training with Galatasaray in Istanbul and competing for the Turkish National Team, she went on to study Psychology and complete an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University. Her coaching career has spanned the USA, Turkey, and the UK.
Zeynep currently works as Lead Sport Psychologist for Team Hallam at Sheffield Hallam University, supporting TASS, PASP, and Olympic pathway athletes through 1-2-1 sessions, workshops, and group programmes. She also teaches sport psychology at Sheffield Hallam and supports performance athletes at the University of Sheffield.
Her experience includes working with Olympians, Paralympians, and national-level athletes across a range of sports including swimming, figure skating, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, weightlifting, and tennis — helping athletes develop confidence, resilience, and the mental skills needed for high-level performance.
from ME TO YOU
Throughout my career, I struggled with my mental health. I was always a strong competitor on the outside, but behind the scenes I often found it difficult to cope with the demands of training, pressure, and perfectionism. Later on, I also experienced burnout and depression, which gave me a much deeper understanding of how important proper support really is. I strongly believe that every athlete should have a safe space to express themselves and access support to help them navigate the challenges that come with high-performance sport.
For over four years, Zeynep supported me, throughout my Olympic journey and transition out of sport, helping me navigate competitive setbacks, serious injury, and burnout.
Together, we believe support should feel like part of your team — not something standing on the sidelines. My passion is helping athletes thrive, both in sport and in life.
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