About Zerona Mental Performance

Our Vision

As Mental Performance Consultants, we help athletes, performers, and high-achievers strengthen the mental side of performance. Using evidence-based strategies from sport and performance psychology, we work with clients to build skills like confidence, focus, motivation, and stress management. Our role is to guide individuals and teams in developing the awareness and tools they need to perform their best under pressure, recover from setbacks, and thrive both in and out of competition.

We believe that every client is unique, and our approach reflects that. By creating authentic, collaborative relationships, we tailor each session to fit individual goals and circumstances. As Mental Performance Consultants, we meet you where you are. Whether you are performing on the field, on stage, or in everyday life, we are here to guide you through challenges, help you navigate slumps, and provide tools to strengthen your mental performance. At the heart of our work is a commitment to listen, adapt, and put our clients first.

About the Consultant

Education and Credentials

M.S. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology

B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Nutrition

Member, Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), since 2022

About Me

My name is Rachel Zerona (she/her), and I am the founder of Zerona Mental Performance.

I am based in Michigan and earned my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Nutrition from Oakland University, where I was also a member of the Oakland University Softball team. I went on to complete my M.S. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

As a former collegiate athlete, I developed a passion for helping other athletes strengthen their mental performance. I have experience working with elite athletes, coaches, teams, and support staff through individual sessions, group sessions, and workshops. My collaborative approach ensures that each client’s plan is tailored to their goals while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy staying active, whether walking, golfing, playing slow-pitch softball, or kicking around a soccer ball. I also love reading fiction and exploring new restaurants with friends. A fun fact about me: I’m on a mission to visit every MLB ballpark.

My Why

Growing up, my parents encouraged me to try different sports and activities, but the one that stuck was softball. I had so much fun with the sport, but it is also essential to acknowledge the not-so-fun parts. One of my biggest struggles was what went on between my ears. In a game where you fail more than you succeed, I was always my biggest critic. I often tried to work through those struggles on my own. Sometimes it worked, but looking back, I know I would’ve benefited from more support in developing my mental performance.

During my collegiate career, I struggled with my confidence and lost the fun I had with the sport. I found short-term solutions, but I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. Teammates and athletes from other sports shared similar challenges, and while our conversations helped, we lacked the tools and skills to make lasting improvements. The kind that a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) can offer.

In my master’s program, everything clicked. I began to connect what I was learning with the experiences I’d had and those of athletes I knew. The more I learned, the more passionate I became about helping others unlock their potential and improve their performance. Every conversation I had with athletes, coaches, and support staff deepened my desire to contribute to high-performance environments in a meaningful way. Mental performance struggles are common, but they don’t have to hold us back. My mission is to guide athletes and performers through these challenges by teaching practical techniques to help them build confidence, stay focused, and perform at their best.