Tom Painter
Mental Skills & Performance Coach
@apex.mentalskills
Shift Your Perspective
Master The Present
Enjoy Your Potential
Rob, All-Ireland Champ 2024
Ra, Otago & Green Island Grizzlies
“Working with Tom over many seasons, my performance has gone from strength to strength. My mind is clear and focused every time I step onto the pitch.
With visualization and breathing techniques I can perform at the peak of my abilities with confidence and clarity, allowing me to enjoy playing week in, week out.
Tom’s extensive knowledge, and ability to build strong and genuine relationships put him right at the top of his game. I cannot recommend Tom enough.”
“Working with Tom has helped me expand my mental toughness and awareness. He has helped me break down things in my game and learn to take more control of those things to elevate them into my trainings and game day preparation. Tom's knowledge has helped my mental preparation going into trainings and games, and this has now changed the way I approach my weekly preparation for game day.”
John, All-Ireland Champ 2025
James, Ospreys
“Tom was immense in helping me with my performance related goals alongside training & preparation, as well as managing life so far from home. We developed great habits for overcoming adversity & performing under pressure.
He has the agility to work on personal & performance levels which I found extremely helpful throughout our time together.
Tom is an impressive Performance Coach and knows how to get the best from players who truly want to take their game to the next level.”
“Tom has been a game-changer for my rugby performance. Together, we have overcome pre-match nerves that used to throw me off, and developed mental resilience techniques that keep me focused even in the most intense moments of a game. I learned to visualize success, manage pressure, set training and game related goals and truly trust my instincts on the field, which not only boosted my confidence but also significantly improved my decision-making and overall play.”
Tom is a mental skills and performance coach with a decade of experience helping individuals and teams put forward the best version of themselves when it matters most. In 2019, he co-founded Apex Mental Skills to make sport and performance psychology accessible to young people with friends Henry and Alex.
After years of coaching in diverse environments, he gained a First-Class MSc in Mental Skills and Mental Health in Sport at the University of Limerick in 2021, shaping his practice and anchoring his wide experience in research.
Most recently, Tom has been working at the forefront of top-level rugby, helping representative and international players and coaches unlock their potential and realize that ‘what is inside them is bigger than what is in front of them.’ He continues on-field coaching as an IRFU level 3 accredited coach, specialising in defense and skill acquisition.
ABOUT
PHILOSOPHY
Authentic relationships are at the core of Tom’s philosophy. Trust, respect, and compassion create a safe environment where clients feel comfortable being open, vulnerable, and honest. This connection allows them to fully engage in the process and unlock their potential. It is something that clients consistently identify as a critical part of their success.
Authentic Relationships
Before taking the first step in any personal development journey, some mindset and attitude non-negotiables are required. Tom emphasizes Mindful Acceptance as a foundation for growth, going beyond a traditional approach to change or ‘stop’ negative thoughts. Wellbeing fundamentals take center stage, while guided self-reflection helps the search for each client’s ‘Why’.
‘Permission to Play’
Self-directed learning is central to Tom’s process. Too often practice is passive and progress is a matter of chance. In order to reach our goals, it requires clear analysis, deliberate execution, and thoughtful reflection. This structured approach empowers clients to take ownership of their development. Every action is intentional, driving measurable improvement and meaningful progress.
Prepare with Purpose
When it comes to performance, Tom equips clients with mental tools like Visualization, Self-Talk, and Attentional Control, as well as physiological tools such as breathwork, to relax and activate as the task requires. Grounded in research, these strategies help individuals walk towards pressure and deliver their best when it matters most.
Perform in the Present
“Tom’s mental skills knowledge and rugby understanding has helped me support my players’ mental skills development.
Having filled out the TOPS questionnaire, I became aware of the drastic shortcomings in my psychological preparation as a player.
With Tom’s support, I have shared these learnings with my players and am working with them to develop their own psychological routines pregame and training.
Tom has also been hugely helpful in developing my practice design. As a result of this work, I have been able to create more engaging and challenging sessions, as validated by player feedback.”
Dom Waldouck, England A & Gloucester Rugby Coach
“Tom has been instrumental in helping me build the confidence to lead effectively.
His guidance has enabled me to refine critical skills and cultivate mental resilience, both of which have been vital during pivotal moments in our organisation's growth.
By applying these skills with confidence, I have transformed UmRio from a small, grassroots charity with limited funding into an internationally recognised, award-winning organisation that is now sharing its innovative development model worldwide.”
Rob Malengreau, CEO - UmRio
Working with Tom
Whatever your goals or challenges - from the boardroom to the dressing room - Tom’s process takes the same shape. It allows him to fully understand you and your context, suggest a suitable approach and establish a way of working that fits your team or individual environment.
While Tom calls South-West Ireland home, he is passionate about travelling and learning from new environments, wherever they may be. Please get in touch to discuss availability and locations.
Services
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1-1 Coaching
Whatever your goals—athletic, professional, academic, or personal—working with Tom means coaching tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're striving for personal growth or elite performance, Tom provides the tools to build resilience, perform under pressure, and unlock your potential in the moments that matter most.
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Team Coaching
From grassroots teams to elite organisations, Tom delivers coaching tailored to your group’s needs. Whether in sport, business, or education, he works with teams of all levels to build trust, foster cohesion, and align goals. Transform your team into a cohesive and high-performing unit ready to achieve together.
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Workshops
For athletes, professionals, and educators, Tom’s workshops combine unpacking the science and research behind performance with practical strategies tailored to your needs. Covering topics like exam pressure or public speaking, sessions deliver actionable tools. Ranging from short sessions to full-day deep dives, they’re designed for real-world impact.
