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Sports Performance & Mental Wellness for NYC-Area Youth

We help youth athletes of all levels to succeed in sports and life.

start here
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Young baseball player in red uniform pitching on a baseball field.

The tradional approach to sports performance isn’t working

Our hyper-competitive culture tells young athletes to “suck it up” and “shake it off”.

But we see it differently

By connecting mental wellness with peak performance strategies, we can raise happy, healthy, resilient kids—all while optimizing how well they perform on the court.

Because it’s not only about your child succeeding in sports. It’s about helping them lead with unwavering confidence and build an emotional toolkit so they can thrive.

Building the skills they need to excel in sports and life

Sharpen Focus

Handle Pressure

Stay Calm Under Stress

Recover from Setbacks

Become Adaptable Leaders

Gain Confidence

Maintain Balance

Build Discipline

Build Emotional Literacy

The OAZ Assessment

Sports performance and mental wellness
are interconnected

Our two comprehensive assessments will provide a clear understanding of the unique challenges your child is facing on and off the field.

Empowering them to succeed, we will create a custom treatment plan so they can confidently overcome obstacles—an essential skill that will last a lifetime.

Sports performance and mental wellness
are interconnected

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Sports Performance

To improve sports performance, we uncover what’s happening on the field. By combining mindset coaching and athletic training, peak performance can be achieved.

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Custom Treatment
Plan

Mental Wellness

Emotional health is crucial to sports performance. We get to the heart of what’s happening in school, at home, and with friends to identify any underlying issues.

how it works

About Us

We’ve helped countless athletes

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a pink t-shirt and blue jeans, sits on concrete steps outdoors, smiling with plants and greenery in the background.

Hi, I’m Sue Sugarman

While my professional experience equipped me for this work, my personal experience as a triathlete and sports mom inspired me to create Optimal Athletic Zone. 


After over 25 years as a Child & Adolescent Therapist—and while teaching at NYU and advising at Columbia University—I've seen firsthand the impact of mental health on sports performance. By teaming up with Becca Klapper, we ensure every youth athlete has the tools and skills they need to succeed.

Learn more
A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a white t-shirt, standing indoors near a polished wooden table with greenery visible through large windows in the background.

Hi, I’m Becca Klapper

I grew up in New York City playing three sports, so I understand the pressure to perform at the highest level.


As a CMPC currently pursuing my PhD in Clinical Health Psychology, I blend mindset coaching with peak performance strategies. Like Sue, I take a holistic, person-centered approach when working with youth athletes.

Learn more
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SUCCESS STORIES

Real Stories, Real Results

Get a behind-the-scenes look at real stories of the some of the youth athletes we’ve worked with.

We created this free resource to show you the difference the right support can make.

see what's possible