True Athlete Project Pairs Olympians With Young Athletes In Chattanooga

  • Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The True Athlete Project is giving seven athletes from Chattanooga the opportunity to be mentored by an Olympic champion for one year.

 

The project, which “develops the whole person through sport”, provides young athletes with a personalized mental skills curriculum developed by their world-class team, including the head of performance at the Danish Fencing Federation, Laurence Halsted, and the director of sport psychology at the University of Arkansas, Dr.

Mike Jonson. The holistic curriculum has five key areas, designed to improve athletic performance, nurture good mental health, and cultivate a healthier sports culture:

 

  • Performance
  • Identity and Values
  • Mindfulness
  • Nature and Connectedness
  • Community Responsibility

Athletes also receive a six-week Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement course, delivered online, by its creator, Dr. Keith Kaufman. This program is causing much excitement in the sport psychology field, and pilot studies have shown enhanced well-being and “flow” – or being “in the zone” - which is considered the holy grail for athletes. Athletes must be aged 14 to 24, and can play any sport.

The founder of the Chattanooga-based nonprofit, Sam Parfitt, said, “Not only is this a truly innovative program for athletes serious about their athletic performance, it also provides them with an amazing network and is a superb resume-builder. Above all, though, athletes need to know they have a team who has their back, and our world-class team provides just that, offering high quality mental and emotional support which can otherwise be very costly.”


The program director is Pam Boteler, a 32-time national canoe champion and the first woman to defeat men in the U.S canoeing nationals. She works in leadership development at the department for defense, and says, “
It’s exciting, and personally very rewarding, observing the immediate, positive impact on the lives of athletes we have the privilege to serve.”

 

The program’s first relationship paired a young, blind, British sprinter with the world’s fastest blind sprinter and Rio gold medalist, David Brown.

 

The program costs $450 per year, but scholarships are available. In addition, the team is seeking individuals and organizations to sponsor a young athlete onto the program with a scholarship in their name. Contact Sam Parfitt: thetrueathleteproject@gmail.com.

Latest Headlines
Sports
Chattanooga Women Third At Spring Break Shootout
  • 3/18/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs got off to a solid start at the Spring Break Shootout. The ladies are 4 under on Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club’s South Course carding 280 over the opening 18 and 284 ... more

Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
  • 3/18/2024

Keke Norfolk of Sweetwater High School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Cleveland State women’s basketball team this past week. Norfolk a 5’9” guard/forward, becomes the first signee ... more

Vol Baseball Win Streak Ends At 17 At Alabama
  • 3/18/2024

No. 5/5 Tennessee's 17-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-3 loss to No. 12/14 Alabama on Saturday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide (16-3, 1-1 SEC) ... more