Dr. Donna Marzo is a licensed psychologist, business owner, and athlete. For nearly 15 years, she has been helping her clients to achieve their health, fitness, and performance goals. Seven years ago, Dr. Marzo founded The District Wellness Group, a multi-disciplinary health center in Washington, DC which continues to prosper today. She is a member in good standing with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and in Division 47 - Exercise & Sport Psychology and Division 38 - Health Psychology, of the American Psychological Association.

Athletically, Donna played basketball at the college level, is currently an avid runner and triathlete, and recreationally enjoys golf, tennis, and skiing. She competes regularly and understands the rigorous demands of training and competition, while maintaining a positive sport-life balance.

To reach Dr. Marzo:

At MindMuscle Sport Performance Consulting, we believe that athletes at every ability level can enhance performance and enjoyment in their sport by attending to their mental game. Disciplined athletes devote time and energy to the physical and technical demands of their sport (strength training, cardio conditioning, tactical planning, training logs, nutrition plans). Many athletes are missing a critical component in their training regimen - the psychological skills and techniques required for a successful performance. The body may be strong and ready to go, but if the mind is weak, peak performance will not be achieved.

Mental toughness, like physical conditioning, is achieved through a systematic and consistent practice of specific skills and strategies. The confident, relaxed, focused athlete is more likely to execute at an optimal level come show time. To compete at that level, one must train at that level, physically and mentally.

MindMuscle Sport Performance Consulting can help you to acquire or sharpen the skills needed to take your performance to the next level.

• I worked with Dr. Marzo on my concentration skills and pre-shot routine. I feel a lot more confident and relaxed now standing over a key putt or stepping up to the tee. It has definitely helped me to compete at a higher level and enjoy the game more. (Amateur Golfer)
• As a distance runner, it's a tricky thing maintaining your concentration for 26.2 miles. Dr. Marzo taught me when and how I needed to focus more in the present and when I could relax a bit and just run. Sounds simple, but being conscious and in control of your intensity and concentration is harder than you think! Thanks to you, Doc, I now know when to use my narrow focus and when to zoom it out! It has certainly made the later miles more enjoyable and I'm happy to say, faster. (Age Group Marathoner)
• I finally understand how relaxed can equal faster and stronger. It's amazing to me how I was getting in my own way and wasting precious energy. Thanks for teaching me how to focus my energy and unleash it at the right times. Once I started practicing those mental skills the way I practice the physical ones, my performance improved significantly. (Age Group Triathlete )
• Doc taught me to how to get my mental game under control… now my practice and my play is more intense and consistent. My once inconsistent killer serve is now a reliable secret weapon. You rock Doc! (NCAA Div. I Tennis Player)
• Honestly, I really didn't know much about sport psychology, I wasn't sure if it was for me. I had been a fairly confident runner and cyclist and decided to consider competing in a triathlon. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to swim! After taking lessons at my local Y, I was happy to finally learn how to swim, yet I still struggled with my fears when left in the deep end of the pool and the thought of open water really freaked me out! Convinced I could never compete in a triathlon I was ready to give up. Then a good friend recommended that I try a sport psychologist. I thought, no way - I am not crazy and I don't need a shrink! Then my friend explained that Dr. Marzo specialized in sport performance skills and that she might be able to help me accomplish my goal and build my confidence so that I could get through the swim. Well, she did that and more. Not only did she help me get control of my anxiety about the open water swim, she taught me techniques that improved both my running and biking which went a long way on race day. I can't thank her enough and I am not sure how I would have made it without her working with me. Afraid of open water no more! (New Triathlete)

If you have worked with Dr. Marzo and would like to contribute a testimonial, please email it to drdmarzo@mindmuscle.net. All testimonials will be listed anonymously according to sport and level, unless otherwise requested.