Tom Painter
Mental Skills & Performance Coach
Shift Your Perspective
Master The Present
Enjoy Your Potential
“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
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
“Working with Tom has been an absolute pleasure with success coming on and off the field.
Working with Tom over many seasons, my performance has gone from strength to strength. My mind is clear and focused each and every time I step onto the pitch.
From implementing visualization and breathing techniques to perform at the peak of my abilities, I play with confidence and clarity, allowing me to enjoy playing week in, week out.
The combination of his extensive knowledge as well as building genuine relationships with his clients put him right at the top of his game. I cannot recommend Tom enough”
Rob, 2023-2024 All Ireland Champion
“Tom was immense in not only helping me with my performance related goals but also my off-field focuses, including training, match preparation & life outside of rugby so far from home.
Tom helped me develop some great habits for overcoming adversity & performing under pressure off the pitch. 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 are truly interested in taking their game to the next level.”
John, All Ireland D1A Player
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.
“Tom has been a real asset to mentally prepare our team for training sessions and on match days.
He has a wealth of experience and the players really accepted him into the group as one of their own.
I have learnt a lot from Tom and I have implemented his lessons into our structures as well as into my own life.”
S-P, Coach & Former Currie Cup Professional
“I worked with Tom on multiple occasions. He supported our team to prepare for and perform effectively through our peak period, as well as equipping us to deliver similar content to students to enable them to perform at their best in their exams.
From the initial consultation, to design and delivery of his support, it is always a pleasure working with Tom. He is engaging and can seamlessly adapt his work to each audience and context.
As an education charity, it was particularly helpful that Tom used research that had come from the sector during the session he ran. I cannot recommend Tom highly enough for any organisation looking to work more effectively and impactfully as a team.”
Alex, CEO of Universify Education
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.
