Why does Top Flight offer this to its athletes?

We believe there is more to training athletes than just teaching them the techniques and strategies of the sport. At Top Flight, we understand there are plenty of areas which can be addressed to help athletes reach their full potential. This is why we offer comprehensive mental training programs. Mental training helps athletes not only with the preparedness required to be an athlete and a student but also with their overall well-being. It is about cultivating a winning mindset, building self-confidence, improving focus, and developing productive thinking.

Our goal is to provide athletes with the tools they need to excel both on and off the court. So whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your journey, our Licensed Professional Counselor, Mallory Jones, is here to guide you and help you leave your legacy. Read on to learn more about our program and how mental performance training can benefit you.

Mallory Jones (Mental Health Trainer)

• Philosophy
  • Mental skills training is operating under the same belief of physical training. We have to practice these skills consistently and put forth effort towards growing and learning, it does not happen overnight. You deserve to take care of your brain as much as you take care of your body. We are caring for every piece of the person, not just their athletic identity.

• Purpose
  • Assisting with the development of mental skills such as self-confidence, attentional focus, productive thinking, mental return from injury, team dynamics, and more
  • Working towards further detaching the stigma of mental health support in athletics
  • Creating accessibility to mental performance support for youth athletes to better prepare them for higher levels of competition
  • Identifying current trends in youth athletics and specifically volleyball to better curate support for the athletes
  • Providing education to all roles involved in athletics (parents, coaches, directors) to create a uniform language and plan for best supporting athletes
  • Holding space for difficult topics and conversations to further normalize vulnerability in athletics

• Education
  • Graduate from Adler University in 2022 with MA in Counseling and MS in Sport and Human

• Experience
  • Counselor and Athletic Liaison at North Central College since January 2024
  • 15+ years of volleyball experience including at the club and collegiate level
  • 5+ years of coaching at the club and collegiate level
  • 2 years of mental performance consulting with club and collegiate athletes
  • Personal experience with major sports injury and recovery
  • Personal experience struggling with mental performance while in club and college

• Degrees, Certifications, and Licensure
  • LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
  • MS in Sport and Human Performance
  • Member of AASP (Association for Applied Sport Psychology)