About me: sports & performance psychologist, mindset coach, cycling and poker
As long as I can remember, I’ve been driven by performance, especially in sports. Competition and the desire to win play a huge role. Since completing my master’s in sports psychology though, I realised that I genuinely want to bring out the best in myself and push my boundaries instead of just winning. Sports, poker, or any other field where you can develop yourself are micro-universes where life is reflected. Your shortcomings and weaknesses are exposed, but so are your strengths. Where can you still grow, and which aspects are already strong? I love being able to engage with this on a daily basis as a sports psychologist.
Sports & performance psychology, becoming a mindset coach
During the first day of my bachelor’s in psychology, I already declared I wanted to specialize in sports psychology. From a young age, I was fascinated by elite sports, and even in diapers, my brother and I reenacted the medal ceremonies of the Winter and Summer Games. So, it was written in the stars that I would make this my profession. After completing my master’s in sports psychology and performance psychology, I did try to pursue a “normal” job for a while, but that only lasted for about six months. Since then, I’ve been busy maintaining and expanding my own (online) mindset coaching practice.
Poker
The first time I encountered poker, I was immediately hooked. The thrill, the adrenaline, the mental game – I loved it all. That’s why it’s fantastic that I can now use my background as a sports psychologist to help professional poker players achieve top performance. Because whether you’re building a business, an elite athlete, or a professional poker player, the principles of success are exactly the same. It’s my drive to transfer the knowledge from sports psychology to my poker clients.
Cycling
My interest in sports psychology originated from cycling. When I stumbled upon the game Pro Cycling Manager 2006 in the bargain bin at Media Markt in 2009 and played the first race, I was hooked. I just had to become a cyclist. The competition, the suffering, the tragedy and heroism, it grabbed me by the throat and hasn’t let go since. Currently, I ride anything with two wheels as long as I get to pedal myself. From bikepacking to racing and cyclocross to exploring the world! Give me a bike, and I’m happy.
My name is Lex Ligtenberg, MSc. Sport and Performance Psychologist, and I help ambitious poker players with their mindset. As a passionate amateur player, during my master’s, I realized that the processes and skills applicable in the world of elite sports are exactly the same as those that can be utilized at the poker table. Winning poker players are engaged in delivering top performance both at the tables and during their studies. This realization prompted me to shift my focus to providing individual guidance to poker players who are ready to take the next step in their poker careers!
