Elise Lacoste has joined some of our APDL teams to deliver high-impact mental performance workshops, and plans are underway for her to expand her sessions to more age groups. This is another example of the calibre of speakers we’re proud to bring into our environment as we continue investing in the entire athlete. A Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and a PhD Candidate in Sport Psychology at the University of Calgary, Elise also serves as a learning facilitator with the Canadian Centre for Mental Health in Sport, where she supports athletes, coaches, and organizations in building healthy, high-performing cultures.

Performance Director, Jamieson Sawka, is impressed with what Elise has delivered. “Elise has begun working with my 2011 APDL Girls team, and through four sessions, you can already see the girls applying the tools Elise has given them in training. As a coach, I cannot wait to see my players apply these tools on game days starting in January; these will only help their performance and development.” 

Elise’s message resonated because it’s grounded in both expertise and lived sport experience. A former athlete who competed in soccer at the semi-pro and varsity levels and played Junior A hockey as a goaltender, she understands firsthand what pressure feels like and what athletes need to stay confident, focused, and resilient when it matters most. At the core of her approach is a simple belief: mental fitness isn’t something athletes “add on” later; it’s a foundation that should be introduced the moment a player steps onto the pitch. Through practical, relatable tools, Elise showed our group how mental habits can support performance while also strengthening mental health, developing skills like emotional regulation, growth mindset, leadership, and coping with adversity that last long beyond sport.