SIDE OF PERFORMANCE IN REAL TIME
pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 | Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
SIDE OF PERFORMANCE IN REAL TIME
pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 | Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
SIDE OF PERFORMANCE IN REAL TIME
pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 | Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
A seven-week live online course for sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for follow-through, pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 • Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
A seven-week live online course for sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for follow-through, pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 • Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
A seven-week live online course for sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for follow-through, pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 • Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
A seven-week live online course for sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for follow-through, pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 • Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
A seven-week live online course for sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for follow-through, pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 • Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
A seven-week live online course for sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for follow-through, pressure response, confidence and communication in real coaching environments.
February 24 to April 7, 2027 • Live weekly, 4:00–6:00 PM Sydney Time
Early Bird Extended Until 7 July 2026
Early Bird Extended Until 7 July 2026
Trusted education for coaches working across
fitness, sport, and performance
7
Weeks Live Online
15
Practical Tools
30
Day Implementation Plan
2
Expert Facilitators
Trusted education for coaches working across
fitness, sport, and performance
7
Weeks Live Online
15
Practical Tools
30
Day Implementation Plan
2
Expert Facilitators
Trusted education for coaches working across
fitness, sport, and performance
7
Weeks Live Online
15
Practical Tools
30
Day Implementation Plan
2
Expert Facilitators
Secure Your Spot
Secure Your Spot
Secure Your Spot
CLIENT FOLLOW-THROUGH
A client may understand the plan, then lose momentum once the week gets busy.
PRESSURE RESPONSE
An athlete may train well, then lose clarity after an error or when the stakes rise.
COMMUNICATION
The explanation can be clear, but the response may not be changing.
CONSISTENCY
The plan can be clear, yet behaviour and performance may not be carrying through.
CLIENT FOLLOW-THROUGH
A client may understand the plan, then lose momentum once the week gets busy.
PRESSURE RESPONSE
An athlete may train well, then lose clarity after an error or when the stakes rise.
COMMUNICATION
The explanation can be clear, but the response may not be changing.
CONSISTENCY
The plan can be clear, yet behaviour and performance may not be carrying through.
When confidence
drops
The athlete has the skill, but cannot access it under
pressure.
When pressure
takes over
The moment gets bigger, and performance starts
to shrink.
When communication does not land
You keep giving the right message, but behaviour is not changing.
When motivation
fades
The plan is solid, but consistency disappears after the first few weeks.
When confidence drops
The athlete has the skill, but cannot access it under pressure.
When pressure
takes over
The moment gets bigger, and performance starts to shrink.
When communication does not land
You keep giving the right message, but behaviour is not changing.
When motivation fades
The plan is solid, but consistency disappears after the first few weeks.
When confidence drops
The athlete has the skill, but cannot access it under pressure.
When pressure
takes over
The moment gets bigger, and performance starts to shrink.
When communication does not land
You keep giving the right message, but behaviour is not changing.
When motivation fades
The plan is solid, but consistency disappears after the first few weeks.
This course was created to close the gap between physical programming and human performance.
Co-delivered by Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Hedley, it brings together functional training education, performance coaching, NLP-informed communication, and applied mental skills so coaches can work with the human being behind the performance.
This course was created to close the gap between physical programming and human performance.
Co-delivered by Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Hedley, it brings together functional training education, performance coaching, NLP-informed communication, and applied mental skills so coaches can work with the human being behind the performance.
This course was created to close the gap between physical programming and human performance.
Co-delivered by Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Hedley, it brings together functional training education, performance coaching, NLP-informed communication, and applied mental skills so coaches can work with the human being behind the performance.
Mental Skills Are Not Motivation Talks
Mental skills need repetition, reflection, and deliberate coaching application.
Mental Skills Are Not Motivation Talks
Mental skills need repetition, reflection, and deliberate coaching application.
Mental Skills Are Not Motivation Talks
What You’ll Be Able To Do After 7 Weeks
Apply 15 Practical Mental Skills Tools
Bring mental skills into real coaching sessions immediately.
Coach Pressure Moments in Real Time
They should live inside real sessions, not sit separately as motivational theory.
Improve Communication
Use language and cues that help create behaviour change.
Build Mental Toughness Inside Training
Design sessions that develop resilience, focus, and follow-through.
Mental Skills Integration
Integrate the work without needing to rebuild your whole coaching model.
30-Day Action Plan
Know exactly how to start applying the tools after the course.
Ready to bring these tools into your coaching?
What You’ll Be Able To Do After 7 Weeks
Apply 15 Practical Mental
Skills Tools
Bring mental skills into real coaching sessions immediately.
Coach Pressure Moments
in Real Time
They should live inside real sessions, not sit separately as motivational theory.
Improve Communication
Use language and cues that help create behaviour change.
Build Mental Toughness
Inside Training
Design sessions that develop resilience, focus, and follow-through.
30-Day Action Plan
Know exactly how to start applying the tools after the course.
Mental Skills Integration
Integrate the work without needing to rebuild your whole coaching model.
Ready to bring these tools into your coaching?
What You’ll Be Able To Do After 7 Weeks
Apply 15 Practical
Mental Skills Tools
Bring mental skills into real coaching sessions immediately.
Coach Pressure Moments
in Real Time
They should live inside real sessions, not sit separately as motivational theory.
Improve Communication
Use language and cues that help create behaviour change.
Build Mental Toughness
Inside Training
Design sessions that develop resilience, focus, and follow-through.
Mental Skills Integration
Integrate the work without needing to rebuild your whole coaching model.
30-Day Action Plan
Know exactly how to start applying the tools after the course.
Ready to bring these tools into your coaching?
the mirror model
If You Understand Physical Training,
You Can Understand Mental Training
This program maps mental skills directly onto the physical training model coaches already understand. If you know how to build physical performance, this course shows you how to develop mental performance inside real sessions.
Want to see how the seven-week program is structured?
Week 1: Foundations
Performance Equation + Mirror Model
Build the base for understanding how mental skills connect to performance.
Week 2: Mental Strength
CIA Model + Pressure Training
Develop tools for state control, resilience, and pressure response.
Week 3: Mental Conditioning
Goals + Feedback Loops
Help clients and athletes build consistency, reflection, and behavioural follow-through.
Week 4: Mental Technical
Visualisation + Routines
Use practical mental rehearsal and repeatable routines to support performance.
Week 5: Mental Tactical
STOP Protocol + Decision-Making
Coach better responses in high-pressure and changing environments.
Week 6: Mental Strategic
Identity + Culture + Leadership
Connect individual performance to longer-term identity, team culture, and coaching impact.
Week 7: Mental Recovery | Mental Regeneration + Reflection + Integration
Semi-Professional Basketball Coach
Bring practical mental skills into the coaching moments that matter.
Semi-Professional Basketball Coach
Bring practical mental skills into the coaching moments that matter.
“Every pre-game chat now centres around the Circle of Excellence. It has become a regular part of what we do. The players have bought into the psychology behind it, and mindset has become the difference-maker for our season.”
“Every pre-game chat now centres around the Circle of Excellence. It has become a regular part of what we do. The players have bought into the psychology behind it, and mindset has become the difference-maker for our season.”
Andrew shared that with the same squad, his team moved from losing by 30 points and sitting near the bottom the previous year to sitting top of the ladder with only three losses after making mindset a key coaching focus.
Andrew shared that with the same squad, his team moved from losing by 30 points and sitting near the bottom the previous year to sitting top of the ladder with only three losses after making mindset a key coaching focus.
What Coaches Are Saying
Explore the course structure, live delivery and payment options → Download the Level 1 Prospectus
What Coaches Are Saying
Kim Dennis
“My life actually got a lot better joining you every Wednesday. I could see tangible results across my professional development in a big way.”
David Smethurst
“As a trainer of 29 years, you are never too old or too late to improve your coaching skills. The use of NLP was a game changer for me.”
Will Foden
“This course is not just a tick-box follow-along practice. It is a practical, immersive, and career-changing platform.”
JJ O’Brien
“This course opened my eyes to just how simple and applicable mental skills, particularly NLP, can be in real-world settings.”
Brendan Egan
“The course has been excellent for both myself and for me as a coach.”
Explore the course structure, live delivery and payment options → Download the Level 1 Prospectus
What Coaches Are Saying
Kim Dennis
“My life actually got a lot better joining you every Wednesday. I could see tangible results across my professional development in a big way.”
David Smethurst
“As a trainer of 29 years, you are never too old or too late to improve your coaching skills. The use of NLP was a game changer for me.”
Will Foden
“This course is not just a tick-box follow-along practice. It is a practical, immersive, and career-changing platform.”
JJ O’Brien
“This course opened my eyes to just how simple and applicable mental skills, particularly NLP, can be in real-world settings.”
Brendan Egan
“The course has been excellent for both myself and for me as a coach.”
Explore the course structure, live delivery and payment options → Download the Level 1 Prospectus
Strength and conditioning coaches
High performance coaches
Fitness coaches and personal trainers
Mindset coaches looking for practical tools
Sport coaches working with athletes and teams
Coaches who want to improve communication, confidence, consistency, and pressure response
Strength and conditioning
coaches
High performance coaches
Fitness coaches and
personal trainers
Mindset coaches looking for
practical tools
Sport coaches working with
athletes and teams
Coaches who want to improve
communication, confidence,
consistency, and pressure
response
Strength and conditioning
coaches
coaches
High Performance Coaches
Fitness coaches and
personal trainers
personal trainers
Mindset coaches looking for
practical tools
practical tools
Sport coaches working with
athletes and teams
athletes and teams
Coaches who want to improve
communication, confidence,
consistency, and pressure
response
communication, confidence,
consistency, and pressure
response
Want theory without application
Are looking for generic motivation slogans
Do not want to apply tools in real coaching environments
Are not willing to reflect on their own communication and coaching style
This course is not designed for coaches who:
This May Not Be For You If You Want Surface-Level Motivation Tips
Want theory without application
Are looking for generic motivation slogans
Do not want to apply tools in real coaching environments
Are not willing to reflect on their own communication and coaching style
This course is not designed for coaches who:
This May Not Be For You If You Want Surface-Level Motivation Tips
Want theory without application
Are looking for generic motivation slogans
Do not want to apply tools in real coaching environments
Are not willing to reflect on their own communication and coaching style
This course is not designed for coaches who:
This May Not Be For You If You Want Surface-Level Motivation Tips
Tarek Michael-Chouja is the co-founder and CEO of the Functional Training Institute, with a coaching journey that began at age 16 and has grown into a global career in functional training education.
His philosophy is built around the belief that the inner game informs the outer game. For Tarek, great coaching is not just about programming the athlete, but understanding the human being behind the performance.
Currently pursuing a PhD at Southern Cross University, Tarek continues to bridge exercise science, psychology, mindfulness, and wellbeing to keep FTI’s education grounded in evidence and real-world coaching application.
Tarek Michael-Chouja is the co-founder and CEO of the Functional Training Institute, with a coaching journey that began at age 16 and has grown into a global career in functional training education.
His philosophy is built around the belief that the inner game informs the outer game. For Tarek, great coaching is not just about programming the athlete, but understanding the human being behind the performance.
Currently pursuing a PhD at Southern Cross University, Tarek continues to bridge exercise science, psychology, mindfulness, and wellbeing to keep FTI’s education grounded in evidence and real-world coaching application.
Jay Hedley’s Integral+ approach looks at the whole performer, including mindset, physiology, emotional intelligence, identity, team culture, systems, and the unconscious patterns that can shape performance under pressure.
With more than 20 years of elite coaching experience, Jay has worked across Olympic, professional, and international performance environments, including Fiji Rugby 7s, Formula 1 and Formula 2, professional boxing, Super Rugby, and Super Netball.
Jay is an NLP Master Trainer, Meta Coaching Foundation Certified Coach, and Neuro-Semantics Specialist, bringing deep expertise in mental skills, self-leadership, and high-performance human development.
Included To Help You Apply the Work
Coaching From the Depths eBook
For coaches who want to better understand communication, behaviour, and human transformation.
Purpose Driven Movement eBook
A comprehensive and road-tested guide to
functional movement
and fitness.
Private FTI Community Access
Connect with Coach Tarek, the FTI team, and other
coaches inside the
private group.
FTI Monthly Newsletter
Receive ongoing education, insights, and updates across functional training, coaching, and fitness business.
30-Day Implementation Plan
A practical plan to help you apply the mental skills tools after
the course.
or 3 x $358.96 USD paid fortnightly
Course commencement: Session 1 begins February 24, 2027 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Sydney Time
or 3 x $358.96 USD paid fortnightly
Course commencement: Session 1 begins February 24, 2027 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Sydney Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous mental skills or NLP experience?
No. The program is designed for sports and fitness coaches who want practical tools they can apply inside real coaching environments.
Is this theoretical or practical?
It is practical and application-focused. The course is designed to help coaches use mental skills tools in real sessions, not just understand them conceptually.
Who is this best suited for?
Fitness coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, sport coaches, high performance coaches, mindset coaches, and trainers working with consistency, motivation, confidence, pressure, and behaviour change.
Is there a payment plan?
Yes. The course currently offers 3 fortnightly instalments.
What will I leave with?
Practical mental skills tools, a clearer coaching framework, stronger communication strategies, and a 30-day implementation plan.
sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for pressure,
confidence, communication and follow-through.
sport and fitness coaches who want practical tools for pressure,
confidence, communication and follow-through.