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Sports Performance Testimonials

sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Ian Stone, Head Coach St. John’s University Women’s Soccer

Our coaching staff considers Mark an invaluable resource for not only our players but for our support and guidance in many major decisions that we make as a staff. Mark has helped our team in a multitude of areas. We have seen tremendous personal and performance growth in all of our players who have sought his counseling. As a coaching staff, we seek out his expertise on group management throughout the year. The sessions he leads that force our team to work as a high functioning group teach our players skills in communicating and listening effectively. he is an instrumental piece in achieving our aim of empowering the young women in our program to great success on and off the field.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Phobay Kutu-Akoi, 2012 Olympian, London – Liberia’s 100m Dash Record Holder

Meeting Mark Armiento at one of his “Life Balance Workshops” at St. John’s University was by far one of the best things that happened to me throughout my college experience. During my one-on-one meetings with him, I was able to make huge transformations in my life that once seemed unchangeable. From working out family differences and dealing with closure, to finding my voice, I’ve learned to better my interpersonal relationships in every aspect. Mr. Armiento has helped me grow mentally and spiritually by giving me the tools of meditation and visualization which made a tremendous impact on my life. In the sport of track and field, which to me is 90% mental, focus is vital and not always the easiest thing to do. But with the knowledge of meditation and visualization it comes easy. Meditation has enhanced my spirituality and the process of visualization has given me the collegiate career…
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Patrick Elliot, Director of Athletics at St. Peter’s College, New Jersey

Mark’s emphasis on balance is an important lesson for optimal athletic performance. Student-athletes have many competing stresses in their lives-academically, athletically, socially and emotionally. Through Mark’s work, he teaches students the importance of identifying these situations while providing them the tools to develop appropriate strategies to effectively manage all aspects of their lives.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Nicole Canning, St. John’s 2011 graduate – Women’s Soccer athlete

Mark, I wanted to let you know how grateful I am to you and for everything you've taught me. There have been times recently, when I have been in a new situation and have felt completely at peace and prepared to handle new challenges-I have never before felt this confidence!  What you have taught me has shaped who I am -I owe you so much and I hope you know how grateful I am to have been able to learn from you over the past few years.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Chris Monasch, Athletic Director at St. John’s University, New York

Mark is of great assistance in developing our student-athletes not only on the playing field but in their aspirations to achieve academically, socially and in the community. He is a great “coach” for our student athletes.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Joanne-Persico Smith, Head Volleyball Coach at St. John’s University

Mark’s workshops are very useful to our organization as he understands our department and adapts his expertise to ensure every participant receives quality, relevant content. He is passionate about his life’s vocation, and that comes across throughout the presentation and in his ability to connect with everyone in the room! His workshops remind me to stay attentive to the goals that really matter in my life while assisting me to develop personal tools to ensure that I actually achieve the goals I set out to accomplish. It has been a pleasure to work with Mark throughout my career at St. John’s as the head women’s volleyball coach. He is a critical component of our three-time Big East Champion team!
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Ed Blankmeyer, Head Baseball Coach at St. John’s University

Mark has been an outstanding resource to our baseball program. He has been there for several of our players. On a personal note, I have attended several of Mark’s workshops. I have found them to be very informative and helpful. I have incorporated many of Mark’s life balance suggestions. His presentation encourages interaction and is extremely thought provoking.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Jim Hurt, Head Track & Field Coach at St. John’s University

Mark, You are the best and I appreciate all your help with Phobay (2012 Olympian)  and all the others you have helped. Phobay has come full circle and it is has been an incredible journey and a great St. John’s story.   Mark, Thanks again for all your great work with Phobay. Seeing her march in the opening ceremonies watching her compete in front of 80,000 people in the Olympic stadium against the top sprinters on the planet really was remarkable and I know you had a great part in getting her there. From the Liberia to Maryland to the hallway in Carnesecca in Queens to the Olympic Stadium in London is some journey and one you had a helping hand in. I truly appreciate it, thank you for all your great effort, and ask that you keep up the good work.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Amy Kvilhaug, Head Softball Coach at St. John’s University

I have witnessed Mark’s work and am most impressed at his ability to make people feel comfortable and valid in their beliefs. He challenges individuals to create a healthy balance in life in order to achieve an optimum lifestyle. Professionally, he has successfully worked with many of my student-athletes. He is always available and accommodating. Most recently he spoke to an athlete via telephone on a Saturday night prior to a game on Sunday and she had one of her stronger performances in weeks. He is very thorough in his work.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Nakita Austin, 2012 Outstanding Athlete of the Year Division I Tennis

Mark Armiento was the Sports Psychologist for the student-athletes at St. John’s University. I was someone who never saw a psychologist for any therapy on or off the field, and was hesitant about doing so, but I finally walked into his office in my senior year of college. I felt like I was under heavy emotional and physical stress when I came in for my first session and Mr. Armiento far surpassed any expectations I had of a counselor. As a third party to both my personal and sports related situations, he truly helped me cope and understand myself better in order to deal with these stressful and emotional situations that I usually could never speak to anyone about. I can honestly say he helped me through a very tough time in my life and saw me through it until I felt better. I would recommend Mr. Armiento to anybody…
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Michele Canning, NYU Head Women’s Soccer Coach / Former Women’s Soccer Coach at St. John’s University

On a personal level, working with Mark has given me access to tools, such as meditation techniques, to continue on my path to self-awareness. I have gained a sense of peace in all aspects of my life and have uncovered new depths of creative energies. This has directly had a positive impact on my interactions with others as well, particularly as a coach and teacher. I am also proud to have been a part of Mark’s work with the St. John’s women’s soccer program. I am very grateful for the time he spends sharing tools, such as goal setting and communication skills, with young women to contribute to their academic, athletic and personal success.
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Alexandra Tannous – Lebanese National Team, St. Johns Division I fencer 2012

After only two meetings with Mark, my performance felt like it made a 180 degree turn around. After struggling for quite a while with my confidence and drive, I decided to make the initiative to get some help. Never having been the type to ask for help, making this initiative was a new experience and I had my doubts. Mark has a great inviting personality and his friendliness put me at ease, especially when it was such a novice experience.  In the initial hour I had spent, I learned more about myself, and about the interrelations that take place in my life, than I had ever expected. I’d communicate with Mark between meetings to “stay on track”. The night before a competition I had talked to Mark to help with some emotions that had been interfering with my performance. The next day, I had felt like a completely different person.…
sports performancetestimonials
January 25, 2015

Jess Simonetti, Former St. Johns University Women’s Soccer student-athlete, Good Shepherd Domestic/International Volunteer

I've worked with Mark for almost 6 years now both individually and in group/team work. His ability to immerse himself in the energies of others is very unique and special. I feel both pride and deep gratitude that the universe has placed Mark in journey and would encourage anyone to invite Mark into their journey as a very special gift/opportunity. Working with Mark, both inside and outside athletics, I have discovered extremely powerful tools inside myself that I didn't even know existed. I have come to connect with my self in ways that I didn’t even know were possible! Whether I was running to Mark’s office in between classes or soccer practice for in-person sessions or whether we have our sessions via skype from South America to North, it continues to be a life-giving process of growth, connection, and discoveries that I simply can’t describe via typing. Its just not…