Home | Marisaromeo

Unlock your best self—in sport and beyond.

Welcome! Glad to have you here. You already have the talent and drive. My role is to help you harness the mental side of performance. I work with athletes, performers, and teams to turn nerves into focus, setbacks into growth, and goals into reality. Let’s take your performance to the next level!

My story

Looking back, I wish I’d had access to a mental performance coach—someone who could help me make sense of my thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors and teach me how to work through them. That experience planted the earliest seed for the work I do today.

After college, I shifted my focus to ultra-endurance running, drawn to the mental and physical demands of long-distance racing. Now, I compete at an elite level in ultramarathons up to 100 miles, testing my limits in races such as the UTMB 174k and the Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K. As an athlete, I live the same mental skills I teach - performance routines, reframing, concentration and focus strategies, composure under pressure, navigating self-doubt, and responding to adversity with intention rather than emotion. I’ve faced setbacks, DNFs, and difficult seasons, and I actively practice the tools that help me show up with resilience and authenticity.

My curiosity and personal experience led me to immerse myself in sport psychology and human performance, earning certifications and advanced education to better understand the psychological and physiological foundations of peak performance. Beyond academics, my journey with sport psychology has been transformative. It has reshaped how I train, compete, and engage with my sport—not from a place of fear or pressure, but from a place of freedom, curiosity, and alignment with my values.

My goal is to share that knowledge and lived experience with others. I aim to help athletes and performers cultivate a resilient and flexible mindset, develop individualized skills to manage adversity, and engage with their craft in a way that unlocks their full potential. Whether you're chasing a finish line, a PR, a breakthrough in confidence, or simply wanting to understand your inner world better, I’m here to help you navigate the mental side of performance so you can show up as your best, most authentic self.

Athletics have been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember. I competed in sports from an early age and eventually played collegiate soccer, where I earned All-American honors. What most people didn’t see at the time was how much I struggled internally. I dealt with performance anxiety, low self-confidence, negative body image, and unproductive thoughts that often pulled me away from the present moment. I never felt good enough, and I didn’t have the language or tools to understand why.

Education

2022-2025

Doctorate in Sport & Performance Psychology
University of Western States

My studies have equipped me with a deep understanding of the psychological foundational theories, concepts, and skills essential for achieving performance excellence. I am proficient in developing strategies that enhance performers' focus, confidence, motivation, and resilience.

2017-2019

Masters in Applied Sport Science and Coach Education
East Tennessee State University

My education in exercise physiology, and sport science provided a deep understanding of human performance, adaptation, and recovery. Studying cardiovascular and neuromuscular responses, metabolic adaptations, and strength training shaped my approach to mental performance consulting, allowing me to integrate physiology and psychology to help performers reach their full potential.

2012-2015

Bachelors in Psychology
Warren Wilson College

My studies helped me develop a strong foundation in human behavior, cognition, and mental health. My first exposure to sport psychology came through Dr. Bob Swoap, whose courses sparked my passion for understanding the psychological factors that influence athletic performance, motivation, and well-being. This early exposure, combined with research and applied learning, laid the foundation for my career in mental performance consulting.

Certifications

Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) — Association for Applied Sport Psychology

ACE Certified Health Coach — American Council on Exercise
NASM Certified Personal Trainer — National Academy of Sports Medicine

My philosophy

My role is to help athletes and performers understand their thoughts, beliefs, and emotions so they can respond with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

In our work together, we’ll focus on four key areas:

Self-Awareness – noticing the patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that influence performance.
Engagement – actively practicing mental skills both in and outside of sessions.
Self-Regulation – learning to manage emotions, attention, and stress.
Continuous Growth – building a mindset that embraces challenges and adapts over time.

I don’t aim to erase doubt or eliminate negative thoughts. Those are normal and part of being human. Instead, I equip clients with tools to accept unproductive thoughts without letting them dictate behavior. Together, we work to shift internal narratives, strengthen confidence, and stay focused on what truly matters: effort, growth, and values-driven performance.

My approach is collaborative and personalized. I see every athlete as a unique puzzle, and I tailor strategies to fit your goals and personality. I also believe in preparing athletes for life beyond sport by fostering identities rooted not just in performance, but in who you are as a whole person.

As both a consultant and an ultra-endurance athlete, I practice the same skills I teach. I know progress isn’t linear, challenges are inevitable, and breakthroughs come from leaning into the process. My goal is to help you navigate those moments, so you can perform at your best and thrive beyond your craft.