Performance Psychologist & Coach

Unleash the
performer
inside you.

Dr. Tom Hanson has spent over 40 years decoding the science of peak performance — freeing athletes, executives, and teams from fear and doubt to consistently play at their best.

Certification Program Work With Dr. Tom
Dr. Tom Hanson
Ph.D. Sport Psychology, UVA
40+
Years
200K+
Books Sold
4
MLB Teams
NY Yankees Texas Rangers LA Angels Minnesota Twins Microsoft Verizon Harvard Baseball FSU Softball
"Most of what performers need to be their best is already inside them. I teach tools to access their abilities and freely express their talent."
40+
Years Coaching Peak Performance
200K+
Books Sold Worldwide
4
MLB Organizations
30K+
Business Leaders & Coaches Served

Trusted by champions across sports & business

New York Yankees Texas Rangers LA Angels Minnesota Twins Microsoft Verizon Pepperidge Farm Harvard Baseball FSU Softball US Government Public Trust Advisors Skidmore College New York Yankees Texas Rangers LA Angels Minnesota Twins Microsoft Verizon Pepperidge Farm Harvard Baseball FSU Softball US Government Public Trust Advisors Skidmore College
His Story

Four decades unlocking greatness.

Dr. Tom Hanson is the high-energy performance coach who frees athletes, executives, and teams to consistently perform at their best. As the former Director of Performance Enhancement for the championship New York Yankees, Tom built mental performance systems for some of the world's greatest competitors — then replicated that work for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, and Minnesota Twins.

Today, Tom coaches individual performers and teams at every level — from Harvard Baseball and Florida State Softball to Fortune 500 boardrooms at Microsoft, Verizon, and Pepperidge Farm. His client list spans passionate entrepreneurs at firms like Public Trust Advisors and Johns Eastern through to the US Government.

Holding a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from the University of Virginia, Tom studied under the architects of modern mental performance coaching — Dr. Bob Rotella, Dr. Ken Ravizza, and Dr. Dan Gould. That foundation built a career defined by cutting-edge tools that free performers from fear and doubt, helping them find the joy and satisfaction they seek.

For eight years, Tom taught in the Sport and Exercise Science Department at Skidmore College while also serving as head baseball coach. After earning tenure in 1997, he left two years later to found Heads-Up Performance with his wife and Master Certified Coach, Birgit Zacher Hanson — a decision that would take his work global.

Dr. Tom Hanson in the batting cage
"Most of what performers need to be their best is already inside them. I teach tools to access their abilities and freely express their talent."
— Dr. Tom Hanson
Ph.D. Sport Psychology — University of Virginia, studying under Rotella, Ravizza & Gould
Director of Performance Enhancement — New York Yankees (Championship staff)
Tenured Professor & Head Baseball Coach — Skidmore College
23+ years specialising in overcoming the yips and performance anxiety
Certified in Tapping, Havening, and related somatic modalities
Co-founder of Heads-Up Performance with Master Certified Coach Birgit Zacher Hanson
Career Journey

A legacy built one performer at a time.

1980s–1990s
The Academic Foundation
Earned his Ph.D. in Sport Psychology at the University of Virginia, studying under the most influential minds in the field. Became a tenured professor and head baseball coach at Skidmore College — building both the intellectual and practical foundation for everything that followed.
1999–2010s
The Championship Years
Left tenure to found Heads-Up Performance. Became Director of Performance Enhancement for the New York Yankees, coaching through championship runs. Expanded work to the Texas Rangers, LA Angels, and Minnesota Twins — working alongside all-star players and championship coaching staffs.
Today
Global Impact
Coaches performers across every domain — from Harvard Baseball and FSU Softball to Microsoft and Verizon boardrooms. Over 200,000 books sold. Certified over hundreds of mental performance coaches through the Play Big Certification System. Still coaching. Still evolving.
The Play Big Philosophy

Excel. Enjoy. Evolve.

Excel
Peak performance isn't achieved through more effort alone — it's unlocked by removing the mental barriers that hold most performers back. Tom's tools create space for talent to flow freely.
Enjoy
The best performers in the world don't just win — they love what they do. Restoring joy in competition and work is not a luxury. It's the foundation of sustainable greatness.
Evolve
Growth doesn't stop at the top. The performers Tom coaches are committed to continuous evolution — in their craft, their mindset, and their capacity to help others do the same.

"By creating cutting-edge tools that free performers from fear and doubt, he enables people to find the joy and satisfaction they seek."

Tom's approach draws on 40 years of sport psychology research, his direct experience coaching World Series teams, and transformative somatic modalities including Tapping and Havening. It's not theory — it's a field-tested system built inside the highest-pressure performance environments in the world.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or executive, the outcome is the same: consistent peak performance, under pressure, with confidence.

Published Works

The books that changed the game.

Over 200,000 copies sold. Adopted by top college programs, pro teams, and organisations worldwide — including used as official course textbooks and purchased by the US Government.

Heads-Up Baseball book cover
Co-Author · Baseball Bible
Heads-Up Baseball
Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time
Hailed as "the bible for developing mental toughness" by Collegiate Baseball, this landmark book has been adopted by top college and professional teams and used as a standard textbook in sport psychology programs. Co-authored with Ken Ravizza.
200,000+ copies sold combined
Play Big book cover
Author · Award-Winning
Play Big
Mental Toughness Skills for the Next Level
An award-winning guide to the mental skills that separate good baseball players from great ones. Built on the same proven framework Tom developed working with MLB all-stars and championship teams. Applicable far beyond the diamond.
Used by programs at every level of play
Who Will Do What by When book cover
Author · Business Fable
Who Will Do What by When?
How to Improve Performance, Accountability & Trust
A top-selling business fable on accountability, communication, and high-performing teams. Purchased by over 30,000 individuals and organisations, including the US Government. A go-to resource for leaders who want results through clarity and commitment.
30,000+ individuals & organisations
Now Enrolling

Learn to coach the
mental game — from the best.

The Play Big Mental Performance Coaching System Certification is Dr. Tom's complete, field-tested framework — delivered directly by Tom himself over 9 months of live weekly classes, office hours, and community coaching. Everything he's learned in 40 years, structured so you can use it with your athletes and clients immediately.

Live 90-min weekly classes with Dr. Tom
9 months direct coaching access
Lifetime content & community access
Applicable across all sports & business
Learn More & Apply Talk to Tom First