Most athletes don’t struggle because they lack skill or effort. They struggle because the moment speeds up, and they lose connection to what they already know how to do.
That’s the space I work in.
I’m the founder of Soul Performance Academy, where I help athletes, coaches, and teams build simple, repeatable systems they can rely on when pressure shows up. This isn’t about hype or motivation. It’s about learning how to slow things down, reset, and execute the next controllable action.
I’ve spent over 30 years coaching volleyball at multiple levels, while also working with athletes and performers across different environments. Along the way, I realized that understanding performance isn’t enough. People need something they can actually use in real time.
I’m currently pursuing my doctorate in Health Sciences, focusing on how athletes manage attention and pressure, with an emphasis on neurodivergent athletes. My background also includes graduate work in Sports Psychology and Learning Technologies, which shapes how I design both in-person and online training experiences.
I live in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania with my wife Teri and our three kids, Morgan, Lily, and JD.
If you’re looking to better understand your game, or how to stay connected to it when it matters most, I’d love to learn more about your story.
I look forward to working with you and learning more about your story! To read my full bio, please click here. Thank you,
Here are the latest articles published to the website. Most are by Dan, but there may be a few guest articles!
Pressure is strange. It does not always create new problems. More often, it turns the volume up on problems that were already there. A slightly unclear responsibility in practice becomes …
“They just aren’t coachable.” That sentence has probably been said in every sport, at every level, in every decade since one human first tried to teach another human how to …
Every team has rules. Some are written down. Be on time. Wear the right gear. Communicate. Clean up after practice. Do not make the athletic trainer chase you for paperwork …
I love Dan's mindfulness program! He put together an intellectual approach to something that can’t be easily understood. This definitely is not perfect program for everyone, but if you want an introduction to mindfulness, its roots and a strong foundation to build a practice on; then this is the right program for you.
After 15 years of military service, countless leadership, time management, & self reflection courses, professional development seminars, and mentorship sessions; in my opinion working with Dan Mickle is a true investment in yourself, and will leave you with relevant insight for leading a generation towards a better tomorrow!
Looking for books to sharpen your skills, deepen your knowledge, or spark inspiration? Here’s a collection of my favorite reads across sports psychology, coaching, leadership, and personal development. Each book is packed with insights to help you grow on and off the field.
As a mental performance coach, I work with brands that align with my values and support the growth of athletes, coaches, and creators. These partnerships reflect services I genuinely believe in and use. By supporting them, you’re also helping me create meaningful content for our community.
I believe in using my platform to support meaningful causes that create positive change in our communities and beyond. From empowering athletes to fostering inclusion and supporting mental health, these causes align with my mission to inspire growth, resilience, and connection.
