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ĀHUA ATHLETE WORKSHOP
ĀHUA ATHLETE
rethink PERFORMANCE
Online sport psychology skills for athletes ready to perform at their peak.
A NEW APPROACH TO sports psychology
ĀHUA Athlete is an self paced online course that challenges the way athletes have traditionally been taught to think about performance.
Instead of relying on generic advice like "be confident" and "think positive," you'll learn about the deeper psychological processes that shape how your mind and body respond under pressure - and how to work with them to perform your best.
You'll uncover the hidden patterns, habits, and blind spots shaping your confidence, decisions, and behaviour - often without realising it. You'll learn practical & evidence-based skills to work with pressure rather than against it, so you can perform consistently, bounce back from set backs, and enjoy your sport for the long term.
Created & delivered by registered psychologist and former NZ athlete Taylor Rapley. Having competed on the world stage for 12 years and supported Olympic and emerging athletes as a psychologist, Taylor brings a wealth of sports psychology experience, insight, and human-ness to evolving your athletic mindset, in sport and beyond.
Scroll on down to learn more.
WORDS FROM ĀHUA ATHLETES
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"They say a winning athlete is a happy athlete, but after my experiences competing at the highest level and experiencing both success and failure, I'd argue it's the other way around. A happy athlete is a winning athlete. If you focus on winning, you'll never be truly satisfied. But by focusing on your values, well-being, and identity both in life and in your sport, you'll be able stay more grounded under pressure and push yourself when motivation is lacking, and most importantly, enjoy the moments of success you experience instead of continuously chasing the next goal. That's why this course and its emphasis on an athlete as a whole is so important."
— SAMMIE MAXWELL, 2025 UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMP
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"This course equips athletes with the tools they need to overcome any challenges, whether in a sporting setting or everyday life. From my own experience as an athlete, I’ve found that these skills are crucial for grounding oneself after a big achievement or intensive training period, and this course offers exactly that.”
— NICO PORTEOUS, HALF PIPE SKIER OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST
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"The ĀHUA Athlete is truly transformative. It hasn’t just enhanced my performance as an elite figure skater, it’s helped me handle the ups and downs of everyday life too. I now feel a lot more in control and able to deal with negative thoughts and reactions that used to throw me off in training and competition. If you’re willing to dedicate the time, this course could seriously change the way you show up, both in your sport and in everyday life."
— NINA POVEY, BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPION, PROFESSIONAL FIGURE SKATER
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"The ĀHUA Athlete helped me a lot both as a person and as an athlete. It helped me align my performance mindset with who I am as a person. The course encourages you to define your values and stick to those values while letting your emotions guide but not completely take over. Something that I find really valuable in high stress situations. I highly recommend the course!"
— AMELIA SMART, CANADIAN NATIONAL SKI TEAM WC ATHLETE AND OLYMPIAN
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"The ĀHUA Athlete was truly transformative for me as a high-performance athlete, both on and off the court. It helped me build a stronger sense of who I am and what I stand for, giving me a clearer purpose that extends beyond sport. The ACT-based mental training and evidence-backed tools gave me genuine confidence and inner steadiness that translated into real changes in how I show up under pressure. I’ve learned to stay grounded, navigate setbacks, and perform with more presence and clarity. I’d recommend this course to any athlete who wants to grow not just in their sport, but as a whole person."
— CALLAN MCDONALD NBL1 PROFESSIONAL BASKET BALL PLAYER
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"Not sure where to start when it comes to the mental side of your sport? The ĀHUA Athlete is the real deal. It’s delivered by someone who’s got skin in the game. Taylor brings both professional psych training and firsthand experience as a competitive athlete. The course goes well beyond the basics, giving you practical, up-to-date tools you can actually use."
— JANINA KUZMA, OLYMPIAN HALF PIPE SKIER AND PROFESSIONAL SKIER
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“The ĀHUA Athlete skills have supported me through high-stakes competitions to major injuries, and even just the ups and downs of life and mental health. The tools I learned are ones I still use today. I recommend it to other athletes because it’s made a real, lasting difference not just in how I perform, but in how I show up as a person.”
— HARRIET BURBIDGE SMITH, FREE RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE TWO-TIME AMATEUR WORLD CHAMP & 8X AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION
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"What stands out about Taylor is that she doesn’t just coach the athlete in you, she sees the human behind the performance. Through this course, I’ve discovered more about who I am, what drives me, and where I can grow. I’ve found my voice, understood my strengths and challenges, and come away with a deeper belief in what’s possible. If you’re ready to grow in ways you didn’t think were possible, this course is for you."
– GABRIELLA HAWKE, CLASSICAL DANCER, PERFORMER, AND STUDENT
WHAT WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE ĀHUA ATHLETE online course?
This sports psychology course is about building the mindset needed to thrive in high pressure environments, both in sport and day-to-day life.
INSTEAD, YOU’LL BUILD SKILLS TO HELP YOU
Performance anxiety & overthinking
Performance “blocks”
Fear of failure / what others think
Negative self-talk & constant comparison
Developing identity self beyond sport
Pressure, expectations, stress, & burnout
YOU’LL LEARN TOOLS FOR MANAGING
Tap into flow & perform at your peak
Spot your blind spots & break unhelpful patterns
Bounce back from mistakes & setbacks
Compete with clarity, confidence, & purpose
Stay grounded in who you are, not just what you achieve
WHAT MAKES THIS different FROM OTHER SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY COURSES?
Personalised support from psychologist, Taylor Rapley, 1-on-1 or with your team.
Monthly live workshops to build skills, ask questions, or just listen.
Self-paced — fit learning & practice around training & travel.
real support from a psychologist with 8 years of specialist training, 10+ years' experience supporting athletes, and first-hand experience competing internationally for NZ.
Affordable — payment plans & grants available with no ongoing 1:1 costs.
Built on science, not trends —grounded in contemporary psychological research & approaches used in high-performance sport… not motivational quotes, quick fixes, or the latest social media fad.
Not the same old mental skills — go beyond the generic advice athletes have heard 100 times and learn what actually shapes performance under pressure.
MONTHLY ONLINE workshops
Real accountability & real connections.
Stay on track and connect with like minded athletes with monthly online workshops. Join in or just listen and learn.
JOIN ĀHUA ATHLETE TODAY
6 MODULES | 6 INTERACTIVE E-BOOKS | 70+ VIDEO LESSONS | MONTHLY LIVE COACHING CALLS | PERSONALISED SUPPORT
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The course
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Start here | Getting Set Up
Let’s begin with a quick run-through on how to make the most of this course!
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Module 1 | Setting The Foundation: Own Your Why
Get clear on what truly drives you, as an athlete and a human
Align what you do with why it matters (not pressure, habit, or fear)
Take ownership… you’re in the driver’s seat
Define what “your best” looks like in sport and life
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Module 2 | Stress: Weapon or Wipe Out?
Learn your unique stress patterns
Use bottom-up tools to regulate your nervous system when it matters most
Find your “just right” zone and stay steady under pressure, in sport and life
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Module 3 | Where Mindfulness Meets Flow State
Learn how to train flow
Understand how mindfulness and flow work together
Reset quickly after mistakes or setbacks
Stay grounded under pressure
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Module 4 | Acceptance Based Mindset
Understand the science of acceptance (and why it matters)
Navigate negative thoughts & emotions with more ease
Stay present and perform without fighting your mind
Free up energy for what actually matters
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Module 5 | Defusion: Unhooking From Thoughts
Reduce the grip of negative thinking
Practise “unhooking” in training, competition, and life
Stop wasting energy fighting your mind
Refocus on what actually matters
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Module 6 | Bringing It All Together
Turn mental skills into habits that stick
Apply learned skills in training, competition, and life
Build habits that last
Handle setbacks and keep momentum
Show up as your best self in sport and beyond
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Monthly online group sessions
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Group Session | Unpacking the Athlete Identity
Explore the psychology of identity in sport
Understand the upsides and pitfalls of being “the athlete”
Build a stronger sense of self beyond performance
Support both performance & mental health / well-being
Live Q&A for your course questions
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Group Session | Recovery Rituals
Understand psychological recovery as a skill (not just rest)
Build simple recovery rituals you can use straight away
Feel fresher, sharper, and ready to deal with challenges
Live Q&A for your course questions
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Group Session | Calm State Reset
Learn an EMDR-based calm state reset
Practise the tool together in real time
Regulate when things feel scattered or ramped up
Live Q&A for your course questions
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Additional Resources
PAYMENT OPTIONS + grants available
PAYMENT PLANS:No need to pay for the course in one lump sum. Upon sign-up, check out our payment plan options for individuals.
APPLE FOR A GRANT: We want everyone to have the opportunity to reach their full potential. There are grants available to those who are under financial strain and are unable to pay for this course. If this is you, please fill out this grant application form to apply for free or subsidised access to the ĀHUA Athlete Individual or Team offering.
A self paced online course for athletes ready to level up their sports psychology skills. As well as course content, athletes receive access to live monthly group coaching calls with Taylor. Each month features one of three rotating workshop sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions, expand on the course concepts, and explore how to apply the tools within your sport, training, and everyday life.
A self paced online course for athletes ready to level up their sports psychology skills – with an additional 1-on-1 strategy session with Taylor. As well as course content, athletes receive access to live monthly group coaching calls and workshops with Taylor. Each month features one of three rotating workshop sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions, expand on the course concepts, and explore how to apply the tools within your sport, training, and everyday life.
A self paced online course for a teams or group of athletes ready to level-up their sports psychology skills. As well as course content, athletes receive access to live monthly group coaching calls with Taylor. Each month features one of three rotating workshop sessions. Your team or group will also receive a private team strategy session with Taylor to introduce the tools and help athletes apply the concepts in their sport environment.
NO SUCH THING AS A silly question!
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This is a self-paced online course made up of six modules, each with a series of video lessons.
Every module is supported by an e-book with practical exercises and reflections to help you apply what you’re learning, both during the course and beyond.
You’ll also get access to monthly live workshops, covering three rotating topics throughout the year, with dedicated time for Q&A so you can get your questions answered in real time.
There’s the option to upgrade to ĀHUA Athlete Individual Advance, which includes an in-depth 1:1 strategy session with psychologist, Taylor Rapley.
For teams, the sport psychology course includes a tailored team strategy session with Taylor to bring the content to life in your specific environment.
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Book your Individual Advanced Strategy Session or Team Strategy Session here.
This is a focused 45-minute session with Taylor to tailor the course to your goals, context, and performance demands.
For individuals, it’s a confidential space to unpack what’s going on, refine your approach, and get clear on how to apply the tools in a way that actually sticks.
For teams, it’s a chance to align on where you’re at, identify key pressure points, and shape how the course translates into your team environment.
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If you need to cancel or move your session, please give at least 48 hours’ notice (excluding weekends). Late cancellations or no-shows cannot be re-booked. That time has been set aside for you, and short notice means I can’t offer your slot to someone else who might be waiting. If something unexpected happens (injury, illness, genuine emergency), just reach out. I’ll always do my best to find a fair solution.
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Each module takes around 60 minutes, and the course is self-paced meaning you can take as much time as you need. We recommend completing a module every 1-2 weeks to keep it relevant and practical, making the full course about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on your pace.
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You can choose the amount of integration practice that works best for you, whether it’s 5 or 20 minutes a day. We will provide recommendations to help guide you.
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Monthly online live workshops are open to all course members (individuals and teams), whether you're just starting or you’ve already finished. Each session covers a key topic, with live chat and Q&A included. You will receive an email reminder each month for the coming group session.
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You’ll have access to the course for 6 months. Any downloadable resources, like the e-book and additional are yours to keep forever.
Not sure?
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BONUS MODULES coming soon…
PARENTS + COACHES, NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH & WOMEN’S HEALTH
Whether you’re a coach or caregiver looking to upskill your support strategies, or an athlete hoping to expand your knowledge further, register your interest for our bonus modules using the form and we’ll be in touch.
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