Hello and welcome to my side!

I am Angela, a joint PhD student-researcher passionate about understanding the intersection of psychosocial well-being and athletic performance, particularly within elite youth sport environments. My doctoral work, co-supervised by the University of Toronto and the University of Melbourne, explores how psychological safety and mental health are constructed and supported in elite youth sport environments.

My curiosity is shaped by a strong commitment to open-mindedness and intercultural learning, which I have developed through academic and professional experiences in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and soon also Australia. I completed my MSc in Sport Psychology at Florida State University, where my thesis examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and dispositional flow in NCAA Division I individual-sport athletes. This educational background is built upon an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Radboud University, as well as a coach certification from the Cologne Trainer Academy of the DOSB (affiliated with the German Sport University Cologne).

Alongside my academic work, I bring over a decade of coaching experience in competitive youth sport and a background as a former national-level inline speedskater. I apply a scientist-practitioner approach to mental skills training, informed by positive cognitive-behavioral therapy and rooted in empathy and perspective-taking. Across both academic and applied settings, I am driven by the goal of empowering young athletes and their coaches to create environments in which they can unfold their full potential, reaching peak performance and experiences alike.

I am looking forward to connecting with you, please feel free to reach out!