Meet Danny Pueblos: Certified Mental Performance Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Pueblos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, what do you attribute your success to?
One of the greatest factors that not only propelled me throughout my career, but also my life, is perseverance. When I first started in the field of sport psychology several years ago, I went in full-go. Since then, I’ve made my share of mistakes but I truly feel without those adverse situations, I wouldn’t have grown into the professional I am today. When you have the strong, loving support system from my wife, family, and friends that I have, it makes those bumps in the road less bumpy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I remember when I first chose to pursue a master’s degree in sport psychology that a many people around me either had no clue this was an actual field or didn’t realize the importance of it. Fast forward to today, all of them continue to tell me how they’ve seen the growth and demand in the field. Since I started providing mental performance training to my clients several years ago, I have seen the field of sport psychology growth significantly. I talk with many colleagues in the field today who are currently mental coaches for professional and collegiate programs and we all continue to agree that we are finally BOOMING. More and more teams are hiring mental coaches as full-time staff, while high-profile athletes are talking about the importance of the mental game now more than ever.

I want to first make it clear that there are numerous amounts of my colleagues in my field who are phenomenal at what they do and I respect where they are in their careers. Having obtained my masters and doctorate in sport psychology, as well as becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, I feel that my education, training, and extensive experience as an athlete and coach at the high school and collegiate level is what separates me from others in my field. I have worked with athletes and coaches from the Olympic level all the way down to a 7-year-old gymnast I once worked with. Having worked with athletes from all types of sports all over the world, in addition to experiencing the ebb and flows of an athlete and coach, I feel I bring that real-life experience that books and degrees can only scratch the surface on and that is why I feel I always feel a strong connection with my clients.

Having experience as an independent mental performance coach, teaching psychology and sport psychology to the engaging minds of various colleges throughout Southern California, as well as working with a sports and entertainment agency, and now having the opportunity to work amongst such great athletes and coaches with the Orange Coast College Women’s Basketball team, I feel that all of these opportunities have shaped me to the person I am today, both personally and professionally.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being such a huge Disney fan, I would absolutely hit the Disneyland resort first. That in itself can take some time! I love the food there, so trying all the different spots on the resort and topping it off with a churro will take care of that. I would also say that the most exciting place to go is the one you haven’t experienced yet. This is why I love trying new restaurants, going to new exhibits, and just immersing myself in different cultures. The beauty about living in Southern California is that we live in a melting pot of cultures only minutes away from one another. It’s also important to have the right people with you since they can make or break an experience! I’m definitely looking forward to continuing that journey once life comes back to normal post-COVID!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story wouldn’t be complete with all of my “supporting cast”. I’ve had the blessing of having phenomenal parents and step-parents, as well as siblings who have been there to support me ever since I told them in high school that I was going to obtain my doctorate. Since then, I’ve found the love of my life, Denice, and she has been there through the good times and not-so-good. My circle of friends has also changed over the years, but as I tell my students and clients, the quality of friendship over the years is where it’s at as you know they are going to be there with you and for you for the long haul. I know without a doubt that my immediate and extended family and friends have helped me create the foundation that I have built my success on and I thank God for His grace and for blessing me with these beautiful people. Finally, some of the biggest reasons I wake up every day are my athletes and students. Being able to help them down their journey towards success and seeing them develop as a person as well as professional is the most rewarding feeling a person can have. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve and I will continue to do so for as many people as I possibly can while I’m here on this Earth. I truly feel this is my reason for being here.

Website: www.drdannypueblos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialdrcoach/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-j-pueblos-psyd/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialdrcoach

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGH86_A4fSwfWw6C1TkyO8g

Image Credits
Self