Jan 4 • General discussion
Re Introduction
Welcome to The Performance Lab: Where Experience Meets Mindset
Hello everyone,
I’m so excited, to finally share something that has been growing in my heart and mind for years. I’m launching The Performance Lab – a dedicated space to mentor coaches and guide players in one of the most crucial yet overlooked aspects of sport: conquering performance anxiety and thriving under pressure.
For 20 years, my weekends and evenings have been spent on the grass, immersed in the beautiful world of grassroots football and long term player development.
I’ve been lucky enough to start with Mini Kickers, journey through pre-academy and U16s, and coach in frameworks like the MJPL and JPL, as well as in Women’s football and SEN football. The proudest moments? Seeing fantastic young players grow, win promotions, lift merit shields, and battle in cup finals. But behind those triumphs, I’ve also seen the silent battles: the nervous stomachs before a big game, the fear of making a mistake, the weight of expectation.
Simultaneously, for another 20 years, my "day job" has been as a Healthcare Assistant in care homes and the community. Here, I’ve supported individuals facing profound challenges: physical disabilities, dementia, acquired brain injuries, autism with challenging behaviours, and mental health conditions. I’ve trained as a FREED Champion on the end-of-life pathway and as a Cancer Champion. In this world, "performance" is about dignity, resilience, and communication under the most intense human pressure imaginable. It taught me about calm, presence, and the human psyche in ways no sports manual ever could.
I realised these two paths were talking to each other. The skills that build trust with a vulnerable adult are the same that build trust with an anxious player. The psychology of coping with immense stress is universal.
And because I believe we must practise what we preach, my own drive for self-development has been a lifelong journey—starting back in college where I earned my Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and a Diploma in Public Services, early lessons in resilience, teamwork and serving a community. That curiosity never left.
I’m now channelling it into a Psychology degree at Arden University in Birmingham to deepen the science behind the practice.
My toolkit is built from constant learning:
· Football Foundations:
. FA Level 1
. FA Level 2
. CPD Futsal
· FA Welfare Officer
. Safeguarding for Children
. Safeguarding for Adults
. Safeguarding for All
. Safeguarding for Board Members
. Emergency First Aid
. Advanced Life Saving.(use of defibrillator)
· CPD in Gamification
. CPD for Teachers (PE).
· Specialist Diplomas:
. Sports & Educational Psychology
. Children’s Psychology & Neuroscience
. Effective leadership skills and strategies
. Journalism
. CBT Therapy
The Performance Lab is where all of this comes together, It’s where we move beyond just what to coach, and delve into how to build the mentally resilient, confident, and joyful athletes and coaches we know we can be.
This is for the coach who wants to understand the 'why' behind a player's anxiety. This is for the player who wants to unlock their true potential when it matters most.
It’s about practical strategies, compassionate understanding, and building environments where people can fail safely and learn bravely.
I’d be honoured if you’d join me in this conversation. Let’s explore, learn, and grow together.
With warmth and respect,
Founder, The Performance Lab
Callum Oakley
P.S. If this resonates with you, or you know a coach or player who needs this support, please reach out or share. Let’s build this community together.
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Re Introduction
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