Like every competitive athlete, I started to feel the pressure of big competitions and high expectations quite soon. I also faced the negative consequences of perfectionism, as well as doubts, negative thoughts, pre-competition anxiety and all the other things that are common in competitive sport.
The world of training, preparations, competing and travelling continues to fulfil me. Through years of experience, victories and defeats, my own experience has taught me the importance of having a "calm head" in the biggest moments and what a difference a good mental preparation makes in pressure situations. Ever since I first experienced what "being in flow" at competition feels like, or how staying calm in tense moments can benefit your performance I started finding some consistency in my performance... and soon wanted to learn everything I could about sports psychology.
I did bachelor's degree in biopsychology, where I was attracted to the mind-body connection and the more biological side of psychology. I then continued my studies in Germany, where I completed a Master's degree in Sport Psychology at the German Sport University Cologne, where my research was mainly in the field of emotional intelligence in relation to combat sports, psychological flexibility, resilience, and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Balancing sport and school has always been a big part of my life. Even after moving abroad, I continued to train with a local club, trained with the German national team and continued to take part in major competitions.
September 2023 I collected one last missing puzzle piece of my sport career, as I finally managed to add the World champion title in Taekwondo to my collection. Over the years, I have won numerous European titles in both taekwondo and kickboxing, including four World titles in kickboxing. I had to wait many years to achieve my biggest goal - but it kept me going, and when I look back I see that everything had to happen exactly the way it did. Every defeat was necessary to give the end result its own 'flavour' and meaning.
Today, I am very grateful that I can combine two of my biggest passions in the work I do with international athletes from many different countries. I absolutely love working and connecting with athletes, helping them understand their minds and improve their mental performance, as well as witnessing their progress and personal and athletic development.
Outside the world of sport and study, my great love is travelling - preferably alone, with a backpack and to faraway places.
Individual sport psychology sessions are designed for athletes of all ages who are willing to make a step forward in their sport journey, overcome mental barriers and improve their performance through mental skills training.
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Workshops for sport teams or groups of athletes serve as a theoretical and practical introduction to a range of topics related to high performance mindset, while also allowing participants to share experience and learn from each other.
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"It has been amazing being able to talk to an expert in this field like Urša but what makes her unique is that she is a very successful athlete and she is able to relate with my experiences in and out of the ring. As a competitor, this comforts me a lot being able to fully express myself. She uses different strategies during the session to make me understand one concept in different ways making sure I get the most out of each session. She is always going the extra mile and I would recommend Urša to anyone wanting to get mental tools for growth."
B.T., Taekwondo
I have noticed a significant change in all aspects of my training/mindset and well-being. My mindset has changed in a positive way and I am viewing things through a new and improved lense. I am enjoying both training and competing again. My experience with Sport Psychology definitely surprised me as I feel I am able to deal with challenges that come in sport, having strategies to use going forward and to continue with the positive changes. I really enjoyed the use of the Miro Board during the sessions as it made the sessions very clear and easy to follow. It is also a useful tool to have now that i can go back and look at and reflect on. I also liked how each session was different and we focused on a different theme each time. It was clear that Ursa really planned out each session for it to be personal and beneficial.
A.W., kickboxing
"Working with Urša was great. She’s very friendly and genuinely cares. She makes it easy to understand the mental game when it comes to sports and helps you with overcoming any challenges you may face mentally in sport. She has helped me a lot and I would recommend her for anyone who may feel that their mentality is what is holding them back in sport."
L.B., taekwondo
"Initially I was skeptical and didn’t want to sit on a couch and tell someone my sporting struggles, I mean who does that? Definitely not a tough guy martial artist of over 20 years competing. However, working with Urša has been a game-changer for my martial arts/ sparring performance and mental resilience. Her expertise has not only sharpened my focus, but the personalized strategies have unlocked a new level of confidence and consistency in my game. The mindfulness techniques and mental conditioning have made a profound impact, not just on the field but in all aspects of my life. Grateful for the support and empowerment I've gained through this transformative journey. Highly recommend for anyone looking to elevate their performance both mentally and physically!"
N. D., taekwondo & kickboxing
"I worked with Ursa recently around my mentality and sports performance. She was very approachable and made it easy to discuss any issues or past anxieties. She used a wealth of knowledge and specific techniques to put together more manageable processes and achievable goals. Being an athlete herself, meant she better understood the sport specifics and could draw upon her own experiences to help with the topics and show first hand some of the methods discussed. After working with Ursa, my confidence and my understanding of my mentality has improved. I would throughly recommend working with Ursa in the future!"
R.C., kickboxing
"Ursa is a friendly and competent sports psychologist who, through her own experience, has brought empathy and understanding for me as an athlete. In her very well-structured sessions, she addresses my problems individually and works together to find a solution. I can only recommend her!"
K.U., kickboxing
"Working with Urša is very relaxed and non-judgemental. She is a person who gives you a feeling of security and you can really trust her with your problems. She uses her expertise to guide you through the process of getting to know yourself and your fears. And there is always room for a relaxed conversation and a laugh."
K.D., track and field
I've developed a stronger ability to refocus and stay present in the moment, allowing me to maintain concentration on my predetermined goals set before the start of my training. The depth of our conversations on this topic has reshaped my understanding of self-belief and skill development. My experience with the sport psychology sessions has been transformative, enhancing my self-awareness, focus, and decision-making both in my sport and personal life. The open dialogue and continuous support have greatly helped me integrate the insights and techniques into my daily practice.
Nicolas Taylor, taekwondo
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If you trust the process, nothing is a crisis.