ABOUT SAANA
My story
is about how I went from feeling like “I’m not enough” to realizing that I am and that I might want to start a business as a mental performance coach and later even add breathwork facilitator certification to the mix!
In December 2018, I went from being a professional athlete living my dream in France to a bedridden patient fighting a nasty bacterial infection in my ankle. I had to undergo four surgeries and spent four months in bed. It was such a surreal experience (“how is this my life??”), but it was also very real.
Despite my physical limitations, I stayed mentally active by learning like a lizard. I listened to podcasts, read books and articles, watched documentaries, and took online classes. I even started working for Extended DISC Finland/Finxs Global from my bed in Finland.
In July 2019, I took a chance to coach and learn more about the coaching side of volleyball at Colorado University of Boulder as a volunteer coach. I packed my bags and moved to Denver, away from my volleyball bubble in Europe, also so that this distance could help me heal my wounds when my career came to an unexpected end.
It was during this time that I realized the impact I can have on the (sports) world beyond my career as an athlete. I became even more passionate about authenticity, self-awareness, breathwork, thought and behavioral patterns, and using deep mindset work to thrive again. I wanted to share my lessons, experience, insights and guidance with others so they wouldn’t have to underperform or struggle with self-doubt, burnouts or too many injuries.
As a former professional athlete, I know the struggles and challenges that come with pursuing excellence in sports and in life, and the long-term commitment and sacrifices that comes with big goals. The pressure to perform can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose sight of our true selves and our real well-being in the process.
That’s why I started this business – to help people like you reach that next level in an authentic way that doesn’t sacrifice health and well-being. Through my own journey, I’ve learned that the key to achieving excellence is to align your goals with your unique values, needs, and strengths. And with my guidance, you can create a path that leads to success without injuries or burnouts.
I understand firsthand the importance of building trust within oneself to stand up for what is right, say no when necessary, and prioritize our own well-being. In my own athletic career, I had to learn this lesson the hard way which is why my career ended before I would have wanted. But now, I’m here to share these lessons with you and help you avoid the mistakes I made.
Whether you’re an athlete, a high performer, or simply someone who wants to live a fulfilling life, I can help you find the right headspace to reach your goals because quite often, we already have the skills but our mind is limiting us. With my expertise and tools, you’ll learn to trust yourself, build confidence, joy and freedom AND achieve more in life.
I’m annoyingly passionate about helping people like you discover the power within themselves to achieve their dreams and live a fulfilling life. So if you’re ready to take the step towards your next level, let’s connect and start this journey together.
Do you want to see what that limiting belief is that is holding you back, delaying the success, joy, and leadership you can have in your life?
Or are you looking for a breathwork session to dive deeper into the mind and body and the possibilities of it? Maybe for your company/team?
“You are the most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were”
-RORY VADEN
Psst… You can also read more about the vision I have about authentic leadership in sports and how to get more out of the athletes and teams from my blog. I picked a couple good ones for you! Enjoy 🙂
Why joy matters for high performance
I always hated when someone said “Oh I wish I could just train twice a day and get paid for it!”. People who say that don’t often see what goes into the pro athlete life. For example in volleyball, you’ll play your pro season for 8-9 months that you get paid for,...
Vulnerability and Authenticity in Sports. Only for Wimps?
Vulnerability. Authenticity. Courage. Nice words? Uncomfortable words? What do they even mean? How could those words ever be related to sports? You must be out of your mind, you soft and smooshy lady from Finland, if you think those soft words could ever be installed,...
Why we need Authentic Leadership in Sports?
“All of us have the spark of leadership in us, whether it is in business, in government, or as a non-profit volunteer. The challenge is to understand where we can use our leadership gifts to serve others" -Ann Fudge Hellooo Ann Fudge and thank you for this...