Testimonials
UBC Women's Tennis
Michelle Newton, of Momentum Sport, collaborated with the UBC Women’s Tennis Team over two consecutive seasons spanning from 2022 to 2024. Her consistent engagement with select players yielded notable results, by enhancing their confidence levels, furnishing them with effective strategies to manage competitive pressure, and consequently augmenting their on-court performance. Additionally, she conducted a comprehensive session with the entire team, skillfully establishing rapport with the student-athletes and providing them with tools to navigate both athletic and personal stressors. Michelle's impactful guidance has left a lasting impression on our players, evidenced by their frequent quoting of her insights during practices. Such was the efficacy of her contributions during her initial involvement in the 2022-23 season that the team eagerly extended an invitation for her return in the subsequent season of 2023-24. Given the demonstrated benefits of her involvement, we enthusiastically endorse Michelle's services and look forward to continued collaboration with her in the future. Daniel Yamamoto & Jessica Silva, Head & Assistant Coaches of the UBC Women’s Tennis Team |
“Amazing effects, great to start to really know how my thoughts can control my actions! Thank you very much Michelle and Momentum Sport" Sonny Perrussel,
Rookie Surfer of the Year, Indonesia |
Coaches Forum Group
Collaboration and sharing of ideas among high performance coaches
"Sincere thanks for running these Professional Development sessions Michelle. Loved it, the weekly conversation and sharing of ideas/info.
THANK YOU!! It’s always inspiring and great to listen and watch YOU listen! It is so important for ME to slow down and listen. It is something I started learning in my first sports psych class and I was inspired by your skill and mastery of this!!! Patience and understanding. Excellent."
Steve Hanson, Head Coach/Men’s Basketball, Simon Fraser University
Michelle joined us at our annual Vancouver leadership business planning offsite, where she facilitated a workshop on peak performance. She explored topics such as motivation, the limits we place on ourselves, and unlocking our full potential both professionally and personally. The information she shared was based on experience and complemented by insights from scientific research. Michelle’s session was practical (leaving us with some tangible take-aways) and helped set the tone for our day of planning, which was approached with optimism and positive energy! Michelle is an experienced and authentic facilitator - her session attracted effusive feedback from our group of lawyers.
Simon Dodd, Director - Client & Business Development at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
"I really enjoyed the collaboration amongst the group; the openness to sharing thoughts & ideas; the topics we discussed; and I thought having a facilitator (you) helped guide the discussion/keep things on track and allowed for everyone to have an opportunity to have input.
I came away each week with notes and take aways to implement with my own team. I think this is a great platform for coaches to share their collective knowledge and build relationships within our department."
Gina Schmidt, Head Coach/Women’s Volleyball, Simon Fraser University
"I really enjoyed the topics that were discussed and having the opportunity to hear from different programs and learn from more experienced coaches.
I found this valuable for sure, being able to step inside the world of other sports and learn how they do things gives you fresh perspective.
I am very grateful for the opportunity and the time you spent on this so thank you. Your knowledge is extensive and you provided so many key things throughout the sessions. I think you are wonderful and I believe to be a great coach you need to forever be a learner - the opportunity this forum gave me was very valuable- especially as an assistant coach.
There are many questions coaches may not have answers for so it is nice to know you are not alone. Was also nice to get to know fellow colleagues better and what they are dealing with in their sport.
Michelle is so knowledgeable, she was great to learn from and having her direct and guide conversation was valuable."
Jessica Wallace, Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach, Simon Fraser University
Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Sports Psychologist and Performance Coach
#1 Best-selling author, Your Performing Edge
CEO of Performing Edge Coaching International Certification Program
"Michelle is truly one of the most outstanding coaches I’ve ever worked with whom I highly recommend. I have known Michelle for 6 years both as her teacher and her mentor. What I have come to understand about Michelle is that she is extremely committed to her clients and will stop at nothing to have them succeed both in their sporting and personal lives. She is an athlete herself, having competed internationally in Triathlons, DH Ski Racing and Mountain Bike Stage racing. Because of her background as a high performing athlete, Michelle understands what it takes to handle pressure, deal with mistakes, overcome obstacles and stand on the podium. For these reasons, she is very relatable and able to connect on a deep level with her clients. Michelle's strength lies in her ability to coach athletes in a way that builds trust and belief in themselves to achieve greatness in their sport. She also works with many teams in BC, focusing on building team synergy and winning championships. I greatly appreciate Michelle's commitment to making athletes stronger and more resilient in their mindset, and I fully endorse her as a sport psychology coach." DrJoAnn.com
#1 Best-selling author, Your Performing Edge
CEO of Performing Edge Coaching International Certification Program
"Michelle is truly one of the most outstanding coaches I’ve ever worked with whom I highly recommend. I have known Michelle for 6 years both as her teacher and her mentor. What I have come to understand about Michelle is that she is extremely committed to her clients and will stop at nothing to have them succeed both in their sporting and personal lives. She is an athlete herself, having competed internationally in Triathlons, DH Ski Racing and Mountain Bike Stage racing. Because of her background as a high performing athlete, Michelle understands what it takes to handle pressure, deal with mistakes, overcome obstacles and stand on the podium. For these reasons, she is very relatable and able to connect on a deep level with her clients. Michelle's strength lies in her ability to coach athletes in a way that builds trust and belief in themselves to achieve greatness in their sport. She also works with many teams in BC, focusing on building team synergy and winning championships. I greatly appreciate Michelle's commitment to making athletes stronger and more resilient in their mindset, and I fully endorse her as a sport psychology coach." DrJoAnn.com
Mark La Ventana, Kitefoiling Academy
Thanks Michelle. We all loved your presentation. Very interesting and thought provoking.Lots of positive responses afterwards. Our one on one was awesome and much needed for me. I’m putting to use already points we spoke about,so thanks a ton again.
Kind regards
Thanks Michelle. We all loved your presentation. Very interesting and thought provoking.Lots of positive responses afterwards. Our one on one was awesome and much needed for me. I’m putting to use already points we spoke about,so thanks a ton again.
Kind regards
Testimonial from a National Team Fencer
"Worlds went really well. I had so much fun and it was a great learning experience. I performed really well having a great coach to support me and help me keep positive. I felt super strong and confident remembering the little mantras you told me to say to myself to keep me feeling my best. I didn't feel nervous which felt good and odd at the same time ( I'm used to feeling more nervous). And when I was fencing I felt strong, carefree, and happy. I went in with the attitude of just focusing on having fun and enjoying the experience and feeling happy I made it there and get to be part of the best.
Thank you so much for all your help and it really affected how strong, confident, and powerful I felt throughout the day. I felt happy and unstoppable. I couldn't be happier with my first worlds result being the top best Canadian there, reaffirmed me that I deserved to be there and showed all the people who didn't believe in me that I am a strong contender and not someone to mess with! I felt so prepared and ready to give it my all and I could not have felt that way without your lessons and coaching.
Thank you so much Michelle! I couldn't have done it without you. I am so proud of myself and happy I learned these lessons with you and through my sport. I will treasure them for the rest of my life."
ZC
"Worlds went really well. I had so much fun and it was a great learning experience. I performed really well having a great coach to support me and help me keep positive. I felt super strong and confident remembering the little mantras you told me to say to myself to keep me feeling my best. I didn't feel nervous which felt good and odd at the same time ( I'm used to feeling more nervous). And when I was fencing I felt strong, carefree, and happy. I went in with the attitude of just focusing on having fun and enjoying the experience and feeling happy I made it there and get to be part of the best.
Thank you so much for all your help and it really affected how strong, confident, and powerful I felt throughout the day. I felt happy and unstoppable. I couldn't be happier with my first worlds result being the top best Canadian there, reaffirmed me that I deserved to be there and showed all the people who didn't believe in me that I am a strong contender and not someone to mess with! I felt so prepared and ready to give it my all and I could not have felt that way without your lessons and coaching.
Thank you so much Michelle! I couldn't have done it without you. I am so proud of myself and happy I learned these lessons with you and through my sport. I will treasure them for the rest of my life."
ZC
JOANNA QUARRY
Canadian Women’s National Ultimate Team,
Gold, World Championships Germany, 2000,
Sports Hall of Fame
We used mental training in our bid to win Gold at the World Championships. Each day, our coach would give us an “intention” for that game. I remember receiving a piece of paper with a word and its description and how to use it to the best of our ability. For example, “focus” was used once and for me it was a very powerful and intense piece of information that I could use as a player, bring it to the table and ultimately it would become part of our team. Everyone on our team received the same page with the same info, going into the game. This way, we could take it into our own role as an individual and put it into the team. Because of this, we played as a cohesive team and went on to become the first Canadian team to win gold at the World Championships.
Canadian Women’s National Ultimate Team,
Gold, World Championships Germany, 2000,
Sports Hall of Fame
We used mental training in our bid to win Gold at the World Championships. Each day, our coach would give us an “intention” for that game. I remember receiving a piece of paper with a word and its description and how to use it to the best of our ability. For example, “focus” was used once and for me it was a very powerful and intense piece of information that I could use as a player, bring it to the table and ultimately it would become part of our team. Everyone on our team received the same page with the same info, going into the game. This way, we could take it into our own role as an individual and put it into the team. Because of this, we played as a cohesive team and went on to become the first Canadian team to win gold at the World Championships.
"The most important thing for me is to find a balance between my personal life and ski life. My community, friends and family are really important to me ant there's nothing better then spending time with them to bring myself together. When it comes to skiing, I have a tendency to not put much pressure on myself and have no expectations, which I personally find helps me the most. I mean every contest can't be perfect and we all make mistakes, that's why there's always a next one."
YUKI TSUBOTA
Canadian Freestyle Skiier, Sochi 2014
YUKI TSUBOTA
Canadian Freestyle Skiier, Sochi 2014
With Michelle's support I personally was able to refocus on the significance of why I coach and how I can be most effective for my teams. In a short time working together she has helped me remember to take time to be proud of my efforts and to think more about the big picture. From a team perspective she has offered both group activities and individual meetings which has empowered our athletes with important tools to help deal with a variety of competition related obstacles. Her genuine effort to get to know our players really helped build trust with the guys, this in turn has led players in need to begin breaking down some challenging mental barriers. To know that our athletes have someone they can trust to connect with in times of success or defeat is... truly priceless.
Thank you Michelle, see you soon.
R. LANGSTON
Men's Varsity Head Coach
UBC RFC
Thank you Michelle, see you soon.
R. LANGSTON
Men's Varsity Head Coach
UBC RFC
I wanted to let you know that the girls were all smiles after their team competition this past weekend. On the way to the game we discussed what they were going to think about while they were on the court. Both girls went over what you said and seemed positive about going to play.
Afterwards they came off the court and were so happy with their performance. They won both of their doubles matches together, and each won one singles and lost one singles. I only watched the last 10 minutes of their games but both girls body language was much different and confident. They were both playing very well.
On the car ride home they were so pumped up and said your session with them really helped! I was so happy for them and we are so glad we came to see you!
Thank you so much!
ANDREA
Tennis Coach, Vancouver
Afterwards they came off the court and were so happy with their performance. They won both of their doubles matches together, and each won one singles and lost one singles. I only watched the last 10 minutes of their games but both girls body language was much different and confident. They were both playing very well.
On the car ride home they were so pumped up and said your session with them really helped! I was so happy for them and we are so glad we came to see you!
Thank you so much!
ANDREA
Tennis Coach, Vancouver
Thanks for the coaching you gave Sonny here in Bali. He has gone on to represent his country at the Junior world championships for surfing. We are very grateful.
LORRAINE ALLEN, UK
Surf Coach
LORRAINE ALLEN, UK
Surf Coach